On February 17, Israel has sentenced 15-year-old child Mohammad Basil al-Zalbani, from Shuafat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem, to 18 years in prison and fined him 250,000 shekels (or to pay 300,000 shekels ($83,333) in compensation according to Palestinian Prisoner Society) Arrested at 13, he has been detained since Feb 2023. Israel accuses him of involvement in a soldier's death. His family's home was also demolished in November 2023. Palestinian Prisoner Society said Zalbani was arrested on Feb. 13, 2023, on charges of resisting the Israeli occupation. The boy, who has been detained for 2 years, was charged with the killing of an Israeli soldier. Zalbani was accused of involvement in the killing of an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint in the Shu’fat camp in 2023. However, the soldier was killed by his colleague's gunfire, and not by Zalbani. The Jerusalem District Court also ordered Mohammed Basel Zalbani, from the Shu’fat refugee camp, east of occupied East Jerusalem, to pay 300,000 shekels ($83,333) in compensation, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said in a statement. "The court convicted Muhammad Zalbani, who was 13 years old at the time, of aggravated murder for stabbing Staff Sgt. Asil Sawaed, 22 at a checkpoint near the Shuafat refugee camp." In Augustus 2023, Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s “punitive” demolition of Palestinian child detainee’s home, stressing he is being punished for a fault he did not commit. In a report the rights group said that the Israeli Supreme Court had approved “the punitive demolition of the family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who has spent the past six months in pre-trial detention on unfair charges.” “In February 2023, Mohammed Zalabani stabbed an Israeli border police officer on a bus at a checkpoint in the Shu’afat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem. He was overpowered, but moments later a private Israeli security guard accidentally shot the officer dead.” According to Amnesty, the autopsy confirmed that the Israeli officer was not killed by the Palestinian child, who was charged with his murder, and is now awaiting trial in a juvenile facility.

## A. The murder **On 11 May 2022**, Al Jazeera American-Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh and a group of five other journalists arrived at Balat Al Shuhada’ street in Jenin to report on a raid on the nearby refugee camp by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The journalists wore prominent ‘PRESS’ vests that identified them as such, from both the front and back, and followed standard protocols for self-identification as they slowly approached a convoy of five armoured Israeli military vehicles parked along an unnamed street intersecting Balat Al Shuhada’. The Israeli army vehicles were approximately 200 metres south of the journalists. **The journalists present during this incident were:** 1° **Shireen Abu Akleh** (fatally hit in her head) 2° **Shatha Hanaysha** (first eye witness under the fire standing near Shireen when Shireen was shot and killed) 3° **Ali Al-Samoudi** (injured in the shoulder) 4° **Mujahid al-Saadi** 5° **Muhannad Nairoukh** 6° **Majdi Bannoura** **At 6:31 AM**, an **Israeli army special forces marksman** (different from ‘snipers’, they are part of a standard fighting squad: their task is to target shots more accurately than regular troops using guns having a bio-pod and an optical scope such as Trijicon ACOG x4) fired the first burst of six bullets directly at the group of journalists from a sniper hole in the military vehicle at the front of the Israeli army convoy. One of the shots **hit journalist Ali Al-Samoudi in the shoulder**. **Eight seconds later**, as the journalists attempted to take cover, the Israeli army marksman fired a second burst consisting of a further seven distinct gunshots, once again targeting the journalists. One of those bullets **hit Shireen Abu Akleh in the head**, fatally wounding her. **Two minutes later**, an unarmed civilian, Sharif al-Azab, attempted to deliver first aid to Shireen, and he, too, **was fired at with three distinct gunshots**. See the **[Timeline of the incident reconstructed by Forensic Architecture](https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/the-extrajudicial-killing-of-shireen-abu-akleh-extended-report/#anchor-6)** She was transported to [Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-al-jazeera-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-shot-dead-jenin), where she was pronounced dead, at the age of 51. The injured journalist, Ali Samoadi, of the Al-Quds newspaper, was shot in the back but survived. ## B. The aftermath of the murder ### On May 11, 2022 : The Israeli military and [Israel's US embassy tweeted a video of Palestinian gunmen in Jenin firing down an alley](https://x.com/naftalibennett/status/1524300920959508484), suggesting they were responsible. However Israeli NGO B'Tselem visited the scene where that footage was taken, and said it was impossible for Abu Akleh to have been hit from there. ### On May 13, 2022 : Abu Akleh’s body was brought from Jenin, where she was killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday, to Jerusalem via Nablus and Ramallah, in a procession where Palestinians paid their respects. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that he would take Abu Akleh’s case to the International Criminal Court in an effort to get justice for the veteran reporter, who joined Al Jazeera in 1997, and was an icon in Palestine and the wider Arab world. In a scene that violates all norms and International laws, the Israeli occupation forces stormed the French Hospital in Jerusalem and attacked the mourners of the late Shireen Abu Akleh at the start of the funeral procession. They severely beat the pallbearers of the late journalist. Israeli forces beat crowd of mourners carrying coffin of Shireen Abu Akleh ahead of funeral in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinians have gathered for the funeral service, before Abu Akleh is taken to the Mount Zion Protestant Cemetery, where she will be buried alongside her late parents. Sources [1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/13/mourners-bid-farewell-to-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-live-news) [](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/INTERACTIVE-Journalists-killed-by-Israeli-forces-1.png?w=770&resize=770%2C770&quality=80) ## C. Independant Forensic Architecture Investigation ### General conclusion of the investigation : 1) The journalists were clearly identifiable as press/non-combatants to the Israeli army marksman. 2) The Israeli army marksman deliberately and repeatedly targeted Shireen and her fellow journalists with the intention to kill. 3) The attack on Shireen and her journalist colleagues occurred during a period without risk to the Israeli army marksman’s life or that of other soldiers. There were no shots other than those of the Israeli marksman fired at the time and no armed individuals in the vicinity of the journalists. 4) Shireen was deliberately denied first aid after being shot by the Israeli army. ### Conclusions of [Audio and acoustic analysis](https://content.forensic-architecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022.11.02_Final-Audio-and-Acoustic-Analysis-SAA-Report.pdf) | Gunfire *before,during and after the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh by Researcher in charge: Dr. Lawrence Abu Hamdan:* The shooter fired a semi-automatic weapon from approximately 180 metres away from Shireen Abu Akleh. This shooter pulled the trigger on seven separate occasions within two seconds making the claim that at no point was there any intentional gunfire carried out by IDF soldiers in a manner intended to harm the journalist” highly improbable. All gunshots audible in the 2 minutes prior to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh are fired from the same position. No other shots in this recording are firing towards the military position from the the vicinity of Shireen Abu Akleh and her colleagues. This report finds no evidence to support the claims that life-threatening, widespread and indiscriminate shots were fired toward IDF soldiers.” The journalist was not “present in the area during an exchange of fire. . [The online report with videos](https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/shireen-abu-akleh-the-targeted-killing-of-a-journalist) [the PFD Complete report](https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/the-extrajudicial-killing-of-shireen-abu-akleh-extended-report/) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FdImqLUXEAYqzil?format=jpg&name=4096x4096) ## D. International statements **On October 13, 2022 UN human rights experts** [have condemned the killing](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/13/un-experts-condemn-shireen-abu-aklehs-killing-demand-probe) of Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, and called for a prompt, transparent, thorough and independent investigation into her death. *“The killing of Abu Akleh is another serious attack on media freedom and freedom of expression, amid the escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank.(...) We demand a prompt, independent, impartial, effective, thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, in full compliance with the Revised United Nations Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions (The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death). We urge the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and other stakeholders to cooperate with such an investigation."* **Powerful statement by Shireen Abu Akleh’s family** saying they are “incredulous” after the State Department released its finding, calling it “insulting to Shireen’s memory.”  ## E. Further linked incidents againt press freedom and Shireen Memory Her funeral was [assaulted by Israely Security Police](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/13/mourners-bid-farewell-to-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-live-news)throughout the procession in Jerusalem, with the coffin bearers being violently beaten with batons and prevented from moving forward. The coffin nearly fell to the ground multiple times. All of these scenes were filmed and broadcast around the world. The White House denounced the violence as “deeply disturbing.” Her memorial, located at the site where she was killed, was desecrated by Israeli forces during a raid in Jenin in October 2023. A D9 Caterpillar bulldozer was used to clear the road and destroy the street mural commemorating her. During the Israeli raid on the Al Jazeera office to shut it down in September 2024, the poster in memory of Shireen that adorned the façade was immediately removed and torn apart in full view of the cameras. Her colleagues, and particulary Shatha Hanaysha, were subjected to threats and attempts on their lives while covering stories. On September 19, Israeli forces [violently arrested](https://x.com/DropSiteNews/status/1839358600449290417) prominent Palestinian journalist Mujahed al-Saadi, breaking into his home in the middle of the night in Jenin, an illegally occupied part of the West Bank. Al-Saadi had been present when the IDF shot and killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 and had recently reported for Drop Site during Israel’s brutal 10-day siege of Jenin.

At midday, an Israeli drone airstrike targeted the Abu Mazid family house in the town of Zawayd, central Gaza, killing four men from the family. **Names of the martyrs:** 1. Abdullah Hussein Abu Mazid 2. Muad Fouad Abu Mazid 3. Ahmad Fouad Abu Mazid 4. Ali Fawzi Abu Mazid

Around 1:30 pm, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Suwairki family home on Moshtaha Street in Shujaiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Six people were killed, including three children and two women. **Names of the martyrs (identified):** 1. Mirfat Al-Suwairki 2. Farah Al-Suwairki (Mirfat's daughter) 3. Mutayam-billah Muhammad Al-Suwairki -child) 4. Hala Muhammad Al-Suwairki (child) 5. Sohad Al-Suwairki (Sources: [1](https://x.com/F24online/status/1874419788791107981) [2](https://x.com/refugeesps/status/1874445816703901870) [3](https://x.com/Qadeyah1/status/1874547060613304634)) **Photos** 

Settlers from the Mishkeh Man outpost, including Yissakhar Man, are used to invade the Palestinian village of Tuba, some armed, entering private courtyards and watering their flocks at the villagers’ water source. These actions are part of a recurring pattern: provocations meant to elicit a reaction from residents, followed by settler violence, arrests, and full cooperation from Israeli police, army, and media. In recent months, Tuba has faced ongoing settler violence, including arson, physical assaults, arrests of victims, and daily expulsion of shepherds from grazing lands. ### **Chronology of the events** **July 21, 2024** After dark Yissakhar Man arrived in the village of Tuba and went on a rampage with his ATV, at one point dangerously and threateningly accelerating toward a 16-year-old boy. **August 9, 2024** The settler Yissakhar Man and another settler from the Mishkeh Man outpost invaded the lands of the village of Tuba with their flock, watering the sheep at the village’s water cistern. The settlers were accompanied closely by uniformed bodyguards: settler-soldiers. **On April 5, 2025** About ten settlers, among them Yissakhar Man — one of the owners of the outpost Mishkeh Man — invaded the village of Tuba today, some of them armed, and entered the courtyards of homes. The police made sure to show up the moment the settlers had already left the area.

**On June, 2024:** Israeli forces demolished a large residential home in Jawaya. During the demolition, they also found an opportunity to beat some of the residents **On July 5, 2024** Footage shows Israeli settlers attacking a group of foreign peace activists visiting the Palestinian village of Al-Jawaya south of Al Khalil in the occupied West Bank. **On July 21, 2024** In the morning, a bulldozer working for settlers flattened land belonging to the village of Jawawiya. The work is taking place right next to the vast area already allocated to Yissakhar Man — at the expense of Jawawiya’s grazing lands — where a vineyard was planted over two years ago. As far as we know, the work is illegal even under Israeli law, and certainly under international law. **On Augustus 5, 2024** Destruction of a water cistern today in the village of Jawaya. At the height of summer, Israeli demolition forces arrived to destroy a cistern used by the residents of Jawaya, who cannot connect to a regular running water supply because the occupying forces refuse to allow them to develop an organized water system. **On Augustus 8, 2024** IDF demolition vehicles destroy a water well in the Wadi Al-Jawaya **On March 15, 2025** - Israeli settlers with ATV quad chased Palestinian shepherds in Jawaya village. - According to Waffa, Israeli sttlers, under the protection of Israeli military forces, attacked shepherds in the Masafer Yatta region, south of Hebron, forcing them at gunpoint to leave their lands. - Osama Makhamreh, an anti-settlement activist, told WAFA that settlers assaulted the family of Ahmad Barghash al-Shawahin while they were herding their livestock in Wadi al-Jawaya. The settlers chased them and forced them, under threat of weapons, to abandon their land. - According to Osama Makhamreh, heavily armed settlers also stormed Khirbet al-Tuba, terrifying children and women.

### Rotem (Hebrew: רותם) is an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Located in the northern Jordan River Valley along the Allon Road south-west of Shadmot Mehola, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council.In 2022 it had a population of 275. The international community considers Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law. ### Tene Yarok Farm of Didi Amosi (father of Gilad Amosi) About a decade ago, Didi Amosi established the Tene Yarok farm near the settlement of Rotem in the Jordan Valley. In recent years, residents of Palestinian communities from the area have testified about the harassment and expulsion of their herds by settlers who came from the direction of the outpost. Didi Amosi, who was also the security officer of the Rotem settlement, was reprimanded a few years ago for attacking an activist from the Jordan Valley activists group who accompany Palestinian shepherds who are suffering from bullying and harassment by settlers and the authorities. Last December, a settler who came from the direction of the outpost attacked two activists near the Farisiyah Palestinian community, and they needed hospital treatment. Recently, a Palestinian family from the Farisiyah community, near which the outpost was established, was forced to leave their homes. In this video, Didi is seen driving into a herd of sheep and then attacking an activist and throwing his phone. ### Chronology of the expansion of Rottem Settlement violence **In 2016,** Israel has announced a new master plan for expanding the Rotem colony in the northern Palestinian Jordan Valley, seizing 1,574.3 dunums of Palestinian land that was originally confiscated in 1980 for "military purposes." The plan includes residential expansion, tourism, agricultural and industrial facilities, and public spaces. Rotem, initially a military base, later became an agricultural settlement and continues to receive significant state support, while Palestinians in the area face severe restrictions. The expansion violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions and international law, which prohibit Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. **On February 20217** Israeli settlers from Rotem colony have begun establishing a new outpost to the west of Rotem, in the Palestinian area of Wad Al-Malih, Tubas governorate. The settlers have set up two caravans as the initial step in taking over more Palestinian land. This expansion violates Palestinian land rights and threatens further land confiscation. The Israeli government's support for such outposts, through proposed legalization bills, accelerates the process of settlement expansion. This is part of a broader pattern of Israeli colonization in the West Bank, which contravenes multiple UN Security Council resolutions and international law prohibiting settlements in occupied territories. **On April 19, 2022** Israeli settlers installed two caravans in the Ihmayyer area, part of Palestinian land belonging to the Al Farsiya community. This marks the beginning of a potential new settlement, a process that has been repeated in nearby areas, like Maskiyyot. Over time, such settlements grow, leading to the construction of permanent housing, roads, and other infrastructure, all supported and protected by the Israeli military. This expansion is part of a broader policy of land confiscation and ethnic cleansing aimed at displacing Palestinian communities from the Jordan Valley. On the same day, Israel's National Nature Assessment Program declared the nearby Ein El-Hilwe area a nature reserve, renaming it after Israeli colonies and erasing the Palestinian presence. This follows a history of restricting Palestinian access to the land, which had previously been declared a closed military zone. The community is concerned that the installation of the nature reserve sign is the first step in further restricting their access and control over the land. **On March 2024** Luai Abu Muhsen, a 42-year-old resident of al-Farisiyah, describes the ongoing harassment and violence his family faces from Israeli settlers in the area, especially over the past two years. They are frequently blocked from accessing pasture, beaten, and their tractor has been confiscated twice. On December 17, 2023, while tending to their sheep, settlers in a pickup truck deliberately ran over two sheep and attacked Luai's brother, Barakat, with a sharp object, causing a deep wound. Despite calling for help, the Israeli police and army arrived but did nothing, demonstrating their collaboration with the settlers. Luai expresses frustration, noting that settlers have fenced off their land, making it harder to sustain their livestock. The settlers have become dominant in the Jordan Valley, and the Abu Muhsen family feels unsupported by authorities. Other families have been forced to leave due to threats and violence, and Luai highlights the lack of action from the Israeli authorities. Recently, Israeli activists have been staying in the community to offer protection, but the settlers’ violence continues, including destroying tents and intimidating those who attempt to support the Palestinian community. **On Augustus 21, 2024** The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has reported that recent settler violence in the occupied West Bank has led to the "largest forcible transfer" of Palestinians since October 7.Three Palestinian communities, totaling 119 individuals, have been displaced in the last ten days due to attacks by illegal settlers who established new outposts and blocked access to water. Two communities, *Al-Farsiya Khallet Khader* and *Al-Farisiya al-Zu’bi*, have been completely abandoned, while only one family remains in *Ein al-Hilweh – Um al-Jmal*. The NRC holds Israel responsible as the occupying power for the actions of the settlers, emphasizing that these actions are a grave violation of international law. The violence has displaced or put at risk the remaining 18 communities in the Al-Maleh region, causing significant damage to Palestinian livelihoods and violating their rights. The NRC also highlighted that humanitarian aid worth nearly a quarter of a million euros has been affected or destroyed by settlers. The organization has called for Israel to shut down illegal settler outposts, investigate settler attacks, and hold perpetrators accountable. Additionally, reports revealed that illegal settlers have intentionally started 273 fires on Palestinian land since October 7, contributing to further violence and displacement. **On March 2, 2025** Israeli settlers released their livestock into the rain-fed crops of Palestinian farmers in Khirbet al-Farsiya village, located in the northern Jordan Valley, region, northeast of the occupied West Bank. They grazed their sheep in the Palestinian agricultural fields, causing significant damage to the crops. Settler routinely allow their livestock to graze in Palestinian farmland, leading to considerable losses. Annually, they destroy hundreds of dunums of agricultural land in the northern Jordan Valley, in addition to blocking Palestinian farmers from grazing their livestock, raiding their homes, intimidating families, and attempting to steal livestock. **On March 26:** - Three settlers, led by Gilad Amosi, invaded the Palestinian village of al-Farsiya at 01.00 A.M., one of them drove around on an ATV, shouting at residents and human rights activists. Then the settlers set up camp on the hill 50 meters away from the village. - The activists confronted the settlers, who called Israeli police. The police arrived, questioned the activists, got their ID numbers and left. For the next 2.5 hours the settlers sat on the hill and the activists monitored them from the village. - At 03.30 A.M. one of the settlers, armed with an M16 assault rifle, invaded the village once again. When he was confronted by the activists and residents, he started pushing them, and then hit three people with the barrel of his gun. All three sustained minor injuries. The settler then cocked his gun and pointed it at the activists and residents, including children. After being further confronted and filmed by the activists, he retreated back to the hill. - At 06.00 A.M. Israeli Occupation soldiers invaded the village together with the police. They once again pointed weapons at the human rights activists, threatened and pushed them. Israeli police arrested one of the activists. - This is part of an escalating campaign of ethnic cleansing of the Jordan Valley. Almost daily, the Palestinian village of al-Farsiya is being targeted by settler terror, spearheaded by settler leader Didi Amosi (see picture, left), and the security coordinator of the settlement Rotem Daniel Ran (see picture, right). Several Palestinian communities in the area have already been expelled, and without urgent intervention, the same will happen to al-Farsiya.

This village in Masafer Yatta area was regularly harass by violent settlers in order to steal their land. The police's deliberate daily disregard for these crimes enables and legitimizes future attacks. The apartheid regime's unwillingness to enforce the law on settlers serves as an incentive for their acts of terror. ## Chronology : **2020** **On April 21, 2020**, Jabarin Abu ‘Aram, a 56-year-old father of nine, was grazing his flock near Qawawis when two settlers from the Mitzpe Yair outpost approached him. One pepper-sprayed him, and both threw stones at him, stealing two of his goats. Abu ‘Aram’s wife intervened, but the settlers fled with the goats. Despite reporting the incident and providing evidence to the police, no action was taken, and the goats were never returned. Abu ‘Aram expressed frustration at the lack of protection, noting that settlers operate with impunity, leaving his family in fear of constant attacks. The outpost of Mitzpe Yair, established in 1998, has a history of encroaching on Palestinian lands near Route 317. [source](https://www.btselem.org/node/212932) **2024** **On Sunday, March 17,** Jibril Nu’man, 59, was grazing his flock on his private land near Qawawis when a settler soldier ordered him to leave. After refusing, Nu’man and another shepherd, Taleb Nu’man, were handcuffed, detained for five hours without food during Ramadan, and taken to a military camp before being released later that evening. **On Saturday, March 23,** Jibril Nu’man was again grazing his flock, this time with three Israeli activists, when a settler arrived, followed by two masked soldiers. One soldier threatened Nu’man with a gun, argued over the land’s ownership, and forced him to hand over his ID. After further confrontation, the soldiers tied and blindfolded Nu’man, beat him, and took him to a nearby camp, where he was detained for several hours without food, water, or the ability to pray. He was eventually dropped off far from his village. In a testimony he gave [B'tselem](https://www.btselem.org/video/20240522_soldiers_assaulted_shepherds_in_qawawis_in_south_hebron_hills#full) field researcher Basel al-Adrah on 23 March 2024, Jibril Nu’man recounted his detention by soldiers, some of whom he recognized as settlers **On May 15,** Jibrin Abu Aram was arrested for the fourth time in recent months while on his private land by the soldiers-settlers from the Mitzpe Yair outpost, which has been attempting to seize Qawawis' land for years. The stated reason was his presence near an illegal road built by settlers on Palestinian land. Even under apartheid laws, Palestinians are allowed near the road, but colonial practices disregard such laws. **2025** **On January 2:** When settlers attacked Jibrin Abu Aram's neighbor the day before, the army and police refused to intervene, highlighting their role in perpetuating abuse against Palestinians to force them off their land. Settlers infiltrated the village of Qawawis late at night and attacked Khaled Al-Najjar brutally. This is not the first time that Najjar has been injured in a settler attack; in 2001, he was seriously wounded when a settler shot him in the stomach. Yesterday, solidarity activists and residents of Qawawis tried several times to speak with the police and urged them to expel the settlers who invade the village lands and destroy fruit trees with their herds, but the police merely ask the settler to move. Five minutes later, as he goes deeper into the Palestinian orchards with his herd, they refuse to send the police back to the scene  **On April 20:** According to masafering, On the moning, three residents of the village of Gwawis went out to harvest barley on their land, near the ruins of Jibrin's house. A uniformed man riding an ATV arrived at the scene, forced them to stop working, and ordered them to sit on the ground in the scorching sun. More soldiers soon arrived and held the landowners for an hour, without providing any explanation. This is a systematic practice of harassment and intimidation as part of the attempt to uproot Palestinian communities from their land: farmers are exhausted with baseless delays every time they work their land, until they stop working it, which makes it legally easier to expropriate it and in practice easier for settlers to do with it as they please.

On November 11, 2024, in Al-Ara’ara Bedouin community, near Jaba, east of occupied Jerusalem, Israeli bulldozers, under occupation forces, demolished several structures in the Bedouin Al-Ara’ara community, including an abandoned House (unoccupied since the 1960s), a guesthouse, a house used by women and children, five Sheep Pens, a car repair shop, a mosque. Israeli forces marked additional structures with red paint, indicating potential for further demolitions. **Community Impact:** The Al-Ara’ara community includes over 80 families from the Jahalin Bedouin tribe. **Broader Context:** These demolitions are occurring alongside significant expansion of the Israeli Adam settlement, which is encroaching on lands belonging to the town of Jaba. Sources [1](https://english.palinfo.com/news/2024/11/11/328594/) [2](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/151545) [3](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241112-israel-demolishes-mosque-home-east-of-jerusalem/)

**Human Shields**: *The use of civilians to protect combatants or military objectives from attack. This practice is explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law (IHL) as per the Fourth Geneva Convention.* ## Use of Human Shields in Israeli Military Practices Depending on whether the IDF is in Gaza or the West Bank, the methods used differ ### **A. The “Mosquito Protocol” (2024)** A term reportedly used by the IDF to describe the practice of sending Palestinian detainees into potentially dangerous situations to safeguard soldiers during military operations. Palestinian civilians are arrested, detained and allegedly used as “human shields” by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to search tunnels and inspect potentially booby-trapped locations during the Israeli ground invasion in Gaza. Civilians referred to as "shawishim," are sent into high-risk areas before IDF soldiers. These Operations are conducted in various parts of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah. IDF soldiers arrest Palestinian civilians, some as young as 16 and others elderly, are dressed in IDF uniforms, bound, and equipped with cameras to explore dangerous areas. **Recent investigations and developments (2024)** ~ July and February 2024: Reports emerged of Palestinians being coerced into entering booby-trapped buildings or tunnels in Gaza. ~ August 13, 2024 (Haaretz): Allegations from soldiers, commanders, and Palestinian detainees revealed that civilians, including minors, were used to inspect hazardous tunnels and buildings.[Israeli leftist newspaper "Haaretz" Investigation](https://archive.md/BKrxB) *IDF Allegedly Uses Palestinian Civilians as Human Shields in Gaza Operations* by the Reporters: Yaniv Kubovich, Michael Hauser Tov on August 13, 2024. ~ October 21, 2024 (The Guardian): Whistleblower testimonies and reports highlighted systematic practices in Gaza, including tying civilians, forcing them to wear IDF uniforms, and using them for reconnaissance or shield tasks. ~ October 24, 2024 (CNN): The "Mosquito Protocol" involved forcing Palestinian detainees to enter danger zones. Reports included physical abuse and coercion, with some detainees subjected to beatings or threats. **Key Practices and Allegations:** ~ IDF soldiers abduct Palestinians included minors, elderly individuals, and detainees? in order to force them to: ~ Enter buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or in Gaza Strip, including Rafah, Khan Younis, Shuja’iya, and Jabaliya. ~ Perform reconnaissance and operate cameras. ~ Serve as shields during gunfire or door-knocking procedures. Soldiers and officers allegedly received orders to implement these tactics, with some expressing moral opposition. Civilians were often handcuffed, blindfolded, or dressed in IDF uniforms. IDF units use coercion involved physical abuse, threats, and psychological pressure. Some soldiers expressed moral opposition, describing the practice as mimicking tactics of organizations like Hamas. **The Military Justifications** is the safety of Soldiers (Commanders prioritized minimizing risks to Israeli troops, even at the expense of Palestinian civilians) and the Operational Efficiency (Familiarity with local areas made Palestinian civilians useful for identifying threats or navigating buildings). **Evidence Supporting Allegations** Palestinian detainees and IDF soldiers provided consistent accounts of coercion and abuse. Photographs and Video Footage showed bound civilians being guarded by IDF soldiers. Reports of civilians dressed in military gear with attached cameras for reconnaissance. Human Rights Documentation: Organizations like Breaking the Silence, Middle East Human Right Monitor, .. highlighted the systematic nature of these practices. The investigation includes first-hand soldier testimonies, video footage aired on Al Jazeera, and reports of systematic practices. Despite the IDF’s official denial, which states that such actions are against military regulations, these findings raise significant concerns about violations of humanitarian and legal standards. **Soldier Concerns:** Testimonies from DIF soldiers and commanders indicate ethical or legal discomfort with the practice, which some soldiers equate to endangering civilians for military advantage. They confronted their commanders about International laws but the answer was the following : *"It is better that they explode and not the IDF soldiers"* because their live is less important than IDF lives. In one reported case, a 16 y/O Palestinian was kept for several days, given combat rations, and used as humand shield by soldiers to explore a house. He was later released near a checkpoint confirming for the IDF whitnesses htat he was not involved in terrorism but just a civilian. **Leadership Knowledge and Military Responses:** Allegations that senior officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi and Southern Command Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, were aware of the practice. **US Reaction:** U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed outrage, stating that the IDF’s actions in the footage “do not reflect IDF values” and are under investigation. ### B. Neighbor Procedure/Early Warning Procedure: A specific tactic used by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), primarily in the **West Bank**, where civilians (often neighbors) are asked to communicate with suspects or perform tasks such as clearing buildings. **Israeli Military Justifications** ~ The military argues that the practice reduces casualties on both sides by avoiding direct confrontations. ~ The IDF pretend civilians are not coerced and face little to no danger, as evidenced by the provision of protective measures like bulletproof vests. ~ Local civilians are believed to be better suited to communicate with suspects and navigate complex environments. ~ The presence of civilians supposedly reduces hostility from suspects, facilitating safer surrenders. **Criticism and Legal Challenges** The practice breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcing protected persons to assist an occupying force. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit denies approving civilian use in dangerous military operations and claims the reported incidents are under review. The continuation of the practice after HCJ rulings indicates weak enforcement of judicial decisions within the military.Israel faces backlash for the practice, which undermines its international standing and raises questions about its adherence to IHL.Despite legal bans, reports of continued use highlight a lack of accountability within the IDF. Few soldiers are prosecuted, and penalties remain minimal. Disproportionate Risks & ethical concern: The procedure shifts the burden of danger from soldiers to civilians, violating the principle of proportionality under IHL.The procedure exposes civilians to potential harm, even when “voluntary,” and undermines the principle of distinction in IHL.Both victims and soldiers involved in these operations experience long-term trauma. The use of human shields continues to be condemned by international organizations like Btselem and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). **Documented Cases and Patterns** Testimonies reveal that even minors and women were coerced or threatened into participating.Despite the 2005 HCJ ruling, instances of human shield usage have been reported in subsequent military operations. Case of Bilal (Testimony): A child was sent into a house to check for a suspect, showcasing the direct harm and coercion involved. Consequences ## Chronology of events ### Since October 2023 Gaza Israeli soldier Yosef Scewekeh from the steel cat combat engineering corps showing how they use Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza  10 Nov 2023: [A video shows](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231110-israeli-army-in-west-bank-uses-palestinian-detainee-as-human-shield/) Israeli soldiers using a blindfolded Palestinian detainee as a human shield in the West Bank. He is seated on the ground w/ vehicles behind him using him as a shield as an Israeli soldier aim his rifle towards Palestinians May 2024: On May 24, Lt. Amit Nechmya, the Latak platoon commander is seen ordering an elderly man with a partially covered face to move to an unknown location in Rafah. The video was recorded by Sgt Camisa. On October 2024 “Really a nice ending”,This is what Mujinda wrote, commenting on the kidnapping of Palestinians in the West Bank.  ### Before October 2023 **May 2023:** Israeli soldiers forced Nidal, 9, Karam, 11, Ahmad, 2 & Mohammad, 2 to stand in front of Israeli military vehicles while Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades & live ammunition at Palestinians confronting the soldiers in Ramallah dci-palestine.org/israeli_forces… Israeli forces have used at least five Palestinian children [as human shields](https://www.dci-palestine.org/israeli_forces_use_five_palestinian_children_as_human_shields) in the first part of 2023, according to documentation collected by DCIP. **March 2023:** Anas al-Khalili from Nablus. “I was used as a human shield by Israeli forces. They handcuffed me & started shooting from behind me. While I was handcuffed, they pushed me down the stairs, they stayed behind me & were shooting at the men… **9 March 2018** Israel soldiers detained ‘Abd a-Rahim Gheith in Jericho & ordered him out the car, handcuffed him & made him sit on the road for 2hrs. Gheith was then used as a human shied, & was hit by stones thrown at the soldiers. Video evidence: **2014 (Operation Protective Edge):** Documented cases of Palestinians being used as human shields despite the HCJ's ban. **July-Aug 2014:** “Israeli soldiers handcuffed & blindfolded us...they made us stand by the windows as protective shields for them. There was gunfire all around us. They made us stand by the window for 9 hours. We were their shields.” - Ramadan Qudeih **July-August 2014:** “They refused to let us out….I asked for am ambulance for my sister, who fainted, they refused. They held us to protect themselves. -Nazeeha al-Najjar (7:30) **July-August 2014:** "I was taken prisoner, handcuffed & walked almost at gun point…he made me walk forward and he was protected by me…if any shots had been fired, they’d have hit me. He [the israeli soldier] was right behind me. **2010-2013:** "The Committee on the Rights of the Child express deep concern about the continuous use of Palestinian children as human shields and informants. 14 such cases have been reported from January 2010 to 31 March 2013 only." **2008-2009:** The Goldstone Report documented many cases in which the Israeli military used Palestinians as human shields in the 2008-9 war on Gaza, including Majdi Abd Rabbo, Abbas Ahmad Ibrahim Halawa, Mahmoud Abd Rabbo al-Ajrami and others. See p. 218-230 documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/… **February 2009:** “the officers said I wouldn’t see my family unless i did it…he pushed me w/his weapon, held me by my neck & said go." -Magdy Rabbo. [He had to go back & forth between Israeli soldiers & hamas fighers]. The IDF used Magdy as a human shied. **February 2009:** “The Israelis would send us ahead...they made me dig holes in the wall & in the houses first to check in case they were booby trapped. We were put in front so in case there was gunfire, we would be [hit].” -Rabbi Abde Rabi, Gaza resident. 2008-2009 (Operation Cast Lead) & 2014 (Operation Protective Edge): Documented cases of Palestinians being used as human shields despite the HCJ's ban. **2005:** The HCJ fully outlaws the use of civilians in military operations, ruling it as a violation of IHL. Despite this, incidents of the practice persist. **November 2002:** The HCJ temporarily bans the use of civilians as human shields but allows the procedure under specific conditions, such as explicit consent and minimal danger. **In 2002**, 2002: During the Second Intifada, the "Neighbor Procedure" results in the death of a Palestinian civilian, leading to petitions by human rights organizations to Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ). IDF forced Palestinians to walk through buildings suspected to be booby-trapped. it ordered them to enter certain areas before the combat forces...the army used residents as a “human shield” to serve as a shield against attack on those forces (p.230) documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/… **May 2001:** the Israeli army took over Hussein Aladi’s home, established an Israeli military base on the roof. For 3 months, they fired every day from there. The army insisted family always remain in the house, to protect the Israeli soldiers in it. **1967:** Start of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. The use of Palestinian civilians as human shields during military operations becomes an observed practice. Sources : [ICRC](https://international-review.icrc.org/sites/default/files/irrc_856_2.pdf) [2023 Jcobin](https://jacobin.com/2023/11/human-shields-bombing-gaza-palestine-israel-defense-forces-morally-bankrupt) [jpost](https://www.jpost.com/israel/archive-idf-neighbor-procedure-safe) [Breaking the silence](https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/testimonies/database/366029) [B'tselem](https://www.btselem.org/human_shields [Cases documented by Btselem :](https://www.btselem.org/ota/104/all) [2024 : 24/10 “Mosquito Protocol” :](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/24/middleeast/palestinians-human-shields-israel-military-gaza-intl/index.html) [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/21/palestinians-describe-being-used-as-human-shields-by-israeli-troops-in-gaza) [Haaretz, on Augustus 13, 2024 :](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-08-13/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-uses-gazan-civilians-as-human-shields-to-inspect-potentially-booby-trapped-tunnels/00000191-4c84-d7fd-a7f5-7db6b99e0000)