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=== 21st century === ==== War in Afghanistan ==== According to various accounts, including that of the American ambassador to the U.N., the Taliban used women and children from their own population as human shields against coalition forces in 2006,<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article676588.ece "Taleban use children as shields to fight British"]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''[[The Times]]'', June 20, 2006.</ref> 2007,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070706011152/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/03/1968077.htm "Taliban 'using civilians as human shields{{'"}}]. [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC (Australia)]], July 3, 2007.</ref> and 2008, during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]].<ref>Thomas Harding.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/2579282/Taliban-used-civilians-as-human-shields-when-British-attacked.html "Taliban 'used civilians as human shields' when British attacked"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110111704/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/2579282/Taliban-used-civilians-as-human-shields-when-British-attacked.html |date=November 10, 2017}}, ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', August 18, 2008.</ref> ==== Lord's Resistance Army ==== According to [[Human Rights Watch]] 2004 report, the [[Lord's Resistance Army]] used children as human shields, porters, and laborers.<ref>Alfred G. Nhema, Tiyambe Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=czMrNdvNuWgC&pg=PA60 "The Resolution of African Conflicts: The Management of Conflict Resolution & Post-conflict Reconstruction"]. p.60.</ref> ==== Abu Sayyaf ==== In 2018, several [[Abu Sayyaf]] militants were arrested in the [[Philippines]], among them being a "key man" of the group. The arrests occurred after clashes in Sabah and Putrajaya, where Abu Sayyaf allegedly used children as human shields against the Philippine army.<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kuala-Lumpur,-eight-Islamic-militants-arrested:-they-recruited-children-as-%27human-shields%27-for-Abu-Sayyaf-45494.html "Kuala Lumpur, eight Islamic militants arrested: they recruited children as 'human shields' for Abu Sayyaf"]. ''AsiaNews'' November 16, 2018.</ref> ==== Iran ==== ===== Flight 752 ===== {{more citations needed|section|reason=Due to incorrect use of ellipses and quotation marks it's unclear what here is a quotation and what is editorial|date=September 2021}} [[File:UR-PSR (B738) at Ben Gurion Airport.jpg|thumb|right|UR-PSR, the [[Boeing 737 Next Generation#737-800|Boeing 737-800]] shot down by the IRGC while operating [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752]] on 8 January 2020. It has been speculated that Iran did not close its civil airspace following [[Operation Martyr Soleimani|its attack on U.S. forces]] and used civilian airliners - along with their passengers and crew - as human shields in an attempt to avoid retaliatory strikes.]] In the aftermath of [[Iran]]'s shoot down of [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752]] in January 2020, [[Iran]] and the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] were accused of using civilian aircraft and their passengers and crew as human shields.<ref>[https://c-catcanada.org/a-legislative-proposal-to-deter-and-sanction-the-use-of-civilians-as-human-shields-under-canadian-law/a-legislative-proposal-to-deter-and-sanction-the-use-of-civilians-as-human-shields-under-canadian-law-2/ "Legislative Proposal to Dete and Sanction the Use of Civilians As Human Shields Under Canadian law. Related Concern: International Air Travel Over Conflict Zones."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815095804/https://c-catcanada.org/a-legislative-proposal-to-deter-and-sanction-the-use-of-civilians-as-human-shields-under-canadian-law/a-legislative-proposal-to-deter-and-sanction-the-use-of-civilians-as-human-shields-under-canadian-law-2/ |date=August 15, 2020 }} ''Canadian Coalition Against Terror''. March 2020. Legislation that spotlights and sanctions the use of human shields – also conceivably captures actors that have allowed for civilian international air travel over conflict zones. For example, Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have recently been accused of using civil air traffic over Iran as human shields after the recent downing of Ukrainian Air Flight 752 (PS752) by Iranian missiles. The New York Times reported in the aftermath of the crash, based on interviews with Guards and other officials, that 'Iranian officials feared that shutting down the airport would create mass panic ... [and] they also hoped that the presence of passenger jets could act as a deterrent against an American attack on the airport or the nearby military base, effectively turning planeloads of unsuspecting travelers into human shields" (emphasis added).</ref> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'':<ref>Farnaz Fassihi. [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/world/middleeast/iran-plane-crash-coverup.html "Anatomy of a Lie: How Iran Covered Up the Downing of an Airliner"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. January 26, 2020.</ref> "They also hoped that the presence of passenger jets could act as a deterrent against an American attack on the airport or the nearby military base, effectively turning planeloads of unsuspecting travelers into human shields." [[Canada]]'s Minister of Transport [[Marc Garneau]] also questioned why Iran let civilian aircraft in its airspace, and suggested Iran intended to use the civilian aircraft as human shields.<ref>Ashley Burke, Peter Zimonjic. [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-tributes-iran-human-shields-1.5442276 "Garneau calls on Iran to explain why it didn't ground aircraft following missile attack. New York Times report alleges Iran kept airspace open to discourage American counterattack"]. ''CBC News''. January 27, 2020.</ref> ==== Boko Haram ==== In 2015, the Islamist group [[Boko Haram]] has abducted some 500 women and children to serve as human shields.<ref>Julia A. Seymour (March 26, 2015). [https://world.wng.org/2015/03/boko_haram_uses_human_shields_after_another_mass_abduction "Boko Haram uses human shields after another mass abduction"]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.{{full citation needed|date=September 2021}} "Almost one year after Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls in Chibok, Nigeria, the Islamic terror group abducted as many as 500 women and children to use as human shields. Nigerian official Mike Omeri, the director of the National Orientation Agency, could not confirm exactly how many people were kidnapped from Damasak, Nigeria. 'Some say 500, some 400, some say 300,' Omeri acknowledged. He said he was waiting for information from authorities in Damasak, a trading town near the Niger border that had been retaken from the Islamic extremists. According to Omeri, as multinational troops advanced on the town, Boko Haram retreated, taking hostages with them, but they remain in the region with their human shields."</ref> In 2016, it was reported the group kidnapped schoolgirls "used as human shield[s]".<ref>Harriet Agerholm (December 28, 2016). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/boko-haram-latest-schoolgirls-chibok-bring-back-our-girls-michelle-obama-nigeria-a7499381.html "Kidnapped schoolgirls 'used as human shield' by Boko Haram"]. ''[[The Independent]]''.</ref> ==== Houthis in Yemen ==== [[Houthis]]<!-- Don't say "linked to Iran", that's POV --> have been known to use human shields in their war in Yemen at least since 2016, as from a [[UN]] report at the time.<ref>Michelle Nichols (August 4, 2016). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-exclusive-idUSKCN10F28B Exclusive: U.N. report on Yemen says Houthis used human shields, Islamic State got cash"]. [[Reuters]].</ref> In 2018, the Houthis were accused by the [[Government of Yemen|Yemeni government]] of use of human shields<ref>[https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/houthis-use-civilians-as-human-shields-yemen-gov-t/1308188 "Houthis use civilians as human shields: Yemen gov't"]. Anadolu. November 11, 2018.</ref> [[Amnesty International]] warned that the Houthis are "militarising" hospitals.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-war-houthi-rebels-hospitals-hodeidah-civilians-human-shields-amnesty-a8623981.html "Yemen war: Houthi rebels 'militarising' hospitals, warns Amnesty"]. ''[[The Independent]]''. November 8, 2018.</ref> On 1 September 2019, the Houthis were reported to have used human shields during the [[Dhamar airstrike]] by putting detainees near weapons storage facilities.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Al-Haj |first1=Ahmed |last2=Magdy |first2=Sami |date=2 September 2019 |title=Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen rebel-run prison kill over 100 |language=en-US |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ap-top-news-middle-east-international-news-sanaa-131ce2899df04a89bc3858910a3aa989 |access-date=2023-02-04}}</ref> On 27 September 2019, [[UAE]] media reported that the Houthis blocked food from reaching civilians used as human shields.<ref>[https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/houthi-rebels-block-food-from-reaching-civilians-used-as-human-shields-1.916015 "Houthi rebels block food from reaching civilians used as human shields"]. September 27, 2019. ''The National'' (UAE)</ref> ==== Myanmar ==== In 2014, a report noted that Myanmar's army abducts civilians and forces them to act as guides and human shields.<ref>[https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-06-09/myanmar-s-army-still-abducts-civilians-and-forces-them-act-guides-and-human "Myanmar's army still abducts civilians and forces them to act as guides and human shields"]. ''GlobalPost''. June 9, 2014.</ref> ==== Venezuela ==== In August 2017, Venezuelan president [[Nicolas Maduro]] has been accused of turning to civilians for "human shields" against the US. [[Freddy Guevara]], an opposition deputy, branded cowardly the actions of adding civilian personnel and the reserve to carry out military exercises and face a possible US attack.<ref>[https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/mundo/maduro-recurre-a-los-civiles-para-escudos-humanos-contra-eu "Maduro recurre a los civiles para 'escudos humanos' contra EU"]. ''El Financiero'' (in Spanish)</ref> In April 2020, it was reported that Nicolas Maduro had imprisoned hundreds of opposition members to use as human shields in a potential US invasion.<ref>[https://www.ver.bo/maduro-prepara-escudos-humanos-encarcela-a-cientos-de-opositores-para-evitar-una-invasion/ "Maduro Prepara 'Escudos Humanos': Encarcela a cientos de opositores para evitar una invasión"]. Ver.bo. April 18, 2020 (in Spanish)</ref> ==== Israeli–Palestinian conflict ==== {{Main|Human shields in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict}} Human shields have been used by the [[Israeli Defense Forces]](IDF) during the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]],<ref name="Finkelstein" /> with instances being widely documented in the [[Second Intifada]], and notably recurring in the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], the [[2014 Gaza War]] and the [[Gaza war]]. The use of human shields by the IDF was banned in October 2005, when the Israeli Supreme Court said the practice violated international law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel bans use of human shields |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314898.stm |website=BBC |access-date=29 May 2025 |date=6 October 2005}}</ref><ref name="B'tselem2017" /> The independent human rights NGOs [[B'tselem]] and [[Amnesty International]] have stated that ample evidence exists in conflicts after that date that Israel has employed Palestinians as human shields. According to B'tselem, the practice goes back to 1967.<ref name="Finkelstein" >[[Norman Finkelstein]], ''[[Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom]],'' [[University of California Press]], 2018 {{isbn|978-0-520-96838-7}} pp.68–82.</ref><ref name="B'tselem2017" >[https://www.btselem.org/topic/human_shields 'Human Shields,'] [[B'tselem]] 11 November 2017</ref> In 2010, two Israeli soldiers were convicted of using for using a Palestinian boy during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]].<ref>Harriet Sherwood, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/03/israel-soldiers-human-shield-palestinian "Israeli Soldiers Convicted of Using Palestinian Boy as Human Shield,"] [[The Guardian]] 3 October 2010.</ref> The charge has been leveled against Palestinian groups frequently by numerous observers.<ref name="Finkelstein" /> [[Neve Gordon]] and [[Nicola Perugini]] have noted how Israel has used the charge as part of its 'infowar' on social media,<ref name="Gordon Perugini" />{{rp|170–177}} to justify the high ratio of civilian vs military casualties in its attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructures in Gaza. In [[Operation Cast Lead]] 100 Gazans died for every Israeli, and the civilian ratio was 400 Gazans to 1 Israeli. Israeli spokesmen explained the difference by alleging that Hamas used civilians as shields. It has been argued that no evidence has come to light proving these claims.<ref>Amnesty International wrote as of 2014 that it does not have evidence at this point that Palestinian civilians have been intentionally used by Hamas or Palestinian armed groups during the current hostilities to 'shield' specific locations or military personnel or equipment from Israeli attacks" and further saying that "Under international humanitarian law even if "human shields" are being used Israel's obligations to protect these civilians would still apply."{{cite web |title=Israel/Gaza conflict: Questions and Answers | website=Amnesty International |date=2014-07-25 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/07/israelgaza-conflict-questions-and-answers/ | ref={{sfnref | Amnesty International | 2014}} |access-date=2021-11-28}}</ref><ref>Nida'a Yousef, [https://law4palestine.org/under-scrutiny-allegations-of-use-of-human-shields-by-palestinian-armed-groups-and-the-international-criminal-court-investigation/ Under Scrutiny: Allegations of Use of Human Shields by Palestinian Armed Groups and the International Criminal Court Investigation] [[Birzeit University|Law for Palestine]] 2 August 2021</ref><ref>[[Diana Buttu]], [https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/jps.2014.44.1.91 'Blaming the Victims,'] [[Journal of Palestine Studies]] Vol. 44, No. 1, (Autumn 2014), pp. 91–96.</ref><ref>Stephen Zunes, [https://progressive.org/api/content/41cb0eba-cf72-11eb-8176-1244d5f7c7c6/ Have 'Human Shields' Accusations Become an Excuse for War Crimes?] [[The Progressive]] June 17, 2021. "Despite repeated claims by both Israel and the United States, there is absolutely no evidence that any of the more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians killed in Israeli military operations against Gaza since 2008 were a result of Hamas using human shields."</ref> Amnesty International investigated the incidents which resulted in the largest number of civilian casualties, finding that these casualties were not the result of human shielding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel/Gaza: Operation "Cast Lead": 22 days of death and destruction |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/015/2009/en/ |website=Amnesty International |date=July 2, 2009 |language=en|quote=The attacks that caused the greatest number of fatalities and injuries were carried out with long-range high-precision munitions fired from combat aircraft, helicopters and drones, or from tanks stationed up to several kilometres away – often against pre selected targets, a process that would normally require approval from up the chain of command. The victims of these attacks were not caught in the crossfire of battles between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces, nor were they shielding militants or other legitimate targets. Many were killed when their homes were bombed while they slept. Others were going about their daily activities in their homes, sitting in their yard, hanging the laundry on the roof when they were targeted in air strikes or tank shelling. Children were studying or playing in their bedrooms or on the roof, or outside their homes, when they were struck by missiles or tank shells. Others were in the street, walking or cycling. Paramedics and ambulances were repeatedly attacked while rescuing the wounded or recovering the dead}}</ref> During the [[Gaza war]], the [[European Union]] and US President [[Joe Biden]] condemned the use of human shields by organizations such as [[Hamas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kittrie |first=Orde |date=2023-10-18 |title=US law requires Biden to impose sanctions on Hamas for using human shields |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4260279-us-law-requires-biden-to-impose-sanctions-on-hamas-for-using-human-shields/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Brussels |title=EU leaders call for humanitarian paus in war, condemns the use of civilians as human shields |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/770657/eu-leaders-call-for-humanitarian-paus-in-war-condemns-the-use-of-civilians-as-human-shields |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=www.brusselstimes.com |language=en}}</ref> Janina Dill, a laws of war professor at [[University of Oxford]], stated, "Even if Hamas uses civilians as human shields, those civilians are entitled to full protection under international law unless they directly participate in the fighting".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yee |first1=Vivian |date=17 December 2023 |title=More Than 100 Members of This Gaza Clan Have Been Killed in War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/17/world/middleeast/gaza-al-astal-loss.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219005736/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/17/world/middleeast/gaza-al-astal-loss.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |archive-date=19 December 2023 |access-date=19 December 2023 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Amnesty International investigated claims made by Israel in the 2008–2009 Gaza War and the 2014 Gaza War that Hamas employed human shields, and said that "storing munitions in civilian buildings or launching attacks from the vicinity of civilian buildings" and public statements directing civilians to stay at home do not amount to using human shields.<ref>{{cite web |title=UNLAWFUL AND DEADLY |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MDE2111782015ENGLISH.pdf |website=Amnesty International |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgis |first1=Ben |title=The "Human Shields" Defense of Bombing Gaza's Civilians Is Morally Bankrupt |url=https://jacobin.com/2023/11/human-shields-bombing-gaza-palestine-israel-defense-forces-morally-bankrupt |work=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]] |date=20 November 2023}}</ref> ==== Iraq War ==== {{Main|Human shield action to Iraq}} During the [[2003 Invasion of Iraq]], a group of people chose to travel to Iraq to act as human shields. Their purpose was to prevent [[Coalition of the willing|American-led coalition forces]] from bombing certain locations. Of about 200 to 500 human shields who traveled to Iraq before hostilities, at least eighty stayed.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}<ref name="books.google.com">[https://books.google.com/books?id=abZT4msUM_cC&dq=Winter+soldier+Iraq+Scott+Ewing&pg=PA70 ''Winter Soldier, Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations'']. Retrieved August 22, 2014.</ref> U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Scott Ewing, who served in Iraq in the 2005–2006 period, stated that U.S. troops would give candy to Iraqi children so they would stay around their vehicles, thereby making more likely that enemies would not attack them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://truth-out.org/archive/component/k2/item/88912:iraq-war-vet-we-were-told-to-just-shoot-people-and-the-officers-would-take-care-of-us|title=Iraq War Vet: 'We Were Told to Just Shoot People, and the Officers Would Take Care of Us' |date=April 7, 2010|publisher=[[Truthout]]}}</ref><ref>[http://hearingvoices.com/news/webworks/winter-soldiers/ "Winter Soldiers"]. Retrieved August 22, 2014.</ref><ref name="books.google.com"/> ==== Lebanon War ==== An [[Australia]]n journalist claimed during the [[2006 Lebanon War]] that [[Hezbollah]] used [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] civilians as human shields to dissuade the IDF from firing at gunmen and [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]]s. Human Rights Watch conducted its own investigation and reported that Hezbollah did not "deliberately" use civilians as a deterrent from IDF attack. HRW did however conclude Hezbollah stored weapons "in or near civilian homes" and fighters launched rockets within populated areas and near UN observers.<ref name="HRW">[[Human Rights Watch]], [http://hrw.org/reports/2006/lebanon0806/2.htm "Fatal Strikes: Israel's Indiscriminate Attacks Against Civilians in Lebanon"], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203091447/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/lebanon0806/2.htm |date=February 3, 2013}}, August 2006.</ref> HRW also accused Hezbollah of using Lebanese homes as sites for rocket launchers, usually without the homeowner's knowledge or permission, putting large numbers of civilians at risk.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20061025-092622-2090r.htm "Deadly Hezbollah chess match"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107065605/http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20061025-092622-2090r.htm |date=November 7, 2006}} ''[[The Washington Times]]'', October 26, 2006.</ref> On July 25, 2006, Israeli forces [[Attacks on United Nations personnel during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict|attacked and destroyed]] a [[United Nations Truce Supervision Organization|UN observer]] post in southern Lebanon, resulting in four deaths.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5215366.stm "Israeli bomb kills UN observers"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813190324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5215366.stm |date=August 13, 2006}} ''[[BBC News]]'', July 26, 2006.</ref> One of the fatalities, [[Canadian army|Canadian Major]] [[Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener]], had sent an e‑mail to his former commander, retired Major-General [[Lewis MacKenzie]], several days before his death in which he described the Israeli bombardment, writing "The closest artillery has landed within two meters of our position and the closest 1,000 lb aerial bomb has landed 100 meters from our patrol base. This has not been deliberate targeting, but rather due to tactical necessity". MacKenzie interpreted this language for a reporter: "What that means is, in plain English, 'We've got Hezbollah fighters running around in our positions, taking our positions here and then using us for shields and then engaging the (Israeli Defence Forces).{{'"}}<ref>"[http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50 "Hezbollah was using UN post as 'shield{{'"}}]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517040057/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50 |date=May 17, 2007}} ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'', July 27, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.nysun.com/article/36860 "Annan's Claims On Casualties May Unravel"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209220300/http://www.nysun.com/article/36860 |date=February 9, 2007}} ''[[The New York Sun]]'', July 27, 2006.</ref> A senior UN official, replying about Major Hess-von Kruedener's e-mail concerning Hezbollah's presence in the area of the UN base, said "At the time, there had been no Hezbollah activity reported in the area. So it was quite clear they were not going after other targets; that, for whatever reason, our position was being fired upon." He went on to claim that the Israelis were told where the UN base was and that it was clearly marked but they bombed it anyway.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50 "Hezbollah was using UN post as 'shield{{'"}}]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517040057/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50 |date=May 17, 2007}} ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]''. Retrieved August 22, 2014.</ref> ==== Siege of Lal Masjid ==== According to the Pakistan Army spokesman, Islamic militants used girls as human shields in Pakistan during the 2007 [[Siege of Lal Masjid]]. The mosque's head cleric denied the allegations.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,492545,00.html "Pakistan's Red Mosque Showdown: Jihadists Using Girls as Human Shields?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708195432/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,492545,00.html |date=July 8, 2007}}, ''Spiegel International'', July 5, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6286500.stm |title=Pakistani soldiers storm mosque |access-date=2008-05-10 |date=2007-07-10 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729195254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6286500.stm |archive-date=2017-07-29 |df=mdy-all |url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 December 2009, terrorists attacked a Friday prayer ceremony in a mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan,<ref>[http://www.geo.tv/12-4-2009/54096.htm "17 children among 37 martyred in Pindi attack"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531235821/http://geo.tv/12-4-2009/54096.htm |date=May 31, 2010}} ''Geo News'', December 4, 2009.</ref> where Bilal Riaz, a graduate student, acted as a human shield to save his nephew's life.<ref>[http://www.anasimtiaz.com/2009/12/05/remembering-bilal-riaz/ "Remembering Bilal Riaz"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707135133/http://www.anasimtiaz.com/2009/12/05/remembering-bilal-riaz/ |date=July 7, 2011}} anasimtiaz, December 5, 2009.</ref> ==== Sri Lankan Civil War ==== {{Main|Sri Lankan Civil War}} According to a Human Rights Watch report published on 19 February 2009, the [[LTTE]] had been preventing [[Tamil people]] civilians from fleeing out of rebel held area and using them as human shields against the [[2008–2009 Sri Lankan Army Northern offensive#LTTE's last stand|Sri Lankan Army offensive]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2009-02-19 |title=War on the Displaced |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2009/02/19/war-displaced/sri-lankan-army-and-ltte-abuses-against-civilians-vanni |journal=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref> The report outlines that according to the NGO's own findings, the human rights violations "include deliberate, indiscriminate, and disproportionate attacks on civilians, hostage taking, and use of human shields". This is concluded in the report's own recommendations to the LTTE, stating that the use of human shields as well as the placing of military targets near civilian populations being a war crime as per the International Humanitarian Law found in IHL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Customary IHL - Rule 5. Definition of Civilians|url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule5|access-date=2021-06-27|website=ihl-databases.icrc.org |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Sri Lankan government's Maxwell Paranagama Commission stated that the LTTE was principally responsible for the loss of civilian life during the [[Eelam War IV|final phase]] of the armed conflict through their action to use fleeing Tamil civilians as Human Shields clearly differing with the [[Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka|Darusman Report]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://srilankabrief.org/2015/10/sri-lanka-civilian-deaths-in-war-due-to-ltte-human-shields-pm/|title=Sri Lanka: Civilian Deaths in War Due to LTTE Human Shields – PM |work=Sri Lanka Brief|access-date=2017-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032610/http://srilankabrief.org/2015/10/sri-lanka-civilian-deaths-in-war-due-to-ltte-human-shields-pm/|archive-date=2018-05-19|url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==== Libyan Civil Wars ==== {{Main|First Libyan Civil War|Second Libyan Civil War}} During the [[First Libyan Civil War]], [[Muammar Gaddafi|Gaddafi]] loyalists were acting as human shields in the [[Libya no-fly zone]], to try to protect Gaddafi's compound and airports.<ref>David D. Kirkpatrick. [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/africa/20tripoli.html At Qaddafi Compound, a Human Shield"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. March 19, 2011. "At Qaddafi's compound, hundreds of supporters offered themselves up as human shields, cheering to newly minted dance."</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NATO: Qaddafi using mosques as shields |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nato-qaddafi-using-mosques-as-shields/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=June 18, 2011 |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2016, during the [[Second Libyan Civil War]], it was reported that two Italians who had been kidnapped in June 2015 were killed while they were used as human shields by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Libya|Islamic State]] gunmen in [[Sorman]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kidnapped Italians killed in Libya – Malta expresses 'deep shock'|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160303/world/kidnapped-italians-reportedly-killed-in-libya.604478|work=[[Times of Malta]]|date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303164508/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160303/world/kidnapped-italians-reportedly-killed-in-libya.604478|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> ==== Syrian Civil War ==== {{Main|Syrian Civil War}} {{Update section|date=January 2023}} ===== ISIS in Syria ===== ISIS has ideologically justified use of Muslims as human shields.<ref>[https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_591c0d0ae4b0a8551f3f844a/amp "How ISIS Continues To Justify The Use Of Human Shields"]. ''HuffPost''. May 18, 2017.</ref> The [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] (ISIL) militants, [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]]-supported<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-turkey-and-saudi-arabia-shock-western-countries-by-supporting-antiassad-jihadists-10242747.html |title=Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria |author=Kim Sengupta |newspaper=The Independent |date=May 12, 2015 |access-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513214636/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-turkey-and-saudi-arabia-shock-western-countries-by-supporting-antiassad-jihadists-10242747.html |archive-date=May 13, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> the Syrian branch of [[al-Nusra Front|al-Qaeda]],<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/19/syria-opposition-abuses-during-ground-offensive "Syria: Opposition Abuses During Ground Offensive"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926011937/http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/19/syria-opposition-abuses-during-ground-offensive |date=September 26, 2015}} [[Human Rights Watch]]. November 19, 2013.</ref> and [[Jaysh al-Islam]] anti-Assad rebels were accused of using civilian residents of towns,<ref>{{cite news |title=Islamic State jihadists using human shields to avoid air strikes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/12004264/Islamic-State-jihadists-using-human-shields-to-avoid-air-strikes.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=November 20, 2015 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193327/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/12004264/Islamic-State-jihadists-using-human-shields-to-avoid-air-strikes.html |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Alawites|Alawite]] civilians and captured Syrian soldiers as human shields.<ref>{{cite news |title=Caged and in danger: Syrian soldiers become human shields for rebels |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/03/world/syria-cages-human-shields/ |publisher=CNN |date=November 3, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413212035/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/03/world/syria-cages-human-shields/ |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Syrian rebels using caged civilian captives as 'human shields' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11971269/Syrian-rebels-using-caged-pro-Assad-captives-as-human-shields.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=November 2, 2015 |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331191421/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11971269/Syrian-rebels-using-caged-pro-Assad-captives-as-human-shields.html |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref> On the use of human shields by [[ISIS]] in Syria, most notably was in 2019 as reported by SDF: The jihadists were using the civilians as human shields to block.<ref>Louise Pyne-Jones. [https://observatoryihr.org/news/isis-using-women-and-children-as-human-shields-in-final-syria-battles/ "ISIS using children as human shields in final Syria battles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913143641/https://observatoryihr.org/news/isis-using-women-and-children-as-human-shields-in-final-syria-battles/ |date=September 13, 2020 }}. International Observatory of Human Rights. February 4, 2019.</ref> The civilians were "on the front lines".<ref>[https://france24.com/en/20190203-trapped-shrinking-syria-holdout-turns-human-shields "Trapped in shrinking Syria holdout, IS turns to human shields"]. ''[[France 24]]'', February 3, 2019.</ref> ==== ISIS in Iraq ==== Among publicized examples of Islamic State [[ISIS]] militants using human shields in Iraq: In 2016, Islamic State militants rounded up thousands of villagers at gunpoint to use as human shields.<ref>Loveday Morris. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/islamic-state-militants-are-kidnapping-thousands-of-people-to-use-as-human-shields/2016/10/27/797c6ee0-9c4a-11e6-b552-b1f85e484086_story.html "Islamic State militants are kidnapping thousands of people to use as human shields"]. ''[[The Washington Post]]'', October 27, 2016.</ref> And in April 2017 in [[Mosul]].<ref>[https://www.euronews.com/2017/04/03/civilians-used-as-human-shields-in-mosul "Civilians used as human shields in Mosul"]. ''Euronews''. April 3, 2017.</ref> ==== Russian invasion of Ukraine ==== {{Main|War crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine#Use of human shields}} During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Russian soldiers held over 300 Ukrainian civilians as human shields in the basement of the school of [[Yahidne, Chernihiv Oblast|Yahidne]], where a Russian military camp was located; dozens of civilians died in the process.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2022 |title=Russia's unspeakable horrors in northern Ukraine: Torture, murder and cluster bombs |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-18/the-horrors-of-russian-occupation-in-ukrainian-villages/100994262 |work=ABC News |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2022 |title=A Ukrainian village tries to make sense of Russian occupation |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/04/11/a-ukrainian-village-tries-to-make-sense-of-russian-occupation |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref> [[BBC]] found "clear evidence" of Russian troops using Ukrainian civilians as human shields in [[Obukhovychi]], near the Belarusian border, where 150 people were held at the local school.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 April 2022 |title=Ukraine War: 'Russian soldiers held us as human shields' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61020565 |website=BBC |access-date=29 April 2022}}</ref> Local residents reported that Russian forces leaving the village of [[Novyi Bykiv]] used Ukrainian children as human shields.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian children used as 'human shields' near Kyiv, say witness reports |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/ukrainian-children-used-as-human-shields-near-kyiv-say-witness-reports |website=The Guardian|access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2022 |title=Russian soldiers accused of growing list of atrocities |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-703105 |work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref> ==== Jammu and Kashmir ==== {{Main|Kashmir human shield incident}} On 9 April 2017, during the [[Srinagar (Lok Sabha constituency)#By election 2017|Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election]], a 26-year-old man captured by the Indian Army was tied to the front of a Jeep belonging to Indian Army as a column of Indian troops was moving through a locality. The man was reportedly tied to the vehicle to dissuade other Kashmiri insurgents from hurling stones at the Indian troops. The man was accused of being involved in [[Stone pelting|throwing stones]] at Indian troops.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/investigating-video-showing-youth-tied-to-jeep-army/article18018903.ece|title=Army uses civilian as shield, sparks outrage|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-18|language=en |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Government of India stated that it would stand by the officer who took the decision to use the insurgent as a human shield.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Halder |first1=Debarati |title=Advancement of Human Rights in India: Contemporary and Emerging Challenges |date=3 May 2021 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5388-788-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-EuEAAAQBAJ&dq=Leetul+Gogoi+%27human+shield%27&pg=PA262 |access-date=10 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[J&K Human Rights Commission]] asked the [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]] to pay 10 [[Lakh]] Rupees as compensation to the man used as human shield.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Saurav |title=10 Lakh Compensation to man used as Human Shield – J&K Human Rights Commission |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/compensation-jk-human-rights-commission |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |language=en}}</ref> Jammu and Kashmir government refused to pay.<ref>{{cite news |title=J&K Govt Refuses Rs 10 Lakh Compensation to 'Human Shield' Farooq Ahmed Dar |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/jk-govt-refuses-rs-10-lakh-compensation-to-human-shield-farooq-ahmed-dar-1568953.html |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=News18 |date=6 November 2017 |language=en}}</ref> ==== 2023 Israel–Gaza War ==== {{Main|Human shields in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict}} {{Seealso|Attacks on health facilities during the Gaza war|Attacks on schools during the Israeli invasion of Gaza|Attacks on refugee camps in the Gaza war}} [[Hamas]] has been accused of using [[Human shields in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict|human shields]] in the [[Gaza Strip]], purposely attempting to shield itself from Israeli attacks by storing weapons in civilian infrastructure, launching rockets from residential areas, and telling residents to ignore Israeli warnings to flee. Israel has accused Hamas of maintaining command and control bunkers and [[Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip|tunnel infrastructure]] below hospitals, with some of the accusations being supported by the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations Secretary General. Hamas has denied using civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals,<ref>{{cite web |last=Marsi |first=Federica |date=November 13, 2023 |title=What is a 'human shield' and why is Israel using the term in Gaza? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/13/what-is-a-human-shield-and-why-is-israel-using-the-term-in-gaza |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> as human shields.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 August 2009 |title=Hamas rocket attacks 'war crimes' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8187446.stm |quote="Hamas did not use human shields and did not fire rockets from residential areas," he said. "Hamas does not target civilians."}}</ref> Israel has said that Hamas's actions have caused Israel to kill civilians as collateral damage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=Declan |date=May 16, 2021 |title=Israel and Hamas Fighting Raises Questions about War Crimes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-civilian-casualties.html |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Human rights groups have said that "even if Hamas were using human shields", Israel must still abide by [[international law]], especially the principle of [[Proportionality (International Humanitarian Law)|proportionality]].<ref name="ai2014">{{cite web |date=July 25, 2014 |title=Israel/Gaza conflict: Questions and Answers |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/07/israelgaza-conflict-questions-and-answers/ |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Protect civilians from the impact of hostilities |date=27 October 2023 |website=B'tselem |url=http://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20231027_protect_civilians_from_the_impact_of_hostilities}}</ref> According to Israeli professor [[Neve Gordon]], co-author with Nicola Perugini of ''Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire'' there is a double standard, with Israel blaming Hamas for using human shields whereas the Israeli civilians living near military bases, including those in central [[Tel Aviv]] and [[Beer Sheba]], are not considered human shields.<ref>{{cite news |title=In the line of fire: In Gaza, anyone can wind up a 'human shield' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/israel-hamas-gaza-human-shields-1.7103756 |work=CBC News |date=4 February 2024}}</ref> In November 2023, Cambridge University professor [[Marc Weller (professor)|Marc Weller]] said that "The very fact that we have seen 44 [Israeli] soldiers killed in [the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip] and almost 11,000 [Palestinian] civilians gives an indication that the calculation of [[proportionality (international humanitarian law)|proportionality]] in Gaza has left the bounds of reasonableness."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marsi |first1=Federica |title=What is a 'human shield' and why is Israel using the term in Gaza? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/13/what-is-a-human-shield-and-why-is-israel-using-the-term-in-gaza |work=Al Jazeera |date=13 November 2023}}</ref> Scholars [[Nicola Perugini]] and Neve Gordon argue that Israel's accusations against Palestinian resistance groups of using civilians in hospitals and other civilian structures have been used to justify the calculated destruction of the entire Palestinian healthcare infrastructure in Gaza to create conditions of life leading to the destruction of Gaza Palestinians as a group,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Perugini |first1=Nicola |last2=Gordon |first2=Neve |date=2024-01-02 |title=Medical Lawfare: The Nakba and Israel's Attacks on Palestinian Healthcare |journal=Journal of Palestine Studies |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=68–91 |doi=10.1080/0377919X.2024.2330366 |issn=0377-919X|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Medicide" in Gaza and International Law: Time for Banning the Bombing of Hospitals {{!}} Documenting the Targeting and Destruction of the Health Sector in the Gaza Strip |url=https://gazahcsector.palestine-studies.org/en/node/2684 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=gazahcsector.palestine-studies.org |language=en}}</ref> as also corroborated in the UN report ''Anatomy of Genocide''<ref>{{Cite web |last=M.I |title=Anatomy of a Genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 to Human Rights Council - Advance unedited version (A/HRC/55/73) |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/anatomy-of-a-genocide-report-of-the-special-rapporteur-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-in-the-palestinian-territory-occupied-since-1967-to-human-rights-council-advance-unedited-version-a-hrc-55/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Question of Palestine |language=en-US}}</ref> and in the March 2024 UN Commission of Investigation Report.<ref>{{Cite web |title="More than a human can bear": Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/03/more-human-can-bear-israels-systematic-use-sexual-reproductive-and-other |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=OHCHR |language=en}}</ref> In an article in ''Jewish Currents'', Perugini and Gordon maintain that the accusation of using human shields has been employed by Israel against the Palestinian population of Gaza to justify genocidal acts of violence,<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Legal Justification for Genocide |url=https://jewishcurrents.org/human-shields-gaza-israel-a-legal-justification-for-genocide |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Jewish Currents |language=en}}</ref> which have been under investigation at the International Court of Justice since December 2023 in the case of South Africa vs. Israel for violations of the Genocide Convention.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (Sou |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=www.icj-cij.org}}</ref> The Israeli Defense Forces have been accused of using Palestinians as human shields. On 17 January 2024, Israeli soldiers were recorded using a Palestinian shop-owner in [[Dura, Hebron]], West Bank, as a human shield.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palestinian shop-owner used as human shield by Israeli forces |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/1/17/palestinian-shop-owner-used-as-human-shield-by-israeli-forces#:~:text=A%20Palestinian%20shop%2Downer%20was,there%20for%20almost%20two%20decades. |website=Al Jazeera |date=17 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shawer |first1=Mosab |title=West Bank human shield describes '100 breathless minutes' held by Israel |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/31/west-bank-human-shield-describes-100-breathless-minutes-held-by-israel |website=Al Jazeera |date=31 January 2024}}</ref> A 21-year-old man from [[Gaza City]] stated to ''Al Jazeera'' that he had been used as a human shield by Israeli forces.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Humaid |first1=Maram |title='Beaten, stripped, used as human shield': Gaza victim recalls Israel terror |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/23/beaten-stripped-used-as-a-human-shield-gaza-man-recounts-israel-terror |website=Al Jazeera |date=23 February 2024}}</ref> According to [[Haaretz]], ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' and ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' investigations based on many Israeli soldiers' testimonies, Palestinian teenagers and adults are regularly used as human shields in exploring the tunnel network in the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Haaretz24">Yaniv Kubovich, Michael Hauser Tov, [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 Haaretz Investigation: Israeli Army Uses Palestinian Civilians to Inspect Potentially Booby-trapped Tunnels in Gaza] [[Haaretz]] 13 August 2024</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Odenheimer |first1=Natan |last2=Shbair |first2=Bilal |last3=Kingsley |first3=Patrick |date=October 14, 2024 |title=How Israel's Army Uses Palestinians as Human Shields in Gaza |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/14/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-military-human-shields.html |access-date=October 16, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Loveluck |first1=Louisa |last2=Harb |first2=Hajar |last3=Hudson |first3=John |title=Israeli forces used civilians as human shields in Gaza, Palestinians and soldiers say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/11/03/israel-gaza-human-shields-palestinians-idf/ |access-date=4 November 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In November 2024, [[Defence for Children International]] reported on three separate incidents, during October 15-20, 2024, of families with young children being used as human shields to protect the [[Israel Defense Forces]] in attacks at the [[Jabalia refugee camp]] and [[Indonesia Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israeli forces use Palestinian children as human shields in Jabalia refugee camp |url=https://www.dci-palestine.org/israeli_forces_use_palestinian_children_as_human_shields_in_jabalia_refugee_camp |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Defense for Children Palestine}}</ref> ==== 2025 India–Pakistan standoff ==== {{main|2025 India–Pakistan standoff}} On May 9, the Indian foreign secretary and the representatives of the Indian armed forces revealed in a briefing that Pakistan was using civilian airliners as a shield during an unprovoked drone and missile attack on Indian military infrastructure. Despite launching the strike on the evening of May 7, Pakistan kept its civil airspace open, allowing international and domestic flights to operate near the border, potentially to deter an Indian air defense response. Indian officials said this reckless tactic endangered innocent lives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India accuses Pakistan of using commercial flights as 'shield' to deter New Delhi |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-accuses-pakistan-using-commercial-flights-shield-deter-new-delhi-5120301 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-09 |title=Pakistan used unsuspecting civilian planes as shield to launch failed drone attack: India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pakistan-used-unsuspecting-civilian-planes-as-shield-to-launch-failed-drone-attack-india/articleshow/121031867.cms |access-date=2025-05-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
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