Shocking revelations have emerged about Israeli forces systematically forcing Palestinian civilians to serve as human shields in Gaza. An anonymous senior Israeli officer, writing for Haaretz, admitted that this practice, known as the "Mosquito Protocol," has been routine since December 2023, with soldiers coercing civilians into life-threatening situations multiple times a day.

Palestinians have been forced to enter potentially booby-trapped homes, navigate underground tunnels, and carry out perilous searches—tasks that should be handled by trained personnel or technology. The officer condemned the practice as inhumane, exposing how Palestinian detainees have been turned into a "sub-army of slaves" at the service of the occupation. Each infantry platoon reportedly has its own assigned "shawish"—a term for civilians forced into this role—while entire brigades exploit dozens at a time.

The officer revealed that Israeli commanders have long been aware of this systematic abuse but have done nothing to stop it. While some investigations have been opened, they are seen as mere formalities, with no real accountability. The practice, which violates international law and constitutes a war crime, has been quietly justified as an "operational necessity" by military leadership.

Palestinian survivors have shared harrowing testimonies. Hazem Alwan, a young man from northern Gaza, described being forced to wear an Israeli uniform while conducting dangerous searches. Under threat of torture, he was sent into buildings suspected of being rigged with explosives. His account aligns with testimonies from Israeli soldiers who admitted to witnessing or participating in these acts. Reports from The New York Times confirm that at least 11 teams of Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel have forced Palestinians into hazardous zones across five cities in Gaza.

Legal experts and human rights groups have long condemned the use of human shields as a grave violation of humanitarian law. These latest revelations reinforce calls for an independent international investigation and accountability for those responsible. The officer who exposed the practice warned that Israel faces growing legal consequences, as the evidence of systematic war crimes becomes impossible to ignore.

As Gaza’s civilian population continues to endure relentless attacks and human rights abuses, the question remains: Will the international community take action, or will these crimes continue unchecked?