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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 13, 2009
Contact:
Marcus Sheff: 011-972-2-6236427, marcuss@theisraelproject.org
Leah Soibel: 011-972-2-6236427, leahs@theisraelproject.org
www.theisraelproject.org
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Evidence of Hamas' Abuse of the Laws of War
Hamas’ widespread abuse of the laws of war during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza earlier this year – including using children in combat-support roles and recruiting women as suicide bombers to attack Israeli soldiers – severely blurred the lines between civilians and combatants.[1]
Additionally, Hamas operated from hospitals, mosques, private residences and numerous other civilian installations. These practices made distinguishing between civilians and combatants extremely difficult for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).[2]
Despite the known use of such tactics, new reports critical of the IDF’s actions continue to proliferate without any mention of these illegal practices; the army has said it is already investigating several similar incidents.[3]
At the same time, the IDF went to extreme lengths to prevent Palestinian civilians from being harmed. During the operation, the Israeli army dropped more than two million leaflets on Gaza warning civilians to stay clear of Hamas fighters. The IDF also made more than 200,000 phone calls to Palestinian homes in the territory to warn civilians of impending airstrikes near their residences.[4]
Following are some examples of Hamas’ abuse of the laws of war:
- Hamas used Palestinian children in combat-support roles, according to accounts by the children themselves. The Israeli-Arab newspaper Kul-Al-Arab published an interview with a child from Gaza on Jan. 9, during Operation Cast Lead, in which the child describes how he helped Hamas fighters during their operations. The child said:
“We the children, in small groups and in civilian clothes, are fulfilling missions of support for the [Hamas] Resistance fighters, by transmitting messages about the movements of the enemy forces, or by bringing them ammunition and food.”[5]
- Women were recruited as suicide bombers to attack IDF troops. Hamas’ TV station, Al Aqsa TV, broadcast statements by Palestinian women saying they were ready to blow themselves up against Israeli soldiers. Um Suhaib said she would “turn her body into a fire” that would burn Israeli soldiers. On Dec. 30, 2008, Al Aqsa TV broadcast a statement by a Hamas spokesman who said “The Izz al-din al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas’ armed wing] have a large number of female suicide bombers ready to sacrifice themselves in the event that the IDF decides to enter the Gaza Strip in a ground operation.”[6]
- Hamas commanders used Shifa Hospital in Gaza as a base of operations. Numerous other medical installations in Gaza were used by Hamas fighters and operatives.[7]
- Hamas fired rockets from civilian residences. A journalist for Newsweek described one such incident: “It was 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, in a complex of apartment buildings at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip… then suddenly there was a terrific whoosh, louder even than a bomb explosion. It was another of Hamas's homemade Qassam rockets being launched into Israel—and the mobile launchpad was smack in the middle of the four buildings, where every apartment was full”[8]
- Hamas fired rockets and mortars in built up areas amidst the civilian population of Gaza.[9]
- Hamas used medical ambulances for transporting uninjured fighters away from battle zones. [10]
Videos showing Hamas use of human shields
Jan. 8, 2009 - Footage of Hamas operatives arming a rocket launcher in a school yard in Gaza
Footnotes
[1] Marcus, Itamar; Crook, Barbara, “Hamas using children in combat support roles,” Palestinian Media Watch, Jan. 13, 2009, http://www.pmw.org.il/Bulletins_Jan2009.htm; “Hamas TV Pictures Promotes Female Suicide Bombers Squad,” CBS News, Jan. 14, 2009, http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/01/14/monitor/entry4722620.shtml “Operation Cast Lead – Update No. 5,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, Jan. 1, 2009, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e024.htm
[2] Mizroch, Amir, “Dichter: Hamas salaries paid at Shifa Hospital,” The Jerusalem Post, Jan. 12, 2009, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424936164&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull; “The Operation in Gaza: Factual and Legal Aspects,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, July 2009, p.57, http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435-491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperation.pdf
[4] “IDF Releases Information on Military Investigations,” website of the IDF, April 22, 2009, http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/09/4/2201.htm; Greenberg, Hanan, “IDF to give better warnings before attacks,” YnetNews, July 29, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3753851,00.html
The Israel Project is an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The Israel Project provides journalists, leaders and opinion-makers accurate information about Israel. The Israel Project is not related to any government or government agency.
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