Use of human shields by terrorists

The tactic of using human shields is very early, many have used human shields. The 'uniquness' of terrorists is by using its own people.

Anti-Israel forces

The use of its civilians (in attacking Israeli civilians - the double crime) by anti-Israel Arab-"Palestinians" or Hezbollah goes back to at least 1982.

Most widespread, by Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Even by own admission.

Among its usage:

• Schools.
• Private homes.
• Places of worship.
• Ambulances.
• UN vehicles.
• Media outlets.

Anti Israel Islamist terrorists see their methods, firing from residential places, schools, etc. as a win win situation. In case they save themselves and their weaponry, of course they then can keep on the assault on Israeli civilians. If many civilians on its own side die, then Israel's image is even more in shambles and graphic photos are most powerful in bringing sympathy and even recruitment.

Among the famous dates: Dec.2000 letter by Arab women on use of kids as "cannon fodders"; the letter by US doctors; 2001; 2002 at IDF eliminating Jihadists; Jenin-2002 - which is why the IDF went door to door; 2006 Beit-Hanoun; 2008-2009; 2014 war with UN admitting its UNRWA was used; 2017-2021, or Hezbollah use (most notably using Christian villages and UN in 2006 and civilians in 2018-19.

In the course of the years, the IDF has developed and constantly improved methods, tools to minimze civilian casualties on the other side, including notifying owners of properties ahead of an operation so that civilians can evacuate and more precision guided weapons to hit more accurately at the target. Yet, nothing can ever be 100% a 100% of the times. Plus, the dilemmna is great, sacrificing in not eliminating terror targets such as arsenal, tunnels and operatives who cynically use its people.

As explained in a piece "The Media’s Role in Hamas' War Strategy":

Hamas’ PR strategy can only work if international news media follows the script, whether willingly or under coercion...

According to its critics, Hamas' war strategy works like this:

1. Episodically attack Israel’s civilians in such as way as to provoke a counter-attack.

2. Hide behind Palestinian civilians (preferably in crowded neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals), while encouraging them, even forcing them, to stay, guaranteeing that the return fire wounds or kills civilians and damages civilian structures.

3. Encourage the Western news media to play up the civilian suffering, play down Hamas’ role in it, and accuse Israel.

4. Conjure a firestorm of outrage around the world that eventually pressures Israel into desisting from counteroffensive measures.

5. Survive to reap the propaganda victory and prepare the next round of hostilities.

6. Repeat, with each exchange hurting Israel more, and each round of international news coverage further savaging the Jewish State’s international reputation.

No matter what the Israeli response, the Hamas strategy is win-win. If the Israelis abort a strike to avoid civilian casualties (as they often do), then Hamas is spared the blow; if an Israeli strike causes civilian casualties, Hamas has dead babies to parade before the cameras. And eventually, the bloodletting will get so bad, the pictures so damning, that Israel will stop. Hamas’ endgame goals, at least at this stage of its asymmetrical war, are actually threefold: tie Israel down with constraints on its use of power, delegitimize and demonize it in the eyes of the world, and stir an aggressive “Muslim Street” in the West, where genocidal chants can lead to pogroms against the Jews worldwide.

In 2014, a resolution was introduced in the House condemning Hamas and other terror organizations.