[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center] Hamas and the other terrorist organizations copied and adapted Hizbullah's warfare doctrine, which is based on exploiting the civilian population as human shields. Using civilians as human shields is a war crime, a grave breach of the laws of armed conflict and a crime against humanity. Rockets and mortar shells are routinely fired from built-up, densely populated areas and near structures and facilities (including educational institutions and mosques) provided special protection by the Geneva Conventions. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and many other Hamas leaders (such as Nizar Rayyan, killed last week) have openly boasted about their use of human shield tactics.
2009-01-06 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive