A video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appears to show a Hamas militant using a child as a human shield to move weapons during ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. The aerial footage, reportedly captured by an Israeli drone over central Gaza on Sunday, depicts a young boy carrying a large rifle while being directed by an armed individual. The child struggles under the weight of the weapon and staggers as he is led down a street.
In a statement accompanying the video, the IDF said the militant exploited the child to prevent Israeli strikes on the weapons transfer. The IDF emphasized that it refrained from targeting the armed individual upon recognizing the presence of the child. The military described the incident as an example of what it calls the "systematic exploitation of children by terrorist organizations for terrorist purposes," a violation of international law according to the Israeli military.
The IDF has repeatedly accused Hamas of using Gaza’s civilian population, especially children, as human shields by placing weapons, command centers, and rocket launchers near schools and residential buildings. Israel contends that this tactic aims both to deter military strikes and generate international condemnation if civilians are harmed during operations.
Hamas denies these allegations, asserting that due to Gaza's extremely dense population, military activity inevitably takes place near civilian areas. Hamas leadership has further argued that as the occupying power in Gaza, Israel holds the legal responsibility to protect civilians, including children, during military actions.
The release of the footage adds to ongoing disputes around the conduct of both sides in the conflict, with Israel emphasizing its efforts to avoid civilian casualties, while accusing Hamas of deliberately endangering Gaza’s population. Meanwhile, Hamas maintains that Israeli operations cause disproportionate harm to civilians and accuses Israel of violating international law. The claims from both parties reflect the complex and contentious nature of warfare in Gaza’s densely populated environment.