Court bans use of Palestinians as 'shields' in arrests

The Israeli military’s use of Palestinian civilians as “human shields” in arrest raids is illegal, the Supreme Court ruled today.

Chief justice Aharon Barak said the practice violated international law.

The court ruled in response to petitions by human rights groups.

During mass arrest raids in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Israeli military in the past would sometimes force Palestinian civilians to approach the homes and hideouts of wanted people.

In some of these cases, the civilians were caught in crossfire and were wounded or killed.