(MENAFN) Israeli troops reportedly employed a method of sending Palestinian civilians into Hamas tunnels, even when aware that they might contain explosives. This approach was allegedly known to the country’s leadership, a news agency reported, citing former US officials familiar with intelligence matters.

US intelligence agencies shared information with President Joe Biden’s administration in the last months of 2024 regarding discussions among Israeli officials about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) engaging in such tactics.

According to the agency, this intelligence raised serious concerns about the extent to which Israel might have used civilians as human shields during the Gaza conflict.

Experts note that these actions contravene international law and are classified as war crimes.

In response, the IDF stated that it “prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or coercing them in any way to participate in military operations.” Israeli military police informed a news agency that they are investigating “suspicions involving Palestinians in military missions.”

Last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by the IDF in Gaza.

In September, a United Nations commission labeled the events in the Palestinian territory as “genocide,” asserting that Israel’s intent to “destroy the Palestinians” was apparent.

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire in early October under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, but both parties have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the agreement. In the last month, IDF strikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 245 Palestinians.

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