Hamas Use of Civilians as Human Shields –Image: Israel MFA
(IDF) Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operating in the Gaza Strip found a manual on “Urban Warfare” which belonged to the Shuja’iya Brigade of Hamas’s military wing the Al-Qassam Brigades–the manual explains how the civilian population can be used against IDF and reveals that Hamas knows the IDF is committed to minimizing harm to civilians.
Captured Hamas Combat Manual Explains Benefits of Human Shields
In a Portion Entitled “Limiting Use of Weapons” the Manual Explains…
The soldiers and commanders (of the IDF) must limit their use of weapons and tactics that lead to the harm and unnecessary loss of people and (destruction of) civilian facilities. It is difficult for them to get the most use out of their firearms, especially of supporting fire.
Clearly, Hamas knows the IDF will limit its use of weapons in order to avoid harming civilians including refraining from using large firepower to support infantry.