The United States reportedly had intelligence indicating that Israeli officials deliberated over sending Palestinians into tunnels in Gaza that Israeli forces suspected might contain explosives, according to two former U.S. officials speaking to Reuters. This revelation highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of civilians in the region and adds to long-standing accusations against Israel regarding the use of human shields.

The information, gathered last year, was shared with the White House and thoroughly reviewed by U.S. intelligence agencies during the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration. The sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of national security matters, did not specify whether the Palestinians involved were civilians or prisoners.

International Law and Human Shields

International law explicitly prohibits the use of civilians as human shields during military operations. Over the years, multiple reports and investigations have documented instances of Israeli forces allegedly employing Palestinians as human shields in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. However, Wednesday’s Reuters report is significant as it confirms that the U.S. government had independently gathered and reviewed evidence on the matter.

The Israeli military responded to the report by stating that it “prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or coercing them in any way to participate in military operations.” It further noted that the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating cases involving the use of Palestinians in military missions.

Documented Cases of Human Shield Use

The use of Palestinians as human shields has been extensively documented. In May 2025, a report by The Associated Press featured testimonies from seven Palestinians who were forced into such roles in Gaza and the West Bank. These accounts offer a rare insight into the human cost of the practice and the dangers civilians face during military operations.

In June 2024, Al Jazeera verified footage showing Israeli soldiers tying a wounded Palestinian man, Mujahed Azmi, to the front of a military jeep and driving him past two ambulances during a raid on Jenin in the West Bank. The Israeli military later claimed that the soldiers had violated protocol, while a U.S. State Department spokesperson described the incident as “disturbing” and “a clear violation” of Israeli military orders and procedures.

Israel Questioned at the United Nations Over Allegations of Torture

The issue of human rights violations extends beyond human shields. Earlier this week, Israel faced intense questioning at the United Nations regarding allegations of torture against Palestinian detainees, particularly following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.

Peter Vedel Kessing, a UN rapporteur on torture, expressed alarm at the reports of widespread and systematic abuse of Palestinians, including children. Twenty-eight Israeli officials appeared before a panel of ten UN experts, who asked pointed questions about Israel’s laws and compliance regarding torture. According to the panel, Israel admitted that it neither has a law prohibiting torture nor consistently applies international agreements in Gaza and the West Bank.

The UN committee confronted Israeli representatives with numerous reports of abuses, including claims of sexual assault and deaths under suspicious circumstances. Israeli officials largely denied the allegations, citing instances of “self-defense” in some cases.

Leaked videos and reports from sites such as Sde Teiman military prison have further fueled accusations of torture, while dozens of Palestinian bodies returned to Gaza since the ceasefire have reportedly shown signs of abuse. The UN Committee Against Torture is expected to release a non-binding summary of its findings at the end of November 2025.

Global Reactions and the Way Forward

The revelation of U.S. intelligence on Israel’s discussions around human shields, combined with international scrutiny over allegations of torture, underscores the growing international concern over civilian safety in conflict zones. Human rights organizations continue to call for independent investigations, accountability, and measures to prevent the use of civilians in military operations.

As the situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains tense, the global community watches closely, emphasizing the need for adherence to international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, and transparent reporting on alleged abuses.