U.S. intelligence gathered last year reportedly captured Israeli officials discussing an incident in which Palestinians were sent into tunnels in Gaza that the Israeli military suspected may contain explosives, Reuters reported, citing sources.
This plan was also widely implemented during the West Bank attacks.
The information was shared with the White House and investigated by U.S. intelligence agencies in the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration. International law prohibits the use of civilians as shields during military operations.
Officials within the Biden administration have long expressed concern about media reports suggesting that Israeli forces are using Palestinians to protect themselves in Gaza.
A new intelligence agency reportedly provided Washington with an independent confirmation previously unreported on the matter.
Officials said intelligence services have raised questions about how widely such tactics are being employed and whether Israeli soldiers are acting under the guidance of military leaders.
It did not say whether the Palestinians mentioned were detainees or civilians. Reuters could not determine whether the Biden administration shared information with the Israeli government.
The Israeli military said in a statement that it is “prohibited to use civilians as human shields or to force them to participate in military operations in any way.”
The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is reportedly investigating “suspects of involvement of Palestinians in military missions.”
Former U.S. officials said information about Israeli military actions was circulated along with other classified information that suggested possible war crimes.
MNA