JERUSALEM - Sameh Amira was jolted awake by pounding at the front door. Israeli troops, on a manhunt in the West Bank, had decided to draft his help.
The terrified Palestinian found himself forced onto the front lines of Israel's shadowy war against militants, a human shield leading heavily armed soldiers from house to house. "I was afraid I would die," Amira, 24, said in an interview.
For several years, Palestinians had complained about the army tactic, but proof was difficult to come by. On Feb. 25, an AP cameraman was able to film Amira as he was forced to lead the soldiers.
International law prohibits placing civilians in harm's way in military operations. Israel's army says such operations protect Israelis. But after six years of fighting in the latest intifada, the military's tactics have become increasingly tough on Palestinians who are not part of the conflict.
A handful of other Palestinians, including an 11-year-old girl, have come forward since Amira's role was publicized. In February, the army moved into Nablus to sweep for militants and weapons, shutting down parts of the city for six days and confining thousands to their homes. The soldiers reached the home of Jihan Dadoush, 11, on Feb. 28 as she and her family sat watching television. The soldiers questioned her father and older sister before turning to her.
"I was very afraid because the soldiers were screaming ... so I told them about a house where young men sometimes go," the ponytailed girl said, crying. The troops ordered her to come with them.
The army is investigating whether soldiers violated a landmark Israeli Supreme Court 2005 ruling barring use of human shields.
this is a short article, but you get the idea.... disgusting!!!!
