Story of Israeli Troops Using Boy as a Human Shield Continued

On October 3rd I posted a blog about two Israeli soldiers using a boy from Gaza as a human shield during a three week conflict with Hamas which rules Gaza. Their case was the first of its kind to go to court in Israel where the use of civilians as human shields is banned. Since then the trial has ended and the soldiers have received their sentences. The two soldiers do not face any prison time, instead they have been demoted and face two years of probation. The boy who they used as a shield during the conflict was forced to open bags that were thought to contain bombs. The bags ended up being harmless but the boy was so frightened for his life that he wet himself. His mother was outraged that the two soldiers did not get a heavier sentence. It is hard to say how the trial would have played out if the bags had indeed been booby trapped.

by Haley Kirk