November 2006
Residents of Beit Lahiya, a town in Gaza, expressed their determination to continue using human shield tactics to safeguard Mohammedweil Baroud, a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees. This approach led Israel to cancel planned airstrikes on the homes of two militants after large groups of Palestinians surrounded the buildings, effectively disrupting the Israeli aerial campaign in Gaza.
The tactic was initiated when people gathered at Baroud’s home following an Israeli army warning for him to vacate the premises. Nizar Riyan, a Hamas leader in northern Gaza, praised this strategy, asserting that it demonstrated the strength and unity of the Palestinian people against military force. He mentioned that local men and women would alternate in acting as human shields at the house.
Mohammedweil Baroud, remaining inside his home, was quickly joined by supporters who crowded around the building, including on balconies and rooftops. Abu Mojahed, a spokesman for the Public Resistance Committees, stated that these gatherings would be repeated following each shelling warning.
Israel typically issues evacuation warnings prior to airstrikes on suspected weapon storage sites to minimize casualties. However, this instance marked the first time Palestinians employed human shields to prevent an airstrike. A similar situation occurred with Mohammed Nawajeh, another Hamas leader in northern Gaza, who also received a warning call. The Israeli army called off the night-time airstrikes due to the presence of large crowds.
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