IDF straps wounded Palestinian to Jeep

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank have been condemned after a video emerged of them driving a vehicle around with a wounded Palestinian tied to the hood, with some accusing them of using him as a human shield. Muhajed Azmi was apparently wounded during a raid in Jenin, however when his family begged the Israeli forces for an ambulance, they instead tied him to their jeep and drove away. They then drove past an ambulance and refused to hand him over, continuing to drive away. Eventually, Azmi was released, where he was taken to hospital to undergo surgery for his injuries.

The Israeli military released a statement, saying the ‘conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to the values’ of the military, and have said that they are investigating the incident. However, after a string of alleged human rights violations during the war in Gaza and related conflicts in the West Bank, promises of investigations increasingly carry little weight. Francesca Albanese, the UN’ special rapporteur to Palestine, called it ‘human shielding in action,’ adding that ‘it is flabbergasting how a state born 76 years ago has managed to turn international law literally on its head.’