Human shields How has Hamas been accused of using them?

In audio released by the Israel Defence Forces, a member of the Military Intelligence Directorate can be heard calling a Palestinian man in Gaza urging him and his family to evacuate south. But the man says it is hard to comply because Hamas is blocking roads, and "sending people back home". He adds that Hamas is shooting at Palestinians trying to leave the area.

- Peter Beaumont

The audio is one of numerous pieces of alleged evidence released by the IDF to support claims that Hamas uses the civilian population of Gaza as human shields.

What is a human shield?

The international criminal court defines the war crime of using human shields as "utilising the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas or military forces immune from military operations".

One interpretation is that it would be a war crime to fire weapons and to position bases near heavily populated civilian areas, in particular near facilities that should be protected according to the Geneva conventions, including schools, hospitals or mosques.

What is Hamas accused of?

Israel claims Hamas has placed parts of its military tunnel system and command network under civilian objects, including Gaza City's main Shifa hospital.