The Daily: How Israel Uses Palestinian Detainees as Human Shields

Release Date: November 27, 2024
Hosts: Sabrina Tavernise and Michael Barbaro
Produced by: The New York Times

Introduction

In this poignant episode of The Daily, Sabrina Tavernise delves into a harrowing and controversial tactic employed by the Israeli military during the ongoing conflict in Gaza: the use of Palestinian detainees as human shields. This investigative piece uncovers the depths of the practice, its implications under international law, and the broader ramifications for the nature of the conflict.

Uncovering the Practice

Sabrina Tavernise [00:30]:
Sabrina sets the stage by highlighting recent developments, including a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for prominent Israeli officials. She introduces the central investigation led by journalist Natan Odenheimer into the allegation that the Israeli military is utilizing Palestinian detainees as human shields—a practice that contravenes both Israeli and international law.

Natan Odenheimer [02:14]:
Odenheimer recounts how he inadvertently discovered this disturbing practice in January 2024 when he overheard an Israeli soldier describing the use of Palestinians in Hamas tunnels. Realizing the gravity of the allegation, he pursued the story to determine its prevalence within the Israeli military.

Investigative Journey

Initial Revelation and Challenges [02:44 - 04:13]:
Odenheimer details his initial encounter with the Israeli soldier and the subsequent hurdles in gathering more information. After a promising start, the soldier recedes, leaving many questions unanswered. Undeterred, Odenheimer, along with his colleagues Bilal Shabir and Patrick Kingsley, persistently seek out others willing to speak, gradually piecing together the extent of the practice.

Personal Accounts: The Human Impact

Bashir El Dalu’s Story [05:19 - 09:51]:
One of the most compelling segments features Bashir El Dalu, a 43-year-old pharmacist from northern Gaza. El Dalu describes his forced role as a human shield, where he was hazed into dangerous areas under duress. At [07:18], he narrates being ordered to undress, blindfolded, and sent into a hazardous yard, leading to injuries from broken glass. Despite the peril, El Dalu felt a sense of relief upon reaching an Israeli detention center, highlighting the complex psychological trauma inflicted by such practices.

Scope and Prevalence

Widespread Implementation [10:20 - 13:37]:
Odenheimer reveals that the use of Palestinian detainees is not an isolated incident but a widespread phenomenon across at least 11 different squads in Gaza. The practice, termed internally as "mosquitoes" and "wasps," indicates a systematic approach within the military. "Mosquitoes" refer to detainees used within Gaza, while "wasps" are individuals brought from Israel for specific missions ([13:26]).

Military and Legal Responses

Israeli Military Stance [16:10 - 17:53]:
When confronted, the Israeli military neither denied nor confirmed the allegations but stated that their guidelines strictly prohibit such practices. Despite acknowledgments, no punitive actions have been reported against involved officers or conscripts. Odenheimer emphasizes the illegality of using civilians as human shields, both under international law and Israeli statutes, referencing past Supreme Court rulings that have condemned similar actions.

Ethical and Societal Implications

Soldiers’ Moral Dilemmas [18:13 - 21:49]:
Odenheimer sheds light on the internal conflicts among Israeli soldiers, many of whom express disgust and horror at the military's actions. Some soldiers actively resisted the practice, with entire platoons refusing to partake and ensuring the release of detainees. This internal resistance underscores a moral awakening amidst the chaos of war, suggesting a schism between military directives and individual ethics.

Shared Disregard for Civilian Lives [19:35 - 21:49]:
Tavernise and Odenheimer discuss the parallel disregard for Palestinian lives by both Hamas and the Israeli military. While Hamas is characterized as a terrorist organization with its oppressive tactics, the Israeli military is portrayed as a state actor violating the rules of war. This duality reveals a tragic pattern of civilian exploitation, deepening the humanitarian crisis and eroding moral standards on both sides.

Conclusions and Future Implications

Impact on Israeli Society and Future Actions [21:49 - 23:06]:
As the intensity of the conflict wanes and the ICC issues arrest warrants, Israeli society is compelled to confront the brutal realities of the war's consequences. The revelation of using Palestinian detainees as human shields forces a reckoning with previously justified narratives of the war, potentially leading to calls for accountability and reform within the military.

Natan Odenheimer [17:37]:
"Even if this war is justified, it doesn't mean that everything we do or everything that we can do in this war is justified."

This powerful statement encapsulates the ethical dilemma faced by individuals within the military and the broader Israeli society. It underscores the necessity of maintaining moral integrity, even amidst the exigencies of war.

Supporting Perspectives and Final Thoughts

Sabrina Tavernise [23:06 - End]:
Tavernise wraps up the episode by juxtaposing the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah with the ongoing humanitarian and ethical crises uncovered in the investigation. She emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability to prevent such violations of human rights from recurring.

Notable Quotes

• Sabrina Tavernise [02:08]:
  "It's a major turning point in one of the wars Israel has been fighting since Hamas attacked it on October 7th."

• Natan Odenheimer [08:47]:
  "He wasn't hurt from the shooting, but he was injured from walking barefoot on the glass."

• Natan Odenheimer [18:51]:
  "Even if this war is justified, it doesn't mean that everything we do or everything that we can do in this war is justified."

Key Takeaways

1. Systematic Use of Human Shields: The Israeli military's reliance on Palestinian detainees as human shields is not an isolated practice but a widespread, systematic tactic employed across multiple squads in Gaza.

2. Legal and Ethical Violations: This practice blatantly violates both Israeli and international law, contradicting previous Supreme Court rulings and established rules of war.

3. Moral Conflict Among Soldiers: Many Israeli soldiers experience profound ethical conflicts, with some actively resisting and condemning the use of detainees, highlighting a potential shift in military and societal values.

4. Shared Humanitarian Disregard: Both Hamas and the Israeli military exhibit a troubling disregard for Palestinian civilian lives, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and perpetuating the cycle of violence.

5. Implications for Future Accountability: The ongoing conflict and recent ICC actions may pressure Israeli society and its military to address and rectify these grave human rights violations.

This episode of The Daily serves as a crucial exposé on the complexities and moral quandaries inherent in modern warfare, particularly within the fraught landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through meticulous investigation and compelling personal narratives, the podcast underscores the urgent need for accountability and the preservation of humanity amidst the ravages of war.