Regarding the use of human shields this TYT video examines claims from both sides.
YouTube - In Gaza Conflict - Which Side Is Using Human Shields?
It first considers the Israeli side and then the Palestinian side. Like TYT, I also tend to believe the claims made by the Israeli officer about Hamas setting booby trapping in and fighting from residential areas. Is this an example of using human shields? Perhaps, but if that's true, then the same can be said whenever any city becomes a battleground, for example Leningrad during WW II.
But... consider the Paletinian side. You will see video of armed IDF soldiers forcing unarmed Palestinian civilians to walk in front of them as they search for armed militants. IMO, that literally is using civilians as human shields.
I recommend you watch the video and make up your mind.
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Since the TYT video was made, UN representatives in Gaza accused the IDF of again using Palestinians as human shields. Among them was an 11 year old boy:
UN accuses troops of using boy, 11, as human shield - Middle East, World - The Independent
Here is another recent claim of the IDF using children as human shields
..."They would make us go first, so if any fighters shot at them the bullets would hit us, not them," said 14-year-old Al'a al-Attar.
His brothers, Ali, 15, and Nafiz, 16, described how when the three of them were being led through built-up areas in their home town of Attartra, the soldiers would order them to suddenly stop ‑ then fire their rifles over the brothers' shoulders and between their legs....
Palestinian brothers: Israel used us as human shields in Gaza war | World news | guardian.co.uk
Now you can choose to believe or not believe these recent accounts as I doubt any video proof exists. All we have are first person testimonials and eye witnesses accounts.
But consider also that the IDF has a long history of using civilians as human shields despite an Israeli Supreme Court ban on the practice. If the IDF wasn't using civilians as human shields, why would they defend the practice at the ISC???
BBC
IDF to appeal human shield ban
The practice of using human shields is against international law
The Israeli Defence Ministry will appeal against a supreme court ruling banning the use of Palestinian human shields in raids, officials said. Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz is prepared to make a personal appearance in court to defend the practice, ministry officials added.
BBC NEWS | Middle East | IDF to appeal human shield ban
Perhaps Ironsides you can explain how you are able to condemn Hamas for defending themselves from an IDF invasion into densely populated urban area (effectvely using civilians as human shields by virtue of close proximity) and yet say nothing about the IDF literally abducting children and forcing them to march in front of them as they fire over their shoulders and between their legs at their adversaries. Seems to me you are being more than just a little hypocritical....