Israel Announces End of Civilian Shields

On May 3, Human Rights Watch released "Jenin: IDF Military Operations," which documented, among other abuses, the use of civilian shields during the military operation in the Jenin refugee camp. Just days after we met with the senior legal advisor of the Israeli Defense Force and in response to litigation initiated by local human rights groups based largely on HRW documentation, the IDF issued an order prohibiting the taking of hostages and the use of human shields.