US, Germany condemn Israeli Occupation for using wounded Palestinian as human shield

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer has strongly condemned the Israeli Occupation’s actions for using a wounded Palestinian man as a human shield during a military operation in Jenin, in the West Bank.

This condemnation comes after video footage surfaced showing the 24-year-old wounded Palestinian, Mujahid Abadi, strapped to the hood of an Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) military vehicle as it drove through the streets.

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The footage, which has sparked international outrage, shows Abadi, who had been shot by soldiers and was visibly bloodied, being paraded on the lead vehicle as it passed between two Palestinian ambulances without stopping to allow paramedics to provide medical assistance.

Fischer, addressing the incident at a press conference in Berlin, described the scenes as "hard to bear" and noted that such behavior violates IOF regulations.

“The German government expects quick clarification, quick results, and corresponding consequences for those responsible,” Fischer stated.

When pressed on whether his comments amounted to a direct condemnation, Fischer affirmed, “When I say that the scenes are difficult to bear, this is a condemnation.”

Meanwhile, the US has also voiced its disapproval of the incident. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller labeled the practice as "absolutely unacceptable" during a press briefing.

He confirmed that the department had reviewed the "shocking" footage, emphasizing that individuals should never be used as human shields.

“The [IOF] should swiftly investigate what happened and hold those responsible accountable,” Miller asserted.

He referenced an official statement from the IOF, which acknowledged that the actions seen in the footage were inconsistent with the soldiers' orders and that an investigation was underway to address the situation appropriately.

Eyewitnesses in Jenin's Jabariyat neighborhood recounted the events leading up to the incident.

They reported that the IOF besieged a house in the area, during which Abadi was shot. The witnesses suggested that the IOF used him as a human shield to ensure safe passage without facing potential explosives or gunfire from Palestinian resistance fighters.

After the military operation, the wounded Abadi was handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and transported to a nearby hospital. His injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening.

The use of human shields is widely regarded as a violation of international law, and the incident has drawn criticism from various quarters.

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Abdullah Al-Zagari, Director of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, condemned the act, describing it as part of the ongoing daily crimes committed by the IOF against Palestinians, especially those in custody.

Zagari also criticized the international community for its perceived inaction in the face of such violations.