Hamas has said that testimonies from Palestinian detainees and Israeli soldiers in a news report by the Associated Press documented “heinous crimes committed by” Israel. 

Seven Palestinians spoke to AP about being used as human shields in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, in a report published on Saturday. Two Israeli military officers also confirmed the practice. 

Hamas said the crimes referenced in the report were committed “under explicit orders from senior military leaders”, which the group described as “war crimes and systematic violations of international law”.

“[The testimonies] reveal a systematic, deliberate policy that reflects the moral and institutional collapse within the ranks of this terrorist army”, it said.

The use of civilians as human shields is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.