UN criticizes use of human shields

CAMEROON, Cameroon – The United Nations is condemning the use of civilians as human shields by terrorist organizations.

That position taken Tuesday by the U.N. General Assembly is aimed especially at Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that governs in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, says the violent faceoff between Israel and Hamas includes militants hiding behind women and children in schools and hospitals for security while launching attacks on Israel.

In Gaza, nearly 2 million Palestinians face malnutrition, lack of drinking water and daily electricity outages. The U.N. General Assembly also accused Israel earlier this month of using excessive force against Palestinian civilians.

The condemnation of human shields is part of the U.N.’s update of its counter-terrorism strategy.