Yousef, a 36-year-old father of five from northern Gaza, has shared his harrowing experience of being used as a human shield by Israeli soldiers during the recent conflict.

His ordeal began when he was separated from his family at Hamad School in Beit Lahiya, where they had sought shelter from relentless bombings. His wife, Amal, had given birth to their youngest child just a week earlier, and the family had already been forced to flee their home.

As Israeli soldiers took him into custody, Yousef was forced to lead them through buildings, checking for fighters ahead of them. “The realization that I was being used as a human shield was terrifying,” he said, recalling how he was made to open doors and enter rooms first while the soldiers remained behind, ready to fire.

Yousef feared for his wife and children, uncertain of their fate. “My wife had just given birth, and she wouldn’t be able to walk far with the children. Without help, I was terrified of what might happen to them,” he said.

Throughout the night, he was compelled to search multiple buildings, calling out if he found anyone. “A soldier told us we’d be released after helping with their missions, but I feared they’d kill us at any moment,” Yousef recounted.

His ordeal ended when he was shot in the leg and left bleeding. Despite his injuries, he managed to escape and reach a hospital, where he received medical care before finally reuniting with his family, who had been desperately searching for him.

Meanwhile, Amal and their children had been forced to walk south along Salah al-Din Street, surrounded by soldiers and tanks. Weakened from childbirth, Amal struggled to carry their newborn and their few remaining belongings. At one point, she stumbled, causing her baby to fall to the ground, an experience that left her in despair. Eventually, they reached New Gaza School, where they found temporary shelter with other displaced families.

The use of human shields is a violation of international humanitarian law, and Yousef’s story highlights the immense suffering endured by civilians in Gaza. His father, Jamil, remains missing, adding to the family’s anguish.

Despite their hardship, the family remains determined to move forward. They have named their newborn baby Sumoud, meaning “steadfastness” in Arabic—a symbol of their resilience in the face of adversity.