Hamas using civilians as ‘human shields’ to discourage evacuations

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak claims Hamas is deliberately using civilians as “human shields” to discourage people from leaving the area ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met with soldiers gathered near the enclave's border on Thursday (local time). "You see Gaza now from a distance, (but) you will soon see it from inside. The command will come," he said as armed troops watched on. Mr Gallant expressed confidence Israelis are doing their best to ensure every target is checked to make sure they are a legitimate Hamas member. “If you or me would have faced the choice whether to be killed as a result of staying there or leaving to stay alive, I know I would have lived,” he told Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan. “They have the right to live; they have the opportunity to live.”