[JURIST] An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) [official website] commander was suspended Friday after video footage taken in the West Bank Wednesday showed IDF soldiers under his control ordering two Palestinian teens to stand in front of their vehicle to protect it [Ynetnews video and report] from stones being thrown by local bystanders during a military raid. Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti [Wikipedia profile] told the AP that Friday's suspension incorrectly gave the impression that Wednesday's occurrence was an isolated event and failed to address a more systemic problem. He said that despite a 2005 Israel Supreme Court ruling [JURIST report] prohibiting the use of Palestinian human shields, the practice has continued. The IDF is already conducting a criminal probe [JURIST report] into an another human shield incident [BBC recorded video] similarly caught on tape in February.

Using civilians to protect military personnel or shield military objectives from attacks is prohibited under the amended Geneva conventions [text], as well as the Hague Regulations [text]. AP has more.