The Israeli military is investigating its soldiers’ use of Palestinian civilians as human shields during operations in Gaza, it has told CNN, Al Jazeera reports.

It is the military’s first admission that there is “reasonable suspicion” this could have taken place, the US news channel reported.

“In several cases, the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division opened investigations after reasonable suspicion arose regarding the use of Palestinians for military missions during the operations,” the Israeli military was quoted as saying by CNN.

While the scale and scope are still being investigated, the practice has likely occurred across the besieged Strip, the outlet reported.

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