A human shield is a non-combatant (or a group of non-combatants) who either volunteers or is forced to shield a legitimate military target in order to deter the enemy from attacking it.[1] The term is also used when combatants place themselves in or conduct military activity from locations with non-combatants nearby, making it difficult for the enemy to attack without endangering the non-combatants.
The concept of human shields as a resistance measure was created by Mahatma Gandhi as a weapon of resistance.[1]: 4–5 [2][3]
Part of a series on |
War (outline) |
---|
![]() |
Gordon Perugini
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).