Palestinians in Gaza are now using so—called "human shield" tactics in response to Israel's policy of notifying targets that they are to be bombed from the air, so as to avoid human casualties. From the UK Times: The warplanes were forced to abort their mission minutes after Israeli commanders made warning calls to two suspected militants' houses where the families — instead of abandoning the buildings — raised the alarm by firing guns from their roofs and summoning help through local mosques and radio stations. [emphasis added] A longer report form the BBC seems to almost celebrate the "defiance" of the Palestinians. The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says it appears that an unprecedented act of defiance by the Palestinians to a particular Israeli tactic has worked. The Israeli air force often uses night—time helicopter missile strikes to target homes in Gaza which the Israelis say have been used to store weapons or plan attacks on Israel. Very often the air...(Read Full Post)