The Israeli soldiers grabbed his arms on each side, Nasir Damaj recalled, marching him through the streets to the blown-out shell of a mosque. A shaft led to an old underground cave. As they ordered him to climb down, Mr. Damaj said he realized why: He was being used as a human shield. “They wanted me to scout what was downstairs, to protect them,” Mr. Damaj said. It’s expensive.”

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Persons: Nasir Damaj, Damaj, ” Mr, Mr