The Human Shield Tactic in one Picture

In an image taken from a video that was mistakenly posted on TikTok by a Hezbollah supporter on May 23 and later deleted, members of the Al-Risala Association — the aid and rescue apparatus affiliated with the Amal Movement — are seen extinguishing a fire in a building that was allegedly presented as a “civilian” target recently attacked by Israel at an unknown location. The image shows a multi-barrel rocket launcher. Based on its visual characteristics, we assess that it may correspond to one of two types of heavy rockets: Khaibar-1 — a 302 mm rocket with a range of approximately 100–200 km, depending on the weight of the warhead, which ranges between 125–175 kg. Fadi-2 — a 302 mm rocket based on the Khaibar-1, with a range of approximately 100 km and a warhead weighing about 170 kg. Either way, this is a heavy weapon system capable of threatening deep into northern Israel. The placement of such a launcher inside a “civilian” building turns the site into a clear military infrastructure — not a civilian target. This is Hezbollah’s modus operandi: concealing military capabilities inside civilian spaces, and then using rescue and medical apparatuses to create a narrative of civilian harm. The members of the Al-Risala Association do not appear here merely as a neutral body, but as part of the civilian-operational envelope that enables the Shiite duo — Hezbollah and Amal — to blur the line between civilian and military. When a “civilian” building is used to conceal a rocket launcher, it becomes a legitimate military target. Responsibility for endangering civilians lies with those who placed the launcher there.