Roof knocking - Revision history

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	{{Short description\|Israel Defense Forces practice}}		{{Short description\|Israel Defense Forces practice}}
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	'''Roof knocking''' ({{langx\|he\|הקש בגג}}; [[Arabic]]: صاروخ تحذيري)<ref name="Ynet/Heb">{{cite news \|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648839%2C00.html \|script-title=he:עזה: בכיר חמאס חוסל, כ-26 נהרגו בתקיפות \|publisher=Ynet \|language=he \|access-date=2009-01-18 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515032403/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3648839,00.html \|archive-date=2010-05-15 }}</ref> or "'''knock on the roof'''"<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|first= \|date=2023-10-10 \|title=What is the Israeli military's "knock on the roof," and why is it being discussed now? \|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023193638/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|archive-date=2023-10-23 \|access-date=2023-11-30 \|website=CNN \|language=en}}</ref> is a term used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) to describe its practice of dropping low-yield devices on the roofs of targeted civilian homes in the [[occupied Palestinian territories]] as a prior warning of imminent bombing attacks to give the inhabitants time to flee the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|title=UN report finds: Israel's 'roof-knock' warning no way to prevent civilian casualties - Jerusalem Vivendi\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|work=haaretz.com\|access-date=2016-11-04\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314001142/http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|archive-date=2017-03-14\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-haretz">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|title=IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes.\|date=2009-01-04\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=Haaretz\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104130851/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|archive-date=2009-01-04\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures\|date=2009-01-04\|last=Harel\|first=Amos\|author2=Yoav Stern\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=[[Haaretz]]\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122141258/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|archive-date=2009-01-22\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite news \|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|title=Bush: U.S. Calls for Monitored Cease-fire Pact \|date=2009-01-02 \|last=McGregor-Wood \|first=Simon \|author2=Miguel Marquez \|work=abcNews \|publisher=ABCNews Internet Ventures \|access-date=2009-01-04 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103040503/http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|archive-date=2009-01-03 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite news\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|title=Israel and Hamas: Two to Tango \|last=Schweber \|first=Howard \|date=2009-01-04 \|work=[[The Huffington Post]] \|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com, Inc \|access-date=2009-01-10 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204170203/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jeff\|title=Israel 'Roof Knocking' Video Raises Question: Warning Or Human Rights Violation?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|access-date=24 July 2014\|work=International Business Times\|date=July 15, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205225/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimesJan10>{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|title=A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery \|access-date=2009-01-19 \|last=Erlanger \|first=Steven \|date=2009-01-10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716121408/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|archive-date=2014-07-16 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="aus" />{{overcite\|date=February 2024}} The practice was employed by the IDF during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], the [[2012 Gaza War]], the [[2014 Gaza War]], and the since 2023 ongoing [[Gaza war\|Gaza War]] to attack a variety of targets.<ref name="Hasian 2016" /><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AJEnglish \|author-link=Al Jazeera English \|number=1710690655091990644 \|title= Watch the moment Israeli fighter jets strike Palestine Tower behind Al Jazeera's Youmna El Sayed as she reports live from Gaza}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AuroraIntel \|number=1710678560652837235 \|title= Footage from one of many live streams capturing the impacts during Palestine Tower in Gaza City in the last few minutes after a roof knock earlier.}}</ref>		'''Roof knocking''' ({{langx\|he\|הקש בגג}}; [[Arabic]]: صاروخ تحذيري)<ref name="Ynet/Heb">{{cite news \|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648839%2C00.html \|script-title=he:עזה: בכיר חמאס חוסל, כ-26 נהרגו בתקיפות \|publisher=Ynet \|language=he \|access-date=2009-01-18 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515032403/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3648839,00.html \|archive-date=2010-05-15 }}</ref> or "'''knock on the roof'''"<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|first= \|date=2023-10-10 \|title=What is the Israeli military's "knock on the roof," and why is it being discussed now? \|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023193638/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|archive-date=2023-10-23 \|access-date=2023-11-30 \|website=CNN \|language=en}}</ref> is a term used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) to describe its practice of dropping low-yield devices on the roofs of targeted civilian homes in the [[occupied Palestinian territories]] as a prior warning of imminent bombing attacks to give the inhabitants time to flee the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|title=UN report finds: Israel's 'roof-knock' warning no way to prevent civilian casualties - Jerusalem Vivendi\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|work=haaretz.com\|access-date=2016-11-04\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314001142/http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|archive-date=2017-03-14\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-haretz">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|title=IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes.\|date=2009-01-04\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=Haaretz\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104130851/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|archive-date=2009-01-04\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures\|date=2009-01-04\|last=Harel\|first=Amos\|author2=Yoav Stern\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=[[Haaretz]]\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122141258/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|archive-date=2009-01-22\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite news \|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|title=Bush: U.S. Calls for Monitored Cease-fire Pact \|date=2009-01-02 \|last=McGregor-Wood \|first=Simon \|author2=Miguel Marquez \|work=abcNews \|publisher=ABCNews Internet Ventures \|access-date=2009-01-04 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103040503/http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|archive-date=2009-01-03 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite news\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|title=Israel and Hamas: Two to Tango \|last=Schweber \|first=Howard \|date=2009-01-04 \|work=[[The Huffington Post]] \|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com, Inc \|access-date=2009-01-10 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204170203/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jeff\|title=Israel 'Roof Knocking' Video Raises Question: Warning Or Human Rights Violation?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|access-date=24 July 2014\|work=International Business Times\|date=July 15, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205225/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimesJan10>{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|title=A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery \|access-date=2009-01-19 \|last=Erlanger \|first=Steven \|date=2009-01-10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716121408/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|archive-date=2014-07-16 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="aus" />{{overcite\|date=February 2024}} The practice was employed by the IDF during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], the [[2012 Gaza War]], the [[2014 Gaza War]], and the since 2023 ongoing [[Gaza war\|Gaza War]] to attack a variety of targets.<ref name="Hasian 2016" /><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AJEnglish \|author-link=Al Jazeera English \|number=1710690655091990644 \|title= Watch the moment Israeli fighter jets strike Palestine Tower behind Al Jazeera's Youmna El Sayed as she reports live from Gaza}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AuroraIntel \|number=1710678560652837235 \|title= Footage from one of many live streams capturing the impacts during Palestine Tower in Gaza City in the last few minutes after a roof knock earlier.}}</ref>

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{{pp-protect|small=yes}}
'''Roof knocking''' ({{lang-he|הקש בגג}})<ref name="Ynet/Heb">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648839%2C00.html |script-title=he:עזה: בכיר חמאס חוסל, כ-26 נהרגו בתקיפות |publisher=Ynet |language=he |access-date=2009-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515032403/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3648839,00.html |archive-date=2010-05-15 }} </ref> or "'''knocks on the roof'''" is a term used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) to describe its practice of dropping non-explosive or low-yield devices on the roofs of targeted civilian homes<ref>{{cite news|title=UN report finds: Israel's 'roof-knock' warning no way to prevent civilian casualties - Jerusalem Vivendi|url=http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474|work=haaretz.com|access-date=2016-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314001142/http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=live}}</ref> in the [[Palestinian territories]] as a prior warning of imminent bombing attacks to give the inhabitants time to flee the attack.<ref name="ap-haretz">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html|title=IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes.|date=2009-01-04|work=Haaretz.com|publisher=Haaretz|access-date=2009-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104130851/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html|archive-date=2009-01-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures|date=2009-01-04|last=Harel|first=Amos|author2=Yoav Stern|work=Haaretz.com|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|access-date=2009-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122141258/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html|archive-date=2009-01-22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 |title=Bush: U.S. Calls for Monitored Cease-fire Pact |date=2009-01-02 |last=McGregor-Wood |first=Simon |author2=Miguel Marquez |work=abcNews |publisher=ABCNews Internet Ventures |access-date=2009-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103040503/http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 |archive-date=2009-01-03 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html |title=Israel and Hamas: Two to Tango |last=Schweber |first=Howard |date=2009-01-04 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |publisher=HuffingtonPost.com, Inc |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5eCGx1gnY?url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html |archive-date=2009-01-29 }} </ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Stone|first1=Jeff|title=Israel 'Roof Knocking' Video Raises Question: Warning Or Human Rights Violation?|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734|access-date=24 July 2014|work=International Business Times|date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205225/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734|archive-date=17 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimesJan10>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery |access-date=2009-01-19 |last=Erlanger |first=Steven |date=2009-01-10 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716121408/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |archive-date=2014-07-16 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="aus" /> The practice was employed by the IDF during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], [[Operation Pillar of Defense]] in 2012, and [[Operation Protective Edge]] in 2014 to target the homes of police officers or [[Hamas]] political or military leaders.<ref name="Hasian 2016" />

==History==
As early as 2006 the IDF had the practice of warning the inhabitants of a building that was about to be attacked.<ref name="guard">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/28/israel |title=The call that tells you: run, you're about to lose your home and possessions |date=2006-06-28 |last=Urquhart |first=Conal |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |access-date=2009-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830074009/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/28/israel |archive-date=2013-08-30 |url-status=live }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090203074244/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jul/28/israel Archived version 2009-01-29]</ref> Roof knocking was used during the 2008–2009 [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]], [[Operation Pillar of Defense]] in 2012, and [[Operation Protective Edge]] in 2014. In the six months prior to its use, [[Israel]] collected data on [[Hamas]] members, which they used to issue warnings.<ref name="hp" /> Typically, Israeli intelligence officers and [[Shin Bet]] security servicemen contacted residents of a building in which they suspected storage of military assets and told them that they had 10–15 minutes to flee the attack,<ref name="haretz-rk"/><ref name="aus">{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C24867840-601%2C00.html |title=Nuclear fear drives Israel's hard line |date=2009-01-03 |last=Rabinovich |first=Abraham |work=The Australian |publisher=News Limited |access-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203202820/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24867840-601,00.html |archive-date=2009-02-03 }} </ref><ref name="jpost">{{cite news |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167305954&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title=A response to a Euro-Mediterranean appeal |date=2009-01-04 |last=Kurz |first=Anat N. |author2=Emily B. Landau |work=opinion.jpost.com |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121191829/http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167305954&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=2009-01-21 }}</ref><ref name=DefenseNews>{{cite news |title=In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3885990 |publisher=Defense News |date=January 5, 2009 |last=Opall-Rome |first=Barbara |access-date=2009-06-17 }}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="IndependentUK">{{cite web|last1=Withnail|first1=Adam|last2=Viney|first2=Steven|title=Israel-Gaza conflict: Israeli 'knock on roof' missile warning technique revealed in remarkable video|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-israeli-knock-on-roof-missile-warning-technique-revealed-in-stunning-video-9603179.html|website=www.independent.co.uk|date=13 July 2014|access-date=13 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716113138/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-israeli-knock-on-roof-missile-warning-technique-revealed-in-stunning-video-9603179.html|archive-date=16 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> although in some cases the delay has been as little as five minutes.<ref name="ocha_report_1_2">{{Cite news|title=Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report - January 2, 2009 as of 14:30 |date=2009-01-02 |publisher=[[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_02_english.pdf |access-date=2009-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114195338/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_02_english.pdf |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Adoption by the U.S. military===
In 2016, it was published that the [[US military]] adopted the Israeli battlefield tactic in its war against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]].<ref name=USarmy>{{cite news|title=US adopts controversial Israeli air strike tactic known as 'roof-knocking'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/27/us-adopts-controversial-israeli-air-strike-tactic-known-as-roof/|publisher=The Telegraph|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131233811/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/27/us-adopts-controversial-israeli-air-strike-tactic-known-as-roof/|archive-date=January 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It was used in an attack against an ISIS storage facility in [[Mosul]], [[Iraq]]. As women and children lived in the house, a [[Hellfire missile]] was initially shot at the roof as a warning.<ref name=USarmy/>

==Defiance==
In some cases, residents who were warned about an impending bombing climbed up voluntarily to their roofs to show they would not leave.<ref name="haretz-rk"/> When [[Nizar Rayan]], a top Hamas military commander, was warned but didn't leave his home, he and his family of 15 were killed in the subsequent bombing.<ref name="haretz-rk"/><ref name="hp" /> When faced with similar situations, IDF commanders have either bombed, called off the bombing or launched a warning missile at empty areas of the roof, in order to frighten the people gathered on the roof into leaving the building.<ref name="ap-haretz" /><ref name=NYTimesJan10 /><ref name="AnthonyHCordesman">{{cite web| title=The Gaza War: a strategic analyses| url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf| publisher=CSIS| access-date=2009-05-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418165547/http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf| archive-date=2009-04-18| url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' stated that according to Israel, Hamas asked residents to stand on the roofs of buildings to dissuade [[Israelis|Israeli]] pilots from attacking their homes.<ref name=NYTimesJan10 /> However, Amnesty International argued that Hamas' purported call may have been "motivated by a desire to avoid further panic" among civilians, considering both the lack of shelters in Gaza and the fact that some civilians who heeded the IDF's warnings had been casualties of Israeli attacks.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/017/2014/en/ |title=DOCUMENT - ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: ISRAEL/GAZA CONFLICT, JULY 2014 |date=2014-07-17 |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=2018-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122055048/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/017/2014/en/ |archive-date=2018-11-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> Many reporters, including from the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowen|first1=Jeremy|author-link1=Jeremy Bowen|title=Jeremy Bowen's Gaza notebook: I saw no evidence of Hamas using Palestinians as human shields|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2014/07/jeremy-bowens-gaza-notebook-i-saw-no-evidence-hamas-using-palestinians-human|work=www.newstatesman.com|quote=Netanyahu said Israel had warned people to get out. Some had taken the advice; others had been prevented from leaving by Hamas...I saw no evidence during my week in Gaza of Israel’s accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.|access-date=2014-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008162911/https://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2014/07/jeremy-bowens-gaza-notebook-i-saw-no-evidence-hamas-using-palestinians-human|archive-date=2019-10-08|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref>{{cite news|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-the-myth-of-hamass-human-shield-9619810.html|first=Kim|last=Sengupta|title=Israel-Gaza conflict: The myth of Hamas's human shields|access-date=31 July 2014|date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925193702/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-the-myth-of-hamass-human-shield-9619810.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Guardian]]''<ref name=guardianHamasShield>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/gaza-hamas-fighters-military-bases-guerrilla-war-civilians-israel-idf|first=Harriet|last=Sherwood|title=In Gaza, Hamas fighters are among civilians. There is nowhere else for them to go|access-date=31 July 2014|date=24 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918030033/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/gaza-hamas-fighters-military-bases-guerrilla-war-civilians-israel-idf|archive-date=18 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> have said that they have found no evidence of Hamas forcing Palestinians to stay and become unwilling human shields.

==Reactions==
The practice has been controversial, as many human rights and news organizations have shown that 'roof knocks' have killed and injured civilians.<ref name="IndependentUK"/> In July, 2014, [[Amnesty International]] called for a United Nations investigation into what it alleged were war crimes committed by Israeli fighters, and Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Programme Director for the organization, condemned the practice.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Israel-Gaza conflict: Israeli 'knock on roof' missile warning revealed in remarkable video|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-israeli-knock-on-roof-missile-warning-technique-revealed-in-stunning-video-9603179.html|access-date=24 July 2014|work=The Independent|date=July 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716113138/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-israeli-knock-on-roof-missile-warning-technique-revealed-in-stunning-video-9603179.html|archive-date=16 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The spokesperson for [[Gaza Health Ministry]] indicated that the same missiles used to give warnings are also used in assassinations, resulting in dozens of casualties and deaths where "remains were scattered, making it impossible to identify them immediately".<ref name="alakhbar" />

The [[Goldstone Report]] commented that civilians inside their homes "cannot be expected to know whether a small explosion is a warning of an impending attack or part of an actual attack". It stated that the practice is not an effective advance warning, and is instead likely to "cause terror and confuse the affected civilians".<ref name="Schmitt 2011 p.199 ">{{cite book | last=Schmitt | first=Michael | title=Yearbook of international humanitarian law | publisher=T.M.C. Asser Press Springer | location=Hague Berlin | year=2011 | isbn=978-90-6704-811-8 | page=199}}</ref>

The Israeli Government stated "While these warnings, could not eliminate all harm to civilians, they were frequently effective," and that aerial video surveillance by IDF forces showed civilians departing from targeted areas prior to an attack as a direct result of the warnings.<ref name='IsraelGovReport2009'>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435-491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperation.pdf |title=The Operation in Gaza: Factual and Legal Aspects |pages=50–51, 100 |access-date=2009-09-06 |date=2009-07-29 |publisher=[[Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823140923/http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435-491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperation.pdf |archive-date=2009-08-23 }} </ref> According to the Israeli army, striking homes suspected of storing weapons, when sufficient warning is given to the residents, falls within the boundaries of [[international law]] and is legitimate.<ref name="Ynet">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648848%2C00.html |title=Hamas leader, 20 Palestinians killed in IAF strikes |date=2009-01-09 |work=ynet news.com |publisher=Yedioth Internet |access-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103032622/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648848,00.html |archive-date=2009-01-03 }} </ref> In November 2014, the most senior US military official, General [[Martin Dempsey]], cited "roof knocking" as an example where Israel "did some extraordinary things to limit civilian casualties" during Operation Protective Edge.<ref name="Sky News">{{cite news|last1=Rayner|first1=Tom|title=US General Backs Israel's Tactics In Gaza War|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1368654/us-general-backs-israels-tactics-in-gaza-war|access-date=28 December 2014|publisher=Sky News|date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228220636/http://news.sky.com/story/1368654/us-general-backs-israels-tactics-in-gaza-war|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Salah Abdul Ati, the directory of the Palestinian [[Independent Commission for Human Rights]] in Gaza, described the "policy of destroying homes" a war crime and accused Israel of attempting to circumvent international law to avoid accountability.<ref name="alakhbar">{{cite news|title=Israel's "knock on the roof" policy: A three-minute race with death|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20750|access-date=4 November 2016|work=Al Akhbar English|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141240/http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20750|archive-date=4 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Marouf Hasian Jr., a professor of [[Communication]] at the [[University of Utah]], describes the talk of the "beneficent usage" of "knock on roof" tactics as one that "plays well in front of American or Israeli audiences who feel that older Geneva Convention rules are too 'quaint' and too solicitous of the rights of civilians who may be aiding and abetting terrorist, but it infuriates critics who argue that satellite surveillance is being used in discriminatory systems that assume that homes of police officers or Hamas political or military leaders can be "precisely" targeted to minimize collateral damage".<ref name="Hasian 2016">{{cite book | last=Hasian | first=Marouf | title=Forensic Rhetorics and Satellite Surveillance: The Visualization of War Crimes and Human Rights Violations | publisher=Lexington Books | location=Lanham | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-4985-3591-5 | page=214}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[House demolition in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
* [[Criticism of the Israeli government]]
* [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]]
* [[Hamas]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict}}
{{2014 Israel–Gaza conflict}}
{{Israeli-Palestinian Conflict}}

[[Category:Aerial warfare tactics]]
[[Category:Civilians in war]]
[[Category:International law]]
[[Category:Israel Defense Forces]]
[[Category:2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]]
[[Category:Gaza War (2008–2009)]]
[[Category:Destruction of buildings]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 20 September 2026
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	'''Roof knocking''' ({{langx\|he\|הקש בגג}}; [[Arabic]]: صاروخ تحذيري)<ref name="Ynet/Heb">{{cite news \|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648839%2C00.html \|script-title=he:עזה: בכיר חמאס חוסל, כ-26 נהרגו בתקיפות \|publisher=Ynet \|language=he \|access-date=2009-01-18 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515032403/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3648839,00.html \|archive-date=2010-05-15 }}</ref> or "'''knock on the roof'''"<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|first= \|date=2023-10-10 \|title=What is the Israeli military's "knock on the roof," and why is it being discussed now? \|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023193638/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|archive-date=2023-10-23 \|access-date=2023-11-30 \|website=CNN \|language=en}}</ref> is a term used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) to describe its practice of dropping low-yield devices on the roofs of targeted civilian homes in the [[occupied Palestinian territories]] as a prior warning of imminent bombing attacks to give the inhabitants time to flee the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|title=UN report finds: Israel's 'roof-knock' warning no way to prevent civilian casualties - Jerusalem Vivendi\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|work=haaretz.com\|access-date=2016-11-04\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314001142/http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|archive-date=2017-03-14\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-haretz">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|title=IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes.\|date=2009-01-04\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=Haaretz\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104130851/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|archive-date=2009-01-04\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures\|date=2009-01-04\|last=Harel\|first=Amos\|author2=Yoav Stern\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=[[Haaretz]]\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122141258/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|archive-date=2009-01-22\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite news \|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|title=Bush: U.S. Calls for Monitored Cease-fire Pact \|date=2009-01-02 \|last=McGregor-Wood \|first=Simon \|author2=Miguel Marquez \|work=abcNews \|publisher=ABCNews Internet Ventures \|access-date=2009-01-04 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103040503/http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|archive-date=2009-01-03 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite news\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|title=Israel and Hamas: Two to Tango \|last=Schweber \|first=Howard \|date=2009-01-04 \|work=[[The Huffington Post]] \|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com, Inc \|access-date=2009-01-10 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204170203/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jeff\|title=Israel 'Roof Knocking' Video Raises Question: Warning Or Human Rights Violation?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|access-date=24 July 2014\|work=International Business Times\|date=July 15, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205225/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimesJan10>{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|title=A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery \|access-date=2009-01-19 \|last=Erlanger \|first=Steven \|date=2009-01-10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716121408/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|archive-date=2014-07-16 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="aus" />{{overcite\|date=February 2024}} The practice was employed by the IDF during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], the [[2012 Gaza War]], the [[2014 Gaza War]], and the since 2023 ongoing [[Gaza war\|Gaza War]] to attack a variety of targets.<ref name="Hasian 2016" /><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AJEnglish \|author-link=Al Jazeera English \|number=1710690655091990644 \|title= Watch the moment Israeli fighter jets strike Palestine Tower behind Al Jazeera's Youmna El Sayed as she reports live from Gaza}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AuroraIntel \|number=1710678560652837235 \|title= Footage from one of many live streams capturing the impacts during Palestine Tower in Gaza City in the last few minutes after a roof knock earlier.}}</ref>		'''Roof knocking''' ({{langx\|he\|הקש בגג}}; [[Arabic]]: صاروخ تحذيري)<ref name="Ynet/Heb">{{cite news \|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3648839%2C00.html \|script-title=he:עזה: בכיר חמאס חוסל, כ-26 נהרגו בתקיפות \|publisher=Ynet \|language=he \|access-date=2009-01-18 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515032403/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3648839,00.html \|archive-date=2010-05-15 }}</ref> or "'''knock on the roof'''"<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|first= \|date=2023-10-10 \|title=What is the Israeli military's "knock on the roof," and why is it being discussed now? \|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023193638/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-10-10-23/h_d39b6c124285f924eb81d4807a77ce68 \|archive-date=2023-10-23 \|access-date=2023-11-30 \|website=CNN \|language=en}}</ref> is a term used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) to describe its practice of dropping low-yield devices on the roofs of targeted civilian homes in the [[occupied Palestinian territories]] as a prior warning of imminent bombing attacks to give the inhabitants time to flee the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|title=UN report finds: Israel's 'roof-knock' warning no way to prevent civilian casualties - Jerusalem Vivendi\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|work=haaretz.com\|access-date=2016-11-04\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314001142/http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-vivendi/.premium-1.662474\|archive-date=2017-03-14\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-haretz">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|title=IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes.\|date=2009-01-04\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=Haaretz\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104130851/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html\|archive-date=2009-01-04\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{cite news\|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures\|date=2009-01-04\|last=Harel\|first=Amos\|author2=Yoav Stern\|work=Haaretz.com\|publisher=[[Haaretz]]\|access-date=2009-01-09\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122141258/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052052.html\|archive-date=2009-01-22\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite news \|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|title=Bush: U.S. Calls for Monitored Cease-fire Pact \|date=2009-01-02 \|last=McGregor-Wood \|first=Simon \|author2=Miguel Marquez \|work=abcNews \|publisher=ABCNews Internet Ventures \|access-date=2009-01-04 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103040503/http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6564060&page=1 \|archive-date=2009-01-03 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hp">{{cite news\|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|title=Israel and Hamas: Two to Tango \|last=Schweber \|first=Howard \|date=2009-01-04 \|work=[[The Huffington Post]] \|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com, Inc \|access-date=2009-01-10 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204170203/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-schweber/israel-and-hamas-two-to-t_b_155077.html \|archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jeff\|title=Israel 'Roof Knocking' Video Raises Question: Warning Or Human Rights Violation?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|access-date=24 July 2014\|work=International Business Times\|date=July 15, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717205225/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-roof-knocking-video-raises-question-warning-or-human-rights-violation-1628734\|archive-date=17 July 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimesJan10>{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|title=A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery \|access-date=2009-01-19 \|last=Erlanger \|first=Steven \|date=2009-01-10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716121408/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink \|archive-date=2014-07-16 \|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="aus" />{{overcite\|date=February 2024}} The practice was employed by the IDF during the [[2008–2009 Gaza War]], the [[2012 Gaza War]], the [[2014 Gaza War]], and the since 2023 ongoing [[Gaza war\|Gaza War]] to attack a variety of targets.<ref name="Hasian 2016" /><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AJEnglish \|author-link=Al Jazeera English \|number=1710690655091990644 \|title= Watch the moment Israeli fighter jets strike Palestine Tower behind Al Jazeera's Youmna El Sayed as she reports live from Gaza}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet \|user=AuroraIntel \|number=1710678560652837235 \|title= Footage from one of many live streams capturing the impacts during Palestine Tower in Gaza City in the last few minutes after a roof knock earlier.}}</ref>