IDF reservist Izzy Ezagui. Photo: Screenshot.

An Israel Defense Forces reservist addressed Hamas’ use of human shields in a recent interview on Al Jazeera America, saying the terror group uses Gaza’s civilians like cannon fodder as weapons against IDF troops.

When confronted by the Al Jazeera correspondent about child casualties in Gaza during Israel’s current Operation Protective Edge, Ezagui said the world “isn’t getting a clear picture of what’s going on.”

“Yes there’s a death toll, but it’s not something that’s on Israel’s hands. It’s not on the young soldiers. The brave men who are going in there to protect their people. It’s Hamas that are throwing Palestinians at us like cannon fire and it’s devastating,” said Ezagui, who lost his left arm while on duty in 2008.

The lone soldier asserted that the terrorist organization should be held responsible for putting Gaza civilians “in such a terrible situation.” Gazan children “don’t deserve to be used as human shields, to be indoctrinated at such a young age,” he said.

Ezagui also spoke to what motivates young Jews to join the Israeli army, saying “if it was up to them they wouldn’t be there. They’re regular kids, they would rather be hanging out… [but] they’re doing what they’re doing because otherwise we won’t have a place to live; we won’t have a country.”

Watch Izzy Ezagui on Al Jazeera in the video below:

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