The Israeli military has released footage it says shows a militant using a child to carry weapons in Gaza. The video was published on September 27.

The IDF says the footage shows a child carrying weapons into a civilian home in central Gaza, accompanied by a militant. The military said its troops identified the child and held back from striking, letting the weapons transfer go ahead rather than endangering him.

The IDF described the scene as “systematic exploitation of children by terrorist organizations for terrorist purposes, in violation of international law.” It said the child was being used as a human shield to block an Israeli strike.

The footage has not been independently verified. Israel has long accused Hamas and other armed groups of embedding fighters and weapons in civilian areas, including homes and schools.

The release comes as fighting in Gaza continues. International groups have warned that both the use of human shields and heavy weapons in populated areas put civilians at grave risk.