"Human shields" crowd into Gaza home

JABALYA, Gaza Strip, Nov 23 (Reuters) Ahmed Baroud is hosting dozens of house guests who have no intention of leaving. And that's just fine with him.

Co-owner of a house where his brother, a Palestinian militant, also lives, he said people have come from all over the Gaza Strip to serve as human shields since the Israeli army telephoned an order to get out before the dwelling is bombed.

''People are here around the clock, all day and all night,'' Baroud said at the three-storey building, normally home to 22 family members, in Jabalya refugee camp.

As part of its battle against militants who have been firing rockets into southern Israel, the Israeli military frequently targets the homes of militants for destruction. But in a bid to avoid civilian casualties, it usually phones first.

Palestinians are now vowing to stay put and open their doors to relatives, friends, neighbours and strangers. Vigils at two Gaza homes this week, the Israeli army has acknowledged, led to the cancellation of at least two bombings.

''We eat and drink and chat. We are not worried at all. We spend all night that way without being worried that a missile will land among us,'' Baroud said.

''I do not believe they (the Israelis) can be that stupid and bomb dozens of people, women and children before the eyes of the world that knows we are here.'' The international group Human Rights Watch, however, said there could be no excuse for militant groups to call civilians to the scene of a planned attack, calling the tactic too risky.

Sheikh Nizar Rayan, a member of the governing Hamas movement, led the crowd in Baroud's home in declaring a campaign to rush to every house Israeli forces threaten to destroy.

''Fighters who fight the occupation, must be assured their houses are being protected,'' Rayan said.

At the Baroud home, Father Peter Dougherty and Sister Mary Gundeck, members of the Michigan Peace Team, a US-based group opposed to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, praised the gathering as an example of non-violence.

''I think the use of the term 'human shield' is misleading because it often is used to mean someone who is forced to be out in front to protect someone ... Here it is the opposite -- friends come here to protect their friends,'' Dougherty said.

Baroud pointed to the multitude of guests in his home as a symbol of national unity that has eluded Palestinian political leaders.

''People who are here are supporters of all factions, look to the flags,'' he said, referring to the pennants of rival groups flying from the roof.

REUTERS AKJ PM1045