What is a human shield and how has Hamas been accused of using them?

Dar al-Shifa hospital is lit up in a darkened Gaza City. Israel claims Hamas has placed parts of its command network under the site. Photograph: Mohammed Saber/EPA

In an audio recording released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), a member of the military intelligence directorate’ can be heard calling a Palestinian man in Gaza to persuade him and his family to flee south towards Khan Younis.

But the recipient of the call complains that it is hard to comply with the Israeli warning because Hamas is blocking roads on the route south, and “just sending people back home”. The man adds that Hamas is shooting at Palestinians attempting to leave the area.