what is a roof knock

Roof knocking 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 in order to warn the inhabitants of an impending attack. The procedure involves sending a neighbor or relative of a wanted person to warn them of the impending attack. Once the Palestinians experience the “roof knocking,” in almost all cases they flee the building. After the Israeli drones verify the people have left, the Air Force then drops an even heavier bomb, destroying the structure. The IDF first employed the practice of “roof knocking” during the 2008–2009 Gaza War, and it has been used in subsequent conflicts. The practice has been controversial, as many human rights and news organizations have shown that roof knocks have killed and injured civilians. In a report published by the United Nations, Israel’s use of roof-knocking was harshly criticized, with investigators concluding that the “technique is not effective as a warning and constitutes a form of attack against the civilians inhabiting the building”.