[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] During the battle, government forces heavily shelled the area, including hospitals, the UN hub, and near the Red Cross ship, while the LTTE held hostage much of the civilian population for cover, and enforced this by shooting escaping Tamil civilians.
[13][14][15][16] During the final days of the war, the army also engaged in indiscriminate executions of Tamils, civilians as well as fighters.
[18][19] The UN Panel Report describes how "from as early as 6 February 2009, the SLA continuously shelled within the area that became the second NFZ, from all directions, including land, air and sea.
[11] The UN Panel Report describes the actions of the LTTE, "In spite of the futility of their military situation, the LTTE not only refused to surrender, but also continued to prevent civilians from leaving the area, ensuring their continued presence as a human buffer.
All these approaches, many of them aimed at defending the LTTE and its leadership, portrayed callousness to the desperate plight of civilians and a willingness to sacrifice their lives.