Gaza Conflict: Israeli Soldiers Speak Out on Civilian Killings

Israeli soldiers have come forward, sharing alarming accounts of civilian killings in Gaza, revealing a breakdown in military norms and legal constraints. In a documentary titled Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel's War, a tank unit commander named Daniel states that soldiers can shoot without restraint, reflecting a troubling ethos within the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF.

Several soldiers, some speaking anonymously, noted that the official code of conduct regarding civilians has largely vanished. One officer, Capt Yotam Vilk, highlighted the absence of the principle of 'means, intent, and ability,' stating that soldiers often act on mere suspicion.

Another soldier, identified as Eli, explained that the decision to engage rests solely on the conscience of the ground commander, making the designation of enemies arbitrary. Eli recounted an incident where a senior officer ordered a tank to fire on a man hanging laundry on a rooftop, mistakenly labeling him a military spotter.

This led to significant civilian casualties, a stark indication of the rules of engagement being disregarded. According to The Guardian, IDF intelligence data suggests that 83% of those killed in Gaza are civilians, a figure the IDF disputes.

Since the onset of the conflict, over 69,000 Palestinians have reportedly died, despite a recent ceasefire. The IDF claims it operates within legal and ethical frameworks, although internal investigations into civilian casualties have led to minimal accountability.

Soldiers in the documentary pointed out that the rhetoric from Israeli leaders after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, framed all Palestinians as legitimate targets. A UN commission has even concluded that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide.

Soldiers reported being influenced by extremist views propagated by military and religious leaders, advocating for indiscriminate retaliation. One rabbi even encouraged vengeance against civilians, claiming it to be the only path forward.

The documentary also highlights the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in operations, a practice known informally as the mosquito protocol. Witnesses have described incidents of IDF soldiers targeting unarmed civilians at food distribution sites, with at least 944 civilian deaths recorded in these areas.

The IDF has denied these allegations and maintains that it adheres to international law. Breaking Ranks reveals the emotional toll on soldiers, with one stating that their experiences have stripped away their pride in serving the IDF, leaving only shame.

The documentary is set to air in the UK on ITV.