Israeli Soldiers Speak Out on Gaza Civilian Killings

Israeli soldiers have provided alarming testimonies regarding civilian killings in Gaza, describing a chaotic environment where military norms have deteriorated. In the documentary Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel's War, set to air on ITV, soldiers indicated that the official code of conduct concerning civilians has essentially vanished.

Daniel, a commander in an IDF tank unit, stated, 'If you want to shoot without restraint, you can.' Capt Yotam Vilk, an officer in the armoured corps, noted that the IDF's training guidelines regarding the use of force are disregarded in Gaza, with soldiers acting on mere suspicion.

Another soldier, identified as Eli, highlighted the arbitrary nature of identifying threats, saying that even civilians moving too fast or too slow could be considered suspicious. Eli recounted an incident where a tank was ordered to fire on a building deemed safe, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

According to a report by The Guardian, 83% of those killed in Gaza during the conflict were civilians, a figure the IDF disputes. Despite a ceasefire, over 69,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the beginning of the conflict.

The IDF maintains it operates within legal constraints while accusing Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes. Yet soldiers in the documentary claim they were influenced by the rhetoric from Israeli leaders suggesting that after the October 7 Hamas attack, every Palestinian became a legitimate target.

This notion was echoed by President Isaac Herzog, who stated that an entire nation was responsible for the actions of Hamas. The documentary also touches on the troubling involvement of military rabbis encouraging indiscriminate actions against civilians.

A rabbi, identified as Avraham Zarbiv, supported the idea that Gaza is a terrorist infrastructure, advocating for the complete demolition of Palestinian neighborhoods. Soldiers also confirmed the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields, a practice referred to as the 'mosquito protocol.' A contractor working at food distribution sites described witnessing IDF soldiers shooting at unarmed civilians during aid distribution.

The report indicates that at least 944 civilians were killed while seeking aid. The IDF has denied allegations of systematic war crimes, asserting it adheres to international law and takes steps to minimize civilian harm.

However, internal investigations have led to little accountability for incidents involving civilian casualties. Daniel, the tank commander, expressed his disillusionment with the IDF, stating, 'All that's left is shame.' This documentary raises critical questions about military ethics and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it highlights the experiences of soldiers involved in operations that have led to significant civilian deaths.

Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel's War will air on ITV1 on November 10, 2023.