Israeli Soldiers Admit to Improper Use of Military Force

Israeli soldiers who fought in the Gaza War last winter, speaking on condition of anonymity, testified that the Israeli military used Palestinians as human shields, fired incendiary white phosphorous shells into civilian regions and, in general, caused unnecessary deaths and destruction of property. The soldiers testified to a group called "Breaking the Silence," an organization made up of Israeli army reservists who are critical of their own country’s attitude toward and treatment of Palestinians. Said one soldier who spoke to the group, "There were no clear red lines." Another noted, "If you’re not sure, kill. Fire power was insane."

The Gaza offensive, launched by Israel last December after Palestinian militants repeatedly fired rockets into parts of south Israel, saw over 1,400 Palestinians killed, with estimates of civilian deaths among that group at about 900. In addition, the infrastructure of Gaza was all but destroyed, as were private residences and homes throughout the region. In all, 13 Israelis were killed, including three civilians.

The Israeli military, responding to the most recent news, noted that it "regrets the fact that yet another human rights organization is presenting to Israel and the world a report based on anonymous and general testimonies, without investigating their details or credibility." Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak also noted that the Israeli military "is one of the world’s most moral armies and operates according to the highest moral code." Predictably, Hamas leaders called for Israel’s leaders to be put on trial for the war crimes, noting that the report based on the soldier’s testimony "reflects the crimes committed in Gaza."