Israeli Soldiers Share Experiences of Unrestrained Violence in Gaza
A new UK documentary titledBreaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s Warhas revealed disturbing accounts from Israeli soldiers about their experiences in Gaza, including the killing of civilians under unclear orders and with little restraint. The film, which premiered on ITV, highlights alleged misconduct and violations of combat rules by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Daniel, a commander in an IDF tank unit, stated in the documentary, “If you want to shoot without restraint, you can.” His comments, along with those from other soldiers, paint a picture of a breakdown in discipline and a disregard for standard IDF engagement rules.
Some of the soldiers featured in the film are anonymous, while others speak on record. They describe how the military’s conduct in Gaza deviated significantly from its usual protocols. One of the most shocking revelations is the use of human shields, contradicting official denials by the IDF.
Soldiers also recounted incidents where troops fired unprovoked at civilians seeking food at aid points managed by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Capt Yotam Vilk, an armoured corps officer, recalled the basic training mantra of “means, intent and ability,” which refers to the IDF rules allowing soldiers to fire only if a target poses an actual threat. “There’s no such thing as ‘means, intent and ability’ in Gaza,” he said.
Another soldier, identified as Eli, explained that decisions about life and death were often left to the conscience of commanders rather than procedures. He described an incident where a tank officer ordered the demolition of a civilian building after claiming a man on the roof was a spotter. The resulting explosion caused many deaths and injuries.
According to a Guardian analysis in August, 83% of those killed in Gaza were civilians, a figure disputed by the IDF. More than 69,000 Palestinians have died since the war began, with more casualties reported despite a month-old ceasefire.
The IDF responded to these claims with a written statement, saying, “The IDF remains committed to the rule of law and continues to operate in accordance with its legal and ethical obligations, despite the unprecedented operational complexity posed by Hamas’s systematic embedding within civilian infrastructure and its use of civilian sites for military purposes.”
Influence of Political and Religious Rhetoric
Some soldiers in the documentary claimed they were influenced by political and religious rhetoric following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, which killed about 1,200 people. They said the tone from leaders blurred the line between militants and civilians.
A UN commission concluded in September that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, citing incitement from officials such as President Isaac Herzog, who said after the Hamas assault: “It is an entire nation out there that is responsible.” Daniel, the tank commander, said such statements shaped soldiers’ attitudes. “You hear that all the time, so you start to believe it.”
A spokesperson for Herzog said he has been an “outspoken voice for humanitarian causes and the protection of innocents.”
The documentary also features accounts of rabbis urging troops to seek revenge. Maj Neta Caspin said, “One time, the brigade rabbi sat down next to me and spent half an hour explaining why we must be just like they were on October 7.” Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, who served more than 500 days in Gaza, claimed, “Everything there is one big terrorist infrastructure.” He said he encouraged widespread demolitions, adding, “The IDF invests hundreds of thousands of shekels to destroy the Gaza Strip. We changed the conduct of an entire army.”
Use of Human Shields and Civilian Casualties
Soldiers described the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields, known as the “mosquito protocol.” Daniel explained, “You send the human shield underground… as he walks it sends back GPS information.” The IDF responded by stating, “The IDF prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or coercing them in any way to participate in military operations… Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly examined.”
A contractor identified as Sam told the filmmakers he saw IDF soldiers shoot unarmed civilians at food distribution sites. “You could just see two soldiers run after them… two heads snap backwards and just drop,” he said. UN data shows at least 944 Palestinian civilians have been killed while seeking aid near GHF sites. The IDF and GHF both deny targeting civilians. The army says investigations are ongoing but few have resulted in accountability.