Israeli soldiers have spoken about killings of civilians in Gaza, describing a breakdown in military rules and the targeting of civilians at the discretion of commanders. Their testimony appears in a new documentary, Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War, which will air on ITV in the UK.
Daniel, a tank unit commander, said, “If you want to shoot without restraint, you can.” Several soldiers spoke on the record, while others remained anonymous. They highlighted how standard codes of conduct regarding civilians had largely disappeared.
Some soldiers said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regularly used human shields, despite official denials. Others described troops opening fire without provocation at civilians rushing to collect food from militarized aid points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Capt Yotam Vilk, an armored corps officer, said, “In basic training, we learned ‘means, intent, and ability.’ In Gaza, this doesn’t exist. Soldiers only see suspicion. If a man walks, he’s a threat.” Another soldier, Eli, described life-and-death decisions being made by commanders alone, without procedures. He said civilians were labeled enemies arbitrarily, based on small actions such as walking fast or slow.
Eli recalled a building attack where a man hanging laundry was mistakenly identified as a spotter. “The building half collapsed. Many died and were injured,” he said. Such stories reflect a pattern where soldiers’ judgments override established rules, with deadly consequences.
Analysts say Gaza has seen unusually high civilian death rates. In August, analysis suggested 83% of those killed were civilians, though the IDF disputed this. Over 69,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the conflict. The IDF maintains it follows legal and ethical obligations, citing the challenge of Hamas embedding forces within civilian areas.
Some soldiers admitted their actions were influenced by rhetoric from Israeli leaders. After the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, political and religious leaders framed all Palestinians as legitimate targets. Daniel said, “You hear that all the time, so you start to believe it.” Maj Neta Caspin recalled a rabbi instructing troops to take revenge on civilians, legitimizing violent acts. Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv also reportedly directed bulldozer attacks on Palestinian neighborhoods.
The documentary also confirms the use of civilians as human shields, known as the “mosquito protocol.” Soldiers described civilians mapping tunnels for the military while wearing GPS devices. Daniel said the practice spread rapidly among units. The IDF denied using civilians as shields, saying all allegations are investigated.
Contractors working at GHF aid sites reported seeing soldiers shoot civilians. Sam, a contractor, described two men killed while running for aid and a car destroyed with four people inside. UN data shows at least 944 civilians were killed near aid sites. Both the IDF and GHF deny targeting civilians. Internal military investigations have resulted in little accountability.
The soldiers’ testimonies also reveal the mental toll of these operations. Daniel said, “I feel like they’ve destroyed all my pride in being an Israeli – in being an IDF officer. All that’s left is shame.”
