The Associated Press (AP) has reported testimonies from Israeli soldiers containing admissions of war crimes, including targeting unarmed civilians, destroying homes, and looting properties that posed no threat during the ongoing assault on Gaza.
According to the AP, around 200 Israeli soldiers signed a letter declaring they would refuse to fight unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government reaches a ceasefire agreement.
The soldiers, who oppose further fighting in Gaza, have claimed to have witnessed or participated in actions that crossed ethical boundaries.
Several soldiers admitted to receiving orders to “burn or demolish homes that posed no threat.” They also reported witnessing looting and deliberate vandalism of Palestinian homes.
One soldier recounted being instructed to shoot anyone entering a buffer zone under their control, expressing how the value of human life seemed to disappear during that time. He described how the image of soldiers killing an unarmed Palestinian youth remains etched in his memory.
An Israeli doctor who spent nearly two months in Gaza noted that soldiers desecrated homes and looted items, taking them as “souvenirs.”
Another soldier admitted to participating in war crimes in Gaza and expressed deep regret and remorse for his actions. Several of his comrades acknowledged needing time to process what they had seen in Gaza.
“Soldiers for the Hostages” Movement
The signatories of the letter are part of a coalition called “Soldiers for the Hostages.” They are organizing events and campaigns to gain more support and encourage other soldiers to join their cause.
Opposition from Fellow Soldiers
On the other hand, some soldiers who fought in Gaza criticized the movement, describing its actions as a “slap in the face” following the deaths of over 800 Israeli soldiers during the offensive.
Paratrooper Gilad Sigal, who spent two months in Gaza at the end of 2023, stated, “They are harming our ability to defend ourselves.” He justified the army’s actions, including demolishing homes used as Hamas hideouts, as necessary measures. Sigal argued that soldiers do not have the right to approve or oppose government decisions.
