LONDON: Israeli soldiers have revealed that they were allowed to shoot freely at their own discretion in Gaza, exposing a disregard for the laws of war in a new documentary set to air on UK public television Monday night.
The film, “Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War,” offers rare firsthand testimonies from Israel Defense Forces soldiers who describe lawless combat during the Gaza conflict.
“If you want to shoot without restraint, you can,” Daniel, the commander of an IDF tank unit, reportedly said in the film.
Soldiers, some identified only by first names, also confirmed the IDF’s routine use of human shields, known informally as the “mosquito protocol,” contradicting official denials, and also described Israeli troops opening fire unprovoked on civilians rushing to food aid distribution points run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
“Life and death isn’t determined by procedures or opening fire regulations. It’s the conscience of the commander on the ground that decides,” said one soldier.
