“Israeli Troops’ Challenging Mission in Gaza’s Conflict Zone”
By James Mackenzie
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Soldiers in Israel carried out a difficult mission in Gaza, where farmland was flattened and residential areas were cleared to establish a “kill zone” around the enclave, a report revealed on Monday. Testimonies from soldiers highlighted the intense measures employed during the operation.
The report, published by the Israeli rights group Breaking the Silence, featured accounts from soldiers who were deployed in Gaza during the establishment of a buffer zone. This zone, initially extending between 800-1,500 meters inside Gaza by December 2024, has since been expanded further by Israeli forces.
To prevent a recurrence of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led fighters that resulted in significant casualties and hostages, Israel asserts that the buffer zone is a necessary security measure. Soldiers spoke of the zone as a strategic area with a commanding view, emphasizing its lethal nature.
Soldiers who served in Gaza from late 2023 to early 2024 described the initial expansion of the buffer zone, which involved the destruction of buildings, agricultural land, and industrial areas critical for future reconstruction efforts. The devastation left behind was likened to the aftermath of a warzone, with one soldier comparing it to Hiroshima.
Breaking the Silence’s report shed light on the experiences of soldiers involved in the operation without disclosing their identities. The testimonies revealed the soldiers’ shock at the extent of destruction caused by the operation and raised questions about the proportionality of the actions taken.
Soldiers recounted scenes of farmland being uprooted, industrial zones razed, and once-thriving areas reduced to rubble. The impact of the operation on civilian infrastructure and livelihoods was significant, with large factories and businesses left in ruins.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the ongoing Israeli operation in Gaza has resulted in a high number of casualties, raising concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the military intervention.
The Israeli military estimates that approximately 20,000 fighters have been killed. The airstrikes have caused extensive destruction to large sections of the coastal enclave, forcing hundreds of thousands of individuals to seek refuge in damaged buildings, tents, or temporary shelters. According to a report, many of the demolished structures were suspected by the military to have been used by Hamas fighters. However, some buildings were destroyed without any direct connection to the group. Palestinians were prohibited from entering the designated zone and were met with gunfire if they attempted to do so. The rules of engagement were described as flexible and largely dependent on the decisions made by commanders on the ground. A captain in the Armored Corps stated that there is a lack of accountability in the system. Another soldier mentioned that adult males found within the buffer zone were typically targeted, while warning shots were fired in the presence of women or children. The soldier noted that most breaches of the perimeter were made by adult men, with women and children generally avoiding the area.
