IDF Soldiers Face Retaliation for Testifying on Gaza Conduct

The director of the "Breaking the Silence" organization, Yuli Barak, has stated that soldiers who served in Gaza are facing intimidation and attempts to silence them after providing testimonies about their experiences. Barak claims that these soldiers, who enlisted after the October 7th Hamas attack, were given "horrifying orders" and witnessed "shattering events" that compelled them to speak out.

According to Barak, soldiers have reported being ordered to use Palestinians as human shields and that the IDF permitted the killing of up to 20 civilians for every low-ranking Hamas operative. He also cited testimonies from assault unit soldiers regarding "collateral damage" and described entire families being "wiped out." Barak asserted that these soldiers are not trying to slander the IDF but are recounting the actual orders they received, which he claims are "killing them slowly from within."

Barak suggested that the current attacks against the creators of the "Nezah" film are primarily aimed at intimidating other soldiers who might consider testifying. He argued that the testimonies are less a threat to soldiers on the ground and more to senior officers and politicians who set the policy. He accused policymakers of fearing for their personal standing rather than Israel's reputation, and of persecuting soldiers who speak out about the orders they were given.

"Breaking the Silence" has received testimonies from dozens of soldiers, including officers, drone operators, and artillery soldiers, who describe a pattern of orders that led to the destruction of buildings and the deeming of innocent civilians as non-existent. Barak emphasized that these soldiers are anonymous because they fear repercussions from the very state they fought for. Despite attempts to silence them, Barak stated that witnesses continue to come forward, requiring immense courage, and urged the public to listen.

Barak concluded by noting that tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians died as collateral damage in Gaza, and questioned how many hostages might have also been victims of the bombings. He reiterated that for policymakers, even the soldiers themselves have become "collateral damage," facing the state's machinery if they deviate from the party line.