Retired Israeli Air Force Colonel Denies 500 Civilian Deaths in Gaza Strikes

A retired senior Israeli Air Force pilot, identified only as "Colonel A.," has spoken out against the narrative presented in the film "Nez'a" (Accidental Damage), which has sparked renewed debate about Israel's conduct in Gaza. Colonel A., who commanded a squadron and a major airbase, stated that the film's portrayal of intentional harm to civilians is "incredibly cynical" and a "complete inversion" of reality. He emphasized that "Nez'a" is not merely a term but a comprehensive combat doctrine developed over 25 years by the IDF and Air Force to address the deliberate tactic of Hamas embedding military infrastructure within civilian areas.

Colonel A. explained that Hamas intentionally places weapons in bedrooms, ammunition in children's rooms, and command centers within densely populated apartment buildings, effectively forcing a difficult choice during military operations. He asserted that Gaza possesses open agricultural areas, and if Hamas had wished to separate its operations from the civilian population, it could have done so. The pilot detailed the rigorous multi-stage process for approving strikes, involving intelligence verification, strict legal "criminalization" of targets, and final authorization by senior officers. He stressed that if there is any uncertainty, a target is disqualified.

Describing his role as the fourth stage in the approval process, Colonel A. highlighted the extensive measures taken to minimize civilian casualties, including aerial surveillance, weather checks, and precise identification. He noted that pilots have the discretion to alter attack plans, change bomb sizes, or employ "roof knocking" tactics to warn residents before a strike. He recounted a situation where a strike was delayed for two minutes, during which a rocket barrage was launched from the very site they were targeting, underscoring the operational risks.

Regarding the film's claim of an approved strike that could have resulted in 500 civilian casualties, Colonel A. vehemently denied its veracity. "I planned and executed thousands of attacks. I never encountered such a number, nor anything close to it. I can say with high certainty: there was no such approved incident," he stated. While acknowledging the tragic human cost of war and the inherent risk of civilian harm, he dismissed inflated casualty figures as a tool for attention rather than an accurate reflection of events. He concluded by expressing pride in his role protecting Israeli civilians and soldiers, stating there is "not a millimeter to be ashamed of" in the IDF's actions, though no joy is found in the necessity of combat.