Bereaved Mother Slams IDF Rules of Engagement After Son's Death

Tzurit Feinstein, mother of fallen IDF reservist Maor Feinstein, has voiced strong criticism of Israeli military rules of engagement, which she believes prioritize enemy lives over those of Israeli soldiers. Feinstein's son was killed by sniper fire in Jabalia, Gaza, after a prolonged delay in deploying a drone, according to her account.

Speaking on a morning television program, Feinstein described the deep distress within the bereaved families' forum, stating that the current operational procedures are "very problematic." She argued that the extreme caution taken to avoid harming enemy civilians ultimately leads to the loss of Israeli soldiers' lives, a price she feels is unfairly paid.

Feinstein recounted the specific incident where her son died, explaining that his unit identified suspicious movement and requested a "Zik" drone, but the process was lengthy and involved debates about potential civilian presence. By the time the drone arrived, it was too late, and Maor was killed by a sniper. She believes that hesitation and overly cautious procedures contributed to his death.

She further criticized the military's overall combat approach, suggesting that soldiers shouldn't have to enter buildings unnecessarily and that airstrikes could be utilized more. Feinstein asserted that the current system, which is overly protective of enemy civilian lives, inevitably results in the deaths of Israeli soldiers, whom she referred to as "our children."

Feinstein also touched upon the psychological toll on soldiers, arguing that a distorted moral framework in warfare, where the enemy is dehumanized, can lead to mental injuries. She concluded by emphasizing that while Israelis are people of peace, the realities of combat against a ruthless enemy require a different approach, and pity for the cruel is misplaced.