Breaking the Silence Testimonies: 'This is How We Fought in Gaza'

Over the last few months we have been collecting testimonies from over 60 soldiers in mandatory and reserve service that took part in Operation “Protective Edge” in the Gaza Strip. About a quarter of the testifiers are officers that go all the way up to the rank of major. The testimonies underwent a meticulous investigative process to ensure their veracity. The testifiers, who served in various units – from ground, to naval, to air forces, in both headquarters and command centers – expose the nature of IDF operations in various combat zones. The testimonies in this collection close the yawning gaps between what the IDF and government spokespersons told the public about the combat scenarios, and the reality described by the soldiers that took part in the operation.

While the testimonies include pointed descriptions of inappropriate behavior by soldiers in the field, the more disturbing picture that arises from these testimonies reflects systematic policies that were dictated to IDF forces of all ranks and in all zones. The guiding military principle of “minimum risk to our forces, even at the cost of harming innocent civilians, ”alongside efforts to deter and intimidate the Palestinians, led to massive and unprecedented harm to the population and the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Policymakers could have predicted these results prior to the operation and were surely aware of them throughout.

Background 
http://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/protective-edge/background/ 

Full Report 
http://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/pdf/ProtectiveEdge.pdf

Gunning for destruction in Gaza: ‘You want to see people in pieces’
http://972mag.com/gunning-for-destruction-in-gaza-you-want-to-see-people-in-pieces/106293/

Redefining civilians and legitimate targets: Israeli soldiers testify on Gaza war
http://972mag.com/israeli-soldiers-testify-on-gaza-war-redefining-who-is-a-civilian/106311/

"Kill Anything": Israeli Soldiers Say Gaza Atrocities Came from Orders for Indiscriminate Fire
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/5/6/kill_anything_israeli_soldiers_say_gaza

Israeli soldiers ordered to kill civilians in Gaza, says Breaking the Silence
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/patrick-strickland/israeli-soldiers-ordered-kill-civilians-gaza-says-breaking-silence

Samples from 'This is How We Fought in Gaza'
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/05/04/samples-israeli-horrific-brutality-war-criminality-gaza/

Israeli soldiers cast doubt on legality of Gaza military tactics
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/04/israeli-soldiers-cast-doubt-on-legality-of-gaza-military-operation

Report: Army veterans slam IDF policy in Gaza war
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.654823

Israeli soldiers reveal they were ordered to shoot to kill in Gaza – even if the targets may have been civilians
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/fire-at-every-person-you-see-israeli-soldiers-reveal-they-were-ordered-to-shoot-to-kill-in-gaza--even-if-the-targets-may-have-been-civilians-10223427.html

Neve Gordon on the IDF’s new tactics
http://www.lrb.co.uk/2015/05/04/neve-gordon/the-day-after

Israeli soldier testimonies reveal 'shoot to kill' policy in Gaza war
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=765221

Gaza rules: Kill 2 Palestinian women talking on cellphones in an orchard so as to protect Israeli soldiers
http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/testimonies-palestinian-cellphones

Israeli veterans say permissive rules of engagement fueled Gaza carnage
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israeli-veterans-say-permissive-rules-of-engagement-fueled-gaza-carnage/2015/05/04/ab698d16-f020-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html

Breaking the Silence; This is How We Fought in Gaza