Luiz 4,253 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 TEL AVIV -- On Monday, an organization of Israeli soldiers known as “Breaking the Silence” released a report containing testimonies from more than 60 officers and soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces who served during the 50-day war against Hamas militants last summer in the Gaza Strip.The soldiers describe reducing Gaza neighborhoods to sand, firing artillery to revenge fallen comrades and shooting at innocent civilians because they were bored.Leaders of Breaking the Silence argue that permissive rules of engagement, coupled with the firing of thousands of rounds of artillery and tank shells in the dense urban area of the Gaza Strip led to massive damage and high numbers of civilian deaths. More than 2,100 Palestinians were killed; as many as seven in 10 were civilians, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and six civilians were killed, including one child.Israeli military officials (alongside Amnesty International) say that Hamas employed human shields and hid rocket launchers, weapons and fighters in schools, mosques and hospitals.The Israeli Defense Forces spokesman declined to respond to details in the report, saying Breaking the Silence refuses share information with the IDF "in a manner which would allow a proper response, and if required, investigation," and " indicates that contrary to their claims this organization does not act with the intention of correcting any wrongdoings they allegedly uncovered."The soldiers who testified received guarantees of anonymity from Breaking the Silence. The 240-page book in English can be found online here.Here’s what the soldiers saw:First sergeant, Infantry, Gaza Strip:“There were no rules of engagement. If you see anyone in that area, that person is a terrorist. In this context, it was simple. They told us they have intelligence that there are practically no civilians remaining in the area, and so if someone comes towards us, that person is a terrorist.”Sergeant first class, Armored Corps, Gaza City:“The rules of engagement were very, very lax. I wouldn’t say that they shot anything that moved – but they didn’t request authorization [to fire], either.” read more http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/05/04/israeli-soldiers-reveal-this-is-how-we-fought-in-gaza/ I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Ho. Ly. **** This is.. well, incredibly disgusting but a major breakthrough for international relations/actions relating to this mess. Thanks so much for posting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCHofficial 5,293 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Ho. Ly. **** This is.. well, incredibly disgusting but a major breakthrough for international relations/actions relating to this mess. Thanks so much for posting. ok Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmm 979 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Scary but not really unexpected, yet these people will never be brought to the Hague Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 This website is great reading material.http://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/Recommended. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popo 3,781 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 This entire conflict is so messy, my heart goes out to the innocent civillians caught between both sides Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 "What was really awful was seeing lots of animals that they had left behind, their personal pets, they fled without them. People left their dogs behind – it was a pretty awful sight. You would see dogs with collars on. It was clear these were pets, not guard dogs. We looked after them as much as we could, but I’m sure the dogs there just died." I know this is kinda trivial, but omg my heart broke reading this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjang 2,262 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Insane. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolev 867 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Absolutely atrocious. I hope policies will be changed as soon as possible. That being said, Hamas is still a terror organization fighting within densely populated areas and we must remember it. War is ugly.I also suggest taking the report with a grain of salt.http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/europe_to_breaking_the_silence_bring_us_as_many_incriminating_testimonies_as_possible Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc 4,776 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Absolutely atrocious. I hope policies will be changed as soon as possible. That being said, Hamas is still a terror organization fighting within densely populated areas and we must remember it. War is ugly.I also suggest taking the report with a grain of salt.http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/europe_to_breaking_the_silence_bring_us_as_many_incriminating_testimonies_as_possibleBtS seems way more objective than that NGO-monitor article. It interviews soldiers themselves, and also tries to verify what the soldiers said, only using the most reliable things. Read it in the newspaper, it's extremely sad. You had to leave your house at a certain time, and if you didn't, they felt the right to kill you because you'd be a terrorist... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woolfsmck 2,763 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 First off, the article was built on the premise that only 'negative' testamoinials would get paid. Second, the criminal actions by the military aren't acceptable even during war. Laying sole blame on Israeli forces however is innaccurate. The civilians are the victims in this mess. Being in the middle of this actions must have been horrifying.I don't think Israel is handling the situation very well honestly, but they are dealing with a fanatical orginization (Hamas) who uses civilians as shields to attack Israeli civilians. If the Palestinian people want peace, their first order would be to outlaw and ban any Hamas activities.International assistance can't be used for military purposes as it has been in the past.Allowing the Palestinian Authority to build their own government without Israeli or Iranian interference is the only solution as I see the regional problem. like a cat in a sil, I observe life, moving and still. My words give a clue,look inside to see whats true Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 If the Palestinian people want peace, their first order would be to outlaw and ban any Hamas activities.That is, if Israel stopped illegal expansion and if Netanyahu takes back his "no Palestinian state on my watch" statement. Otherwise you're asking too much imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolev 867 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 That is, if Israel stopped illegal expansion and if Netanyahu takes back his "no Palestinian state on my watch" statement. Otherwise you're asking too much imo.Asking too much? Israel stopped building settlements as the Palestinians demanded few years ago. Israel released Palestinians killers off its jails as the Palestinians demanded, guess what? no negotiations started, instead they signed an agreement to stop fighting with Hamas. Netanyahu is no fool. Palestinian leadership is simply comfortable with the current situation. They get paid by the world while their people stays miserable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Asking too much? Israel stopped building settlements as the Palestinians demanded few years ago. Israel released Palestinians killers off its jails as the Palestinians demanded, guess what? no negotiations started, instead they signed an agreement to stop fighting with Hamas. Netanyahu is no fool. Palestinian leadership is simply comfortable with the current situation. They get paid by the world while their people stays miserable.Stopped building settlements? Are you thick? That is just completely false.As to the rest, I don't see how that matters if we're thinking about a solution in the absolute present such as Woolfmsck suggested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolev 867 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Stopped building settlements? Are you thick? That is just completely false.As to the rest, I don't see how that matters if we're thinking about a solution in the absolute present such as Woolfmsck suggested.You don't even know what are you talking about! Israel has freezed its settlements plans multiple times. Palestinians are always demanding more and more, they're not really into peace. http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/34002-140612-israel-freezes-west-bank-s-expansion-planshttp://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-declares-10-month-settlement-freeze-to-restart-peace-talks-1.3435http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4640852,00.html And sure it matters. Hamas has to be abandoned first by Palestinian public before anyone expects Israel to work for a peaceful solution. Israel can handle this conflict for decades to come, it's the Palestinians that are suffering. They better change their leadership if its not matching their statehood-goals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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