In testimony to the Israeli NGO Breaking the Silence, published by The Economist, the soldier—identified as Jonathan—said targeting all males of fighting age, and even beyond, led to the killing of innocent Palestinians. He described the destruction in Gaza as policy-driven, not field decisions, and said he feels guilt and shame over his role. Breaking the Silence documents Israeli soldiers’ abuses in Gaza and the West Bank, challenging the official narrative that war crimes are isolated incidents.

Jonathan explained that anyone remaining after evacuation orders was deemed a legitimate target, though international law does not recognize such assumptions. He said men aged 16 to 60, and sometimes younger, were considered combatants, though most killed by his unit were unarmed. He recounted cases where large groups were killed without verifying if they were armed. The army also forced Palestinian detainees to enter buildings ahead of soldiers to trigger traps, a practice dubbed the “mosquito protocol,” replacing bomb-sniffing dogs. His unit used a young Palestinian in this way, without ethical debate. Other practices included “wasps,” Palestinians dressed in Israeli uniforms, and “beavers,” Sudanese refugees offered residency permits to scout tunnels.

Jonathan said demolition became the main mission of infantry units, with soldiers given shifting operational justifications. Frustration grew as the war dragged on, with some reservists refusing service on moral grounds. He accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political purposes. Returning home, his family asked why houses were burned in Gaza—he admitted he had no convincing answer, realizing destruction was not about security or defeating Hamas. He described entire neighborhoods erased, Palestinians universally labeled “terrorists,” and derogatory terms used in radio communications. He concluded: “Today I am not proud to be Israeli or a former soldier. It makes me feel ashamed.”