A leading Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, has reported allegations of indiscriminate killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli troops in Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor, citing testimonies from unnamed soldiers. This has led to a strong rebuttal from the Israeli military.
The article quotes soldiers, including career officers and reservists, who claim that commanders were given extensive powers to operate in Gaza. They allege that commanders ordered or permitted the killing of unarmed civilians, including women and children, in the Netzarim Corridor—a strategically significant area of Gaza.
One officer recalled an incident where a commander falsely claimed the death of 200 militants, while only 10 were confirmed Hamas operatives. Soldiers also said they were instructed to shoot anyone entering the area, with some commanders reportedly labeling all individuals crossing the line as “terrorists,” regardless of whether they were civilians.
The Israeli military has denied these accusations, asserting that all strikes in Netzarim are carried out in line with established protocols, especially in urgent operational circumstances. They also stated that any incidents raising concerns would be investigated.
Some soldiers named Brigadier General Yehuda Vach, commander of Division 252, as a central figure in these operations. They accused him of making statements that reflected a biased worldview and influencing military decisions. The military has denied these allegations, calling them “baseless.”
Hamas responded to the report, accusing Israel of committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing, and urged the UN and International Court of Justice to document the testimonies and take action against what they called ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The report also touches on a statement from Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli, who criticized Pope Francis for suggesting that Israel’s actions in Gaza could be considered genocide, a remark that Chikli argued trivialized the term, invoking sensitivities surrounding the Holocaust.
As of now, more than 45,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza
