CBS News spoke recently with an Israeli soldier who has questioned the military’s tactics. Tommy — not his real name, as he agreed to speak with CBS News on the condition of anonymity — fought in Gaza for the IDF, and his account of the tactics used raises some serious questions.
“We’ve burned down buildings for no reasons, which is violating the international law, of course,” he told CBS News. “…And we used human shields as protection.”
Tommy said his commander ordered his unit to use Gazan civilians to search buildings for explosives instead of dogs.
“They were Palestinian,” he said. “We sent them in first to see if the building was clear and check for booby traps…They were trembling and shaking.”
“We talked to our commander, and we asked him to stop doing it,” Tommy said, but they were ordered to continue. He told CBS News it was policy.
I only have surface level knowledge, but only ~150 people were convicted. Out of probably like 100k arrests.
I’m fairly certain those willing to testify and identify the war criminals giving them orders were given some leniency, otherwise there was just simply too many.
He hasn’t named names, just told the abuses, and hasn’t himself called for prosecution of his superiors. We already knew these crimes were being committed. We now have a first had witness. But it’s not enough. As far as I’m concerned, he admitted guilt, and until they start identifying exactly who made them commit war crimes (“his commander” needs a name) they are complicit.