Gaza’s Silent Suffering: Israeli Snipers 'Authorised' to Target Civilians

Israeli soldiers have disclosed disturbing practices regarding the treatment of civilians in Gaza, according to a report by 'Haaretz'. The revelations claim that snipers were authorized to shoot civilians entering certain areas or buildings previously targeted by the military.

The report notes that the Israeli army does not routinely update its list of targets in Gaza, nor do ground forces receive clarification on whether structures are no longer being used by combatants. As a result, civilians entering these areas, even unknowingly, are reportedly treated as combatants.

A former officer from the 252nd Division admitted that snipers were instructed to consider civilians in specific zones as fighters. "We're killing civilians there who are then counted as ‘terrorists,’" the officer stated. Another soldier highlighted that even buildings deemed inactive for months remain designated as active targets.

In central Gaza's Netzarim corridor, soldiers testified that they were instructed to target "anyone who entered a building, regardless of who they are, even if they were just seeking shelter from the rain."

Further troubling allegations involve a competition-like atmosphere among military units regarding casualty numbers. According to testimony, divisions have been incentivized to increase their kill counts, with one division reportedly aiming to surpass another’s death toll.

Meanwhile, the report highlights Israel’s failure to account for civilian casualties in the ongoing war. Unlike previous conflicts, Israel has refrained from publishing civilian death tolls, despite Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 45,000 deaths since the war began, including predominantly women and children. This figure has been corroborated by international organizations and governments, according to Haaretz.

The ongoing violence has prompted international legal action. On November 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

The Israeli military has yet to respond to the allegations detailed in the Haaretz report.