Israeli Soldiers Say They Were Ordered to Shoot at Unarmed Aid Seekers: Haaretz Report

Israeli soldiers have claimed they were ordered to open fire on unarmed Palestinians at aid distribution centers in Gaza, according to an explosive report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The revelations come amid growing international outrage over the rising civilian death toll in the besieged territory.

Soldiers and officers quoted in the report say they received direct orders to shoot at crowds of aid seekers, many of whom were approaching the centers for basic necessities like food and water. Eyewitness testimonies describe the areas as “killing fields” where between one and five people were killed daily.

One soldier, speaking anonymously, described the use of deadly force instead of standard riot control tactics. “They don’t shoot tear gas. They use heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, even mortars. It’s as if the aid seekers are being treated like enemy combatants,” he said. “We communicate with them through fire.”

The soldier’s account matches reports from humanitarian workers and Gaza’s health authorities, who have long raised alarms about attacks near aid distribution hubs. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 549 people have been killed near these aid centers since late May.

Military Prosecutors Push for War Crimes Probe

The Haaretz report also revealed that Israel’s military prosecutor’s office has urged the military’s top brass to launch an internal investigation into these suspected war crimes. This demand is significant, as it suggests that even within the Israeli establishment, concerns are mounting over possible breaches of international law.

The soldiers’ testimonies contradict official military claims that troops only fire when threatened. Instead, the report highlights a pattern of preemptive and excessive force against unarmed civilians. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Israel for these exact practices, calling them disproportionate and illegal under the Geneva Conventions.

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Despite the grave allegations, the Israeli government has so far remained silent on the issue. No arrests or disciplinary actions against commanding officers have been reported. Critics argue that without international pressure or legal consequences, such abuses are unlikely to stop.

US Approves Millions Despite Mounting Casualties

In a move that has sparked sharp criticism, the United States recently approved a $30 million funding package for the group operating some of these aid hubs, despite overwhelming evidence of routine violence at the sites. Human rights lawyers have warned that this funding could make US staff complicit in potential war crimes.

The funding decision has fueled fresh calls for Washington to reevaluate its role in the conflict. “You cannot bankroll an operation where aid is used as bait and civilians are gunned down,” said one rights advocate. “This is not just morally indefensible — it’s legally dangerous.”

As the situation in Gaza worsens, these revelations may mark a turning point. If the international community fails to act on such damning evidence, the message will be clear: even war crimes can go unpunished — so long as the victims are Palestinians.

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