International press reports have conveyed shocking testimonies from soldiers who served in the ranks of the occupation army within the Gaza Strip, revealing that killings and targeting of Palestinians never ceased. These testimonies confirmed that official announcements about political agreements coming into effect were merely a cover for the continued military operations on the ground at the same pace.
In their statements, the soldiers described what is rumored about a ceasefire as 'just a joke' that finds no resonance on the ground, as the war continues under different names and with violent combat tactics. The report indicated that the situation on the ground reflects a determination by the fighting units to continue military escalation, far from the political statements issued by the leadership.
Testimonies focused on the military's mechanism for dealing with Palestinians near what is known as the 'Yellow Line,' which is the dividing line between areas under occupation control and populated Palestinian areas. Soldiers explained that strict instructions mandated automatic and direct firing at anyone crossing this line or even approaching it, regardless of their identity or gender.
The report revealed behaviors described as brutal by some elements within the combat units, where some soldiers would celebrate hysterically after successful sniping operations. These targets included civilian vehicles or individuals passing near military areas, reflecting a lack of ethical and legal oversight within the field barracks.
Sources indicated a blatant state of ambiguity and contradiction regarding the rules of engagement on the ground, where soldiers live in a state of disconnect between what they hear in the media and what they are ordered to do. While some military commanders publicly express support for political agreements, in their private conversations with soldiers, they reflect an intense desire to prolong the war and expand its scope.
Soldiers participating in the testimonies admitted that identifying targets was often impossible due to long distances and the speed of the decision to kill by field commanders. This admission reinforces international concerns about the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians who pose no direct military threat to the stationed forces.
In an attempt to defend its position, the occupation army claimed that the area adjacent to the Yellow Line is a 'sensitive operational zone' requiring strict security measures to protect forces. Army spokespersons claimed that rules require prior warnings, but the testimonies of field soldiers refuted these claims entirely and confirmed the absence of warnings.
Field data and reports showed a sharp increase in the number of Palestinian martyrs near this line in recent months, indicating a systematic policy of physical liquidation. This rise in casualties coincided with the expansion of the occupation's field control and the grabbing of more areas and lands deep within the Gaza Strip to create buffer zones.
Testimonies concluded that the political terms used in international forums do not apply to the tragic reality experienced by the residents of the Strip under continuous fire. One soldier concluded his statement by emphasizing the need to stop misleading public opinion with terms like 'truce' or 'ceasefire' as long as the killing machine continues to operate without stopping.
We must completely stop using the term 'ceasefire' because it never reflects what is actually happening on the ground.
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Testimonies from Occupation Soldiers Reveal the Falsity of Calm: Orders for Direct Killing and Land Grabbing in Gaza