Shocking Revelations by Israeli Soldiers in a British film

an cost of the conflict. Their statements do not come from analysts, journalists, or political commentators—they come from the very men and women who were physically present on the ground.

What they describe is not only a warzone but a landscape stripped of life, hope, and humanity.

A Territory Turned Into Ruins

Soldiers interviewed in the documentary recall Gaza as a place overwhelmed by extreme heat, sand, foul odors, and an eerie absence of nature. According to them, there were no trees, no plants, and hardly any roads left intact. Stray dogs wandered among the ruins, eating human remains that lay undefended in open streets. These chilling images set the stage for what becomes an even more disturbing series of admissions.

For many of the soldiers, this environment was not just physically unbearable; it became psychologically damaging. Some openly confessed feeling deep shame today about the roles they played. Others admitted they followed orders that they knew were inconsistent with international law.

A “Shoot Anyone” Policy

One of the most shocking claims in the documentary comes from a soldier who said that the prevailing policy in Gaza was essentially “shoot anyone, anywhere, anytime.” This statement alone suggests that the rules of engagement had dramatically shifted from targeted military action to something far more indiscriminate.

A commander interviewed went even further, saying the common belief circulating within certain units was that “there are no humans in Gaza.” This deeply dehumanizing mindset, as portrayed by the soldiers themselves, creates a disturbing picture of how violence became normalized and justified.

Another soldier— a female major—revealed that their brigade’s rabbi told them:
“We need to become like those who attacked us on October 7.”
These words reflect a sentiment of revenge that some soldiers say influenced the conduct of operations.

Destruction Without Evidence

A tank commander described the near-total absence of legal protocol regarding home demolitions in Gaza. According to him, a “suspicion” was enough to level an entire house. No evidence. No due process. No confirmation.

This destruction, he said, became routine.

One Israeli civilian even admitted he had operated bulldozers to tear down Palestinian homes, believing that doing so was a way to “support the army.”

For many in the international community, these accounts align with long-standing concerns about the scale of destruction in Gaza. But hearing these confirmations from soldiers themselves adds a new layer of gravity.

Human Shields and Forbidden Tactics

One of the most alarming revelations in the documentary involves the alleged use of Palestinian civilians as human shields. Soldiers said these tactics were not isolated or accidental—they were formal enough to be nicknamed “the fly protocol.”

Captured Palestinian civilians were forced to walk ahead of Israeli troops, effectively serving as protection during operations.

Alongside this, entire neighborhoods were flattened. Schools, hospitals, and universities were struck. Thousands of families were displaced. According to the testimonies, the intention went beyond defeating militants; it was about breaking the social, cultural, and human fabric of Gaza.

The Response—and the Reality

In response to the documentary and the soldiers’ confessions, Israeli officials stated that investigations were carried out. However, a British monitoring group argues that only a very small number of inquiries were actually conducted and, in those, very few concrete actions were taken.

This raises pressing concerns: Were violations ignored? Were they minimized? And what does accountability look like in a war as complex and politically charged as this one?

A War That Reshaped Lives on Both Sides

The soldiers who came forward in the documentary say they now live with lasting shame. Many described carrying an emotional burden that intensifies with time. Some feared retaliation for speaking out, yet chose to participate because, as they said, “the truth must be told.”

For Palestinian civilians, the cost of the war is far more visible—lost homes, lost family members, destroyed communities, and a society struggling to survive.

For soldiers, the scars are internal—moral injury, guilt, and the weight of choices they feel they cannot undo.

A Documentary That Forces Reflection

“Breaking Ranks” does not attempt to offer political solutions. Instead, it does something far more difficult: it forces viewers to confront the human consequences of war through the words of those who carried out its orders.

The film raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about ethics, accountability, and the boundaries of military conduct. It challenges audiences to look beyond headlines and statistics, urging them to recognize the lived experiences hiding beneath them.

Whether one supports Israel, Palestine, or simply seeks truth, these testimonies are impossible to ignore—because they reveal not just what happened in Gaza, but how war changes human beings on both sides of the front line.