JERUSALEM — Yotam Vilk, an Israeli soldier, is haunted by the image of an unarmed Palestinian teenager being shot dead in the Gaza Strip. As a member of the armored corps, he recounted the orders given to shoot any unauthorized individuals entering the Israeli-controlled buffer zone. Vilk claims to have witnessed at least 12 fatalities, but the teenager’s death remains particularly etched in his memory. “He became a casualty in a larger narrative, part of the policy that dehumanizes Palestinians,” said Vilk, 28.
More Israeli soldiers are stepping forward with claims against the ongoing conflict that has persisted for 15 months. A small group of approximately 200 soldiers has signed a letter expressing their refusal to continue fighting unless a ceasefire is established. They contend that their experiences have crossed ethical boundaries and wish to encourage others to join them in voicing dissent.
This soldier movement arises amid increasing pressure for both Israel and Hamas to halt the violence, with ceasefire discussions currently in progress. Presidents Biden and President-elect Trump have both urged for a resolution before the upcoming inauguration on January 20.
Seven soldiers who opted out of the conflict in Gaza shared their accounts, noting indiscriminate killings of Palestinians and the destruction of homes. Some mentioned orders to demolish or torch residences that were not posing any threat, and they observed fellow soldiers looting and vandalizing properties.
Typically, soldiers avoid mixing politics with service and seldom speak out against the military. Since the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, there has been a unified support in Israel for the military’s response to the group. Although opinion remains divided as the war continues, most criticism has centered on the escalating casualties among soldiers and the failure to return hostages, rather than scrutinizing military actions in Gaza.
International human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing war crimes and acts of genocide in Gaza. The International Court of Justice is currently examining genocide allegations initiated by South Africa, a situation compounded by the International Criminal Court pursuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Israel has categorically dismissed accusations of genocide, asserting that it takes significant precautions to avoid civilian injuries in Gaza. The military maintains that it never deliberately targets civilians and investigates any suspected misconduct, although critics argue that the self-investigation processes are inadequate.
The military has stated that it condemns refusals to serve and takes such occurrences seriously, with each case getting individual scrutiny. While refusing soldiers may face imprisonment, those who signed the letter have not reported any detentions, according to the organizers.
Reflecting on his deployment to Gaza in November 2023, Vilk initially believed the military’s force could prompt negotiations. However, he later perceived a growing disregard for human life as fighting persisted. On the day the teenager was killed in August, Vilk recounted that troops had fired warning shots near him, yet as the teenager continued into the buffer zone, he and others were shot.
Vilk acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing whether individuals were armed, but he asserted that soldiers reacted too hastily. He admitted that Hamas bears some responsibility for the fatalities in the buffer zone, citing a Palestinian his unit had detained, revealing that Hamas incentivized individuals to enter the area for assessing Israeli responses.
The soldiers’ experiences took time for some to process, while others, fueled by outrage, chose to disengage almost immediately. Yuval Green, a 27-year-old medic, abandoned his post last January after nearly two months in Gaza, unable to reconcile the actions he witnessed.
He recounted how soldiers defaced homes with medical markers and looted belongings, seeking prayer beads as mementos. A turning point, he stated, was his commander ordering the destruction of a house to preclude any future use by Hamas, which Green found vindictive. He described sitting in a military vehicle, suffering from toxic smoke, and concluded that additional harm against Palestinians felt unwarranted.
Green also recognized that despite his abhorrence of the brutality he witnessed, “the cruelty was partly a reaction to the devastation caused by Hamas on October 7,” indicating a complex situation. His aim was to turn his refusal into an act that might help break the cycle of violence affecting both sides.
The group Soldiers for the Hostages is advocating for further participation in the letter of refusal, promoting events to draw attention and support. In a recent meeting in Tel Aviv, soldiers shared their testimonies, distributing posters with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. underscoring the moral obligation to defy unfair laws.
Max Kresch, an event organizer, expressed the belief that soldiers can leverage their experiences to effect change. “We need to raise our voices against injustice, regardless of its unpopularity,” he emphasized.
However, some veterans who have faced losses in the conflict perceive this movement as disrespectful. The Israeli army reports over 830 soldier fatalities since the war began, and one paratrooper, Gilad Segal, argued that the military’s actions were warranted, including the demolition of suspected Hamas structures, challenging the idea that soldiers should question government decisions.
Ishai Menuchin, spokesperson for Yesh Gvul, a group advocating for soldier refusals to serve, mentioned working with over 80 soldiers who have expressed dissent, noting that numerous others share similar sentiments yet choose to remain silent.
The mental health impacts on soldiers returning from Gaza are substantial, as many express feelings of conflict and remorse. Conversations with family and friends regarding their experiences have become crucial for processing. Tuly Flint, a specialist in trauma therapy, has counseled many soldiers, noting that some suffer from “moral injury” — a distressing response stemming from actions or observations that contradict personal beliefs.
One former infantry soldier shared his guilt over witnessing unnecessary destruction, stating that during a two-week deployment, he observed around 15 buildings set ablaze. He expressed that had he the option to redo his choices, he would not have participated in combat, claiming, “I may not have ignited the flames, but I stood guard outside while war crimes unfolded. I regret our actions.”
