Neglect and misfires: Inside the deadly conditions facing Israeli soldiers

According to a report by Haaretz, Israeli soldiers stated that their positions along the Khan Yunis–Rafah axis suffer from a lack of operational discipline that comes at the cost of human lives.

The Israeli soldiers who spoke to Haaretz said they warned their brigade commander and other senior officers, but their warnings were ignored.

One soldier noted that soldiers’ deaths have occurred due to commanders’ negligence, and none of the senior officers have taken any action.

They added that the Israeli army has not conducted complete or reliable investigations into incidents in which soldiers were killed or injured.

The most recent deadly incident occurred last Saturday in Khan Yunis, when an Israeli reserve officer was killed while moving in a logistical convoy toward the Golani Brigade position at the Morag axis.

After soldiers left the position and began returning to Israeli-controlled areas, a shot fired from one of the observation posts at the position struck and killed the officer.

The Israeli army claimed the incident was the result of a misfire; however, Haaretz found that the situation was more complex.

In fact, an Israeli soldier had aimed his weapon at the convoy and, for an unknown reason, pulled the trigger, firing the shot.

The soldier has not been removed from his post and continues to serve at the location.

A source familiar with the matter told Haaretz that the Israeli army has not yet reviewed the shooting circumstances or the soldier’s conduct.

In addition to deadly incidents, several other events have occurred that Israeli soldiers described as merely accidental.

Commanders and soldiers who spoke to Haaretz stated that the operational area lacks the required discipline for a combat zone.

Israeli soldiers explained that, due to the intense fighting they have been engaged in since October 7, 2023, they are suffering from extreme fatigue, which affects their performance.

Despite repeated requests from soldiers’ families, the Israeli army does not allow them additional rest nor does it investigate the conduct of brigade commanders.