Alarming new revelations have emerged as Israeli soldiers and officers told Haaretz that they were explicitly instructed to fire on unarmed Palestinians at designated aid distribution zones in Gaza — locations where desperate civilians have gathered daily in hopes of accessing food and humanitarian relief.
The Haaretz report, cited by Al Jazeera, claims that Israel’s military prosecutor has now called on the army’s top brass to launch a formal investigation into these suspected war crimes.
According to soldiers interviewed:
“It’s a killing field… where I was, between one and five people were killed every day,” one said.
“They fire on them as if they were an attacking force: no tear gas, no warning shots — just bullets, mortars, and grenade launchers.”
“We communicate with them through fire,” another soldier stated bluntly.
The claims paint a harrowing picture of military tactics used during what is supposed to be humanitarian access, directly contradicting international humanitarian law protections for civilians and aid seekers.
Other Key Developments:
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13-year-old Palestinian boy killed: In the occupied West Bank, a 13-year-old was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper in Jenin. Israeli forces continue to conduct nightly raids, with a new wave of mass arrests reported on Thursday.
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Gaza death toll mounts: The Gaza Health Ministry reported 72 more deaths in the past 24 hours as Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling continued across central and southern Gaza.
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International pressure builds:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, citing “clear and repeated violations” of human rights and “acts that may amount to genocide in Gaza.”
“Europe cannot remain a passive observer,” Sánchez said during a speech to the Spanish Parliament.
“We must act decisively in the face of what the world now recognizes as a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Context:
Since October 2023, Gaza has faced unprecedented bombardment, displacement, and starvation. Aid convoys have struggled to reach civilians due to blockades and attacks. Human rights groups, including the UN and Amnesty International, have repeatedly called for international accountability and an immediate ceasefire.
If confirmed, the Israeli army’s alleged orders to shoot at civilians seeking aid could represent one of the most serious breaches of international humanitarian law in the current conflict.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has not publicly commented on the Haaretz report at time of publication.
