Former NATO Deputy Commander Describes Palestinian Deaths in Gaza as "Dreadful"

General Sir John McColl, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), has described the Palestinian deaths in Gaza as "dreadful" while addressing the complex operational environment faced by Israeli forces.

He recently visited Israel, where he was briefed by the general overseeing military operations in Gaza. General McColl compared the current situation to his experiences in Fallujah in 2004 but noted key differences, particularly the extensive tunnel networks used in Gaza, which Israeli forces have been contending with.

Describing the tunnels, McColl highlighted their strategic complexity: "Two hundred kilometres discovered so far, potentially up to 500km underneath a piece of ground 25x7 miles... popping up either side of Israeli troops and behind them."

When questioned about the continued loss of Palestinian lives, General McColl expressed his dismay, calling it "dreadful." He urged Israeli authorities to take three key steps: to open Gaza to international media for objective reporting, to establish clear political objectives for their military campaign, and to create a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Reflecting on his experience in Iraq, he emphasized the need for planning to prevent long-term displacement of Gaza’s population.

The ongoing conflict follows an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and 251 hostages. Since then, Israeli forces have launched retaliatory strikes, and Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reports over 41,110 deaths.

An Israeli strike on a UNRWA school-turned-shelter in Nuseirat, Gaza, killed 18 people, including 6 UN workers, amid international criticism. The shelter, housing 12,000 displaced people (mostly women and children), was hit for the fifth time since the 11-month conflict began.

General McColl, who served in various senior roles in the British Army and NATO, stepped down from his position as DSACEUR in 2011.