IDF Soldiers Expose Arbitrary Killings in Gaza's Netzarim Corridor

Recent testimonies from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, shared with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, describe arbitrary killings and widespread lawlessness in the Netzarim corridor of Gaza.

These soldiers, who served in the region, detail incidents where civilian casualties were classified as terrorists, despite many victims being unarmed and not affiliated with Hamas.

The Netzarim corridor, a contested area extending seven kilometers from Kibbutz Be'eri to the Mediterranean coast, has been designated as a "kill zone" by military officials, with soldiers instructed to shoot anyone crossing an invisible boundary. According to IDF veterans, the line, which does not appear on official maps, exists only in the minds of soldiers and commanders. "The forces in the field call it 'the line of dead bodies,'" says a commander in Division 252. This boundary is marked by bodies left uncollected, attracting scavenger dogs, a signal for Palestinians to avoid the area.

"Calling ourselves the world's most moral army absolves soldiers who know exactly what we're doing," a senior reserve commander who has recently returned from the Netzarim corridor was quoted as saying by the report. "It means ignoring that for over a year, we've operated in a lawless space where human life holds no value. Yes, we commanders and combatants are participating in the atrocity unfolding in Gaza. Now everyone must face this reality."

A recently discharged officer describes the situation: "For the division, the kill zone extends as far as a sniper can see," highlighting the arbitrariness of the boundary. Soldiers report that these instructions led to civilians being killed without verification, and the deaths were subsequently reported as combatants. One officer in Division 252 recounts an incident where over 200 bodies were counted as Hamas members, yet only 10 were confirmed to be affiliated with the group.

The testimonies shed light on a broader pattern of military conduct. "We are killing civilians who are then counted as terrorists," says a former fighter. This practice is allegedly linked to a competitive atmosphere within the IDF, where units aim to surpass each other's body count. "The IDF spokesperson's announcements about casualty numbers have turned this into a competition between units," says one officer.

The accounts also reveal troubling practices and an erosion of military protocols. Division commanders now have near-total authority to launch airstrikes and military operations without oversight from higher authorities. "Division commanders now have almost unlimited firepower authority in combat zones," confirms a veteran officer. A battalion commander can order drone strikes, and a division commander can launch conquest operations, the official added.

The situation worsened as the chain of command was weakened, with some commanders bypassing standard procedures entirely.

One account details the shooting of a young boy, mistaken for a militant. "We responded as if it was a large militant raid. We took positions and just opened fire. I'm talking about dozens of bullets, maybe more. For about a minute or two, we just kept shooting at the body. People around me were shooting and laughing,” the speaker said. “We approached the blood-covered body, photographed it, and took the phone. He was just a boy, maybe 16," recalls a soldier, who later learned the victim was a civilian. Despite this, the battalion commander congratulated the soldiers, labeling the child a terrorist.

A report details a disturbing incident where a drone surveilled unarmed civilians, including children, near a restricted area. Despite appearing harmless, a tank opened fire, killing three people instantly. A soldier recounted the incident, saying "Hundreds of bullets... the sight haunts me." The sole survivor was detained, humiliated, and later released. The soldier expressed confusion over being praised by officers for killing "terrorists," saying "I couldn't understand what they meant."

The bodies were buried by a bulldozer in the sand after a day or two. “I don’t know if anyone remembers they’re there.” Some soldiers expressed frustration with their roles in the conflict. "This doesn't just kill Arabs, it kills us too. If called back to Gaza, I don’t think I’ll go," the fighter said.

A disturbing incident was reported where two people walking towards Wadi Gaza, a restricted area, were spotted by observation posts. Despite carrying a white flag and walking with raised hands, the deputy battalion commander ordered troops to shoot to kill. A commander who protested was overruled, with the deputy commander saying, "I don't know what a white flag is, shoot to kill."

The “invisible boundaries” issue extends beyond Division 252, as a Division 99 reservist recalls a drone feed showing an unarmed adult with two children crossing the forbidden line. Despite being under surveillance, a helicopter missile struck them, prompting the soldier to call the action "pure evil."