Israeli combat forces have reportedly razed extensive areas inside the Gaza perimeter and instituted a plan to transform the designated area into a ‘kill zone’, according to testimonies from soldiers involved in the operations.

Accounts indicate that military orders instructed troops to demolish homes, farmland, and various structures situated approximately 1 kilometer inside Gaza, aiming to establish a buffer zone intended to enhance visibility for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to monitor and eliminate potential militants.

Testimonies, disseminated by the organization Breaking the Silence and published under the report titled 'The Perimeter', provide insight into the actions taken following the outbreak of war in October 2023 after Hamas launched an attack on Israel.

The focus of these operations was reportedly to create a clear area devoid of structures and inhabitants.

One soldier likened the resultant destruction to the devastation seen in Hiroshima, highlighting the profound impact of the military strategy.

According to the report, troops were allegedly tasked with the methodical and systematic demolition of nearly all infrastructure within the defined perimeter, which includes residential neighborhoods, educational institutions, mosques, and public buildings, with minimal exceptions noted.

Soldiers described the end result as a ‘death zone’, where areas that once housed communities and agricultural activities were rendered into desolate wastelands.

The destruction reportedly extends along the border with Israel, spanning from the Mediterranean coast in the north to near Egypt in the south-eastern corner of the Gaza Strip.

A sergeant in the combat engineers corps indicated that missions involved blowing up remaining structures once areas were deemed devoid of Gaza residents.

Soldiers recounted attending multiple demolitions each day without a comprehensive understanding of their objectives.

Some accounts suggest that commanders framed the destruction of this perimeter as retribution for the attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October, which had resulted in the deaths and abduction of numerous Israeli and foreign nationals.

The current military campaign is officially claimed by Israel to target Hamas, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces accusations regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the treatment of Gaza's civilian population.

The testimonies also revealed alarming directives regarding the engagement of individuals entering the perimeter.

One soldier, speaking anonymously, described orders to consider all entrants as combatants.

In a departure from rules governing civilian engagement, discrepancies emerged among various units regarding whom they were permitted to shoot.

One sergeant indicated that 'shoot to kill' orders were issued for adult males, while other directives allowed for different responses to women and children, often involving the use of firepower intended to drive them away from sensitive zones.

Additional soldier accounts characterized the border area as a 'kill zone', defining an altered engagement protocol that disregarded considerations for non-combatants.

The significant use of military firepower, particularly involving tank deployments, was noted, with instances of firing described as serving a psychological purpose rather than responding to direct threats.

The ambiguity in engagement guidelines raised questions about the indicators available to Palestinians for avoiding lethal situations, leading to unclarities surrounding the rules of engagement.

Prior to the current intensification of hostilities, Israel had established a buffer zone extending approximately 300 meters into Gaza, which has now expanded to between 800 and 1,500 meters.

Observations via satellite imagery indicate that the IDF has systematically destroyed hundreds of buildings within close proximity to the perimeter, an action that has drawn criticisms of collective punishment and potential violations of international law.

The area impacted by these operations constitutes over 15% of Gaza and 35% of its agricultural land.

Despite shoot-to-kill orders, reports indicate that Palestinians continue to attempt access to these zones, often to gather edible plants in response to food insecurity exacerbated by the ongoing military actions.

Accounts suggest a pervasive sentiment among Israeli soldiers that all individuals in Gaza were seen as a threat, reflecting a broader narrative of dehumanizing perceptions during conflict.

The ongoing military actions and the resultant humanitarian implications continue to draw scrutiny, particularly in light of the testimonies surrounding the conduct and intent of Israeli operations within Gaza.