Operation Protective Edge, which took place in the Gaza Strip during the summer of 2014, was the deadliest Israeli military campaign in the region since 1967. More than 2,200 Palestinians were killed, with 1,391 of them being civilians, according to the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem. Soldiers who participated in the operation revealed that very little was required by their commanders to label a person as an enemy combatant. For example, two unarmed women walking in an orchard, merely talking on their phones, were suspected of scouting Israeli forces and were killed as a result.
Israel’s conduct in the current war reflects a similar viewpoint, with a reservist officer stating that “a terrorist is anyone the military kills inside the zone of combat.” This reckless interpretation of the rules of war has led to senseless loss for both Palestinians and Israelis. In a tragic incident in December, the Israeli military mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, who were shirtless, unarmed, and carrying a makeshift white flag. The military admitted that the shooting violated its rules of engagement, but soldiers who participated in previous wars in Gaza reported being instructed to shoot anything that moves in areas where civilians had been warned to evacuate, deeming anyone who stayed as a threat and legitimate target.
In contrast to these attitudes, the Israeli bombing of the home of a top Hamas commander in Gaza City in 2002 resulted in the deaths of him and 14 others, including eight children. A government committee later concluded that faulty intelligence led to the high civilian death toll, and implied that had it been known there were civilians on site, the attack would have been aborted. The high numbers of civilian casualties in the current war, estimated to be nearly 13,000 women and children by Gazan authorities, may also be partially due to changes in Israel’s targeting policies. Previous operations targeted senior military operatives as “human targets” who could be killed even if civilians were present, but in the current war, the term extends to all Hamas fighters.
The indiscriminate killing of civilians and the broad definition of “enemy combatants” by the Israeli military has led to a devastating toll on both Palestinian and Israeli lives. Many innocent civilians have been caught in the crossfire, with soldiers following orders to shoot anything that moves in certain areas of conflict. The lack of distinction between combatants and non-combatants has resulted in tragic incidents such as the killing of unarmed civilians and the mistaken deaths of hostages. The neglect for the rules of war and guidelines for engagement has led to unnecessary loss and suffering on both sides of the conflict.
There is an urgent need for a reevaluation of Israel’s targeting policies and rules of engagement in conflict zones like the Gaza Strip. The broad definition of “enemy combatants” and the reckless disregard for civilian lives have led to a cycle of violence and tragedy. As the death toll rises and innocent lives are lost, it is essential for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and adhere to the rules of war. Without a shift in mindset and policy, the cycle of violence and unnecessary loss of life will continue to plague both Palestinians and Israelis in conflicts like the current war in Gaza.
