Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council and advisor to four previous prime ministers, has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in northern Gaza. As a respected figure in Israeli public life, Etzion is now urging military personnel to reject any orders that may lead to war crimes.
“They should refuse. If a soldier or an officer is expected to commit something that might be suspected as a war crime, they must refuse. That’s what I would do if I were a soldier,” he stated during an interview while sitting on his balcony in Shoresh, Israel.
While the sun shined on the quiet autumn morning in his neighborhood, just under 40 miles from the besieged Gaza district of Jabalia, the situation there was dire. Medical personnel at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia have been sending urgent pleas for help, detailing the suffering caused by ongoing Israeli military actions.
One nurse described the shocking lack of resources: “We contacted the Israeli force to allow us to charge water to the tank, but they don’t accept that… The situation is very very bad.” Another nurse lamented their exhaustion and despair, saying, “We try to give the food that we found to the patients and families and we don’t eat ourselves.”
As tens of thousands flee Jabalia amid intensified military operations purportedly targeting Hamas, Etzion expressed concern for both the civilians in Gaza and the Israeli populace. He commented on the trauma faced by Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and many hostages taken. He warned against allowing understandable feelings of vengeance to undermine Israel’s moral standing and obligations under international law.
“We have our history, we have our morals, we have our values, and we must operate under international law if we want to continue to be a member of the international community,” he asserted.
As international scrutiny of Israel’s military tactics increases, including warnings from the U.S. about restricted arms shipments unless aid flows into Gaza, Etzion’s calls resonate with growing calls for accountability. The U.N. has accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid, particularly into northern Gaza.
While the IDF has consistently denied claims of implementing a starvation policy, it maintains that Hamas uses civilians as human shields, directing attacks from civilian facilities.
Prominent war crimes lawyer Prof. Philippe Sands KC emphasized that, while Israel has a right to defend itself, it must adhere to international humanitarian law, including measures that distinguish between civilian and military targets. “It doesn’t allow you to use famine as a weapon of war,” he stated. “It’s impossible to see what is happening now in Gaza and not recognize that crimes are occurring.”
Sands highlighted the ineffectiveness of international law in many global conflicts, including the one in Gaza. He pointed out ongoing investigative efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and noted the need for a robust framework to hold violators accountable.
The IDF was approached for comments but declined to provide a spokesperson, reiterating their commitment to acting in accordance with international law. Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) asserted its intention to facilitate unrestricted aid into Gaza.
As reports of civilian suffering continue to erupt from Jabalia, the narrative surrounding Israel’s military operations faces increasing scrutiny and challenge.
Credit: BBC News
