Five Israeli soldiers have broken ranks to reveal the grim realities behind the military campaign in Gaza, exposing brutal crimes against unarmed civilians and the heavy psychological toll on those sent to fight. Their testimonies starkly contradict the official Israeli narrative, highlighting exhaustion, fear, and disillusionment.

Or, 20, from the Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit, recounted entering the ruins of a bombed house in Khan Younis where he found the remains of five or six bodies, including children. “I saw their bones. The scene was horrifying, unforgettable,” he said. Despite his trauma, Or was sent back to the front line, describing the experience as a “real nightmare” he just wants to end.

Yonatan, 21, of the Kfir Brigade, recalled freezing nights, scorching days, and an eerie absence of civilians, only dogs scavenging for food. His commander’s order to shoot at stray dogs was met with grim compliance, reflecting a dehumanising atmosphere. His most haunting memory: surviving an explosion in a house where his best friend was gravely wounded, leaving him shaken and unable to eat or sleep for days.

Omer, 21, from the Givati Brigade, expressed profound disillusionment. Once eager to fight, he now mourns countless fallen comrades lost due to negligence or insufficient preparation. “How many friends do I have to bury before people wake up?” he asked bitterly, describing how soldiers even discuss their funerals among themselves.

Yair, 21, from the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit, spoke of relentless physical and mental strain. “Not taking off your boots for ten days,” hair falling out from stress, and survivor’s guilt from losing entire squads have left him shattered. “I don’t know if I’ll ever heal,” he admitted.

Ori, 22, from the Yahalom engineering unit, shared his growing disenchantment. Initially committed, he now views the war as politically driven and futile. He pleaded directly with Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the conflict, warning that more bloodshed will only deepen the tragedy.

These testimonies, reported by Haaretz, expose a fractured reality within the Israeli military, one marked by moral injury, fatigue, and a desperate desire for peace amid ongoing violence.