Israeli Soldiers Expose Gaza Buffer Zone: A Deliberate Wasteland of Destruction

Israeli soldiers have revealed a systematic campaign to create a buffer zone inside Gaza, turning a once-vibrant area into a desolate wasteland. According to a CNN report, the Israeli military has been deliberately destroying Palestinian homes, factories, and farmland within approximately half a mile of the Israeli border.

The buffer zone, roughly one kilometer wide, aims to prevent future attacks. However, testimonies from soldiers and international law experts suggest these actions may violate international humanitarian law and potentially constitute war crimes.

Key Points:

• Systematic Destruction: Armored bulldozers and combat engineers have been used to level homes and factories, denying Palestinians access to their land.
• Unacknowledged Policy: While the Israeli military has acknowledged destroying "terrorist infrastructure," it has not publicly admitted to a plan to create a wide buffer zone.
• Soldier Testimonies: Soldiers speaking anonymously have described a clear top-down strategy to expand the buffer zone, preventing another border attack.
• International Law Concerns: Experts argue that the destruction may not meet the "military necessity" threshold required to justify such actions, potentially violating international law.
• "Kill Zone": Soldiers described loose rules of engagement, authorizing them to fire on Palestinians entering the buffer zone, regardless of whether they were armed.
• Civilian Impact: Palestinians attempting to access their land have been shot, even during ceasefires.

The testimonies align with satellite imagery analysis showing widespread destruction along the border. According to researchers, over 6,200 buildings within one kilometer of the border have been destroyed.

One soldier recounted orders to "flatten" everything except a UNRWA school and a water facility. Another described a "kill zone" where adult males were to be shot on sight, while women and children were to be driven away.

For Palestinians, the consequences have been devastating. Abdul Aziz al-Nabahin, who lost his home and farmland, also lost his son who killed by an Israeli tank shell while collecting firewood near their home.

CNN reached out to the IDF for comment but did not receive a response. The revelations raise serious questions about the legality and morality of the buffer zone policy and its impact on Palestinian civilians.