News / Palestine

Retired general: Israeli soldiers ‘disproportionately’ killed in Gaza

Tuesday, 27 August 2024 3:14 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 27 August 2024 3:16 PM ]

Israelis prepare a soldier for evacuation at a beach in the Gaza Strip, January 4, 2024. (AFP)

Retired Israeli general Itzhak Brik has questioned the competence the regime’s military in handling the campaign of genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Speaking to the Maariv news outlet on Tuesday, Brik said he had heard firsthand reports that Israeli soldiers were being disproportionately killed by booby traps, projectiles or friendly fire.

Brik previously headed the educational unit of the military.

He singled out the regime’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and said he has “fragmented the Israeli army,” which has “lost complete confidence in him.”

Brik accused Halevi of failing to keep in check Israeli commanders who lack operational discipline and are negligent, which costs many soldiers’ lives.

Halevi “is much more at fault than anyone else,” said Brik.

“Therefore, he is afraid to take legal action against the commanders who have erred, lest he be asked why he is not punishing himself and resigning.”

The former Israeli general called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“If a deal for the return of the hostages and a ceasefire is not reached, the situation could deteriorate, and we might face even greater danger.”

Israel admits 700 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Observers, however, say the regime underreports the fatalities to retain the morale of its forces and restrain backlash from those demanding a ceasefire that could enable the return of those who were taken captive during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm conducted by the Palestinian Resistance.

On August 14, the rehabilitation department of the regime’s ministry for military affairs said more than 10,000 Israeli forces had been afflicted with either physical or mental trauma. As much as 37% of these had received physical trauma to their limbs, while 35% had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental disorders caused by trauma, it said.

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