Israeli soldiers' confessions of targeting Palestinian children spark outrage
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In a series of disturbing videos circulating on social media, Israeli soldiers are seen openly confessing to targeting Palestinian children, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for accountability for potential war crimes.
In one video, a soldier admits on camera to intending harm to infants, even resorting to killing a 12-year-old Palestinian girl when unable to find a younger target. The soldier is heard saying, "We are looking for babies, but there are no babies left."
Another clip features a different soldier proudly claiming to have shot two children playing football in the Gaza Strip, stating, "I took my weapon and shot them in the head."
These revelations have ignited outrage across social media platforms, with users demanding justice and accountability for the alleged misconduct by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers. The international community has joined the condemnation, expressing concern over the impact of such actions on civilian populations in conflict zones.
The IDF is under intense scrutiny for various videos showcasing soldiers mocking Palestinians and highlighting harsh conditions in Gaza. One video shows an IDF soldier destroying items in a toy store in the Jabalia refugee camp, while another seemingly depicts a soldier celebrating his daughter's birthday by detonating a house in Gaza.
These actions have been denounced as attempts to humiliate Palestinians, with some attributing them to revenge for a previous Hamas attack.
In an investigation, Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed a social media account allegedly operated by the IDF, named "72 Virgins — Uncensored." The account reportedly shares graphic content depicting the killing of Hamas members and the destruction of the Gaza Strip.
Such revelations have added fuel to the already intense scrutiny of Israeli military conduct in the region.
The situation has escalated, with Israeli forces intensifying attacks in central and southern areas of Gaza. Residents fear further ground incursions into densely populated zones already housing tens of thousands of people displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the toll from Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours stands at 210 confirmed deaths, bringing the total casualties of the war to 21,320 individuals, nearly 1 per cent of Gaza's population. Concerns are rising about potential trapped individuals beneath the rubble, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.