Israeli Soldier Resigns Over Gaza Orders, Calls for Cease-Fire
Jerusalem — Yuval Green, a 26-year-old reservist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has publicly resigned after refusing to follow orders to set fire to a Palestinian house in Gaza. Green’s decision to leave the military stems from his moral objections to the command.
In an interview with ABC News, Green recounted his refusal to participate in the destruction, stating, “When I was given the order to burn down a house, I asked my commander why. The answers I received were not satisfactory. I decided I could not be part of this and chose to leave.”
The IDF has defended its actions, asserting that operations in Gaza are conducted according to military necessity and international law. They emphasized that their doctrine does not endorse unnecessary destruction of civilian infrastructure and that any unusual incidents are reviewed by an independent body.
Green’s public resignation is notable, as few IDF soldiers have openly criticized the military’s actions in Gaza since the conflict began following Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7. Although Green had already planned to leave the IDF before the war, he chose to speak out due to the ethical concerns raised by his experiences.
He described witnessing soldiers vandalize and mishandle Palestinian property, which he views as a reaction to the severe violence inflicted by Hamas, including the killing of civilians and kidnappings. The IDF has stated that such behavior is contrary to their code of conduct and is investigating any deviations.
Green’s decision to speak publicly is driven by his desire to advocate for a cease-fire and address the humanitarian impact of the conflict. He believes there is a concrete way to end the violence and reduce the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis.
