Israeli Soldiers Describe Clearance of 'Kill Zone' on Gaza's Edge
A new report by Breaking the Silence reveals that Israeli soldiers cleared an 800-1,500 meter 'kill zone' on Gaza's edge following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, resulting in the demolition of thousands of buildings and much of Gaza’s farmland while enforcement of rules of engagement varied widely.
Published on April 8, 2025
Israeli rights group Breaking the Silence has released a report detailing how Israeli soldiers cleared a so-called 'kill zone' on the edge of Gaza. The operation, which followed the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, extended between 800 and 1,500 meters into Gaza, demolishing roughly 3,500 buildings, large portions of residential districts, critical industrial areas like a Coca-Cola plant and a pharmaceutical facility, as well as about 35% of Gaza’s farmland.
Soldiers at the scene described the area as resembling Hiroshima due to the widespread leveling of structures. Their testimonies indicate that adult males entering the zone were often met with lethal force while warning shots were fired at women and children. With inconsistent rules of engagement and decisions left largely to individual commanders, the report aligns with additional accounts published on April 7, 2025, by Reuters and the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Palestinian health authorities have reported over 50,000 fatalities amid the ongoing conflict, a figure Israel challenges by citing significant militant losses.