‘You can do anything’: Israeli war crimes in Gaza aired in UK documentary – Al Jazeera

Report on Military Operations in Gaza and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent documentary, “Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War,” provides firsthand accounts from Israeli soldiers regarding military operations in Gaza. This report analyzes these testimonies through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the severe regression of development indicators in the region. The soldiers’ descriptions of widespread destruction, indiscriminate targeting, and systemic operational policies directly contravene multiple SDGs, particularly those concerning peace, infrastructure, health, and sustainable communities.

Violations of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The testimonies indicate a systematic erosion of principles fundamental to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.

Breakdown of Accountability and Rule of Law

Soldiers’ accounts suggest a suspension of standard rules of engagement, undermining the principles of justice and accountability.

• Armoured Corps Captain Yotam Vilk stated that the requirements for firing on civilians—means, intent, and ability to pose a threat—were not applied in Gaza.
• The firing policy was described as targeting anyone crossing an arbitrary line, effectively creating a “free fire” zone.
• Despite numerous allegations of war crimes, a report by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) indicates that few military investigations have resulted in accountability, challenging the efficacy of institutional justice (Target 16.3).

Systematic Violence and Use of Human Shields

The report details practices that directly conflict with SDG Target 16.1 (significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere).

1. Intelligence data cited in the source suggests that 83 percent of the over 69,000 fatalities were civilians.
2. A tank commander, Daniel, confirmed the routine use of Palestinian civilians as human shields under a practice termed the “mosquito protocol,” where individuals are used to scout potentially hostile areas.
3. This practice was described as widespread, with an estimated “dozens, if not hundreds, per division,” representing a severe violation of international law and human rights.

Impact on Sustainable Cities and Infrastructure (SDG 11, SDG 3, SDG 4)

The conflict has resulted in the near-total destruction of the urban fabric and critical infrastructure, making communities uninhabitable and reversing progress on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Destruction of Housing and Displacement

The scale of destruction has created a catastrophic housing and displacement crisis.

• According to UN data, 92 percent of Gaza’s housing stock has been destroyed or damaged.
• At least 1.9 million people have been displaced, many multiple times, rendering the goal of safe and affordable housing (Target 11.1) unattainable.
• Soldiers described the routine burning and bulldozing of homes, with one rabbinical judge, Avraham Zarbiv, boasting of pioneering the tactic of destroying entire residential areas, stating, “Rafah is flattened. Jabalia is flattened. Beit Hanoon is flattened.”

Targeting of Critical Civilian Institutions

The systematic targeting of institutions essential for societal well-being has crippled access to basic services, directly undermining multiple SDGs.

• Health (SDG 3): The destruction of “almost all hospitals” eliminates access to healthcare and creates a public health emergency.
• Education (SDG 4): The destruction of “almost all universities” and every cultural institution halts access to quality education and erases cultural heritage (Target 11.4).
• Humanitarian Aid (SDG 2): The testimonies describe a weaponized aid system where soldiers at a private aid program would “open fire, even if they don’t see a concrete threat,” severely impeding the delivery of essential food and resources.

Socio-Environmental Collapse and Conclusion

The soldier’s description of the landscape—”No trees. No bushes. No roads”—points to severe environmental degradation, impacting SDG 15 (Life on Land). The combination of infrastructural collapse, environmental ruin, and immense human suffering represents a complete reversal of sustainable development.

Conclusion: Acknowledgment of Societal Destruction

Several soldiers acknowledged the long-term consequences of their actions. One participant, Yaakov, summarized the impact as the destruction of an entire society, stating, “You don’t have to kill them one by one to destroy every sign of the society that once existed there.” This admission underscores the profound and lasting damage to every facet of sustainable development in Gaza, creating a multi-generational crisis that will require decades to address, if recovery is possible at all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s central theme is the war in Gaza, which directly contravenes the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. It details extreme violence, indiscriminate killing, war crimes, and a complete breakdown of the rule of law and justice.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The text explicitly describes the wholesale destruction of urban infrastructure, housing, and public spaces, making the enclave uninhabitable. This is the antithesis of creating safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article reports massive casualties, including tens of thousands killed and hundreds of thousands injured. It also highlights the targeted destruction of hospitals and the killing of paramedics, which decimates the healthcare system and undermines public health.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The destruction of “almost all universities” and other cultural institutions is mentioned, indicating a complete halt to education and the erasure of institutions necessary for societal development and knowledge transfer.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The description of the landscape as having “No trees. No bushes” points to the severe degradation of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity as a direct result of the conflict.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article directly addresses this target by reporting on the high death toll (“more than 69,000 people”) and the pervasive violence described by soldiers.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights a complete disregard for the rule of law, citing the suspension of firing rules, the use of human shields in contravention of international law, and the lack of accountability for alleged war crimes.
• Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing. The content directly contradicts this target by stating that “92 percent of its housing stock” has been destroyed or damaged, leaving at least 1.9 million people displaced.
• Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters. The war is presented as a man-made disaster causing immense death, injury, and displacement, directly relevant to this target.
• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The article shows a regression on this target by describing the destruction of “almost all hospitals” and the killing of paramedics, which cripples the capacity to manage health crises.
• Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are… safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The destruction of “almost all universities” demonstrates a direct attack on educational infrastructure, making learning environments non-existent and unsafe.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population): The article provides specific numbers that can be used for this indicator, stating that “more than 69,000 people” have been killed and that “83 percent of those it has killed in Gaza were civilians.”
• Indicator 11.1.1 (Proportion of urban population living in… inadequate housing): A direct measure is provided: “Israel has destroyed or damaged 92 percent of its housing stock.” This serves as a clear indicator of the housing crisis.
• Indicator 11.5.1 (Number of deaths… and directly affected persons attributed to disasters): The article quantifies the number of people affected, stating that “at least 1.9 million people” have been displaced. The death toll of over 69,000 also serves this indicator.
• Qualitative Indicators for Health and Education Infrastructure (Targets 3.d and 4.a): While not providing a precise number, the statements that “almost all hospitals” and “almost all universities” have been destroyed serve as powerful qualitative indicators of the complete collapse of the health and education systems. The specific mention of “the killing of 15 paramedics in April” is a concrete indicator of attacks on healthcare workers.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: aljazeera.com