Giora Eiland's Explosive Insights into Israel-Hamas War 

Ever since the close of World War II, a cornerstone principle has shaped global conflicts: Go to extraordinary lengths to protect civilians from harm. Yet, in the heat of battle, this noble ideal often clashes with harsh realities. The culprit? Enemies who not only strike at non-combatants but strategically embed themselves among their own people as human shields. Nowhere is this tension more intense than in Gaza, where IDF commanders face some of the most agonizing decisions imaginable, as reported by Giora Eiland for Walla.

War remains one of humanity's darkest chapters , brutal, unyielding, and deeply scarring for all involved. Those who've lived through it know the true cost to body and mind. Those who haven't think that it's some kind of exciting movie.

Among its most heartbreaking elements is the toll on civilians, a issue that's gained urgent spotlight in recent decades, particularly since the Vietnam era. This heightened awareness isn't due to unprecedented casualty numbers compared to history, but rather the post-1949 codification of strict legal, political, and moral guidelines to safeguard innocents.

That said, bridging the divide between aspiration and action is no small feat, largely because one side in these clashes ramps up the danger: They target opposing civilians while exploiting their own as protective barriers. This grim strategy has fueled turmoil in hotspots from Vietnam and Afghanistan to Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Lebanon, and the current hotspot in Gaza. The fallout? Ratios of civilian to fighter deaths that tip heavily, often beyond 1:1, climbing as high as 9:1 in the fiercest encounters.

Sadly, IDF operations in Gaza have led to regrettable civilian casualties, among them women and children. But these aren't driven by malice; they stem from two pressing realities. First, when militants hide amid or right beside critical targets, striking effectively means navigating unavoidable risks. Second, in the fog of war, misidentifications occur, like firing on what seemed a threat vehicle, only to learn it carried everyday people.

About 11 years back, I was tapped by an organization to build a robust system for evaluating how Western militaries handle civilian protection. What emerged? A detailed set of 132 parameters – only a full dive into each can deliver an accurate ethical assessment.

Imagine two intense operations: Western troops versus terror groups, both ending with 1,000 civilian losses. Seem identical? Not quite. In Scenario One, the foe is a mere 300 with rudimentary arms, fighting in a remote, empty zone, any such toll would demand serious scrutiny. But in Scenario Two, it's 40,000 adversaries armed to the teeth with anti-tank missiles, snipers, and rockets, battling in a crowded urban maze riddled with human shields. Suddenly, those casualties reflect calculated risks, not ethical failures.

Experts agree without hesitation: Gaza's battlefield is the ultimate test for any force taking on terrorism. The mission, dismantling enemy threats while minimizing harm to bystanders, calls for unparalleled skill and vigilance in the face of extraordinary odds.

Details on yesterday's brutal Nasser Hospital roof strike, targeting a camera surveilling IDF positions, are now emerging. Retrospectively, dialed-back force might have worked, but a classic 21st-century war challenge is calibrating intensity: Too weak, and dangers linger; too strong, and unintended consequences follow.

From the Frontlines: Lessons from My Own Decisions

I've been at the helm for two pivotal moments. In September 2003, Hamas's top brass gathered in a Gaza hideout, a prime chance for a decisive blow. To limit fallout, we chose a lighter quarter-ton explosive. Result? They escaped intact. Contrast that with 2002's takedown of Hamas leader Salah Shehadeh: A heavier strike succeeded but claimed 15 nearby civilians.

Praise for the Chief of Staff's quick inquiry: With transparent results for Israeli and international eyes. Sure, tweaks in procedure may surface, but expecting flawless, risk-free warfare is a fantasy. In truth, it's a world of high-pressure calls where protecting lives demands navigating the storm with resolve.