Gaza war vet refutes U.N. allegations of IDF targeting civilians.
Art Aisner
Special to the Jewish News
T
he Israeli Defense Forces are
known for working to minimize
civilian casualties, even in the
most difficult combat operations. And
they still should be, despite recent global
criticism to the contrary regarding the
Gaza war, said an IDF veteran who fought
there.
"We are the most moral army in the
world and that image took a big hit recent-
ly. And for soldiers, that's very difficult and
really frustrating to hear:' said Lt. Ofir Ziv
during a May 19 address before two dozen
people at the Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield.
The event was among several local gath-
erings where Ziv, 21, relayed his firsthand
account of battling Hamas terrorists dur-
ing Operation Cast Lead earlier this year.
His two-day Detroit visit was part of a
10-day, cross-country tour by eight veter-
ans of the Gaza campaign, sponsored by
Israel Bonds.
The organization is primarily focused
on selling bonds to help develop the
country's infrastructure and economy. But
Ziv and others were here to talk directly
to local Jews concerned for Israel's future,
said Paula Lebowitz, Israel Bonds' repre-
sentative in Metro Detroit.
The timing is appropriate.
Earlier this month, Israeli officials
lashed out at a United Nations report that
alleges IDF soldiers violated laws regard-
ing civilian safety during the 22-day
operation.
The report followed stunning accusa-
tions from IDF officers who described
indiscriminate killings, unprovoked beat-
ings and holding entire Palestinian fami-
lies captive for days.
Purity Of Arms
The mission was clear to Ziv and the 20
paratroopers under his command: re-
enter Gaza to stop the relentless shower of
rockets falling on Israeli towns and rescue
kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit after nearly
three years in captivity.
Despite grisly predictions, his unit sus-
tained no casualties during the first 72
hours. Pinned down by a Hamas sniper
on the fourth day, Ziv and another platoon
commander completed a risky rescue mis-
sion after three soldiers, including one in
his platoon, were wounded.
Speaking in perfect English, the
Jerusalem native, who spent nearly four
years living in Philadelphia, explained that
they spent the next few days moving from
house to house, floor by floor, looking for
wanted terrorists, weapons caches and
hidden tunnels.
Beyond cleverly placed explosives, their
biggest fear, Ziv said, was becoming the
next Shalit. It nearly materialized when a
group of seven Hamas fighters burrowed
through a tunnel connected to a residence
he and other IDF units were squatting in
and attacked.
No soldiers died in the firefight that
ensued, but the militants' retreat through
the tunnel concealed in a children's
bedroom showed the lengths the enemy
would go to for an upper hand.
Part of being a commanding officer, he
explained, is knowing that close-quarters
combat often leads to unforeseen circum-
stances and sacrifices from the men.
The key, Ziv said, is to maintain a "puri-
ty of weapon:' or arms, where only direct
threats are targeted.
It was particularly difficult for several
soldiers that hailed from the south, where
communities were besieged daily by
Hamas rockets.
"There are soldiers with those feelings
of vengeance, but as a commander, you
have to make sure they don't act on that
because it's not our army. It's just not us:'
Ziv explained.
"That's what makes
the Israeli army unique;
it has that value he
continued, patting down
his short, light-brown
hair. "Soldiers know that
they'll have to risk their
lives in order to maybe
save the life of a civil-
ian:'
He can't speak to the
alleged acts of some
soldiers, but said he
has faith the army will
investigate and punish
wrongdoers.
Many in the crowd
agreed and were heart-
ened by Ziv's account.
"It just shows how
Lt. Ofir Ziv, a commander in the Israel-Gaza war
careful they were and that by sticking to
those ideals, we can ensure there will be
a strong Israel where people feel safe and
proud of the people who protect them','
said Doreen Hermelin of Bingham Farms.
Unfinished Business
The U. N. reports more than 1,300
Palestinians, hundreds of them civilians,
died in Gaza. But the numbers don't relay
how many were endangered by an enemy
that exploited their suf-
fering to intensify politi-
cal pressure on Israel, Ziv
said.
Thirteen Israelis,
including three civilians,
were killed, and scores
more were wounded.
Among them were four
of Ziv's friends that were
struck by an artillery
shell mistakenly fired by
Israeli troops, he said.
The shock and impact
of the incident bitterly
intensified the following
day when the govern-
ment ordered troops to
pull out of Gaza, without
either crippling Hamas or
Lt. Ofir Ziv rescuing Shalit.
"We are the most
moral army in the
world and that
image took a big
hit recently. And
for soldiers, that's
very difficult and
really frustrating
to hear."
Ziv said there was real frustration
among the rank-and-file that still festers
as they are asked to fight and protect peo-
ple in areas that are becoming politically
harder to control.
They are encouraged, however, that
rocket attacks have slowed and believe
that a strong message was sent to Iran
about its continued support for Hamas.
Though he followed orders not to
answer questions about political pol-
icy, Ziv said he hoped Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated tough
talk on Iran during his first visit with
President Barrack Obama in Washington,
D.C., which coincided with Ziv's speeches
last week.
Though now stationed in Hebron until
his discharge, Ziv said telling his Gaza
story, in part, helps him complete the mis-
sion he started there.
Jonathan Brateman of Southfield said it
was an important speech for him to hear.
"The other side perpetuates lies by con-
tinually repeating them:' he said. "These
soldiers put their lives in danger to mini-
mize civilian casualties and we have the
duty to say that:'
❑
For information about Israel Bonds, contact
Paula Lebowitz, (248) 352-6555.
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May 28 2009
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