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The lead is cast By Haaretz Editorial Tags: IDF, Gaza, Israel News, Hamas Operation Cast Lead ended two months ago in a show of arrogance by Israeli leaders: Hamas had been dealt a crushing defeat that would deter it from firing rockets, and if it continued to smuggle weapons into Gaza the entire international community, from Washington to Cairo, would rally together to intercept them. The price paid by Gaza's civilian population - hundreds killed, in addition to the hundreds of armed men from Hamas and other organizations - was presented as an unfortunate, but necessary, result of the combat methods required to protect soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. With disappointment growing as the operation's declared achievements dissipate, a second wave of evidence and revelations is being heard from the soldiers who were there, who saw what was happening and are sometimes even describing what they themselves did. Advertisement Amos Harel reports in Haaretz today and tomorrow about a discussion held a month ago among the graduates of the pre-army program at Oranim, who took part in the Gaza fighting as combat soldiers and junior officers. This is a modern version of "The Seventh Day," the book published after the Six-Day War that highlighted the soul-searching of the generation that fought a justified defensive war, but found itself dragged afterward into acts that contradicted the moral values it prided itself on. The grandchildren of this same Six-Day War group are now teaching in their testimony that the situation is even more worrying than in 1967. The soldiers describe the killing of innocent civilians, pointless destruction, expulsions of families from homes seized as temporary outposts, disregard for human life and a tendency toward brutalization. This scandalous behavior did not stem from the policy of the senior commanders. It resulted from the disconnect between the battalion commanders and higher officers, versus their subordinates in the companies, platoons and houses where the soldiers waited for fighting to resume after Hamas retreated from the crowded urban battlefield. When the soldiers had no one to fight, they fought what was there. The IDF's internal investigations, which are moving ahead very slowly, are not enough. The army is absorbing more and more religious extremism from the teachings of the IDF's rabbinate. It would be appropriate to investigate the problems from outside the IDF and root them out before the rot destroys the IDF and Israeli society. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Concessions for Shalit Hamas: Israel deceived us during prisoner swap talks, but deal must be set. Rules of engagement Troops told to shoot even at Gaza rescuers, says IDF note found in rubble.   1.   You don`t seem to notice the moral. 13:26  |  Colin Wright 22/03/09   2.   Pre-Judge or Post-Judge 09:09  |  from a neighbouring 23/03/09

Read & React Gideon Levy / IDF ceased long ago being 'most moral army in the world' Responses: 131 U.S. furious over Israel's demolition of East Jerusalem homes Responses: 117 Testimonies on IDF misconduct in Gaza keep rolling in Responses: 85 Olmert: Haifa bomb attack prevented by 'miracle' Responses: 83 More Headlines 08:53 PA source: Iran-backed group may be behind Haifa bomb attempt 03:20 How did a car bomb get into the Haifa mall parking lot? 08:46 Israel: Shalit talks to resume only if Hamas presents new prisoner list 08:48 Shas to receive four portfolios in coalition deal with Likud 09:05 Rights group: IDF violated medical ethics in Gaza op 05:36 State panel: Take Home Front Command out of IDF hands 08:59 Hungry Jerusalemites line up for a taste of Grandma's cooking 10:51 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 04:11 Olmert launches unprecedented attack on Barak's coalition plans 19:45 IDF officer: Testimonies of lax moral standards in Gaza are 'exaggerated' 02:04 Ultra-Orthodox buy real estate in groups, as financial crisis hits home 06:05 Israel concerned over 'SS-style' ad campaign in China 04:47 Crime still high in Israel, despite relative drop in 2008 06:34 Toddler in induced coma after choking on banana at day-care center 04:50 Iran responds to Obama offer, says not shutting door to thaw Previous Editions Select Day 22 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 15 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar

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