Tel aviv: Five Israeli soldiers have shared deeply personal and harrowing accounts of their experiences during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, offering a stark contrast to the official military narrative.

According to Anadolu Agency, these testimonies, published by the local newspaper Haaretz, highlight the severe psychological toll and pervasive fear that have gripped the troops involved in the conflict.

Twenty-year-old Or, a paratrooper reconnaissance soldier, recounted a traumatic experience in Khan Younis, where he encountered the remains of civilians, including children, amid the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. Or described the haunting sights and smells that have left a lasting impact on his mental well-being, leading to sleepless nights and an overwhelming desire for the conflict to end.

Haaretz noted that while most soldiers were reluctant to speak out, the few who did emphasized the severe physical and psychological strain they endure daily. The soldiers expressed fears of becoming casualties themselves, a sentiment echoed by Yonatan, a 21-year-old from the Kfir Brigade, who shared his traumatic experience during a house-clearing mission in Jabalia.

Omer from the Givati Brigade expressed disillusionment with the ongoing conflict, criticizing military command for negligence and the resulting loss of friends and comrades. His account highlights the emotional toll on soldiers who grapple with the constant threat to their lives and the burden of contemplating their own mortality.

Yair from the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit described the relentless hardships faced by soldiers, from the physical discomfort of wearing protective gear for extended periods to the emotional strain of losing fellow soldiers. Despite surviving the conflict thus far, Yair expressed doubts about his ability to fully recover from the trauma.

Uri, a 22-year-old from the engineering unit Yahalom, expressed a loss of belief in the war’s purpose, citing the continuous loss of life and the lack of tangible achievements. His testimony underscores the growing sentiment among soldiers questioning the rationale behind the ongoing conflict, further compounded by accusations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons.

The Israeli army’s actions in Gaza have drawn international criticism, with calls for a ceasefire amid reports of extensive civilian casualties. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, including women and children, and has led to legal actions against Israeli leaders at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.