Herzi Halevi, former chief of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), admitted that over 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured during the conflict in Gaza.
Halevi, who led the IDF for 17 months during the war, said, “This is not a soft war; we removed the gloves from the very first minute.”
He also noted that during military decisions, he was never restricted by legal advice, and no one, including the military lawyer, had the authority to stop him.
Casualty Figures and Civilian Impact
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of fatalities exceeds 64,000, while the injured number over 163,000. Thousands more are still missing under rubble. Israeli intelligence sources report that over 80% of the casualties are civilians.
Halevi’s statements challenge repeated claims by Israeli officials that IDF military operations always comply with international humanitarian law.
“No one ever stopped me. Not even the military lawyer,” Halevi said during a community meeting in southern Israel.
