In a thought-provoking op-ed published in The New York Times, Benzion Sanders, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), revealed how his experience serving in the 2014 Gaza war transformed him into an advocate for peace. Sanders expressed shock at the high civilian death toll during the conflict, prompting him to question the effectiveness of military actions in achieving lasting peace.

The main objective of the Israeli ground troops' incursion into the Gaza Strip in 2014 was to halt rocket attacks on Israeli cities and dismantle the network of tunnels in Palestinian territory. However, Sanders noted that the same rhetoric being used then is being employed now, with Israelis being told that decisive action is necessary against groups like Hamas.

Highlighting the futility of the previous Gaza invasion, Sanders argued that the immense loss of life, with over 2,200 Palestinians and dozens of Israelis dead, ultimately achieved nothing. He firmly believes that seeking vengeance following the recent devastating rampage by Hamas in southern Israel, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,500 people, will only perpetuate the cycle of violence.

"While I believe in self-defense, fighting in Gaza taught me that if my government doesn't change its approach from crushing Palestinian hope to committing to Palestinian independence, not only will this war kill an untold number of Israelis and Palestinians in addition to the thousands who already have died, but it also will not decisively end terror," Sanders wrote in his powerful piece. He further emphasized that a ground invasion is ultimately doomed to fail.

As tensions escalate in the region, Israel has intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip and initiated ground incursions. However, calls from Western officials, including those from the Biden administration, have urged Israel to consider more modest objectives instead of pursuing a complete dismantling of Hamas. Notably, all communications in the Gaza Strip have been severed, exacerbating concerns for the safety and well-being of its two million inhabitants.

Sanders highlighted his personal transformation from trusting the IDF's assurances that civilian lives were being safeguarded to witnessing the grim reality on the ground. He recalled an unsettling encounter with the mutilated body of an elderly Palestinian woman in a shack, dispelling the notion that civilians had successfully evacuated.

The account provided by Sanders serves as a reminder of the human cost of armed conflicts and the need for alternative approaches in order to achieve a lasting and peaceful solution. His perspective sheds light on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of reevaluating strategies to prioritize the hope and independence of Palestinians rather than perpetuating violence and suffering.

As the situation continues to unfold, both Israeli and Palestinian civilians remain caught in the crossfire, with Israeli airstrikes claiming the lives of numerous Palestinians. While the IDF has defended these strikes by citing prior warnings to civilians, reports indicate that residents struggle to find safe locations in the midst of relentless shelling.

Sanders' poignant words not only resonate with his own personal journey, but they also carry a broader message about the desperate need for a shift in approach and a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution that respects the aspirations and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.