Retired US Colonel Alleges Israeli War Crimes in Gaza

Date: 26 July 2025 | By: NewsMakers Web Desk

A retired U.S. Special Forces officer has made scathing accusations against Israeli forces for committing war crimes in Gaza.

Former U.S. military high-ranking officer Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Aguie Lira broke his silence by sharing first-hand reports of what he called “systematic atrocities” against starving and unarmed Palestinian civilians.

Lt. Col. Lira, who recently served in Gaza as part of a U.S. security deployment, described how the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) used mortars, artillery, and tanks in heavily populated areas, firing randomly and killing a large number of civilians.

Lira gave a terrifying account of an incident in which a civilian vehicle was shelled by an Israeli tank, despite the fact that it was obviously being driven by non-combatants.

Lira stated in a public interview, “I have never seen such unrestrained brutality in my entire military career.”
“The sight of unarmed people being killed while attempting to survive in Gaza was absolutely horrifying.” I don’t hesitate to refer to it as war crimes.

Lira asserted that in addition to Israeli forces, U.S. personnel were also involved in some of the violence. He decided to resign from his position in Gaza after becoming disturbed by what he saw and declaring that he could no longer be complicit.

His disclosures coincide with growing international censure of Israel’s military campaign, especially in light of Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian situation.

According to Palestinian health officials, more than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 120,000 injured since Israeli operations began on October 7, 2023.

Humanitarian organizations have accused Israel of weaponizing aid — restricting food deliveries to isolated, tightly monitored zones, and then launching attacks on civilians who gather for relief.

“It’s a cruel tactic,” said a spokesperson for a leading international aid group.
“Food is being used as bait. People risk their lives just to eat, only to be targeted in the process.”

Lt. Col. Lira’s testimony has added fuel to demands for an independent international investigation into possible war crimes and the accountability of both Israeli and allied forces.