Dr. Mark Perlmutter (Orthopedic Surgeon, North Carolina)

And I know that cases that seem, to a bystander or even a doctor on the ground, like clear acts of atrocity, they can be explained as a tragic but expected part of war, allowable under the rules of war. The Gaza Strip is a small, densely populated place. It's nearly 50% children. Hamas is hiding inside that population.

And I know that cases that seem, to a bystander or even a doctor on the ground, like clear acts of atrocity, they can be explained as a tragic but expected part of war, allowable under the rules of war. The Gaza Strip is a small, densely populated place. It's nearly 50% children. Hamas is hiding inside that population.

Any fighting between Hamas and Israel will have civilian casualties, including children. So we asked the Israel Defense Forces how they explained the reports from American medical workers. They declined both my interview requests but sent a statement saying, the IDF does not target minors and takes extensive measures to prevent harm to civilians, including children.

Any fighting between Hamas and Israel will have civilian casualties, including children. So we asked the Israel Defense Forces how they explained the reports from American medical workers. They declined both my interview requests but sent a statement saying, the IDF does not target minors and takes extensive measures to prevent harm to civilians, including children.

Any fighting between Hamas and Israel will have civilian casualties, including children. So we asked the Israel Defense Forces how they explained the reports from American medical workers. They declined both my interview requests but sent a statement saying, the IDF does not target minors and takes extensive measures to prevent harm to civilians, including children.

The IDF is committed to mitigating civilian harm and operates in full compliance with international legal obligations. For security reasons, we cannot elaborate on operational policies. Which doesn't explain why so many kids were getting shot. So I went looking for an Israeli soldier who'd served in Gaza.

The IDF is committed to mitigating civilian harm and operates in full compliance with international legal obligations. For security reasons, we cannot elaborate on operational policies. Which doesn't explain why so many kids were getting shot. So I went looking for an Israeli soldier who'd served in Gaza.

The IDF is committed to mitigating civilian harm and operates in full compliance with international legal obligations. For security reasons, we cannot elaborate on operational policies. Which doesn't explain why so many kids were getting shot. So I went looking for an Israeli soldier who'd served in Gaza.

who could tell me what it was like on the ground and what the rules were on who they could shoot in what circumstances. And we found one who would talk with us. He's a reservist in his early 30s, a grad student whose unit got called up at the beginning of the war. He asked us to just call him M. He was worried about retribution, so we had an actor read his responses to my questions.

who could tell me what it was like on the ground and what the rules were on who they could shoot in what circumstances. And we found one who would talk with us. He's a reservist in his early 30s, a grad student whose unit got called up at the beginning of the war. He asked us to just call him M. He was worried about retribution, so we had an actor read his responses to my questions.

who could tell me what it was like on the ground and what the rules were on who they could shoot in what circumstances. And we found one who would talk with us. He's a reservist in his early 30s, a grad student whose unit got called up at the beginning of the war. He asked us to just call him M. He was worried about retribution, so we had an actor read his responses to my questions.

His company started in the north of Gaza, not near the hospital where Feroz and Mark and most of the doctors were. He said there was a humanitarian road running north and south. And near the humanitarian road, the rules of engagement were, don't shoot unless there's an immediate threat.

His company started in the north of Gaza, not near the hospital where Feroz and Mark and most of the doctors were. He said there was a humanitarian road running north and south. And near the humanitarian road, the rules of engagement were, don't shoot unless there's an immediate threat.

His company started in the north of Gaza, not near the hospital where Feroz and Mark and most of the doctors were. He said there was a humanitarian road running north and south. And near the humanitarian road, the rules of engagement were, don't shoot unless there's an immediate threat.

He says there was one incident where his unit did see two young people they thought might be a threat. One day, when two teenagers, 14 or 15, were part of a convoy going south, they sprinted away and ran into a building. A Hummer and a tank followed them and ordered them to come out. The army thought the teens might be luring them into a trap.

He says there was one incident where his unit did see two young people they thought might be a threat. One day, when two teenagers, 14 or 15, were part of a convoy going south, they sprinted away and ran into a building. A Hummer and a tank followed them and ordered them to come out. The army thought the teens might be luring them into a trap.

He says there was one incident where his unit did see two young people they thought might be a threat. One day, when two teenagers, 14 or 15, were part of a convoy going south, they sprinted away and ran into a building. A Hummer and a tank followed them and ordered them to come out. The army thought the teens might be luring them into a trap.

When the teens didn't come out, they fired at the building, killing them. He says his unit never fired on any other teenagers or little kids. But, he says, different units operate differently.

When the teens didn't come out, they fired at the building, killing them. He says his unit never fired on any other teenagers or little kids. But, he says, different units operate differently.

When the teens didn't come out, they fired at the building, killing them. He says his unit never fired on any other teenagers or little kids. But, he says, different units operate differently.