Israel soldiers reveal 'shoot first' policy in Gaza

The testimony of some 30 soldiers -- all unnamed -- shows that the massive destruction wreaked on the Palestinian territory was "a direct result of IDF (Israel Defence Forces) policy," said the Breaking the Silence group, made up of veteran troops.

Soldiers regularly used civilians as human shields during the December and January conflict, one said: "To every house we close in on, we send the neighbour in, the 'Johnnie'."

Another said his commander told him of instances when "the force would enter while placing rifle barrels on a civilian's shoulder, advancing into a house and using him as a human shield."

Instructions received before battle led to trigger-happy soldiers, civilian deaths and massive destruction in the densely populated and impoverished enclave, soldiers said.

"No one said 'kill innocents,'" said one. "But the instruction was that for the army, anyone there is suspect and should be taken down."

"I understood... that it's better to shoot first and ask questions later," said another.