In danger of recycling analogies. Must think outside the box. Thinking….”Courtesy. It is a kitten drenched in the rain, no warm hug waiting for it at home.” No. Too cutesy. Losing edge. “Courtesy. It is a dead dog, with no mourners in the world. Its life a meaningless series of tragedies gone unappreciated, unwept.” Good. That was a good one. Will repeat it out loud at later date for better impact.

The soldiers are not lying, for the simple reason that they have no reason to. If you read the transcript that will appear in Haaretz Friday, you will not find any judgment or boasting. This is what the soldiers, from their point of view, saw in Gaza. There is a continuity of testimony from different sectors that reflects a disturbing and depressing picture.

During Operation Cast Lead, Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilians under permissive rules of engagement and intentionally destroyed their property, say soldiers who fought in the offensive.