ITV’s ‘Breaking Ranks’ Doc Explores IDF Soldiers’ War Testimonies

EXCLUSIVE: ITV has commissioned Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War from documentary producer Zandland. The one-off doc will present first-hand recollections of the Israel-Hamas war from Israel Defense Force (IDF) veterans and reservists who have served in the conflict. The producers said the accounts may raise serious questions about conduct on-the-ground and potential breaches of international law.

The film goes out on November 10 and is the first ITV commission for Ben Zand’s Zandland label. The Liverpool-based indie said it wanted to delve into the human and ethical dimensions of the war.

Several of the soldiers interviewed in Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War are speaking for the first time about their experiences. The film offers a rare perspective from inside the Israeli military, notably given the lack of on-the-ground reporting from international media. Foreign journalists have been banned from entering Gaza independently since 2023 when Israel launched its offensive in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

Ahead of broadcast, the producers said the soldiers’ testimonies will recount what they recall as “indiscriminate bombardment, instances where Palestinian civilians were used as human shields, and an operational culture that some soldiers characterized as ‘no innocents in Gaza.’”

Matan Cohen is the producer and interviews the soldiers. Ben Zand directs. He said: “The ability to expose the reality of what happened on the ground in this horrific situation is what journalism is for. These testimonies shine a light on actions and decisions that the world was never meant to see, and they challenge us to confront what really happens in conflict when accountability is lost.“ 

Tom Giles, Controller of Current Affairs ITV added: “This is an important and powerful set of testimonies from members of the IDF who served in the Gaza War after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7th 2023 – charting the growing disillusionment and shame of some about the War they say they experienced and the manner in which it was conducted.”