Israeli forces in Gaza are using U.S.-made heavy equipment to hide bodies and obstruct the death toll during their indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians, according to a recent report. Soldiers are using D-9 bulldozers, provided by the U.S. and manufactured by Caterpillar, to clear out bodies and prevent aid workers from seeing the carnage.
The soldiers have created “green” and “red” areas, with the latter being off-limits and subject to lethal force. Many of those killed were likely civilians seeking food or materials from aid trucks. The use of bulldozers to mutilate and bury bodies may constitute war crimes, with parallels to previous instances of running over and killing Palestinians.
Israel’s utilization of Caterpillar bulldozers has led to divestments from the company, with Norway’s pension fund withdrawing $69 million worth of shares and bonds. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement has long targeted the company for its involvement in human rights violations against Palestinians.