Latest news with #Har-Even
Egypt Independent
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
‘Professional failures' led to killing of Palestinian medics in Gaza, says Israeli military
CNN — The Israeli military says 'professional failures' led to the killing of 15 paramedics and first responders in an incident in Gaza in March, according to an investigation released Sunday. The group – most of whom worked for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) – were shot dead before being buried in a mass grave, sparking international condemnation. The Israeli probe identified several failures during the incident, as well as breaches of orders and a failure to fully report the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. The military still stood by the decision-making of the soldiers who carried out the attack on the convoy, with the IDF's top spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin saying the incident was based on 'a chain of mistakes…but no ethical gaps.' The IDF said the troops did not engage in 'indiscriminate fire' during the incident, but they opened fire on what they believed to be a 'tangible threat' amid what the military called an 'operational misunderstanding.' As a result of the investigation, the commanding officer of the 14th Brigade received a letter of reprimand, while the deputy commander of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion involved in the incident was dismissed from his position. The IDF relieved the deputy commander, a major who both ordered his troops to open fire and fired on the convoy himself, because of his responsibility for the incident and for providing an 'incomplete and inaccurate report' about what happened. 'The IDF regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians,' a statement read. 'Existing protocols have been clarified and reinforced – emphasizing the need for heightened caution when operating near rescue forces and medical personnel, even in high-intensity combat zones.' But the general who oversaw the Israeli military's investigation into the killings said he would not recommend any changes to the IDF's combat policies or rules of engagement. Maj. Gen. Yoav Har-Even said he believes the commander who ordered troops to open fire 'acted reasonably' and in accordance with IDF rules of engagement. 'There was no evidence of any unethical or immoral conduct by the forces,' Har-Even told CNN. 'It's a mistake. It can happen tomorrow – I hope it will not happen – unfortunately it happened,' Har-Even said. 'The orders are excellent. We don't shoot on an ambulance unless they are clearly identified terrorists, or we understand that someone feels a threat from people that are coming from the ambulance.' Har-Even's comments came during a 90-minute briefing with international media, in which he described several of the commander's actions as 'mistakes,' but stopped short of acknowledging wrongdoing on the part of the commander or his forces. His findings have been sent to the Israeli military's advocate general, who will determine whether to file any charges against the soldiers involved. 'Operational errors' The troops opened fire on three separate occasions on Sunday, March 23. In the first shooting, Israeli soldiers shot at a vehicle the IDF says was identified as belonging to Hamas. Two Palestinians were killed and one temporarily detained. An hour later, the troops opened fire once again, this time targeting the convoy of PRCS ambulances and Civil Defense vehicles, killing another 12 Palestinians, according to the investigation. Autopsy reports for the eight PRCS medics obtained by CNN show that most were killed by gunshot wounds to the head or chest, while others suffered from shrapnel to the torso from the force of an explosive injury. The bodies had started decomposing after they were buried in a mass grave for more than a week. Initially, the IDF claimed the vehicles were driving suspiciously without headlights or emergency signals. But video from the cell phone of one of the emergency responders clearly showed that the convoy was driving in a single-file line and the ambulances had their lights on. Despite the release of the video, the IDF investigation still said it was difficult to identify the ambulances. 'Due to poor night visibility, the deputy commander did not initially recognize the vehicles as ambulances,' the IDF said. 'Only later, after approaching the vehicles and scanning them, was it discovered that these were indeed rescue teams.' The IDF said that six of those killed were identified 'in a retrospective examination as Hamas terrorists,' raising the question of whether the troops opened fire on ambulances before knowing if there were any militants amongst the vehicles. The military did not identify which of those killed it believed were terrorists or provide any evidence. About 15 minutes later, the troops opened fire on a Palestinian United Nations vehicle, killing a fifteenth individual, an employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The investigation concluded this was a result of 'operational errors' and was 'in breach of regulations.' In video filmed by one of the military's aerial surveillance assets, Israeli troops can be seen opening fire on the clearly-marked United Nations vehicle, minutes after they ended their attack on the convoy of emergency response vehicles. In the video, which the military showed to reporters but declined to release, a UN vehicle can be seen arriving at the scene of the military's deadly attack on the ambulances and a fire truck. As the UN vehicle attempted to drive slowly past the scene, individuals identified by the military as Israeli soldiers opened fire on the UN vehicle from behind as it was driving away. 'The examination determined that the fire in the first two incidents resulted from an operational misunderstanding by the troops, who believed they faced a tangible threat from enemy forces,' the IDF said. In its initial account of the events, the Israeli military said the two Palestinians killed in the first incident were members of Hamas. It's unclear if Israel is now walking back that claim. 'The third incident involved a breach of orders during a combat setting,' the IDF said. The bodies were then removed and buried in a mass grave along with the ambulances and other vehicles. The IDF defended the field commanders' decision to remove the bodies but acknowledged 'the decision to crush the vehicles was wrong.' Har-Even said the attack on the convoy stemmed from a series of faulty assumptions that soldiers from the elite Golani Reconnaissance Battalion made that day and from the deputy battalion commander's poor line of sight to the convoy, which he said was obstructed by a hillside. Har-Even did not explain why troops continued to fire at the convoy of ambulances even as they got closer to the convoy and faced no return fire. He also said he did not believe the deputy commander had lied about the incident, even as he acknowledged he gave false statements about the flashing lights on the emergency vehicles and the subsequent attack on a UN vehicle minutes later. 'There was no attempt to conceal the event, which was discussed with international organizations and the UN, including coordination for the removal of bodies,' the IDF said. Palestine Red Crescent decries 'contradictions' in Israeli probe The president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society said 'there are a lot of contradictions' in Israel's accounts of the killing of the emergency workers. 'It is clear that in the same report and in their press conference – the occupying forces – there are a lot of contradictions,' Younis Al-Khatib said in an interview on Al-Araby TV on Sunday after Israel released its investigation. Al-Khatib pointed to the cell phone video showing the convoy driving in a single-file line with the ambulances' headlights on. 'Either you did not see the lights of the car and you didn't realize these are ambulances. As you saw the video that came out, they lied and it was proven … How can you claim you didn't see anything, you didn't see the lights? All the evidence came out and proves that this story is untrue,' Al-Khatib said. In the wake of the attack, the organization said the incident 'can only be considered a war crime punishable under international humanitarian law, which the occupation continues to violate before the eyes of the entire world.' CNN's Mounira Elsamra contributed to this report.
Nahar Net
21-04-2025
- Nahar Net
Israeli probe into killings of 15 Gaza medics finds 'professional failures'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 21 April 2025, 12:53 An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza by Israeli forces said Sunday it found a chain of "professional failures" and a deputy commander has been fired. The shootings outraged many in the international community, with some calling the killings a war crime. Medical workers have special protection under international humanitarian law. The International Red Cross/Red Crescent called it the deadliest attack on its personnel in eight years. Israel at first claimed that the medics' vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire but later backtracked. Cellphone video recovered from one medic contradicted Israel's initial account. Footage shows the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that earlier came under fire. The military investigation found that the deputy battalion commander acted under the incorrect assumption that all the ambulances belonged to Hamas militants. It said the deputy commander, operating under "poor night visibility," felt his troops were under threat when the ambulances sped toward their position and medics rushed out to check the victims. The military said the flashing lights were less visible on night-vision drones and goggles. The ambulances immediately came under a barrage of gunfire that went on for more than five minutes with brief pauses. Minutes later, soldiers opened fire at a U.N. car that stopped at the scene. Bodies were buried in a mass grave Eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defense workers and a U.N. staffer were killed in the shooting before dawn on March 23 by troops conducting operations in Tel al-Sultan, a district of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Troops bulldozed over the bodies along with their mangled vehicles, burying them in a mass grave. U.N. and rescue workers were only able to reach the site a week later. The Israeli military said soldiers buried the bodies to prevent them from being mangled by stray dogs and coyotes until they could be collected, and that the ambulances were moved to allow the route to be used for civilian evacuations later that day. The investigation found that the decision to crush the ambulances was wrong but said there was no attempt to conceal the shootings. Mar. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, who oversees the military's investigations, said the military notified international organizations later that day and helped rescue workers locate the bodies. The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said the men were "targeted at close range." Night-vision drone footage provided by the military shows soldiers were 20 to 30 meters away from the ambulances. The deputy commander was the first to open fire, leading the rest of the soldiers to start shooting, Har-Even said. The investigation found the paramedics were killed due to an "operational misunderstanding" by Israeli forces, and that shooting at the U.N. car was a breach of orders. The findings asserted that six of those killed were Hamas militants — it did not give their names — and said three other paramedics were originally misidentified as Hamas. The Civil Defense is part of the Hamas-run government. No paramedic was armed and no weapons were found in any vehicle, Har-Even said. One survivor was detained for investigation and remains in custody for further questioning. According to the military, soldiers who questioned the survivor thought he identified himself as a Hamas member, which was later refuted. UN calls for accountability Har-Even said the deputy commander was fired for giving a not "completely accurate" report to investigators about the firing on a U.N. vehicle. The statement on the findings concluded by saying that Israel's military "regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians." "Without accountability, we risk continuing to watch atrocities unfolding, and the norms designed to protect us all, eroding. Too many civilians, including aid workers, have been killed in Gaza. Their stories have not all made the headlines," Jonathan Whittall, interim head in Gaza of the U.N. humanitarian office OCHA, said in a statement responding to the findings. There was no immediate public reaction from the Red Crescent or Civil Defense. The findings have been turned over the Military Advocate General, which can decide whether to file civil charges. It is meant to be an independent body, with oversight by Israel's attorney general and Supreme Court. There are no outside investigations of the killings underway. Israeli strikes have killed more than 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defense, most of them while on duty, as well as over 1,000 health workers during the war, according to the U.N. The Israeli military rarely investigates such incidents. Israel has accused Hamas of moving and hiding its fighters inside ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, arguing that justifies strikes on them. Medical personnel largely deny the accusations. Israel disputes ICC accusations of war crimes Palestinians and international human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israel's military of failing to properly investigate or whitewashing misconduct by its troops. Har-Even said the Israeli military is currently investigating 421 incidents in Gaza during the war, with 51 concluded and sent to the Military Advocate General. There was no immediate information on the number of investigations involving potential wrongful deaths or how many times the MAG has pursued criminal charges. The International Criminal Court, established by the international community as a court of last resort, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes. Israel, which is not a member of the court, has long asserted that its legal system is capable of investigating the army, and Netanyahu has accused the ICC of antisemitism. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive. Israel's offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home.
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Israeli probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza finds 'professional failures'
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza by Israeli forces said Sunday it found a chain of 'professional failures' and a deputy commander has been fired. The shootings outraged many in the international community, with some calling the killings a war crime. Medical workers have special protection under international humanitarian law. The International Red Cross/Red Crescent called it the deadliest attack on its personnel in eight years. Israel at first claimed that the medics' vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire but later backtracked. Cellphone video recovered from one medic contradicted Israel's initial account. Footage shows the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that earlier came under fire. The military investigation found that the deputy battalion commander acted under the incorrect assumption that all the ambulances belonged to Hamas militants. It said the deputy commander, operating under 'poor night visibility,' felt his troops were under threat when the ambulances sped toward their position and medics rushed out to check the victims. The military said the flashing lights were less visible on night-vision drones and goggles. The ambulances immediately came under a barrage of gunfire that went on for more than five minutes with brief pauses. Minutes later, soldiers opened fire at a UN car that stopped at the scene. Eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defense workers and a United Nations staffer were killed in the shooting before dawn on March 23 by troops conducting operations in Tel al-Sultan, a district of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Troops bulldozed over the bodies along with their mangled vehicles, burying them in a mass grave. UN and rescue workers were only able to reach the site a week later. The Israeli military said soldiers buried the bodies to prevent them from being mangled by stray dogs and coyotes until they could be collected, and that the ambulances were moved to allow the route to be used for civilian evacuations later that day. The investigation found that the decision to crush the ambulances was wrong but said there was no attempt to conceal the shootings. Mar. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, who oversees the military's investigations, said the military notified international organizations later that day and helped rescue workers locate the bodies. The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said the men were 'targeted at close range." Night-vision drone footage provided by the military shows soldiers were 20 to 30 meters away from the ambulances. The deputy commander was the first to open fire, leading the rest of the soldiers to start shooting, Har-Even said. The investigation found the paramedics were killed due to an 'operational misunderstanding' by Israeli forces, and that shooting at the UN car was a breach of orders. The findings asserted that six of those killed were Hamas militants — it did not give their names — and said three other paramedics were originally misidentified as Hamas. The Civil Defense is part of the Hamas-run government. No paramedic was armed and no weapons were found in any vehicle, Har-Even said. One survivor was detained for investigation and remains in custody for further questioning. According to the military, soldiers who questioned the survivor thought he identified himself as a Hamas member, which was later refuted. Har-Even said the deputy commander was fired for giving a not 'completely accurate' report to investigators about the firing on a UN vehicle. The statement on the findings concluded by saying that Israel's military 'regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians.' 'Without accountability, we risk continuing to watch atrocities unfolding, and the norms designed to protect us all, eroding. Too many civilians, including aid workers, have been killed in Gaza. Their stories have not all made the headlines,' Jonathan Whittall, interim head in Gaza of the UN humanitarian office OCHA, said in a statement responding to the findings. There was no immediate public reaction from the Red Crescent or Civil Defense. The findings have been turned over the Military Advocate General, which can decide whether to file civil charges. It is meant to be an independent body, with oversight by Israel's attorney general and Supreme Court. There are no outside investigations of the killings underway. Israeli strikes have killed more than 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defense, most of them while on duty, as well as over 1,000 health workers during the war, according to the UN. The Israeli military rarely investigates such incidents. Israel has accused Hamas of moving and hiding its fighters inside ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, arguing that justifies strikes on them. Medical personnel largely deny the accusations. Palestinians and international human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israel's military of failing to properly investigate or whitewashing misconduct by its troops. Har-Even said the Israeli military is currently investigating 421 incidents in Gaza during the war, with 51 concluded and sent to the Military Advocate General. There was no immediate information on the number of investigations involving potential wrongful deaths or how many times the MAG has pursued criminal charges. The International Criminal Court, established by the international community as a court of last resort, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes. Israel, which is not a member of the court, has long asserted that its legal system is capable of investigating the army, and Netanyahu has accused the ICC of antisemitism. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive. Israel's offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home.
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Probe into Killings of 15 Palestinian Medics in Gaza Finds ‘Professional Failures'
An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza by Israeli forces said Sunday it found 'professional failures' and a deputy commander will be fired. Israel at first claimed that the medics' vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire but later backtracked. Cellphone video recovered from one of the medics contradicted Israel's initial account. The military investigation found that the deputy battalion commander, 'due to poor night visibility,' assessed that the ambulances belonged to Hamas fighters. Video footage obtained from the incident shows the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that came under fire earlier. The teams do not appear to be acting unusually or in a threatening manner as three medics emerge and head toward it. Their vehicles immediately come under a barrage of gunfire that goes on for more than five minutes with brief pauses. Bodies were buried in a mass grave Eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defense workers and a UN staffer were killed in the shooting before dawn on March 23 by troops conducting operations in Tel al-Sultan, a district of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Troops bulldozed over the bodies along with their mangled vehicles, burying them in a mass grave. UN and rescue workers were only able to reach the site a week later to dig out the bodies. The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said the men were 'targeted at close range.' The Israeli military investigation said the examination found "no evidence to support claims of execution or that any of the deceased were bound before or after the shooting." It said the Palestinians were killed due to an 'operational misunderstanding' by Israeli forces, and that a separate incident 15 minutes later, when Israeli soldiers shot at a Palestinian UN vehicle, was a breach of orders. The deputy commander who will be dismissed was the first to open fire and the rest of the soldiers also started shooting, the investigation said. The findings asserted that six of those killed were Hamas members and said some of the others were originally misidentified as Hamas. Israel's military initially said nine were militants. The Civil Defense is part of the Hamas-run government. The investigation found that the decision to crush the ambulances was wrong but said there was no attempt to conceal the event. Maj. Gen Yoav Har-Even, in charge of the military's investigative branch, said the bodies and vehicles were removed from the road because the military wanted to use it for an evacuation route later that day. Har-Even said the military notified international organizations about the shooting that day and helped them locate the bodies. The statement on the findings concluded by saying that Israel's military 'regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians.' The one survivor was detained for investigation and remains in custody for further questioning. The investigation's findings have been turned over the Military Advocate General, which can decide whether to file charges. It is meant to be an independent body, with oversight by Israel's attorney general and Supreme Court. There are no outside investigations of the killings underway. Israel has accused Hamas of moving and hiding its fighters inside ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, arguing that justifies strikes on them. Medical personnel largely deny the accusations. Israeli strikes have killed more than 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defense, most of them while on duty, as well as over 1,000 health workers during the war, according to the UN The Israeli military rarely investigates such incidents. Israel disputes ICC accusations of war crimes Palestinians and international human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israel's military of failing to properly investigate or whitewashing misconduct by its troops. Har-Even said the Israeli military is currently investigating 421 incidents during the war, with 51 concluded and sent to the Military Advocate General. There was no immediate information on the number of investigations involving potential wrongful deaths or how many times the MAG has pursued criminal charges. The International Criminal Court, established by the international community as a court of last resort, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes. Israel, which is not a member of the court, has long asserted that its legal system is capable of investigating the army, and Netanyahu has accused the ICC of antisemitism. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive. Israel's offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. Around 90% of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings. Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home.
Los Angeles Times
20-04-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Israeli inquiry into killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza acknowledges ‘professional failures'
JERUSALEM — An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza by Israeli forces said Sunday that it found a chain of 'professional failures' and a deputy commander will be fired — one of the most severe punishments of the 18-month war. Israel at first claimed that the medics' vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire but later backtracked. Cellphone video recovered from one of the slain medics contradicted Israel's initial account. The military investigation found that the deputy battalion commander, 'due to poor night visibility,' assessed that the ambulances belonged to Hamas militants. Video obtained shows the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that came under fire earlier. The teams do not appear to be acting unusually or in a threatening manner as three medics emerge and head toward it. Their vehicles immediately come under a barrage of gunfire, which goes on for more than five minutes with brief pauses. Eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defense workers and a United Nations staffer were killed in the shooting before dawn on March 23 by Israeli troops conducting operations in Tel al-Sultan, a district of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Troops bulldozed over the bodies along with their mangled vehicles, burying them in a mass grave. U.N. and rescue workers were only able to reach the site a week later. The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said the men were 'targeted at close range.' The Israeli military investigation said the examination found 'no evidence to support claims of execution or that any of the deceased were bound before or after the shooting.' It said the Palestinians were killed due to an 'operational misunderstanding' by Israeli forces, and that a separate incident 15 minutes later, when Israeli soldiers shot at a Palestinian U.N. vehicle, was a breach of orders. The deputy commander who will be dismissed was the first to open fire, and the rest of the soldiers also started shooting, the investigation said. It said the soldiers were 65 to 100 feet from the road when the ambulances pulled up. The findings asserted that six of those killed were Hamas militants — it did not give their names — and said some of the others were originally misidentified as Hamas fighters. Israel's military initially said nine were militants. The Civil Defense is part of the Hamas-run government. No paramedic was armed and no weapons were found in any vehicle, Israeli Maj. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, in charge of the military's investigative branch, told journalists. The investigation found that the decision to crush the ambulances was wrong but said there was no attempt to conceal the event. Har-Even said the bodies and vehicles were removed from the road because the military wanted to use it for an evacuation route later that day. He said the military notified international organizations about the shooting that day and helped them locate the bodies. Har-Even said the deputy commander was fired for giving a report that was not 'completely accurate' to investigators about the later incident in which troops fired on a U.N. vehicle. One person was killed. The statement on the findings concluded by saying that Israel's military 'regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians.' The sole survivor was detained for investigation and remains in custody for further questioning. There was no immediate public reaction to the findings from the Red Crescent, Civil Defense or United Nations. The findings have been turned over the Military Advocate General, which can decide whether to file charges. It is meant to be an independent body, with oversight by Israel's attorney general and Supreme Court. There are no outside investigations of the killings underway. Israeli strikes have killed more than 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defense, most of them while on duty, as well as over 1,000 health workers during the war, according to the U.N. The Israeli military rarely investigates such incidents. Israel has accused Hamas of moving and hiding its fighters inside ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, arguing that justifies strikes on them. Palestinian medical personnel largely deny the accusations. Palestinians and international human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israel's military of failing to properly investigate or whitewashing misconduct by its troops. Har-Even said the Israeli military is currently investigating 421 incidents in Gaza during the war, with 51 concluded and sent to the Military Advocate General. There was no immediate information on the number of investigations involving potential wrongful deaths or how many times the advocate general has pursued criminal charges. The International Criminal Court, established by the global community as a court of last resort, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes. Israel, which is not a member of the court, has long asserted that its legal system is capable of investigating the army, and Netanyahu has accused the ICC of antisemitism. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive. Israel's offensive has since killed more 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. Around 90% of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings. Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home. Lidman writes for the Associated Press.
