Investigations Into Gaza Incursion Allegations End

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) yesterday released the results of the investigations undertaken by five teams assigned to look into the conduct of its soldiers during operations in Gaza.

The IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, ordered the investigations in the aftermath of media reports claiming the Israeli military had engaged in human-rights abuses during the Dec. 27-Jan. 18 offensive.

Three colonels who had not been associated with any part of the operation were chosen to investigate the allegations to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

The five investigative teams examined the following issues:

• Claims regarding incidents where U.N. and international facilities were fired upon and damaged during the Gaza incursion.
• Incidents involving shooting at medical facilities, buildings, vehicles and crews.
• Claims regarding incidents where many uninvolved civilians were harmed.
• The use of weaponry containing phosphorous.
• Damage to infrastructure and destruction of buildings by ground forces.

The investigators operated independently and had access to all relevant materials and the freedom to question any of the relevant personnel.

They examined the complaints that reached the IDF and other Israeli authorities, interviewed many soldiers and officers, and gathered relevant documents and other materials.

Each soldier whose testimony was requested was required to cooperate with the investigation.

The investigations concluded the IDF operated in accordance with international law throughout the Gaza incursion.

The investigations revealed a very small number of incidents where serious intelligence or operational errors took place during the fighting. These unfortunate incidents were unavoidable and occur in all combat situations. They were made more difficult to avoid by Hamas’ choice to fight from within the civilian population.

The investigation found Hamas booby-trapped its houses with explosives, fired from the schools attended by its own children and used its own people as human shields, while taking advantage of the IDF’s legal and ethical commitment to avoid injuring uninvolved civilians.

The IDF dropped more than 2,250,000 leaflets during the fighting. It used Palestinian radio, made personal telephone warnings to more than 165,000 Gaza residents and carried out a special warning shot procedure (“A knock on the roof”) to avoid civilian casualties.

Additionally, the study showed that IDF made extensive use of accurate munitions, wherever and whenever possible, to minimize harm to civilians.

In addition, during the operation, the IDF allowed humanitarian convoys to enter Gaza and a humanitarian recess for several hours a day.

The investigations also found the IDF achieved its aims and objectives and struck a heavy blow to the terror organizations lead by the Hamas by targeting terrorists, military infrastructure and weapons manufacturing facilities.

The complex operation involved cooperation between air, naval and ground forces together with different intelligence agencies, including both reserve and regular forces. Prior to the operation, careful planning and preparations were undertaken to ensure that the units and command centers were prepared for any challenge.

The IDF reports, however, has not satisfied opponents who questioned the military’s ability to investigate itself.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com