Israel’s commitment to investigating allegations of wrongdoing during its war against Hamas has come under scrutiny, with accusations of war crimes being leveled against the country’s leaders. While Israel has acknowledged misconduct in some cases, admissions of guilt remain rare. Israel’s Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has stated that the military is investigating approximately 70 cases of alleged wrongdoing, though few details have been provided. The military has refused to disclose the full list of investigations and will only respond to queries about specific probes.
One high-profile case involves an attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza that killed five foreign aid workers. The Israeli army promptly published its findings, acknowledging misconduct and dismissing two soldiers. However, other investigations are still ongoing. In another case, a deadly strike on a tent camp in Rafah resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people, mostly women and children. The Israeli military’s preliminary investigation suggests that secondary explosions caused the destruction, possibly from weapons belonging to Palestinian militants in the area. Hamas has criticized this explanation, accusing Israel of deceiving the world.
Another incident involved Israeli troops firing on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 104 people. The military’s preliminary investigation stated that troops opened fire on individuals who posed a threat and fired warning shots to disperse “suspects.” However, it did not directly address how the people were killed.
In October, an explosion in the courtyard of Al-Ahli hospital killed hundreds of Palestinians seeking shelter. Conflicting claims emerged, with Gaza officials blaming an Israeli airstrike and Israeli officials denying involvement. An investigation conducted by the Associated Press, along with U.S. and French intelligence assessments, suggested that a misfired rocket likely caused the explosion.
The death of a Palestinian man who was fatally shot while walking with four others is also being investigated. Video footage shows one of the men holding a white flag, while the others raise their hands. It is unclear whether the man was killed by Israeli fire.
Footage that emerged in March showed the bombing of five Palestinians near Khan Younis. The military has launched an investigation into the incident.
In mid-April, renowned Gaza surgeon Adnan al-Bursh died in an Israeli prison following his arrest. Reports suggest he appeared depleted and bore signs of violence while in detention. Palestinian detainees who have returned from Israeli custody have reported beatings, harsh interrogations, and neglect. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of Bursh’s death.
Overall, Israel’s commitment to investigating alleged wrongdoing during its war against Hamas remains questionable. While some cases have been addressed, others remain open, and admissions of guilt are scarce. The investigations conducted thus far have faced criticism and conflicting claims, highlighting the need for impartial and thorough investigations to ensure accountability.
