IDF's first alleged war crimes report sparks debate on accountability

The Israeli military's first official report on alleged war crimes by soldiers during the Israel-Hamas War has been met with mixed reactions, with critics decrying the nearly three-year delay as evidence of a "whitewash process." The report, released Wednesday, provided updates on only five of the 150 criminal probes and over 3,000 disciplinary investigations.

“

In many senses, the IDF’s first official alleged war crimes report regarding Israeli soldiers’ conduct during the Israel-Hamas War was too little too late.

Despite the limited scope, the outcomes of the five probes have surprised some, with soldiers and commanders in two cases facing criminal caution and potential indictment. This marks a significant step, as indictments against Israeli soldiers for killing Palestinians are rare, though not nonexistent. The act of interrogating soldiers and commanders, even if indictments are not ultimately pursued, creates significant political and public waves and is seen as a key differentiator between Israel and its adversaries.

“

For Israeli critics, the nearly three-year delay has solidified their conclusion that the IDF and Israel are not interested in true justice, but in a fancy whitewash process.

While critics argue that a lack of indictments or convictions fails to deter soldiers, proponents suggest that the criminal interrogation process itself, by creating prolonged uncertainty for those involved, acts as a deterrent. This approach is contrasted with past wars, such as the 2014 Gaza War, which saw more criminal probes opened following a conflict where over 2,100 Palestinians, at least half civilians, were killed.

“

But the results in the five probes defied some critics’ expectations that there would be no deeper probes at all.

The report's release, though late in the eyes of many, is considered an important start by some. It addresses specific allegations of incidents, moving beyond generic defenses about Hamas using human shields or the IDF's efforts to evacuate civilians. The IDF's willingness to publicly investigate its own soldiers, even in limited cases, is highlighted as a crucial aspect of accountability.

“

And every time the IDF questions soldiers, not to mention commanders, under criminal caution, it creates major waves among the political class and general population.