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IDF Launches Criminal Investigations Into Gaza Combat Incidents

Military police to review operational conduct following high-stakes engagements in active war zones.

Foreign PolicyPublished August 19, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Hind Rajab smiles at the camera. She has long, brown wavy hair and is wearing a pink flower crown on her head. She also has a pink T-shirt and black zip-up on. She is sitting on a chair adorned with garlands of red flowers.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the opening of criminal investigations into several incidents that occurred during the intense, multi-front conflict in Gaza.

Among the cases under review by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is the 2024 death of five-year-old Hind Rajab and the subsequent loss of paramedics who were operating in the area.

The IDF stated that initial findings indicate troops fired upon a vehicle that was traveling contrary to previously issued safety announcements regarding movement in the combat zone. Additionally, the military is investigating a March 2025 incident in Tal al-Sultan, Rafah, where forces engaged vehicles that were initially identified as suspicious.

While the military previously stated that the vehicles were operating without lights, a subsequent review of evidence found on a mobile phone indicated the use of emergency lighting, prompting the military to open a formal criminal probe into potential misconduct.

The IDF emphasized that it operates in an exceptionally complex environment and is fulfilling its obligations to examine exceptional incidents as part of its legal framework.

These investigations come as the military faces persistent pressure from international bodies and the International Criminal Court regarding its conduct in the war against Hamas, which began following the October 7, 2023, terror attacks.

While the IDF has closed other cases involving aid workers without finding grounds for criminal charges, these new investigations represent a formal step in the military's internal review process.

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