IDF Investigates Around 150 Gaza Incidents Over 1000-Day Conflict, Finds No Criminal Offenses

Over the course of more than 1000 days of ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have investigated approximately 150 exceptional operational incidents involving Palestinian fatalities. These investigations are part of the IDF’s obligations under international and Israeli law, conducted by a special military inquiry mechanism established at the war’s outset. The findings of these probes are then reviewed by the military prosecution.

On April 1, 2024, seven World Central Kitchen workers were mistakenly identified as a Hamas-controlled aid convoy and killed by IDF fire. The workers had hired armed security to protect the convoy. Due to prior professional acquaintance with one involved, the chief military prosecutor recused himself, and the chief military advocate made the decision. Despite operational assessment failures, commanders’ decisions did not meet the criminal threshold, and no reasonable suspicion of criminal offense was found.

In January 2025, a girl named Hind Rajab was killed in Gaza when IDF forces fired at an ambulance and vehicles of the Hamada family approaching against evacuation directions. Five passengers died, two survived, and two paramedics were killed by shelling upon ambulance arrival. Hind Rajab became a symbol of Palestinian resistance, with a foundation named after her pursuing Israelis worldwide. Due to coordination failures regarding the Red Crescent ambulance, the case is under further investigation by the Military Police Investigations Unit (MPIU).

Another March 2025 incident in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah, resulted in 15 Palestinian deaths, including medical personnel and a UN worker, during an IDF raid. The IDF ambushed a key access route, firing on fire trucks, ambulances, a UN vehicle, and six Hamas militants. Following the inquiry, the Chief of Staff ordered a command-level reprimand and the deputy commander of Golani Reconnaissance to end his post. The MPIU is continuing the investigation due to reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.

Two Doctors Without Borders workers were killed in Khan Yunis during an IDF strike on a building perceived as a military threat. The forces lacked updated intelligence about the building’s humanitarian status and could not see the organization’s markings. The military prosecutor decided no criminal investigation was warranted but ordered consideration of disciplinary measures.

In a November 2023 Gaza incident, two Doctors Without Borders staff died when their convoy, moving contrary to approved coordination, was fired upon with warning shots by IDF soldiers. The deaths resulted from shrapnel from warning fire, with no direct shots fired at the convoy. The investigation concluded no reasonable suspicion of criminal offense existed.

These investigations reflect the complexity of operational realities faced by the IDF in Gaza and the military’s efforts to uphold legal standards amid ongoing hostilities.