IDF Releases Investigations Into Five Key Gaza War Incidents Including Aid Convoy Attack

The IDF's Military Investigations Mechanism published its findings on five significant incidents during the "Iron Swords" war in Gaza, which had drawn extensive international attention. This body, responsible for examining exceptional operational events, has reviewed around 150 cases since the conflict began and submitted them to the military prosecution for legal and command decisions.

One major incident investigated was the April 1, 2024, shooting at a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy, which killed seven staff members. The investigation revealed that IDF forces identified an armed individual on the aid truck and suspected Hamas takeover. It was found that the aid workers had hired armed security without prior coordination with the IDF. After unloading supplies, some individuals mistakenly identified as armed militants entered vehicles that deviated from the approved route. Attempts to contact the organization during a 30-minute surveillance failed, leading to the attack. Following these findings, then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi dismissed a battalion fire officer and a reserve lieutenant colonel, and issued reprimands to senior commanders including Southern Command Chief Yaron Finkelman. The military prosecutor ruled the incident a complex operational misidentification without criminal wrongdoing, so no criminal investigation was opened.

Another case involved January 2024 fire on a Hamada family vehicle and an ambulance in Gaza City, killing nine people including a child and two paramedics. The vehicle was moving against the published evacuation direction, and the ambulance was later hit by shellfire amid coordination failures. Due to these apparent coordination lapses, the IDF decided to advance a criminal investigation.

A third incident from March 2023 in Tel al-Sultan resulted in 15 Palestinian deaths, including medical personnel and a UN worker. During an ambush on Hamas operatives, IDF forces fired multiple times at vehicles they believed were hostile, including a fire truck and UN vehicles. Six of the deceased were identified as Hamas members. The forces subsequently covered the bodies with wire mesh. Command reprimands were issued, and a criminal investigation was launched due to reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing.

The fourth incident involved shelling a building in Khan Yunis in February 2024, killing two women and injuring seven. The building was later identified as belonging to Doctors Without Borders. The shell was fired at a window overlooking a troop route, based on an operational threat assessment. The IDF noted the building’s lights were off and there was no updated intelligence on its affiliation. The shooting was deemed militarily justified, but the military prosecution ordered a review of command measures due to procedural failures.

The fifth incident concerned November 2023 warning shots fired near a Doctors Without Borders convoy returning to Gaza after a checkpoint delay caused it to reverse direction without coordination. The IDF clarified that only warning fire was used to prevent vehicle approach, with no direct shots fired. Two convoy members may have been injured by shrapnel. The event was not considered criminal.

These investigations reflect the IDF’s efforts to scrutinize operational errors and maintain legal and command accountability during the Gaza conflict.