There was a preliminary investigation where they found a bunch of problems and that the last was killed despite an officer ordering a halt on firing. The IDF decided that they're going to ignore it.
There obviously were problems with prosecuting them as well, it seems. In any case, hanging the entire indictment of the IDF on one case is unwarranted.
I think it speaks to the lack of care permeating their operations. See also the numerous TikToks reveling in the destruction of homes or firing machineguns indiscriminately in populated areas.
I don't put much stock in Tik Toks. In Gaza, the IDF fights a force the essence of which is war crimes: waging offensive war, hostage taking, failing to distinguish combatants from civilians and in fact using civilians as human shields. All of this must be taken into account when considering the split-second actions of IDF soldiers. In the case you've raised, I imagine that the soldiers involved assumed reasonably that the hostages were Hamas militants, had never seen or heard of Hamas militants surrendering under a white flag, and concluded their lives were in danger. Put another way, why would Hamas militants who violate all the norms and laws of warfare suddenly be availing themselves of a feature of 'civilized" warfare, surrendering under a white flag? And keep in mind that Hamas is far better at levelling charges for propaganda purposes than they are at fighting--hence the ratio of allegations to IDF action in these cases seems to point to leniency.
Do you think they should have shot the 3 shirtless guys approaching them with a white flag?
Probably not.
It should be investigated.
There was a preliminary investigation where they found a bunch of problems and that the last was killed despite an officer ordering a halt on firing. The IDF decided that they're going to ignore it.
https://thehill.com/policy/international/4366786-idf-spokesperson-says-no-changes-on-ground-after-hostages-mistakenly-killed/
There obviously were problems with prosecuting them as well, it seems. In any case, hanging the entire indictment of the IDF on one case is unwarranted.
I think it speaks to the lack of care permeating their operations. See also the numerous TikToks reveling in the destruction of homes or firing machineguns indiscriminately in populated areas.
I don't put much stock in Tik Toks. In Gaza, the IDF fights a force the essence of which is war crimes: waging offensive war, hostage taking, failing to distinguish combatants from civilians and in fact using civilians as human shields. All of this must be taken into account when considering the split-second actions of IDF soldiers. In the case you've raised, I imagine that the soldiers involved assumed reasonably that the hostages were Hamas militants, had never seen or heard of Hamas militants surrendering under a white flag, and concluded their lives were in danger. Put another way, why would Hamas militants who violate all the norms and laws of warfare suddenly be availing themselves of a feature of 'civilized" warfare, surrendering under a white flag? And keep in mind that Hamas is far better at levelling charges for propaganda purposes than they are at fighting--hence the ratio of allegations to IDF action in these cases seems to point to leniency.
War crimes on the opposing side do not obviate international humanitarian law.
Didn't say they did. I said that that Hamas' MO is war crime may have clouded these soldiers' perception and judgement in the instant.