IDF Faces War Crime Probe as Soldiers Allege Orders to Fire on Unarmed Gazans, Leading to Hundreds of Deaths at Aid Sites

An investigation into potential war crimes has been launched by the Israeli Military Advocate General following reports from Israeli soldiers alleging they were ordered to deliberately shoot at unarmed Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza. The allegations, initially published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, claim that these directives have resulted in hundreds of casualties at aid distribution sites in recent weeks. Omer Bartov, a historian and former IDF soldier, highlighted these concerns in a social media post, stating, > "IDF soldiers ordered to shoot deliberately at unarmed Gazans waiting for humanitarian aid."

Soldiers who spoke to Haaretz described the aid distribution areas as "a killing field," where between one and five people were reportedly killed daily at their stationed locations. They detailed the use of live fire, including heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars, to disperse crowds, even in the absence of any perceived threat or return fire. The Palestinian Health Ministry estimates 549 deaths and thousands of injuries near aid sites since late May, with the United Nations reporting at least 410 fatalities during a similar timeframe.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has vehemently denied issuing orders to intentionally target civilians, asserting that their directives explicitly prohibit such actions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz dismissed the Haaretz report as "malicious falsehoods designed to defame the IDF, the most moral military in the world." Despite these denials, the Military Advocate General's decision to launch an investigation underscores the gravity of the allegations.

Many of the contested aid distribution points are managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private entity backed by the U.S. and Israel. This militarized approach to aid delivery has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian experts, who argue it compromises the principles of neutrality and impartiality essential for effective aid operations. The U.S. State Department recently authorized a $30 million grant for GHF, indicating continued support for this distribution model amidst the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where residents face near-famine conditions.

The reports emerge against a backdrop of severe food shortages and an overall death toll exceeding 55,000 in Gaza, according to local health authorities. The desperate search for sustenance often forces civilians into dangerous situations near military positions, highlighting the immense risks faced by those attempting to access life-saving aid. The ongoing investigation will seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding these incidents and the alleged orders given to soldiers on the ground.