Israeli military dismisses 2 senior officers over Gaza drone strikes killing aid workers
Israel military sacks 2 senior officers over killing of aid workers and says the “incident was a grave mistake that happened during a war in very complex conditions.”
The Israeli military announced on Friday that it has relieved two officers of their duties and reprimanded three others following drone strikes in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers on a food-delivery mission.
The military stated that the officers had mishandled crucial information and violated engagement protocols.
The investigation findings, conducted by a retired general, unveiled a significant acknowledgment by Israel amidst mounting criticism from key allies, notably the US, regarding the protection of civilians during its conflict with Hamas.
“It won’t happen again”
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military’s spokesperson, addressed reporters, labeling the incident as a “tragedy” and a “serious event” for which they accept responsibility. He emphasized military’s commitment to preventing such occurrences in the future.
“The IDF will learn the lessons of the incident, and will implement the lessons,” it adds.
“We express our deep sorrow for the loss, and share in the grief of the families and the WCK organization,” the IDF says, adding that the “vital humanitarian activity of the international aid organizations” is of “utmost importance.”
“We will continue to work to coordinate and assist their activities, while ensuring their safety and safeguarding their lives,” the IDF continues.
“The IDF once again emphasizes its commitment to uncompromising fighting against the Hamas organization, alongside upholding the values of the IDF, the laws of war and avoiding harming innocents.
“It’s a serious event that we are responsible for and it shouldn’t have happened and we will make sure that it won’t happen again” Hagari added.
Halevi ordered the removal of Col. (res.) Nochi Mendel, the chief of staff of the Nahal Infantry Brigade amid the war, and the brigade’s firepower coordination officer — who holds the rank of major — over their involvement in ordering the strike.
Additionally, Halevi reprimanded the commander of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, for his “overall responsibility for the incident,” as well as the commander of the 162nd Division, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, and the commander of the Nahal Brigade, Col. Yair Zukerman.
The army chief issued an apology on Wednesday, acknowledging the severity of the mistake.
Halevi claimed that “incident was a grave mistake,” one that “followed a misidentification” that happened “during a war in very complex conditions.”
Violations of army’s procedures, IDF admits
IDF disclosed that drone operators misidentified an aid worker as a threat, leading to the targeting of a vehicle belonging to the World Central Kitchen with a missile. Tragically, subsequent strikes on other vehicles resulted in the deaths of all aid workers.
According to the IDF, troops failed to recognize the escort vehicles as linked to WCK, believing instead they were transporting Hamas gunmen. This misunderstanding led to airstrikes on three cars, resulting in the fatalities of seven WCK workers.
“The attack on the three vehicles was carried out in serious violation of the relevant orders and instructions,” stated the IDF.
An initial inquiry, led by retired Major General Yoav Har-Even, revealed that the army unit involved wrongly assumed the vehicles were under Hamas control and lacked awareness of coordination procedures between the military and WCK. Additionally, the strikes were found to be in breach of the army’s protocols.
In response to the investigation, the IDF has announced plans to designate aid vehicles with special stickers visible through thermal cameras. Despite the WCK vehicle having the organization’s logo sticker, it was not detectable by IDF drones at night.
Source: Newsroom
