Investigation into alleged war crimes during Gaza conflict by Israel questioned for being a sham cover-up of responsibility
In recent months, Israeli investigations into suspected war crimes in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank have been underway, with a focus on fact-finding. However, these inquiries have not led to significant consequences or changes in the Israeli military administration's policies or practices reported so far.
The Foreign Press Association in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories has described a recent attack as a "turning point," urging Israel to "halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists." The attack in question was the strike on Al-Nasser Hospital, Gaza's main medical facility in the south, which occurred on August 25. The incident resulted in the death of at least 20 people, including rescuers, critically ill patients, medical staff, and five journalists, and injured 50 others, according to the World Health Organization.
Israel has consistently responded to criticism about its internal investigations by asserting that its inquiries are prompt, independent, and in line with both Israeli and international law. However, a study by UK-based charity Action on Armed Violence found that Israel's self-investigation into high-profile allegations of wrongdoing is riddled with impunity. The study revealed that 88% of cases remain "under review" or closed with no findings since October 2023.
Amjad Iraqi, senior Israel-Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group, stated that there is a longstanding pattern of systematic impunity in Israel's military and security forces. He emphasized that change is urgently needed to shift political and military behavior, and called for international actors to press for genuine accountability to curb Israeli policies and practices.
The UN Human Rights Office stressed that there needs to be justice, and the large number of journalists killed in the Gaza war "raises many, many questions." The UN reported that between late May and late June, at least 1,373 Gazans were killed while seeking food at aid distribution sites run by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Aid agencies have long accused Israel of obstructing food deliveries and even "weaponizing aid."
On August 22, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification confirmed famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than half a million people facing "catastrophic" levels of hunger. Despite Israel's denials, international scrutiny continues to mount, including the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza since October 2023.
Israel promised to investigate the double attack on Al-Nasser, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a "tragic mishap" and saying the military authorities were "conducting a thorough investigation." However, rights groups and world leaders have condemned the twin strike and called for immediate investigations. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that the killing of the five journalists could constitute a war crime. Israel dismissed the findings as an "outright lie" and accused the IPC of using unreliable data controlled by Hamas.
Despite these denials, Iraqi emphasized that there is an abundance of facts and evidence against Israel, and Israeli authorities cannot escape them. The UN, ICC, and various rights groups continue to call for accountability and justice in the ongoing investigations.
