Israel must investigate itself: IDF accountability strengthens the country – editorial

The IDF Military Advocate-General's (MAG) Corps recently released its first public report on wartime misconduct since October 7, 2023, detailing over 150 cases under criminal investigation. This initiative, while not proving war crimes, is crucial for establishing facts and determining responsibility. The report highlights the complexity of urban warfare against Hamas, where distinguishing combatants from noncombatants is difficult, making investigations essential for improvement.

• Two prominent incidents, including the killing of Hind Rajab and her family in January 2024 and the March 2025 Tel al-Sultan incident, are now under criminal investigation.
• The World Central Kitchen strike in April 2024 resulted in disciplinary measures but not criminal prosecution, as "Not every terrible battlefield mistake is a crime."
• The editorial emphasizes that investigating the IDF strengthens Israel's case against international accusations and reinforces its democratic values, rather than abandoning its soldiers.
• A key criticism is the delay in these investigations, with some incidents from late 2023 and early 2024 only now being addressed, which can erode public confidence and hinder evidence collection.