Legal expert defends IDF rejection of World Central Kitchen strike investigation – interview

Dr. Brian L. Cox, a legal expert and former US military lawyer, defended the IDF's decision not to open a criminal investigation into the mistaken killing of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers on April 1, 2024. He stated that the IDF conducted a "very thorough assessment" and concluded it was not a war crime, as the personnel believed they were attacking Hamas fighters. Cox emphasized that under International Humanitarian Law, if the intent was not to target humanitarian workers, it is not a war crime. He criticized the "double standard" applied to the IDF, noting that similar incidents in other militaries would likely result in reprimands, not criminal charges. Cox also clarified that recklessness is not included as a mental element for war crimes under the Rome Statute, and highlighted that the combat context, where Hamas operates among civilians, is often overlooked in public discourse.