IDF officers ordered to fire at unarmed crowds near Gaza food distribution sites (haaretz.com)

Article summary

Israeli soldiers have reported being ordered to fire at unarmed crowds near food distribution sites in Gaza, despite no threat being present. This has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, prompting a review into possible war crimes. The Israeli government has denied these claims, calling them 'blood libels'. The military prosecution is calling for a review into the matter.

Main themes

• War crimes
• Gaza conflict
• Israeli government accountability
• International law
• Palestinian statehood
• Military ethics
• Civilian casualties

What commenters say

• The Israeli government's actions in Gaza constitute war crimes and possibly genocide.
• The IDF's ability to conduct precision strikes in other contexts suggests that the harm caused to civilians in Gaza is intentional.
• Holding the Israeli government accountable for war crimes is unlikely due to the country's history of impunity.
• The conflict between Israel and Hamas is complex and cannot be compared to other conflicts, such as those between nations with formal militaries.
• The lack of accountability for war crimes committed by major powers undermines the legitimacy of international law.
• The Israeli government's actions are driven by a desire to eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state.
• The use of military force against civilian populations is a violation of international law and basic human rights.
• The international community's response to the situation in Gaza has been inadequate and has enabled further violence.