Israel launches 8 new criminal investigations over Gaza war

Bodies of Abu Jama's family, who medics said were killed in an Israeli air strike that destroyed their house in Gaza on July 20, 2014. | Photo: Reuters

The eight new probes make up 13 incidents which are now under criminal investigation from the war this summer, while 85 others are still under review.

The Israel army has decided to launch eight new criminal investigations into “exceptional incidents” that occurred in connection with the 51-day war in Gaza this summer.

Israel’s Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Danny Efroni announced Saturday night that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will lead the investigations. Efroni issued a 19-page statement explaining the new probes, and others that will be closed.

The eight new probes by the IDF will be in addition to the five investigations currently underway over events in Gaza this summer, what the IDF has called Operation Protective Edge.

Some 100 incidents have been referred to the Military Advocate General over dubious events that occurred in the recent war in Gaza. Of these, 85 are currently under review, while 13 are now under criminal investigation.

According to the United Nations, more than 2,000 Palestinians were killed during the war this summer, most of whom were civilians, and tens of thousands have been displaced. Seventy Israelis were also killed.

Amongst some of the new probes include an air strike carried out by Israeli officials on the home of the family of Abu Jama on July 20, which killed 27 Palestinians including 19 minors.

Another is in regards to a complaint submitted by a non-government organization who, on July 29, witnessed Israeli forces firing at and killing Mohammed Tawfik Mohammed Kadiach, while he was waving a white flag.

Two other incidents under investigation involve the death of a Palestinian ambulance driver.

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