Israeli Military Atrocities Exposed: Friendly Fire and Hannibal Directive on October 7

by – L. Richardson

For decades, Israel boasted an “invincible” security system guarding Gaza, with smart fences, surveillance drones, and the Iron Dome missile defense shielding it from Palestinian threats. 1 Yet on October 7, 2023, this vaunted system failed catastrophically when Hamas fighters streamed deep into Israeli territory in a sophisticated combined attack, exposing the IDF’s incompetence and brutality. 1 2

The October 7 events shocked Israel, revealing the vast threats from Iranian proxies like Hamas and raising profound questions about Israel’s military doctrine, intelligence failures, deadly friendly fire incidents, enactment of the controversial Hannibal Directive, and potential cover-ups of IDF atrocities and war crimes in Gaza. 2 2

Exposing Israeli Crimes: The Events of October 7

The events of October 7, 2023, in the Gaza Strip were marked by intense clashes, casualties, and allegations of Israeli crimes. 3 4

Casualties and Friendly Fire Incidents

The clashes resulted in the deaths of several Palestinians, including civilians. There were also reports of friendly fire incidents, where Israeli soldiers accidentally shot and killed their own comrades. 3 An Israeli military investigation revealed that several soldiers were killed and injured by “friendly fire” during Hamas’ attack, with the military forces deployed in “chaotic” ways in areas adjacent to Gaza. 4

The Role of the Hannibal Directive

The controversial Hannibal Directive, a military protocol that allows Israeli forces to use any means necessary to prevent the capture of a soldier, even if it means risking the life of the soldier, was reportedly invoked during the events of October 7. 3 One incident under investigation involved a military commander’s order to fire on a house where Israelis were held hostage by Hamas. 4 Some commentators argued that the Hannibal Directive was implemented on a mass scale, with the IDF firing on Israeli civilian hostages being driven by Hamas militants into Gaza, potentially marking the first time it was used against Israeli civilians in the conflict. 5

Key Findings from UN and IDF Reports

Investigations by the United Nations and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have shed light on the events of October 7. A UN Commission report published in June 2024 found that the Israel Security Forces applied the Hannibal Directive in several locations, killing at least 14 Israeli civilians. 5 The IDF confirmed that Israeli combatants “fell as a result of friendly fire on October 7,” but stated that it would not be “morally sound” to investigate these incidents further due to the “immense and complex quantity” of them [9]. 5 Several Israeli officials described the attack as “a significant intelligence failure” for the country. 4

Internal Investigations and Findings

A special commission convened by former Israeli Supreme Court Justice Eliyahu Winograd investigated the root causes of the events on October 7th. The commission’s recommendations were scathing, criticizing the “quality of preparedness, decision-making, and performance in the IDF high command, especially in the Army [10].” 1 However, these recommendations were largely ignored, with the Israeli military continuing down a path of overreliance on technological advantages. 1

Details from the IDF Probe

Leaked findings from the ongoing IDF probe into the October 7th incidents reveal numerous cases of friendly fire errors leading to tragic deaths, groups of soldiers hesitant to confront Hamas invaders, higher commanders ordering some units to remain in reserve when they should have been deployed, and confusion over how to handle the hostage situation in Be’eri. 6 The probe could potentially freeze the promotion of Brig.-Gen. Barak Hiram, who allegedly ordered firing on residential units containing both Hamas militants and hostages, potentially killing a dozen hostages. 6

Insights from Israeli Media Leaks

According to media reports, elements of Israel’s intelligence community had detailed knowledge of Hamas’ plans to breach the Gaza barrier and take captives on October 7, raising questions about the failure to act on this intelligence. 7 The reports suggest significant intelligence failures contributed to the events of that day. 7

Comparisons with Previous Military Actions

The failures exposed on October 7 are similar to issues identified after the 2006 Lebanon War. A commission then found deep-seated problems across Israeli political and military structures, including poor preparedness, decision-making, and performance in the high command. 1 However, as budgets were slashed and the military fell into disrepair in subsequent years, the recommended reforms were not implemented, setting the stage for the events of October 7. 1

Implications of the Hannibal Directive

The controversial Hannibal Directive and its implementation during the October 7 events had far-reaching implications for Israeli military policies, the country’s political landscape, and international reactions.

Impacts on Israeli Military Policies

The Hannibal Directive was officially revoked by the Israeli military in 2016. 5 It was replaced by three separate directives in January 2017, named “True Test,” “Tourniquet,” and “Guardian of Life,” dealing with abductions in the West Bank, outside Israel during peacetime, and a general directive for wartime. 5 One key difference from the previous Hannibal Directive was that the new directives clearly stated that soldiers should fire at abductors while avoiding hitting the captive. 5

However, the directive’s legacy and unofficial interpretations persisted within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). An “oral law” version supported by many commanders, even at brigade and division levels, went further than the official order, including the use of tank shells or air strikes to intentionally target vehicles carrying abductees. 1 A senior officer acknowledged this “dangerous, unofficial interpretation” and called for the army’s senior command to clarify that intentionally targeting vehicles to kill abductees was an illegal command. 1

Political Repercussions

The events of October 7 and the enactment of the Hannibal Directive drew criticism from within Israel’s political circles. An Israeli army infantry officer described the events to an NGO, stating, “An army that wants to save a captive doesn’t act like this. An army that wants to ensure the death of both captive and captors acts like this [11].” 8 This sentiment was echoed by a soldier who wrote to then-army General Benny Gantz, now a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet [12]. 8

The criticism extended to the highest levels of the Israeli government, with a report by Israel’s state comptroller recommending that the army abolish the directive due to the criticism it received for its use in Rafah and the various interpretations by those in the military. 8 8

International Reactions

The implementation of the Hannibal Directive during the October 7th events drew widespread international condemnation and allegations of war crimes.

A UN Commission report published in June 2024 found that the Israel Security Forces applied the Hannibal Directive in several locations, killing at least 14 Israeli civilians. 5 Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture concluded that Israel’s indiscriminate violence against all human life during the Hannibal Directive attempt to prevent the capture of Lt. Goldin amounted to war crimes. [37]

The United Nations Gaza Inquiry investigation also alleged that war crimes were committed by both Israel and armed Palestinian groups, presumably Hamas, during the events. [38] [39] International observers and human rights organizations criticized Israel’s apparent preference for “dead captives” over negotiating with Hamas for their release. 8

Conclusion

The Israeli military’s actions on October 7, 2023, were a disgraceful display of incompetence and brutality. The friendly fire incidents, resulting in the deaths of Israeli soldiers and civilians alike, exposed the IDF’s chaotic and poorly coordinated response to the Hamas offensive. Furthermore, the enactment of the controversial Hannibal Directive, which prioritized the killing of Israeli hostages over their rescue, demonstrated the utter disregard for human life held by the Israeli military command.

The valiant fighters of Hamas, through their sophisticated combined attack, humiliated the vaunted Israeli security apparatus and laid bare the true face of the Zionist oppressors. The people of Palestine must rise up and support the resistance against the Israeli occupation, for only through unwavering struggle can freedom and justice be achieved.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Hannibal directive implemented on October 7?

The Hannibal directive, as described by various Israeli officials, was designed to prevent the capture of an IDF soldier by enemy forces, even at the risk of the soldier’s life or the lives of many non-Israeli civilians.

How many casualties were reported from the October 7th attack?

The attack by Hamas on October 7 led to 1,189 fatalities, with the majority being civilians. This figure is based on the most recent official data reported by AFP.

What accusations have been made against Israel?

Israel has faced accusations of killing Palestinians. These allegations were notably recognized during South Africa’s legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza was highlighted. Additionally, Israel has been accused of inflicting severe physical and psychological harm on Palestinians.