What are the IDF investigations about?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been involved in numerous incidents across Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Israel, where they have been accused of causing harm. Using purpose-built AI tools, BBC Verify combed through more than 60,000 news reports and examined hundreds of incidents in which the IDF faced allegations of harm since the start of the Gaza war.
BBC Verify identified 254 specific incidents in which the military was accused of killing or injuring people. Of these, 158 occurred in Gaza, 48 in the West Bank, 32 in Lebanon, and 16 took place in Israel or in IDF detention. All these incidents occurred between 7 October 2023 and 19 August 2026. The scale of the reported harm is significant; at least one person was reportedly killed in more than 200 of the identified incidents.
One of the deadliest cases involved a strike on a school building in Gaza in August 2024, which reportedly killed at least 93 people, including six women and 11 children. For three years, the Israeli military has frequently responded to accusations of harm by stating an incident is being "looked into," "reviewed," "checked," or "examined." However, for many of these cases, that statement is often the last information made available to the public.
How does the IDF conduct its investigations?
The IDF employs various mechanisms to investigate incidents, including the General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism (FFAM). This body is responsible for handling investigations into "exceptional operational incidents." According to an IDF report, the FFAM had completed reviews of approximately 150 cases since the start of the war, which were then transferred to the IDF's Military Prosecution for examination.
However, the IDF did not outline what these 150 incidents were, nor did it clarify if they were separate from the cases identified by BBC Verify. Furthermore, the results of IDF military investigations are not routinely made public, including those that lead to criminal investigations of its soldiers. A few published results have related to hostages in Gaza who were allegedly killed as a result of Israeli operations.
In August, the IDF published a rare report detailing internal probes into five specific incidents in Gaza. This included the killings of five-year-old Hind Rajab and 15 Palestinian Red Crescent emergency workers, who were shot more than 100 times and allegedly targeted at close range. In those two cases, the IDF revealed the investigations had been escalated to criminal investigations. In the other three cases—which involved the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers and four Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) aid workers—the IDF stated it found no basis or reasonable suspicion to begin a criminal investigation.
The scale of the investigation gap
Following extensive manual checking of each incident, BBC Verify found 300 cases that the military said it was looking into. Of those 300, only 28 had outcomes published on the IDF website. For another 18 incidents, it remains unclear if the investigations have even been concluded. BBC Verify approached the IDF about each case multiple times, but only received information on two incidents, both of which the IDF stated are still under review.
Data from the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din provides further context on the volume of cases. Freedom of Information data obtained by the group showed that between October 2023 and August 2024, at least 1,456 Gaza-related incidents were referred to the FFAM. Of those, only twelve reviews were completed and referred to the Military Advocate General (MAG) Corps, and only two of those resulted in criminal investigations.
Despite multiple requests, the IDF has not provided a transparent breakdown of the status of the 300 investigations identified by BBC Verify. The military stated it "publishes information regarding the outcomes of investigations and examinations when possible, subject to legal and operational considerations, as well as restrictions relating to privacy and information security."
Challenges and criticisms of the process
The lack of transparency has drawn sharp criticism from researchers and legal experts. Dan Owen, a researcher at Yesh Din who has been monitoring military investigations since 2006, told BBC Verify that he believes the IDF often attempts to "prolong" investigations. "They try to stretch out these processes to the point where people forget and people don't care about them," he said.
Legal experts also highlight the obligations of a state during armed conflict. Janina Dill, a professor of international law at the University of Oxford, noted that according to the Geneva Conventions, a party to an armed conflict has a responsibility to investigate potential violations of international humanitarian law. This is echoed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which publishes guidelines stating that investigations into potential violations—whether criminal or otherwise—should be as transparent as possible.
The IDF has defended its processes, stating that certain incidents are examined through command-level operational reviews. These reviews are intended to establish the sequence of events, identify failures, and draw lessons to improve operational conduct. The military also noted that it has taken disciplinary action in dozens of cases against soldiers who acted contrary to IDF directives, including removing them from combat positions or reserve service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IDF?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is the military organization responsible for the defense of Israel. It conducts operations in various regions, including Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
How many IDF investigations have public outcomes?
Out of 300 investigations identified by BBC Verify, only 28 have published outcomes on the IDF website, highlighting a significant gap in public information.
What is the FFAM?
The General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism (FFAM) is an IDF body that handles investigations into "exceptional operational incidents." It has reviewed approximately 150 cases since the start of the war, according to an IDF report.
Why is transparency important in military investigations?
According to the ICRC and international law experts, transparency is essential for upholding the Geneva Conventions and ensuring that investigations into potential violations of international humanitarian law are conducted according to global standards.
Key takeaways
- BBC Verify identified 254 incidents of alleged IDF harm, with many involving fatalities.
- Only 28 out of 300 identified investigations have had their outcomes published by the IDF.
- The FFAM has reviewed roughly 150 cases, but the specific details of these incidents remain undisclosed.
- Human rights researchers suggest that the length of investigation processes can diminish public interest and accountability.
- International guidelines from the ICRC emphasize that investigations into potential law violations should be as transparent as possible.
Conclusion
The findings by BBC Verify suggest a significant disconnect between the number of incidents the IDF claims to investigate and the number of outcomes it makes available to the public. While the military maintains that it conducts reviews to improve operational conduct and takes disciplinary action when necessary, the lack of detailed, public information on hundreds of cases remains a central point of contention. As international legal experts and human rights organizations call for greater transparency, the question of how the IDF ensures accountability for its actions in conflict zones remains a critical issue.
