Israel Altered Rules of Engagement Post-October 7, Allowing Up to 20 Civilian Casualties Per Airstrike

Dec 26, 2024, 02:07 PM

Israel significantly altered its military rules of engagement following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, according to a New York Times investigation. The changes allowed mid-ranking officers to approve airstrikes that could risk the lives of up to 20 civilians per attack, a sharp increase from the previous limits of up to five, and rarely ten, civilian casualties. This shift enabled the targeting of Hamas fighters even when they were at home surrounded by family and neighbors, rather than only when they were alone outside. The investigation, which reviewed military documents and interviewed over 100 soldiers and officials, found that Israel's military leadership believed the country faced an existential threat, prompting the change in rules. In the first seven weeks of the war, Israel fired nearly 30,000 munitions into Gaza, more than in the next eight months combined. The report also highlighted that the Israeli military often relied on flawed methods for identifying targets and assessing civilian risks, ignored warnings from its own ranks and U.S. officials, and failed to conduct thorough post-strike reviews or punish officers for wrongdoing. The military acknowledged the change in rules but maintained that it adhered to the rule of law.