Israel’s eyes are closed to crime: 9 out of 10 investigations are inconclusive
Out of 74 investigations into alleged war crimes and misconduct by the Israeli military in Gaza, only one has resulted in a conviction, with the majority of cases either closed or left unresolved, according to a report by the conflict monitoring group Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).
Kokcha News Agency reports that nearly 90% of investigations into alleged war crimes and misconduct by the Israeli military in Gaza have been either closed or left unresolved. This startling finding comes from a report by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), which highlights a pattern of impunity in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Key Cases Left Unresolved:
- February 2024: At least 112 Palestinians were killed while waiting in line for flour in Gaza City.
- May 2024: 45 people were burned to death in an airstrike on a tent camp in Rafah.
- June 1, 2024: 31 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers at a food distribution point in Rafah. Witnesses claimed soldiers fired directly into the crowd, but the IDF initially denied the allegations before stating the incident was “under investigation.”
AOAV Findings:
- 74 Investigations: Only one conviction has been secured, involving a reservist soldier who was sentenced to 7 months in prison for torturing Palestinian detainees.
- Partial Accountability: In five cases, partial responsibility was acknowledged. For example, after the April 2024 attack that killed seven workers from the World Central Kitchen aid organization, a colonel and a major were dismissed, and three commanders were reprimanded.
- Unresolved Cases: 39 out of 46 cases remain unresolved, including four attacks on aid distribution points in Gaza during June and July 2025, which resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties.
AOAV’s Assessment:
Researchers Iain Overton and Lucas Tsantzouris argue that Israel is fostering a “culture of impunity”, with investigations often being slow, opaque, and lacking in accountability.
IDF Response:
The IDF claims that it investigates “exceptional incidents” in accordance with national and international legal obligations. However, human rights advocates criticize the system for its lack of transparency and failure to deliver meaningful accountability.
Civilian Casualties:
Between October 2023 and June 2025, media reports documented 52 incidents involving the IDF, resulting in the deaths of 1,303 Palestinians and injuries to 1,880 others. Despite these figures, only one soldier has been convicted, and most cases remain unresolved.
