Military reviews several high-profile incidents involving civilians and aid workers while clearing personnel in World Central Kitchen strike
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Wednesday it had completed reviews of several high-profile “exceptional operational incidents” during the Gaza war, ordering Military Police investigations into the killings of five-year-old Hind Rajab and 15 Palestinians in Tel al-Sultan.
However, the military cleared Israeli personnel of criminal wrongdoing over the April 2024 strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Deir al-Balah.
The Israel Defense Forces said it conducted the reviews under its obligations arising from Israeli and international law. According to the military, the findings help commanders make operational decisions and determine whether individual incidents warrant criminal investigation.
Since the Gaza war began following the October 7, 2023 attacks, the review mechanism has examined approximately 150 incidents, the IDF said.
Five Prominent Gaza Cases Reviewed
The latest decisions concern five cases that attracted substantial international attention because they involved civilians, medical personnel and humanitarian workers.
Among them was the January 2024 killing of Hind Rajab and eight others in Gaza City. The military also reviewed the March 2025 killing of 15 Palestinians in Rafah’s Tel al-Sultan area, including medical workers and a United Nations employee.
Furthermore, the IDF examined incidents involving Doctors Without Borders personnel. Two MSF staff members were killed in Khan Yunis in February 2024, while two others died in Gaza City in November 2023.
Aid Worker Deaths Drew International Scrutiny
The incidents became some of the most closely scrutinised cases involving civilian casualties during Israeli military operations in Gaza.
International attention intensified because several victims worked for humanitarian or medical organisations operating inside the devastated Palestinian territory.
Moreover, reports surrounding some cases said vehicles or facilities associated with humanitarian personnel carried identifying markings and that organisations had coordinated locations or movements with Israeli authorities.
The newly announced Military Police investigations will now examine whether criminal responsibility exists in the Hind Rajab and Tel al-Sultan cases.
