Israeli Army Closes Investigation Into Cases From 2014 Gaza War

The Israeli army closed four investigations into Israeli army misconduct that resulted in the death of dozens of Palestinian civilians during the 2014 Gaza war. The army found that in four separate cases, which killed a total of 49 people, the Israeli strikes were legal due to either mistakes, Hamas being responsible or an attack that never happened. For example, in one case it was alleged that seven civilians were killed in an attack on a structure in the Burej refugee camp. The army said that the target was a Hamas site, and that three of those killed were Hamas members. Four others killed were civilians but the army said it had taken precautions to limit “collateral damage.” Along with the Israeli army, the UN Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and others have been investigating whether Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the fighting. At least 2100 Palestinians were killed, including hundreds of civilians, and 73 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The Israeli decision to close the investigations is likely to spark criticism, as it has in the past, that the Israeli army should not be able to investigate itself.