Rollout of IDF alleged Gaza war crimes probe delayed again, source of delay unclear - exclusive

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) legal division has once again postponed the release of its investigations into alleged war crimes during the Gaza War, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post. This marks the second known delay in the disclosure of findings related to high-profile incidents, including the April 2024 World Central Kitchen (WCK) airstrike and the March 2025 International Red Crescent incident. These events resulted in the deaths of numerous civilian aid workers, drawing international condemnation and prompting calls for transparency. The initial announcement of the delay came following a report from The Jerusalem Post on June 18, 2026, which stated that Major General Itay Offir, the head of the IDF’s Military Advocate General, was set to issue several major decisions regarding the allegations of war crimes. These decisions were expected to include detailed findings on the WCK and Red Crescent incidents, marking the first public disclosures under Offir’s leadership since his appointment in November 2025. However, the latest delay suggests that the process is far from complete. The exact cause of the delay remains unclear, though internal sources suggest that external pressures, possibly from outside the IDF legal division or even beyond the military, are influencing the timing. The Justice Ministry reportedly supports the publication of the reports as initially planned, while the Foreign Ministry neither confirmed nor denied involvement in delaying the release. The Prime Minister’s Office has categorically ruled out its role in the delay, despite the ongoing tensions between Israeli leaders and international judicial bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar have consistently adopted a confrontational stance toward allegations of IDF war crimes, particularly those brought forward by the ICC. This approach contrasts sharply with the previous government’s strategy of transparency and cooperation with international oversight. Since the onset of the Gaza War in October 2023, the IDF has become increasingly cautious about disclosing details of its investigations, fearing that such information might be exploited by international courts. Prior to the conflict, Israeli authorities maintained a policy of promptly releasing information from IDF probes. However, this changed dramatically after the war began, with officials expressing concerns over how their statements could be used against them in potential war crimes trials. In 2024, the IDF released only vague summaries of its investigations, with the last official update dated August of that year. Despite repeated assurances from IDF officials, including in mid-2024 and January 2025—that decisions on high-profile cases would be made public soon, the process has repeatedly stalled. The change in leadership within the IDF has also played a role in the delays. When Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir took over as chief of staff from Herzi Halevi, the pace of public releases slowed significantly. Further complications arose in October 2025, when former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi abruptly resigned, citing illegal leaks of evidence related to the Sdei Teiman case. This resignation likely contributed to the current state of uncertainty surrounding the release of the findings. Notably, the decision on the WCK incident does not rest solely with Offir. He previously collaborated closely with Colonel Nochi Mendel, a senior commander suspected in the incident, during his tenure as legal adviser to the Defense Ministry. While this relationship does not constitute a formal conflict of interest, it raises questions about the impartiality of the investigation. Despite the delays, some sources remain optimistic that the reports will be released before the upcoming October 27 elections. They argue that political considerations may not extend the delay beyond this point. As the situation continues to evolve, the outcome of these investigations remains uncertain, with the potential to reshape both domestic and international perceptions of the IDF’s actions during the Gaza War.