IDF Investigating 'Exceptional Incidents' from Gaza War

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The Israel Defense Forces initiated an investigation of Operation Protective Edge in line with its commitment to uphold the standards of international law for armed conflict.

The Fact-Finding Assessment (FFA), formulated on recommendations of the Turkel Commission, was activated at the start of the summer war between Hamas and Israel.

The purpose of the assessment is to examine exceptional incidents to determine if a particular operation may have deviated from IDF regulations.

The FFA gathers and evaluates information to determine if the incident in question warrants a criminal investigation, while simultaneously gleaning lessons learned to prevent a similar incident in the future.

To date, five criminal investigations have been opened without a prior Fact-Finding Assessment. 

· Alleged death of four children on the Gaza Strip coast (July 16)
· Alleged civilian casualties from a strike near the UNRWA school in Khan Yunis (July 24)
· Alleged shooting of a woman in the area of Dahaniya (July 18)
· Alleged mistreatment of a 17 year old allegedly held by IDF forces in Khuzaa
· Alleged incident that a soldier stole money

To read more on the IDF's fact-finding assessment of Operation Protective Edge, click here.