The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been accused of failing to adequately investigate alleged war crimes committed by its personnel, according to a report by the UK-based NGO Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).
AOAV stated on Saturday that the pattern of IDF inquiries appears aimed at protecting the institution’s image rather than ensuring genuine accountability. Of the 52 publicly acknowledged investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank between October 2023 and June 2025—affecting roughly 1,300 reported victims—only one led to a prison sentence.
The report noted that six cases resulted in an “admission of error,” with three involving dismissals or formal reprimands. In seven cases, the IDF concluded that “no violation” had occurred. Meanwhile, 39 cases—about three-quarters of the total—have had no public updates. These include incidents such as the February 2024 killing of 112 Palestinians waiting for flour in Gaza and the May 2024 airstrike in Rafah that killed 45 people.
AOAV said the findings reflect “disingenuous damage control” rather than genuine military accountability, adding that there is a “lingering suspicion” that outcomes were designed to protect institutional legitimacy. This pattern, the NGO stressed, mirrors earlier Gaza conflicts, citing Yesh Din data indicating over 80% of similar complaints were previously closed without a criminal investigation.
Israel’s latest Gaza campaign began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw over 200 hostages taken. Since then, more than 55,600 people—mostly civilians—have died in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry. West Jerusalem has also been accused of blocking humanitarian aid, but neither the IDF nor Israeli officials have commented on AOAV’s findings.
