In the aftermath of the Hamas attack on October 7, Israel’s military employed the Hannibal protocol, a directive aimed at preventing the abduction of soldiers even if it meant risking the lives of hostages, as reported by Haaretz. This operational procedure was implemented at three army facilities targeted by Hamas, potentially putting civilians at risk as well. Orders included preventing any vehicle from returning to Gaza, amid concerns they might be transporting kidnapped individuals and soldiers. The extent of harm to civilians or soldiers due to these measures remains unclear, but documents and testimonies indicate widespread use of this protocol during the crisis.

In response to the revelations, the IDF stated that internal investigations are ongoing to understand the events of October 7 and improve future responses. This report follows earlier scrutiny of military intelligence failures and operational shortcomings during Hamas’s attack.

Furthermore, a UN investigation disclosed that Israeli military actions likely resulted in the accidental deaths of over a dozen civilians during the same attack. Additionally, reports highlighted failures in maintaining an early-warning system along the Gaza border, which could have alerted authorities to Hamas’s plans beforehand. The incidents underscore ongoing challenges in Gaza and the broader implications for Israeli military strategy and humanitarian concerns.