Israel, US at odds over rules of engagement

The Israeli leadership reacted harshly Sept. 7 to American calls for Israel to reexamine its military’s rules of engagement. The American call came on the backdrop of an internal IDF report that said it was likely American-Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli soldier by mistake. According to army sources cited in the Israeli press, it was “highly probable” an Israeli soldier under fire erroneously targeted Abu Akleh, mistaking her for a Palestinian militant. No criminal investigation into any soldier is expected.  

Expressing sorrow over her death and describing it as a “tragedy that occurred amid heavy enemy fire,” Prime Minister Yair Lapid clarified that Israel is not reassessing its rules of engagement.

He said, “The IDF never intentionally shoots at innocent people. We are deeply committed to freedom of the press and to some of the most stringent rules of engagement in the world. But to be clear, I will not allow an IDF soldier who was protecting himself from terrorist fire to be prosecuted just to receive applause from abroad. No one will dictate our rules of engagement to us when we are the ones fighting for our lives. Our soldiers have the full backing of the government of Israel and the people of Israel.”

Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that only IDF chief of staff can determine the rules of engagement. He noted, “The chief of staff, and he alone, determines and will continue to determine the open-fire policies, in accordance with the operational need and the values ​​of the IDF, including the purity of arms. The commanders and soldiers strictly implement the rules. There was and will be no political involvement in the matter.”