Israel’s former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, admitted that Israeli troops were ordered to invoke the “Hannibal Directive” on 7 October 2023, leading to significant Israeli casualties. With “hundreds” reportedly killed by Israeli forces, his admission raises questions about the justification of the subsequent Gaza offensive.
via Jon Eisen
The fallout from 7 October 2023 is now further complicated by revelations that a significant number of Israeli deaths that day were caused by Israeli forces themselves.
Official figures show that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza involved over 11,000 shells, 500 heavy bombs, and 180 missiles.
While 1,139 individuals in Israel were killed during the raid by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, prior investigations by independent journalists and international bodies suggest that at least ‘hundreds’ of the Israeli deaths were the result of the Hannibal Directive—raising profound questions about the justification for the subsequent Gaza offensive.
This suggestion that the majority of deaths resulted from Israel’s own actions was reinforced by Israel’s former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who confirmed in an interview on 8 February that Israeli troops were ordered to invoke the Hannibal Directive on 7 October 2023, allowing them to fire on vehicles carrying Israeli captives to prevent their abduction.
His statement marks the first public acknowledgment by a senior official of the directive’s application to both soldiers and civilians.
Fire from Israeli helicopters, drones, and tanks targeted fleeing vehicles, including those containing Israeli civilians.
One of the most tragic incidents took place at the Supernova music festival, where helicopters fired on attendees amid confusion and panic.
At least 364 people were killed at the festival, though the exact number of deaths caused by Israeli fire remains unknown.
This revelation raises critical concerns about the justification of Israel’s subsequent military offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties.
Health officials in Gaza estimate that over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October—including those buried under the rubble—with large-scale destruction affecting more than 370,000 housing units, 79,000 of which have been completely destroyed.
Human rights organisations have questioned the proportionality of Israel’s response, particularly given Gallant’s admission that a substantial number of Israeli deaths may have been caused by friendly fire under the Hannibal Directive.
In January 2024, Yediot Ahronot reported that the order to apply the Hannibal Directive had been issued unambiguously by Israel’s high command during the 7 October attack, despite the risks it posed to civilians.
Asa Kasher, who authored the IDF’s code of ethics, described the directive as “unlawful, unethical, and horrifying.” He called for an investigation into its deployment, particularly at army facilities near the Gaza border.
Further complicating matters, Israeli media reports suggest that Hamas fighters aimed to keep their Israeli captives alive for potential exchanges—a point reaffirmed by Gallant in his interview.
In an interview, Israeli hostage Noa Argamani, who was freed in June 2024, described narrowly escaping death after an Israeli airstrike hit the Gaza building where she was held.
“I saw the missile entering the house; I was sure I was about to die,” she told Israel Hayom. Her account, along with others, underscores the risks Israeli captives faced, not only from Hamas but also from their own military’s actions.
The United Nations has criticised Israel for obstructing investigations into the events of 7 October, barring access to key sites and limiting the availability of information.
A UN-backed report released in December 2024 highlighted these obstructions and accused Israel of blocking medical professionals and humanitarian workers from aiding inquiries.
As the Hannibal Directive’s controversial role in the events of 7 October comes under scrutiny, many are calling for a full investigation into its legality and the broader implications of its use.
Gallant’s admission has sparked renewed debates over whether Israel’s actions that day prioritised national security at the expense of civilian lives.
With evidence mounting that Israeli fire caused a significant portion of Israeli casualties, the justification for the large-scale destruction in Gaza faces increasing challenges on the international stage.
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