Four years after Hamas was able to abduct the body of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 battle in the Gaza Strip, the Military Advocate General's Corps has yet to decide whether to launch a criminal investigation into the events or close the case.
Known in military circles at "Rafah Black Friday," the last battle of Operation Protective Edge erupted in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on Aug. 1, 2014, some 90 minutes after the truce brokered between Israel and Hamas came into effect. It claimed the lives of Givati Brigade Lt. Hadar Goldin, reconnaissance company commander Maj. Benaya Sarel and signal operator Staff Sgt. Liel Gidoni.
Goldin sustained mortal wounds, and in the fray, Hamas operatives were able to abduct his body, which the terrorist group still holds.
Military sources familiar with the Military Advocate General's Corps proceedings said it was still investigating five battles that took place during the 2014 campaign, adding that some officers and soldiers who were involved in the "Black Friday" incident may face criminal proceedings over the aggressive attempt to recover Goldin's remains, aspects of which may have been in violation of international law.
A Military Advocate General official said that the Rafah battle was extremely complex and that dozens of complaints were filed with the military over its course. This demands a meticulous, in-depth investigation so that, if need be, the IDF would be able to defend the operational decisions made at the time, he said.
Some 500 complaints have been filed over 360 operational incidents that transpired during Operation Protective Edge, all alleging that IDF troops had violated international law.
The Military Police launched 30 criminal investigations into various incidents, the majority of which have been closed. So far, only one indictement has been filed against three soldiers suspected of looting.
The complaints against the IDF following Goldin's abduction detail an "extremely aggressive recovery operation," which some allege was the most violent of its kind ever and included massive aerial and ground shelling meant to stop Hamas from getting Goldin deep into Gaza.
It is estimated that between 130 and 150 Palestinians were killed and hundreds of others were wounded in the strikes, which the complaints allege were "highly disproportionate."
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit issued a statement saying, "In the course of Operation Protective Edge, many complaints and reports were received regarding unusual behavior by IDF troops and the alleged violation of the rules of war.
"The examination of hundreds of incidents in which these arguments were raised has been concluded. Some 30 Military Police investigations were launched, the majority of which have been concluded. Only a handful of incidents involving complex combat circumstances are still under review. This process adheres to the highest standards and is in its advanced stages," the statement said.
