Defense Minister Gantz Rebuffed US Push for Change in IDF Rules of Engagement

Jerusalem, 7 September, 2022 (TPS-IL) -- “The IDF’s Chief of the General Staff, and he alone, determines, and will continue to determine the rules of engagement in accordance with our operational needs and values of the IDF,” said Gantz. “These instructions are implemented in a strict manner by soldiers and their commanders. There has not been, and there will not be any political involvement in the matter. IDF troops have my full backing in their mission to protect the citizens of Israel.”

The comments came in response to a US push for Israel to change these rules after it was revealed that an Israeli soldier was responsible for the death of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who died after getting caught in the middle of a crossfire between IDF troops and terrorists in the Jenin Refugee Camp on May 11.