Israeli Air Force Operations and Controversies

The Israelis later release footage of dozens of strikes.

On Israeli television, pilots admit it was difficult to distinguish

gunmen from Israeli civilians.

Without

guidance, pilots say they join local WhatsApp groups

to identify

targets.

The idea that pilots have to get information from WhatsApp

groups is

truly remarkable. It's a sign of the initiative,

that people are looking

for any way that they can get the information.

At the same

time, this is an outrage. I mean, what kind of a way is

that to fight a modern

war?

The Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, says that at midday,

the army issues a version of what is known as the Hannibal Directive.

The

Hannibal Directive is the result of previous humiliations

where Israel

handed over hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return for the

release of one Israeli soldier.

On

October

7, it seems the Hannibal Directive may have

been revived and

applied even to civilian hostages.

The Air Force operated during those hours under an instruction to

prevent movement from Gaza into Israel and return from Israel into

Gaza. 70 vehicles were hit. At least in some of the

cases, everyone in the vehicle was killed.

The Israeli military does not deny the report.