The IDF is accused of military and moral failures in Gaza

In the earlyidfidfidfidf hours of April 7th the Israel Defence Forces’ () 98th Division withdrew from Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, exactly six months after Hamas’s attack of October 7th. Israel had the sympathy and broad support of much of the West when it sent its army to war with Hamas. Half a year later, much of Gaza lies in ruins. Over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gazan health ministry. The uprooted civilian population faces famine. Israel has lost the battle for global public opinion. Even its closest allies, including America, are considering whether to limit arms shipments.Much of the criticism centres on Israel’s armed forces. Even after its devastating failure to prevent the massacres of October 7th, the has remained the most cherished institution in Israeli society. Holding fast to the vision of the as both effective and moral is essential to Israelis’ image of themselves. But it is now accused of two catastrophic failures. First, that it has not achieved its military objectives in Gaza. Second, that it has acted immorally and broken the laws of war. The implications for both the and Israel are profound.