Dr. Pamelia Riviere
A report released by a UN Commission in June 2024 revealed alarming details regarding the Israel Security Forces’ implementation of the controversial Hannibal Directive during the tumultuous events of October 7, 2023.
On July 7, 2024, Haaretz disclosed that the Hannibal operational order, which permits the use of lethal force to avert the capture of Israeli soldiers, had been activated at three separate military installations during the chaos. Further reports on the same day stated that the Israeli army had formally authorised the use of the Hannibal Directive, a policy that has drawn significant controversy for its aggressive stance against enemy advancements, as highlighted by Al Jazeera.
Additionally, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation brought attention to the troubling accusations that Israeli forces had, under the cover of the Hannibal Directive during the tumult of October 7, been responsible for the deaths of their own civilians. This revelation, officially reported on September 6, 2025, underscores the complex and tragic nature of the ongoing conflict.
Hamas lacked incendiaries: Fishy Israeli army stand down command?
On October 7, significant events unfolded that have prompted various analyses. If Israel were to release all the footage from that day publicly, it is believed that the contrasting narratives would take many aback. Reports suggest that Hamas was primarily equipped with rifles and RPGs, lacking incendiaries or the means to deploy them. It appears that Hamas did not intend to cause mass casualties, as many of the fatalities were allegedly inflicted by Israeli forces. While local commanders may not have been fully aware of the impending attack, there are indications that the central command of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had a different level of foreknowledge.
Actions taken prior to the attack, such as troop withdrawals from the area and the decision to issue a “stand down” command to some border guards, raise questions about the strategic choices made by the IDF.
What is the Hannibal Directive?
The Hannibal Directive is an Israeli military policy that permits the use of maximum force to thwart soldier abductions, even if it poses risks to the soldiers themselves. Established in 1986 by three high-ranking army officers, it detailed the actions to be taken if an Israeli soldier were captured during combat. On July 7, 2024, the Guardian reported, citing a Haaretz article: Amid the initial confusion of the Hamas assault on October 7, Israel’s armed forces activated the Hannibal protocol, which mandates the use of force to prevent soldier kidnappings, even at the risk of harming hostages.
The Guardian reported Haaretz
A source from the southern command informed the publication: “At that point, it was clear to everyone that such vehicles could be transporting kidnapped individuals, whether civilians or soldiers … It was understood that no vehicles should be allowed to return to Gaza.” The Israeli government has been accused of attempting to obstruct a ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
According to Haaretz, it remains uncertain whether civilians or soldiers were affected by these commands, or the extent of that impact. Still, documents and testimonies from soldiers, along with accounts from mid-level and senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officers, indicated that this practice was employed widely on October 7 due to unclear information as the IDF worked to respond to the assault. In reaction to the report, an IDF spokesperson stated that internal inquiries into the events of October 7 and the preceding timeframe were in progress.
The Haaretz investigation represents the latest coverage by Israeli media revealing shortcomings in military intelligence and operational responses surrounding the Hamas attack, the most lethal single assault on Israeli territory since the establishment of the state in 1948.
Electronic Intifada Report: On February 7, 2025, Electronic Intifada released an article titled: “Army was ordered to kill Israelis on October 7, defence minister confirms.” The piece disclosed that Israeli forces received orders to execute captive Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, as acknowledged by the then-defence minister earlier this week. The directive to implement Israel’s so-called Hannibal Directive was issued “tactically” and “in different locations” near Gaza, Yoav Gallant stated in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Thursday.
During the interview, journalist Amit Segal explained to the audience that “the Hannibal Directive instructs to shoot to kill when there is a vehicle holding an Israeli hostage” – a portrayal that Gallant did not dispute. This was Gallant’s first interview with Israeli television since his firing in November.
The Hannibal Directive was applied inconsistently across various areas
In contrast to Gallant’s claim that the Hannibal Directive was applied inconsistently across various areas, Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported in January 2024 that an explicit order was issued by the Israeli military’s high command to implement the Hannibal Directive throughout the entire region at midday on October 7. The directive stated that this action would proceed “even if this means endangering or harming the lives of civilians in the region, including the captives themselves,” according to Israeli journalists Ronen Bergman and Yoav Zitun.
In July, Haaretz reported that an order was given to the Gaza Division of the Israeli military at 11:22 am that day, stating that “not a single vehicle can return to Gaza.” However, Gallant’s recent statement is significant, as it marks the first public acknowledgment by a contemporary Israeli minister that their forces were instructed to fire on their own citizens on October 7. Initially issued in secrecy by Israeli generals in the 1980s, the Hannibal Directive represents Israel’s national murder-suicide agreement. Initially, it specified that, when enacted, Israeli soldiers were permitted to fire upon other Israeli soldiers who had recently captured Palestinian or other Arab resistance fighters.
John Mearsheimer: Hamas did not kill 1200 Israeli civilians on October 7
On October 7, 2025, during a thought-provoking interview with journalist Katie Halper, prominent political scientist John Mearsheimer and passionate Palestinian-American writer and activist Susan Abulhawa delved into the intricate complexities that shaped the events of that day.
They shed light on the critical role of Israeli firepower, the pervasive influence of propaganda, and the controversial Hannibal Doctrine, revealing a narrative that remains largely unexamined in mainstream Western media. In a striking admission, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed the deployment of the Hannibal directive. This revelation raises significant ethical questions and highlights the troubling implications of such military strategies.
Professor John Mearsheimer discussed the two-year anniversary of the events of October 7, expressing deep concern over the persistent misinformation surrounding that day. He criticised the widespread repetition of sensationalised stories, such as claims of beheaded babies, which have been debunked yet continue to circulate among politicians and media personalities.
Mearsheimer questioned whether this was due to willful deceit or ignorance, indicating that both scenarios are troubling. He pointed out the lack of an independent investigation into the events of that day, despite ongoing discussions and reports.
Mearsheimer discusses the situation involving Israeli casualties and the military response to Hamas. He notes that Israel was caught off guard and lacked a solid backup plan, which led to a rapid deployment of heavy firepower. He argues that while Hamas’s actions, including attacks on Israeli military forces, can be understood within the context of international law, considering their fight for freedom, there were also clear instances of civilian deaths that could be classified as war crimes.
The writer is a freelance analyst
