A new report claims that Israel launched the directive allowing the killings of captives taken by Hamas on October 7 from the start of the war on Gaza. The Israeli army did deploy its so-called Hannibal Directive, which allows the military to use all necessary force to prevent the capture of soldiers, during the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. This resulted in the loss of both civilian and military lives, according to an investigation by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
WHAT IS HANNIBAL DIRECTIVE?
The Hannibal Directive, also known as the Hannibal Procedure or Hannibal Protocol, allows the Israeli military to use any force necessary to prevent Israeli soldiers from being captured and taken into enemy territory – even if it leads to the captives’ deaths. For nearly two decades, military censorship kept the directive under wraps.
ORIGINS OF THE HANNIBAL DIRECTIVE
In 1986, Israeli army commanders formulated the doctrine after three soldiers from the Givati Brigade were captured by Hezbollah. At the time, Israel occupied southern Lebanon, having invaded in 1982. The directive was a response to an incident where brigade members saw a vehicle escaping with their comrades but did not open fire. The remains of the captured soldiers were returned in 1996 in exchange for the bodies of 123 Hezbollah fighters.
RATIONALE BEHIND THE DIRECTIVE
A soldier’s abduction is a strategic move for enemies, giving them negotiating power and the ability to affect national morale and public support for a conflict. Captives also prevent the enemy from extracting strategic information if the soldiers are killed before being captured.
APPLICATION IN CURRENT CONFLICT
The fate of captives taken by Hamas fighters into Gaza on October 7 continues to drive Israeli public opinion. Their welfare has become a defining aspect of the war, and their return is a priority in various polls.
HISTORICAL USE OF THE HANNIBAL DIRECTIVE
The Hannibal Directive has been used or suspected to be used in several incidents:
- October 2000: Three Israeli soldiers were captured by Hezbollah. Israel’s Northern Command ordered a “Hannibal situation,” leading to Israeli attack helicopters firing on the convoy of vehicles carrying the soldiers.
- 2006: Following the abduction of an Israeli soldier by Hamas, the directive was invoked but too late to be implemented. It was later deployed following the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah.
- 2008: The directive was activated during Israel’s war on Gaza when a Palestinian’s house was shelled to prevent the capture of a wounded Israeli soldier inside.
- 2014 Rafah Incident: The directive was deployed following the abduction of a junior Israeli officer. Amnesty International concluded that the assault led to the deaths of up to 200 Palestinian civilians, including 75 children, describing it as “a war crime.” The Israeli army later denied the directive was enacted but admitted it was referenced during radio communications.
- 2014 Battle of Shujayea and Qalandiya Refugee Camp in 2016: The directive was thought to have been used during these events when Israeli soldiers went missing.
CONTROVERSY AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
The use of the Hannibal Directive has sparked significant controversy due to its potential to cause civilian casualties and its ethical implications. Critics argue that it prioritizes preventing soldier abductions over civilian lives, raising moral and legal questions.
The Hannibal Directive remains a contentious aspect of Israel’s military strategy. Its deployment during conflicts has led to severe consequences and international scrutiny. As the current conflict continues, the implications of such directives on both military and civilian lives remain a critical issue, highlighting the complex ethical landscape of modern warfare.
The directive’s name origins are disputed, with some sources attributing it to a Carthaginian general who chose to poison himself instead of being captured by the Romans in 181 BC. However, Israeli military officials claim a computer randomly generated the name.
As the war on Gaza continues, the Hannibal Directive’s role and impact will likely be a focal point in post-war investigations and discussions on military ethics and strategies. Understanding its history and applications provides insight into the broader challenges and decisions faced by military forces in conflict situations.
