The Tactics Institute calls for the immediate cessation of the Hannibal Directive, a controversial Israeli military policy, citing severe threats to regional peace and stability and violations of international human rights.
An investigation by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed that the Israeli army ordered the Hannibal Directive on October 7 last year, during Hamas’s unprecedented attack. This policy, aimed at preventing the capture of Israeli soldiers by enemy forces at any cost, was enacted with limited and unverified information. The directive led to an order stating that “not a single vehicle can return to Gaza,” despite the army not being fully aware of the extent of the kidnappings. This directive was inappropriately applied to civilians captured by Hamas, who should not have been subjected to such military procedures.
The death toll from Hamas-led attacks in Israel stands at 1,139, with nearly 250 captives, according to Israeli authorities. In contrast, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, based on Al Jazeera’s tally. The indiscriminate application of the Hannibal Directive has led to many kidnapped civilians being exposed to Israeli gunfire, exacerbating the volatile situation in the region.
The Tactics Institute demands that the Israeli army immediately halt the use of the Hannibal Directive. The directive, which allows for maximum force to prevent the abduction of soldiers, has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and is a gross violation of international human rights. The indiscriminate use of force, including firing at junctions, roads, highways, and other pathways, has not only failed to prevent kidnappings but has also led to unnecessary deaths and suffering.
The directive’s invocation during the 2014 war on Gaza and its subsequent use in October 2023 highlights a pattern of behaviour that is incompatible with international laws and norms. The Tactics Institute emphasizes that the Hannibal Directive was recommended for abolition by Israel’s state comptroller due to its controversial nature and varying interpretations within the army.
The Tactics Institute strongly urges the Israeli army to cease the use of the Hannibal Directive immediately. Continued use of this policy poses a severe threat to regional peace and stability and constitutes a violation of fundamental international human rights.
