The Israeli military stated on Thursday that its general acted appropriately when authorizing the shelling of a house in an Israeli village where Hamas fighters held hostages during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. This incident resulted in the likely death of at least one captive and the injury of another, sparking significant debate.
The investigation into the events at Be’eri, one of the most severely affected communities on Oct. 7, signifies the start of a national evaluation process. It is the initial step in numerous probes aimed at understanding Israel’s shortcomings in safeguarding its citizens from the brutal Hamas assault. However, concerns have been raised about the military’s ability to conduct impartial investigations into its own shortcomings.
The Israeli military acknowledged its failure to protect Be’eri, citing disorganization, lack of coordination among forces, and delayed responses as key errors. Despite these shortcomings, Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, the commander during the Be’eri operation, received praise for his decisions during the chaotic battle. The military deemed the decision to shell the house, made by General Hiram and other commanders, as “professional and responsible” given the challenging circumstances.
At the onset of the conflict, Hamas gunmen had taken 14 hostages in the Be’eri home. Tragically, only two survived, with the inquiry revealing that most hostages were likely killed by their captors during the firefight.
The Be’eri incident triggered a heated discussion in Israel about the military’s actions in protecting civilians while combating the Hamas militants who had seized control of towns and military installations near Gaza.
