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Hannibal Protocol

An Israeli soldier reads a newspaper with a picture of Gilad Shalit as a tank prepares to deploy near the Gaza border on June 26, 2006. (AFP/MENAHEM KAHANA)
June 25, 2026, 6:11 am
20 years on, newly released military logs detail confusion during Shalit abduction
Records trace initial moments after attack, with soldier only identified as kidnapped hours after being dragged into Gaza, setting off 5-year national crisis and exchange deal seen as precursor to October 7
By Stav Levaton
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas, in Jerusalem, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
July 8, 2024, 3:31 pm
Daily Briefing July 8: Day 276 – Netanyahu’s four no’s for continued hostage talks
Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman updates us on negotiations, weighs in on alleged use of the Hannibal Protocol on Oct. 7, and explains what the weekend’s elections mean for Israel
By ToI Staff
The remains of the home of Pessi Cohen, where Hamas held 15 hostage on October 7, 2023, in Kibbutz Be'eri, seen on November 19, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 7, 2024, 6:46 pm
IDF officers invoked defunct ‘Hannibal Protocol’ during Oct. 7 fighting – report
Haaretz alleges that senior officers in Gaza Division ordered soldiers to use whatever means necessary to prevent abductions, even if it posed risk to life
By ToI Staff
A photo of Rafah in southern Gaza on August 2, 2014, one day after the abduction and killing of Lt. Hadar Goldin (Hatem Ali/ AP Photo)
August 15, 2018, 8:10 pm
IDF clears troops in massive deadly bombardment during 2014 Gaza war
Army’s top lawyer determines that the 72 civilians killed in offensive after capture of soldier were not deliberately targeted and officers worked to prevent deaths of bystanders
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative photos of IDF troops leaving Gaza at the close of a ground operation in August 2014. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit/ Facebook)
March 14, 2018, 5:24 pm
Comptroller report finds flaws, but largely defends IDF actions in 2014 Gaza war
Review says army was right to replace problematic ‘Hannibal Protocol’ for soldier abductions; identifies gaps in legal training and fact-finding efforts after the conflict
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative. IDF soldiers rush towards a target during the 2014 Gaza war, known in Israel as Operation Protective Edge, on August 4, 2014. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
January 23, 2017, 12:24 pm
New IDF orders to thwart soldier abductions replace misunderstood protocol
Three new military procedures, allowing massive use of force, came into effect this month to replace controversial Hannibal directive
By Judah Ari Gross
Smoke billowing following an IDF strike east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, August 1, 2014. (AFP/SAID KHATIB/file)
June 28, 2016, 1:27 pm
Israeli army cancels controversial Hannibal Protocol
IDF chief puts an end to ‘last resort’ measure that allowed troops to use massive force to prevent soldiers from being captured
By Judah Ari Gross
Rabbi Donniel Hartman, dean of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. (Courtesy of Shalom Hartman Institute)
June 28, 2016, 11:31 am
God must not be our top priority, says Orthodox rabbinical revolutionary
Donniel Hartman, the head of an educational powerhouse, argues heretically that the great monotheistic religions are fatally flawed — by an obsessive focus on God that overwhelms what should be our prime imperative, to live decent, moral lives. Here, he explains how we need to fight back
By David Horovitz
An overturned car is seen in the Palestinian Qalandya Refugee camp following clashes with Israeli troops overnight on March 1, 2016. (AFP / ABBAS MOMANI)
March 1, 2016, 3:06 pm
‘Last resort’ measure used to ensure troops weren’t kidnapped in Qalandiya, army says
Controversial Hannibal Protocol was put into effect for half hour after soldiers accidentally drove into refugee camp late Monday, sparking clashes
By Judah Ari Gross
Smoke billowing following an IDF strike east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, August 1, 2014. (AFP/SAID KHATIB/file)
July 29, 2015, 3:02 pm
Israel rejects ‘flawed’ war crime claim by rights group
Amnesty International says ‘strong evidence’ that bombardment after capture of IDF soldier disregarded civilian lives
By AFP and ToI Staff
From right: Professor Asa Kasher, Rabbi Elazar Goldstein, and deputy brigade commander Ori Shechter at a forum examining the Jewish laws regarding the Hannibal Protocol on July 8, 2015 (Courtesy: Dudi Avitan)
July 8, 2015, 5:39 pm
Controversial IDF directive may have caused soldier’s death in Gaza
Chief author of army’s ethics code bemoans widespread misreading of Hannibal Protocol, written to limit abductions in battle
By Mitch Ginsburg
Illustrative. IDF artillery seen preparing to return fire into southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah strike on an IDF patrol that killed two soldiers in the northern Mount Dov region along the Israel-Lebanon border, January 28, 2015. (Israel Defense Forces)
February 21, 2015, 7:18 pm
IDF denies it used controversial measure after Hezbollah attack
Lebanese newspaper alleges Israel implemented ‘Hannibal Protocol’ last month to prevent capture of soldiers
By ToI Staff
A Palestinian family walks on August 27, 2014, past the collapsed remains of a building in Shejaiya that was destroyed in fighting between Hamas and Israel. (AFP/ROBERTO SCHMIDT)
January 13, 2015, 1:41 am
AG says army’s anti-kidnapping protocol ‘balanced’
Weinstein says controversial Hannibal Protocol prohibits killing abducted soldiers to stop them being taken hostage
By Tamar Pileggi
Benny Gantz visiting a training drill on November 13, 2014. (photo credit: Gadi Yampel/IDF Spokerperson/Flash90)
December 31, 2014, 2:18 pm
IDF chief slams Gaza leaks, says army is ‘not reality TV’
Benny Gantz denounces ‘bad behavior’ after media publishes tapes that illuminate deadly Rafah battle
By Mitch Ginsburg
Soldiers from the Givati Brigade at the funeral of Lt. Hadar Goldin (Oded Balilty/ AP Photo)
December 30, 2014, 9:18 pm
Recordings shed harrowing new light on IDF’s response to Gaza abduction
Army radio transmissions from the morning of August 1 depict the chaotic aftermath of Lt. Hadar Goldin’s kidnapping by Hamas
By Mitch Ginsburg
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