The IDF's no fire rules
Earlier this week, I reported the story of four IDF soldiers who were trapped in Hebron and nearly lynched. At the time, I noted that the IDF's open fire rules were absurd. Now, we have confirmation that the IDF essentially has no fire rules (Hat Tip: Danny A). According to the new guidelines, soldiers are not allowed to open fire, even in the air, toward Palestinians who are stoning them. In addition, soldiers driving in an armored jeep are not allowed to shoot at a Palestinian who is about to throw a Molotov cocktail at them.
In the past, soldiers serving in Judea and Samaria were allowed to shoot at Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails. They were also allowed to shoot in the air to disperse Palestinians throwing rocks.
Under the new rules of engagement, they are only allowed to open fire if the Palestinian is throwing a Molotov cocktail at a civilian car. To shoot in the air, soldiers need to first receive permission from high-ranking commanders, something not needed in the past.
The new regulations were instituted several months ago following the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Avi Mizrachi as commander of the Central Command, and to the dismay of the IDF’s tactical level, which conducts hundreds of daily patrols throughout the Palestinian Authority, often coming under a hail of rocks and the occasional Molotov cocktail.
The decision to change the rules of engagement was made in line with IDF policy to avoid violence in the West Bank as part of Israeli efforts to bolster the PA.
“The fear is that violence, shooting and casualties will stymie Israeli and Palestinian efforts to improve the situation on the ground in the West Bank,” one defense official said on Wednesday.
What could go wrong?
Israel Matzav: The IDF's no fire rules
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