Report: Israel Invoked 'Hannibal Directive' on Oct. 7

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The Facts

  • Israeli outlet Haaretz released a report on Sunday claiming that the Israeli military allegedly employed the "Hannibal" operational order — which directs the use of force to prevent soldiers from being taken into captivity — at three army facilities infiltrated by Hamas on Oct. 7, potentially endangering civilians.

  • Israel's Gaza division allegedly received the directive about five hours after Hamas' attack began, stating, "Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza." A southern command source told Haaretz that by then, it was known that Hamas had taken hostages.


The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

The truth about Oct. 7 continues to come out as more and more Israeli claims prove to be false. Israel's military was in a state of chaos, with its forces in the south collapsing, leading to ferocious violence that killed its own civilians.

Pro-Israel narrative

Though it's surely possible that Israeli forces may have killed soldiers and civilians, it pales in comparison to the sheer amount of civilians Hamas intentionally massacred during its attack. It's clear that Hamas is behind the majority of the bloodshed on that fateful day.


Metaculus Prediction


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Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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