Israel halts policy of killing its own soldiers

ISRAEL’S military has abandoned a controversial policy that allowed troops to use extraordinary measures to prevent their comrades from being captured – including killing them.

The emergency procedure, known as the “Hannibal Doctrine”, dates from the 1980s and has become one of Israel’s signature military doctrines. But it has also been criticised by human rights groups and debated within Israeli society.

The directive is meant to stop Israel’s enemies from using captured soldiers as bargaining chips. It calls for combat units to use all the firepower at their command when one of their own is about to fall into enemy hands – even if this causes the death of their comrade. Critics say the vague policy is used by soldiers as justification for indiscriminate shooting and civilian casualties.

A military source confirmed that General Gadi Eisenkot, the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), had revoked the Hannibal Directive. The general agreed it left too much room for interpretation by troops, the source said. A new policy will be drawn up.

The directive drew its name from the Carthaginian general said to have poisoned himself rather than be captured. But the IDF says the name was randomly generated by computer.