Analysis: Why is Israel’s military killing so many of its own?

This photo combination shows from left, Alon Shamriz, Samer Al-Talalka and Yotam Haim — three Israelis who were taken captive by Hamas on October 7, and mistakenly shot dead by Israeli troops on December 15, 2023 in the Gaza City area of Shujayea, where troops have been engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas fighters [Courtesy of the Shamriz, Al-Talalka and Haim families via AP]

The Israeli army’s reaction to the Hamas attacks of October 7 has so far gone through four distinct phases.

The first, which started within hours of the incursion into the territory of Israel, was mostly aerial bombardment as revenge and preparation for next steps. The second phase saw the infantry and artillery enter the northern areas of the Gaza Strip from three directions, advancing towards Gaza City to cut it off from the remainder of the Palestinian territory.