IDF Spokesperson March 11th, 2010

Military Prosecution Indicts Two IDF Staff Sergeants For Engaging in
Unauthorized Conduct During Operation Cast Lead

Today, March 11th, 2010, the Military Prosecution, in accordance with
military jurisdiction, indicted two IDF Staff Sergeants for engaging in
unauthorized conduct.

The indictment charges that during Operation Cast Lead, the two soldiers
instructed a boy to open several bags suspected to be booby-trapped while
searching a building in the Tel al -Hawa neighborhood in the Gaza Strip.

It should be noted that, in accordance with instructions from the Military
Advocate General, the Military Police initiated an investigation in June
2009 as soon as the incident became known.

Also, it must be emphasized that prior to and throughout Operation Cast
Lead, IDF soldiers were strictly forbidden from making use of civilians for
or during operational activity and specifically when it endangered the lives
of the civilians.

The IDF is carrying out detailed investigations of various events from
Operation Cast Lead and is doing so through operational investigations,
professional investigations at the General Staff level, and through detailed
complaints filed by civilians and organizations.

The IDF is morally obligated to prevent harming uninvolved civilians and
takes numerous measures in order to maintain the values of conduct in
warfare and the law by taking legal action against those who breach these
moral values.

As previously mentioned the Military Police investigation was opened in June
2009, completely unrelated to the Goldstone Report.

The investigation was opened following the directive of the Military
Advocate General after it was brought to his attention by the UN
Secretary-General special representative's report on matters involving
children and armed conflict and following a complaint filed by the Israeli
branch of Defense for Children International.