An IDF strike on a vehicle in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday evening reportedly proceeded only after securing clearance from the United States, raising questions about the current operational procedures between the two allies amid the ceasefire.
While the strike successfully targeted an operative planning an attack, reports indicate the terrorist was injured, not eliminated.
Delayed Strike and Protocol Confusion
According to a report in Ynet, the IDF strike was launched only after receiving approval from American representatives. However, conflicting reports emerged from within the military, with some IDF sources asserting that the procedure involved mere "coordination" with the Americans rather than a request for formal "approval."
The targeted operative, who military officials identified as a combat commander in the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Central Gaza Brigade, was reportedly planning an imminent attack against IDF forces inside Gaza.
Information regarding the operative and the planned attack was collected for nearly 24 hours. The intelligence was passed up the chain of command, from the Southern Command to the Chief of Staff, and then forwarded to the political echelon and the Joint Israeli-American Headquarters before the strike was executed.
Despite the comprehensive intelligence effort, the target was reportedly only wounded and not killed. Ynet noted that similar events in the past would typically be decided at the level of a division commander at most, suggesting that the current rules of engagement are stricter due to the U.S. desire to maintain the ceasefire.
