{
  "id": 6277001,
  "title": "New leaks of WCK probe testimony raises questions about why IDF officer not prosecuted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/new-leaks-of-wck-probe-testimony-raises-questions-about-why-idf",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T12:32:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907964"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New revelations in the World Central Kitchen (WCK) probe have cast doubt on why IDF Col. Nochi Mendel was dismissed but not charged. On April 1, 2024, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mistakenly killed seven international food aid workers. According to a delayed final report by IDF Chief Prosecutor Col. Eli Levertov, Mendel and his team made multiple mistakes that led to the error, but they were not criminally negligent. However, the leaked transcript of Mendel's testimony may now allow for his prosecution and could prompt appeals to Israeli courts.\n\nLevertov's report stated that Mendel believed he was targeting Hamas terrorists, which negated the possibility of a criminal indictment due to the lack of provable criminal intent. The leaked transcript reveals that Mendel referred to officials running the convoy as having mixed with alleged Hamas militants, defined as being near, talking, playing, or hanging out with them. When asked whether armed men made the convoy a target, Mendel replied, \"Certainly.\"\n\nThe IDF maintains that its targeting policy does not allow commanders to attack humanitarian convoys merely because they see an armed member. However, the leaked transcript suggests that Mendel violated open fire regulations, potentially warranting criminal punishment. The IDF claims it is not a violation of international law but IDF policy, which is stricter. They argue that a convoy with an armed individual from the enemy can be legally targeted based on that basis, but the IDF insists on a higher standard as a matter of policy.",
  "summary": "IDF maintains Col. Nochi Mendel's error was insufficient for indictment since he believed he was targeting Hamas.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}