Israeli criminal probe into Gaza killings, US Army drone U-turn and Amazon’s drone delivery push

Israel’s military said it would open criminal investigations into two high-profile incidents in Gaza: the killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab, her relatives and two paramedics in January 2024, and the deaths of 15 Palestinian medics and rescue workers in Rafah in March 2025. The announcement followed reviews of 150 incidents involving troop conduct. The military also decided not to pursue criminal cases over three other attacks, including the 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy that killed seven aid workers. Palestinian medical officials, relatives and rights groups called for an independent international investigation, while Israel maintains that its military justice system can deal with alleged wrongdoing and says Hamas’s operations in populated areas complicate its campaign.

In separate drone-related developments, the US Army ordered an experimental Europe-based battalion that had spent nearly a year developing and practising drone warfare to return to its conventional airborne-infantry role. The decision drew attention because the unit had been intended to absorb lessons from Ukraine’s extensive use of unmanned systems. Meanwhile, Amazon announced plans to expand Prime Air drone deliveries from a small existing footprint to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2026. The company said eligible lightweight packages could arrive in as little as 30 minutes; the move would widen competition with Walmart and other firms pursuing rapid delivery, while leaving practical questions about community acceptance, airspace and operational reliability.