Palestinians fight for their lives and their stolen lands

[Anthea]

Baby girl freezes to death in Gaza

Sila's father, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, described his three-week-old daughter's lifeless body as “stiff as wood”

A baby girl has tragically frozen to death in Gaza, and at least 10 people have been killed in airstrikes amid the ongoing Israeli genocide.

The three-week-old infant is the third to die from the cold in Gaza’s tent camps in recent days, according to doctors.

These deaths highlight the dire conditions in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in overcrowded, makeshift tents after being forcibly displaced many times due to relentless Israeli airstrikes and total blockade.

In yet another Israeli massacre, five Palestinians were killed and 20 injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in Gaza City’s al-Zaytoun neighborhood early Thursday. Medics warned the death toll could rise as many remain trapped under the rubble.

Meanwhile, five journalists were tragically killed when Israeli occupation forces deliberately targeted their vehicle, clearly marked as "Press", near the al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, central Gaza

Health authorities confirmed the Israeli killings of the journalists and Palestinian media stated the vehicle was marked as a media van and used by journalists covering the harrowing Israeli atrocities in the hospital and the Nuseirat camp.

'She was like wood'

The father of three-week-old Sila, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, told the Associated Press that he wrapped her in a blanket to keep her warm in their tent in the Muwasi area, located outside Khan Younis. However, this wasn't enough to save her.

Al-Faseeh explained that the tent was not sealed against the wind, and the ground was cold, as temperatures dropped to 9°C (48°F) on Tuesday night. Muwasi is a barren region of dunes and farmland along Gaza's Mediterranean coast.

“It was very cold overnight, and as adults we couldn’t even take it. We couldn’t stay warm,” he said. Sila cried three times during the night, and by morning, they found her unresponsive and stiff.

“She was like wood,” al-Faseeh remarked. They rushed her to a field hospital, but doctors were unable to revive her, as her lungs had already deteriorated. The AP's images of Sila showed her with purple lips and blotchy pale skin.

Ahmed al-Farra, director of the children's ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed that Sila died from hypothermia. He added that two other babies—one three days old and the other a month old—had been brought to the hospital in the past 48 hours, also having succumbed to hypothermia.

Unbearable death toll

The ongoing Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza has resulted in the killing of over 45,361 Palestinians, with more than half of the martyrs being women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.

The Israeli war has caused widespread destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, often multiple times

As winter sets in, hundreds of thousands are crammed into tent camps along the coast. Aid organizations have struggled to provide food and supplies, facing shortages of blankets, warm clothing, and firewood amid the total Israeli blockade and relentless airstrikes, while international organizations warn of famine spreading across the Strip.

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[Anthea]

South Africa's role in supporting Gaza

Al Mayadeen English interviews Ziyaad Patel, a South African lawyer and international Human Rights advocate who is working diligently on bringing those responsible for war crimes in Gaza to justice

In an in-depth interview with Al Mayadeen English (full interview found below), Ziyaad Patel, a South African lawyer and international human rights advocate, criticized "Israel’s" crimes in occupied Palestine. Drawing from his country’s struggle against apartheid, Patel framed the plight of Palestinians as a modern-day genocide, urging the global community to act against what he described as violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention. His work, which includes legal advocacy and the groundbreaking South African Zionist Terrorism Probe, seeks to hold Israeli officials accountable for war crimes.

Patel’s perspective as a South African deeply informed his views: "South Africa has a moral obligation," he said. "Our history of apartheid and colonization gives us a unique lens to understand and act against the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians."

From Commercial Law to Human Rights Advocacy

Patel’s career began in commercial law, but his trajectory shifted dramatically after witnessing the horrors of the 2008-2009 war on Gaza, known in "Israel" as Operation Cast Lead. "It was horrifying to see the scale of atrocities committed against a civilian population," Patel recalled. "I thought to myself, as a lawyer, this is something I need to undertake professionally."

Inspired by resistance figures like Nelson Mandela, Patel leveraged his expertise to champion the rights of the oppressed, drawing comparisons between South Africa’s apartheid regime and "Israel’s" crimes in Palestine, pointing out the similar methods of systemic oppression. For example, discriminatory laws in apartheid South Africa, such as passing laws to further cement apartheid, and forced displacements, closely resemble Israeli policies in the West Bank, including checkpoints, land seizures, and the demolition of Palestinian homes.

"We overcame apartheid through solidarity and legal action," Patel emphasized. "These are the same tools Palestinians need."

Exposing war crimes

One of Patel’s most notable projects, the South African Zionist Terrorism Corridor Probe, investigates "Israel’s" military tactics and their impact on Palestinian civilians. The probe documents evidence of war crimes, including the use of sniper units in Gaza to target civilians.

Among the complainants for the probe are Safoudien Bester, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Cape Town, and the Media Review Network from South Africa.

"These sniper units have deliberately targeted journalists, medics, and even children," Patel stated. He recounted an incident during the 2018 Great March of Return, where Israeli snipers killed a paramedic attempting to treat a wounded protester. "These are not isolated actions. They are part of a systematic campaign to suppress resistance and instill fear."

Patel also detailed how the blockade on Gaza, which has been ongoing for years now, functions as a weapon of war. "The siege is not just an economic blockade—it’s a weapon of war designed to break the Palestinian population," he said. His team has collected extensive documentation on these actions, building a strong case to hold Israeli figures accountable.

South African nationals in the Israeli Occupation Forces

He also revealed concerning details about South African nationals serving in the Israeli Occupation Forces. Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to join foreign military forces without explicit government permission, especially when those forces are involved in human rights violations or war crimes.

"South Africans serving in the IDF are complicit in the occupation and the atrocities being committed," Patel said. "This is a direct violation of our laws, and it cannot be tolerated."

Patel has been working to bring these individuals to justice, and his efforts include gathering evidence of South African IOF soldiers' involvement in military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, "We are building cases to prosecute these individuals under South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act," Patel explained, further noting that "their actions violate both national and international law, and they must be held accountable."

Patel also highlighted the role of advocacy groups in pressuring the South African government to act against these violations, saying, "We need stronger enforcement of our laws to ensure that South African citizens are not complicit in international crimes."

Seeking Justice Through South African Courts

Patel’s efforts to bring cases against Israeli officials to South African Authorities exemplify his innovative approach to justice. By leveraging South Africa's implementation of the International Criminal Court Act, Patel has also worked on SA's domestication of the Rome Statute in enabling South Africa to investigate and potentially prosecute crimes committed outside its borders.

Other initiatives include the lawfare advocacy citizens Bill - IPPSRA (Implementation and Protection of Palestinian Solidarity Rights Act), as an overarching legislation intended to strengthen existing laws to isolate "Israel" through an institutionalised BDS campaign, using lawfare mechanisms to hold to account Israeli officials and South African nationals in the IOF, as well as companies with ties and interests with the Israeli regime.

"We’ve submitted detailed affidavits and evidence, including medical reports and survivor testimonies from Gaza," Patel explained. "These documents provide a clear picture of the atrocities committed and the individuals responsible."

A decision to prosecute is made by the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) of South Africa, after the conclusion of an investigation by the SAPS (South African Police Services - Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation).

According to Patel, Unless circumstances permit otherwise of a non-prosecution by the NPA, a private prosecution may be invoked by complainants through the courts for egregious crimes perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.

Patel framed Israeli actions in Palestine as a clear violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, as he discussed several key criteria that identify the war on Gaza as a genocide:

Targeting Civilian Infrastructure: This was evident in the deliberate destruction of schools, hospitals, and homes in Gaza during military operations.

Erasure of Cultural Identity: Forced evictions, land grabs, and the systematic demolition of Palestinian heritage sites are clear examples of this.

Mass Killings and Displacement: The high number of civilian casualties during Israeli offensives, coupled with the forced displacement of Palestinian families bear testament to "Israel's" violations.

Suppression of Reproductive Rights: Attacks on maternity wards and restrictions on access to healthcare, with women in particular suffering in the genocide through the restriction of much-needed medicine and healthcare.

"Genocide isn’t just about killing," Patel noted. "It’s about systematically destroying the conditions necessary for a community’s survival."

Despite these violations, Patel pointed out the many systemic challenges in holding "Israel" accountable. The International Criminal Court (ICC) faces obstacles in terms of asserting jurisdiction, particularly amid debates over Palestine’s statehood status. Additionally, the ICC’s decision to focus on crimes committed post-2014 excludes earlier atrocities, such as the 2008-2009 Gaza war and earlier crimes.

Patel also discussed the limitations of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), particularly its inability to enforce the provisional measures requiring humanitarian access to Gaza. "Ignoring ICJ orders undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for other conflicts," he said.

The Role of Western and Arab Nations

Patel also strongly criticized Western nations, particularly the United States. "The duplicity is staggering," he said. "They veto resolutions, supply arms, and then condemn resistance movements as terrorists."

He also expressed frustration with Arab nations, accusing them of failing to act decisively. "It’s disgraceful that Arab countries have not provided meaningful support beyond empty statements," Patel said, calling for regional tribunals and military interventions to enforce ICJ rulings, emphasizing that such actions could have prevented countless civilian deaths.

Moreover, he addressed how media narratives shape perceptions of the conflict. "The West labels groups like Hamas as terrorists to justify collective punishment," he argued. "But these narratives obscure the legitimate struggle for freedom and self-determination."

He also highlighted the importance of challenging these biases through public education and grassroots activism. "An informed public is a powerful force for change," he noted.

Practical steps

Patel warned that the failure to address Israeli violations sets dangerous precedents. "If we allow this to continue, we normalize war crimes and genocide," he said.

He offered practical steps for the global community:

Adopt the Rome Statute Domestically: Patel urged nations to follow South Africa’s example and integrate the Rome Statute into domestic law.

Enhance ICJ Enforcement: He called for mechanisms to enforce ICJ rulings, potentially through regional coalitions.

Strengthen Grassroots Movements: Patel praised the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign for its global impact, saying, "BDS has shifted public discourse globally, even if governments remain complicit."

Promote Public Awareness: Patel emphasized the importance of educating global audiences about the realities of the conflict. "Public opinion can be a catalyst for change."

Hope for the future

Despite the challenges, Patel remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice. "South Africa has a unique role to play," he said. "Not only because of our history but because international law compels us to act."

He urged nations, particularly those in the Global South, to leverage their legal and diplomatic tools to hold Israel accountable. "Justice isn’t just a moral imperative," Patel concluded. "It’s a legal one."

Through initiatives like the South African Zionist Terrorism Corridor Probe, Ziyaad Patel is shedding light on the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians and challenging the global community to act. His work shows the power of legal advocacy in the fight against oppression and impunity, offering hope for a future where justice prevails.

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[Anthea]

More bombed hospitals

infants freeze to death

The Israeli occupation's genocide in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, with hospitals like al-Wafaa targeted in airstrikes recently, prompting Hamas to once again label the attacks as war crimes and demand international intervention

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that US/Israel's genocidal aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has killed at least 45,514 martyrs and wounded 108,189 others.

Additionally, a Palestinian infant in the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip reportedly "froze to death" after an Israeli airstrike on al-Wafaa Hospital killed at least seven people, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense agency.

The agency stated on Sunday, "Seven martyrs and several injured people, including critical cases, have been recovered following the Israeli strike on the upper floor of Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City."

The hospital, which was partially operational due to previous attacks, has been providing care to patients with physical disabilities.

Munir al-Barsh, the Director General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, explained, "The hospital had been rehabilitated and was getting ready to receive patients. Had it not been targeted by Israeli shelling today, it would have been ready to fully reopen in the next few days."

Hamas condemned the attack on hospitals as war crimes. In a statement, the Palestinian Resistance movement declared, "The Zionist airstrike on al-Wafaa Hospital and artillery shelling on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City are war crimes."

Hamas also criticized the international community’s inaction, calling for UN observers and protective measures for hospitals. It further accused "Israel" of committing genocide and systematically destroying civilian infrastructure, especially targeting hospitals, doctors, and medical personnel, in crimes that have persisted for over 15 months.

Hospital director detained by IOF in Gaza

The Health Ministry in Gaza warned on Saturday of a "countdown" until the deaths of patients and the injured that have been forcibly transferred to the Indonesian Hospital, where no water, power, food, or supplies are available, amid the detention of its medical staff as well, making it almost impossible for patients to get the medical treatment they need.

The ministry confirmed that patients at the Indonesian Hospital endured a harsh night, describing their situation as "extremely dire and deplorable." It noted that the occupation forces had previously destroyed the hospital’s infrastructure before forcibly evacuating patients there.

Consequently, the ministry urgently appealed to all relevant institutions and organizations to find a solution for patients at the hospital.

The ministry also reported that occupation forces have detained the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. On Friday, the ministry stated that the occupation had taken dozens of medical staff, including Abu Safiya, to an interrogation center following the burning of the hospital.

In an alarming escalation, the IOF launched an airstrike in the vicinity of the hospital after storming its premises and forcibly displacing 300 patients. Many of these patients, who were dependent on life-saving medical devices, were left in the open, exposed to the harsh cold, further endangering their fragile health

The director of field hospitals at the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Marwan al-Hams, told Al Mayadeen at the time that the IOF continued to besiege Kamal Adwan Hospital and burn it, calling the hospital "the last operating hospital in the northern Gaza Strip."

Additionally, al-Awda Hospital has been subjected to direct targeting by the occupation for over 80 days, while Gaza province faces a severe shortage of hospital bed capacity, as confirmed by the ministry yesterday.

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[Anthea]

Settlers storm Al Aqsa Mosque

IOF detain Palestinians in West Bank

This incursion coincides with the fifth day of the Hanukkah holiday, the Jewish festival of light, during which settlers have called for increased incursions into Al Aqsa Mosque

Israeli settlers stormed Monday morning the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, performing Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli occupation police.

The occupation forces tightened restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshippers to Al-Aqsa, imposing stringent military measures at all the mosque's gates, as well as around the Old City of al-Quds and its entrances.

This incursion coincides with the fifth day of the Hanukkah holiday, the Jewish festival of light, during which settlers have called for increased incursions into the mosque, which continues until the end of this week.

Detentions and raids in occupied West Bank

In a related context, Israeli occupation forces also raided Wadi al-Qelt in Areeha, in the occupied West Bank, closing roads and streets near the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp with earthen berms.

The forces stormed the town of Idhna, west of al-Khalil, raiding and searching several homes and vandalizing their contents. The town has been under a strict siege for 121 days, with the occupation closing its main entrance with an iron gate and blocking all side dirt roads with earthen berms

The occupation forces also continue to block entrances to towns and refugee camps in al-Khalil, while intensifying military measures in the alleys of the Old City.

In Tulkarm, Israeli occupation forces detained two Palestinians from the town of Qaffin, north of the city, after raiding their homes.

Additionally, the occupation forces stormed the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya, raiding and searching several Palestinian homes before withdrawing after more than three hours.

Earlier, Israeli occupation forces had raided the villages of Hajja and Baqat al-Hatab, east of Qalqilya, deploying in several neighborhoods.

In Beit Lahm, Israeli occupation forces detained two Palestinians from the town of Tuqu’, southeast of the city, at dawn after raiding their families' homes.

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[Anthea]

Gaza hospital director in detention camp

Recently released Palestinian detainees who had been held at Sde Teiman, an ill-famed detention camp in the al-Naqab desert near the Gaza border, said they had seen Dr. Abu Safiya or heard his name

The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who was detained during an Israeli raid that shut down the last major functioning health facility in northern Gaza, is reportedly being held at a notorious Israeli detention camp, CNN reported, citing released detainees.

Dr. Abu Safiya, who was last seen publicly on Friday when Israeli invading units raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, has not been heard from since. Hospital staff reported that the Israeli forces started a fire in the hospital, then rounded up everyone outside, forcing them to strip for hours before being made to leave.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is a symbol of unwavering dedication to humanity. Even after losing his son, his home, and sustaining an injury from an Israeli attack, he continued to stay with his patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital

Following his detention, Dr. Abu Safiya’s family appealed for information about his whereabouts. Recently released Palestinian detainees who had been held at Sde Teiman, an ill-famed detention camp in the al-Naqab desert near the Gaza border, said they had seen Dr. Abu Safiya or heard his name, as per the report.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya has been confirmed to be in Sde Teiman detention center by released prisoner Yahya Zaqqout, who reported hearing his name during morning roll call. CNN corroborated the same story through released prisoners Ahmad Al Sayyed Saleem and Alaa Abu Banat.

Ahmad Al Sayyed Saleem, 18, who was detained 42 days ago after evacuating northern Gaza, told CNN that a doctor from the Abu Safiya family was brought into the prison on Saturday.

Yahya Zaqout, also detained 42 days ago, said he did not personally see Dr. Abu Safiya, but overheard his name called.

Alaa Abu Banat, another former detainee, confirmed that a medical team from Kamal Adwan Hospital, including Dr. Abu Safiya, was brought to Sde Teiman.

Abu Banat said one of his cellmates, a doctor, was beaten until his eye bled and had spoken to Dr. Abu Safiya.

Dr. Abu Safiya’s family said, as quoted by CNN, “Sde Teiman is known for brutality and torture. We can't imagine what our father is going through in that place and if he is well or not, warm or cold… hungry or in pain.”

They added, “It is widely known the immense efforts he has made since the beginning of the war to support the only healthcare system for the residents of north Gaza.”

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed on Saturday that Israeli occupation forces have detained Abu Safiya. On Friday, the ministry stated that the occupation forces had taken dozens of medical staff, including Abu Safiya, to an interrogation center following the burning of Kamal Adwan Hospital.

The Media Office further stated that reports of Abu Safiya enduring severe violations and physical and psychological pressure after his detention — including being used as a human shield — represent a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and international conventions.

Hamas urges international pressure on fate of Abu Safiya

Hamas has placed full responsibility on Israel for the safety of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, and all medical staff abducted by the Israeli military during a recent raid, amid growing concerns about their well-being. Reports suggest that the detainees have been subjected to harsh treatment and abuse while in Israeli custody.

In an official statement, Hamas called on the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and other global human rights organizations to intensify pressure on Israeli authorities. The group demanded that Israel disclose the whereabouts of Dr. Abu Safiya and his colleagues, who were detained while performing their medical duties, and called for their immediate release

Hamas also emphasized the need for urgent action to restore basic medical services in northern Gaza. The group condemned the Israeli destruction of health facilities in the region, accusing the Israeli military of rendering all medical infrastructure inoperable, which it described as a blatant violation of international law.

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Rainstorms flood Gaza's displaced tents

Urgent pleas to save children

The Civil Defense in Gaza has reported being overwhelmed with distress calls since the day before, as heavy rainfall flooded tents and severely damaged the homes of forcibly displaced families

The Civil Defense in Gaza reported on Tuesday that it has received hundreds of distress calls from forcibly displaced residents whose tents and shelters have been flooded by heavy rainfall, with many pleading for urgent help to rescue their children.

The Civil Defense stated in a press release that since yesterday, it has received numerous distress calls from displaced citizens whose tents and destroyed homes have been flooded by rainwater.

"Our teams are only able to evacuate citizens from their flooded shelters to other locations, which are often unsuitable for housing, leaving them exposed to the elements in the open, under torrential rain and freezing temperatures," the statement read.

The Civil Defense called on humanitarian organizations and the international community to urgently assist in relocating these families to proper shelters, particularly those in Gaza City’s central camps, as well as in Khan Younis, Rafah, and west Deir al-Balah.

It also appealed to people of conscience to join efforts in providing immediate aid to prevent further suffering.

6 infants, die of cold in Gaza

The death toll from severe cold and freezing temperatures among forcibly displaced Palestinians has risen to seven, the Government Media Office in Gaza reported on Monday, warning that this figure is expected to increase as the ongoing weather conditions continue to worsen.

In a press release, the Media Office emphasized the dire situation facing forcibly displaced families, whose homes were destroyed by Israeli airstrikes, leaving them vulnerable to the freezing winter conditions.

"We have repeatedly warned about the dangers of the approaching weather depressions, the winter season, and cold waves coinciding with the catastrophic reality our people are enduring," the statement read. It described the ongoing destruction of homes, the killing of civilians, and the forced displacement as contributing to a level of suffering unparalleled in recent memory.

The press release further warned of continued heavy rainfall and cold waves, which are expected to persist over the coming days. These conditions pose an imminent threat to the lives of the displaced, who are seeking shelter in inadequate tents that fail to provide protection from the severe weather.

"The cold is a major danger to those already suffering due to the occupation’s crimes," the office said.

The Gaza Media Office strongly condemned the Israeli occupation for its actions, which have driven the region into an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

The statement held the Israeli government fully responsible for the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, also criticizing the US administration, and European nations including Britain, Germany, and France, for supporting the Israeli actions. It called for immediate international action to end what it described as a genocide against Palestinians.

Twenty-day-old baby dies from cold in Gaza

The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Monday the death of a one-month-old infant, Ali al-Batran, due to the extreme cold. He was the twin brother of Jumaa, who had passed away the day before from similar conditions. Ali's death marks the sixth infant fatality due to the cold in the past week alone.

Medical sources have confirmed that the ongoing cold snap has taken a devastating toll on Gaza's infants. Just days earlier, four newborns, aged between 4 and 21 days, died as a result of the freezing temperatures.

Dr. Muhammad Abu Afash, Director of Medical Relief in Gaza's northern region, warned that the situation is dire, with infants and children dying daily due to the extreme cold weather. He highlighted the severe shortage of necessities, including food, baby formula, blankets, and clothing.

Abu Afash pointed out that what is happening now in Gaza is the humanitarian disaster that officials had previously warned about,” stressing that if nothing changes, entire families could freeze to death in their tents.

Ongoing Israeli genocide

The Israeli occupation forces have continued their airstrikes and artillery bombardments for the 452nd consecutive day, committing numerous attacks on civilian areas and intensifying the humanitarian crisis. The siege on Gaza has left over 90% of the population forcibly displaced, with thousands of casualties still trapped under rubble. Despite global calls for ceasefires and humanitarian aid, the entry of fuel and essential supplies remains severely restricted, further exacerbating the already catastrophic situation.

With the blockade in place and continued bombardment, the people of Gaza remain trapped in an increasingly desperate situation, facing the dual threats of ongoing violence and life-threatening weather conditions. Humanitarian organizations continue to call for immediate international intervention to prevent further loss of life.

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[Anthea]

Scots support halting arms to Israel

The UK government has faced growing pressure to end military sales to Israel amid its ongoing bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the killing of over 45,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children

A Find Out Now survey of 1,774 Scottish adults revealed that 70% of respondents believe the UK government should block all military export licenses to Israel, The National news website reported on Tuesday

This is compared to just 30% who oppose halting the arms exports. The UK government has faced growing pressure to end military sales to "Israel" amid its ongoing war on Gaza, which has resulted in the killing of over 45,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

In September, the UK government suspended some arms export licenses, fearing that British-made components could contribute to potential war crimes.

At the time, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that around 30 licenses were suspended, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) questioning why a "blanket ban" had not been implemented. In December, SNP MP Brendan O'Hara warned that Britain's involvement in the Israeli actions could have consequences.

A report from the British Palestine Committee also suggested that the UK's military role in the war on Gaza was far more significant than typically acknowledged.

In response to the Find Out Now poll, former First Minister Humza Yousaf stated, "Continuing arms exports to Israel means that the UK will continue its complicity in war crimes in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people, the majority reported to be women and children."

"It is hardly surprising that the vast, overwhelming majority of people are opposed to selling arms to a government whose head is wanted by the International Criminal Court – for war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Yousaf called on the UK government to heed public opinion and "finally do the right thing, end their complicity and immediately block all military export licenses to Israel."

Dive deeper

The Export Control Joint Unit, part of the UK's Department for Business and Trade, is responsible for processing arms export license applications. In its assessments, the unit considers the UK's obligations under international law and the potential risks of goods being used in violations of international humanitarian law.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that he does not believe Israel is committing genocide. However, a month later, Amnesty International issued a major report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza by deliberately targeting Palestinians, destroying vital infrastructure, and obstructing the delivery of aid.

In late November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Secretary Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes against humanity

In addition to Yousaf, pro-Palestine activists have called on the UK government to act in response to the Find Out Now polling data.

Arthur West, a member of the Stop the War Scotland steering committee, told The National, "The result of this polling provides further compelling evidence that the UK Government should withdraw licenses for all sales of arms and military equipment to Israel. In the last few weeks, respected organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also produced reports detailing genocide by the Israeli government and military in Gaza."

"It is now time for the UK Government to act decisively and with humanity on this issue. The UK Government must act without hesitation to stop the flow of UK arms and military support to Israel," West underlined.

This comes after emerging reports highlighted the death of several babies from hypothermia in Gaza's refugee camps, including a father who lost his 20-day-old twin to the cold.

Touching on the matter, a Scottish government spokesperson said that his government and its enterprise and skills agencies "do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions."

"Scotland’s enterprise agencies have appropriate safeguards in place to ensure that any funding provided is used only for the specific purpose intended. Human rights due diligence checks are central to that process," the spokesperson added.

"Export licensing is reserved for the UK Government. The Scottish Government believes all arms sales to Israel must stop."

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Division Cmdr. allowed brother

to raze Gaza buildings

Brigadier General Yehuda Vach proposed allowing Israeli civilian vehicles, driven by troops, to travel the Netzarim Corridor as a provocative demonstration aimed at Hamas

Some Israeli soldiers who participated in the war on the Gaza Strip have accused Brig. Gen. Yehuda Vach, commander of the Israeli military’s 252nd Division, of risking troops' lives through an aggressive operational approach and deploying forces into combat zones without sufficient preparation, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Tuesday.

According to officers and soldiers, Vach displayed a harsh attitude toward Gaza’s residents, allowing his brother to lead a campaign of destruction that razed numerous buildings. They also mentioned that he facilitated questionable access for Israeli settlers to enter Gaza under his authority.

The Israeli occupation military denied these allegations, claiming to Haaretz that all of Vach’s decisions were professional and carried out in coordination with the military’s chain of command.

The 252nd Division was previously tasked with operations in the Netzarim Corridor, a critical strategic route dividing Gaza into northern and southern sectors. In August, the Israeli military conducted an operation in the al-Zaytoun, a southern neighborhood of Gaza City near the corridor, during which Vach reportedly pushed for advances northward.

Unnamed commanders told Haaretz that Vach ordered forces into areas lacking necessary support from combat engineers and other units required to clear potential roadside bombs. The operation resulted in eight fatalities, all soldiers from the Jerusalem Brigade under Vach’s division. A senior officer in the Southern Command stated that an inquiry was conducted to examine the high casualty rate.

Everyone is a terrorist

In December, Vach convened a meeting with commanders to evaluate deployment in the Netzarim Corridor. During the meeting, he reportedly reiterated a controversial remark, asserting that Palestinians would only learn a lesson from the October 7, 2023, attack by losing territory.

A commander present at the meeting said that Vach also opposed the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza, where international aid groups reported severe shortages. Vach’s stance, according to the commander, was that there were no innocents in Gaza and that "everyone is a terrorist."

During the division’s deployment in the corridor, Vach emphasized the need for symbolic victories. One soldier said Vach proposed allowing Israeli civilian vehicles, driven by troops, to travel the corridor as a provocative demonstration aimed at Hamas, but most commanders reportedly rejected the idea, citing the risks of an ambush by Hamas or friendly fire from other Israeli military units.

Vach also planned a cross-Gaza run from the Israeli-controlled border to the Mediterranean Sea as a sporting event for soldiers, who would not wear protective gear. According to the report, the Israeli military's Southern Command chief, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, canceled the event the night before it was to take place.

Haaretz further reported an incident during a classified video briefing where a kippa-wearing civilian was seen behind Vach in Gaza studying maps of the area. Once Vach noticed, he immediately ordered the settler to leave, a source said.

Other sources revealed that Vach facilitated access for his brothers, who are officers, granting them considerable freedom to operate in Gaza. Col. (res.) Golan Vach, who previously commanded the National Search and Rescue Unit, reportedly led a small unit tasked with demolishing buildings in Gaza during the ongoing war, commanders in the 252nd Division said.

Commanders speaking to Haaretz were unclear about the unit's composition, with some describing its members as resembling "hilltop youth," a term often associated with extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Another brother of Vach, unnamed in the report, reportedly entered Gaza without proper authorization, sometimes accompanied by settlers.

During the 252nd Division's deployment, troops were also accused of smuggling settler leader Daniella Weiss into Gaza to survey potential settlement areas. Weiss has been advocating for the resettlement of northern Gaza

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iof-soldiers-say-division-cmdr--allowed-brother-to-raze-gaza

[Anthea]

US sent Israel over $22 billion in military aid

Israel Hayom says the total revenues of "Israel's" three major arms manufacturing companies rose by 15% following the onset of the aggression on Gaza, reaching $13.6 billion.

US military aid

Israel has received military aid from the United States worth over $22 billion since October 7, 2023, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom revealed in a report.

The report indicated that over 10,000 tons of ammunition, valued at $2.4 billion, were initially sent to Israel, noting that this amount has increased fivefold, reaching 50,000 tons by August 2024

According to the report, Washington also sent Israel a variety of advanced military equipment, including missiles for the Iron Dome defense system, precision-guided bombs, CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, 155mm artillery shells, bunker-buster bombs, and armored vehicles.

Israel Hayom highlighted that the total revenues of "Israel's" three major arms manufacturing companies rose by 15% following the onset of the aggression on Gaza, reaching $13.6 billion.

In late December, Israeli Channel 13 suggested that a prisoner exchange deal and an end to the war on Gaza would not be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "unless it comes as a directive or clear order from the US president."

The channel added that, so far, it seems "Israel" has not received a clear order from the American president, despite the ongoing losses suffered by the Israeli military.

However, this could change if "Donald Trump assumes power in the White House and tells Netanyahu: Enough. At that point, perhaps we will reach enough," according to the media outlet.

In mid-November, the United States confirmed it will continue its substantial military aid to Israel, despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has resulted in the killing of more than 45,000 Palestinians

At the time, the US State Department stated that there were no changes to its policy regarding the weapons flow to Israel.

Washington's decision came even as Israel has ignored a 30-day deadline set by its biggest ally to increase aid to the war-torn Palestinian Gaza Strip.

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