In Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, where fighting escalated earlier this week, Israeli forces destroyed a cemetery, removing bodies in what the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) told CNN was part of a search for the remains of hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks.
CNN says it reviewed satellite imagery and social media footage showing the destruction of cemeteries and witnessed it firsthand while traveling with the IDF in a convoy. Together the evidence reveals a systemic practice where Israeli ground forces have advanced across the Gaza Strip.
The intentional destruction of religious sites, such as cemeteries, violates international law, except under narrow circumstances relating to that site becoming a military objective, and legal experts told CNN that Israel’s acts could amount to war crimes.At least 22 Palestinians, including a woman and children, were arrested overnight in occupied West Bank by Israeli forces, Al Jazeera reports quoting the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club.
The arrests were carried out in Hebron, Nablus, Tubas, Bethlehem, Jenin and Jerusalem and “were accompanied by widespread raids and abuse, in addition to widespread sabotage and destruction of citizens’ homes, the destruction of infrastructure, and the confiscation of money and vehicles”, the organisation said.
This brings the total number of arrested Palestinians since October 7 to 6,115.
Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in this handout picture released on January 20, 2024. — Reuters
Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in this handout picture released on January 20, 2024. — Reuters
Supporters and family members of hostages camp outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for the release of hostages kidnapped during the Oct 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas, in Caesarea, Israel, January 20, 2024. — Reuters
Iran says Israel strike kills Guards’ Syria intelligence chief, 3 others
An Israeli strike on Damascus killed the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence chief for Syria and his deputy as well as two other Guards members, AFP reports.
“The Revolutionary Guards’ Syria intel chief, his deputy and two other Guards members were martyred in the attack on Syria by Israel,” Iran’s Mehr news agency was quoted as saying by the AFP.In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards confirmed four of its members were killed in the strike on the Syrian capital and accused Israel of being behind the attack
Immediate ceasefire is required in Gaza: Palestinian ministry
The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry has said that a ceasefire is needed, and not just statements warning of the extent of the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the ministry said that the mission of the United Nations and the international community is not limited to publishing statistics about Palestinian victims.
“They must assume their legal responsibilities. The moral imperative is to cease fire immediately and take the necessary practical measures to protect civilians and secure their basic needs,” the ministry said.At least 24,927 Palestinians have been killed and more than 62,300 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, the health ministry has just reported according to Al Jazeera.
More accounts of abuse from Palestinians released from Israeli detention. Many Palestinians are being imprisoned by Israeli forces each day and abused, Al Jazeera reports.
According to Al Jazeera, Muhammad Abu Samra, one of those released, says he and other detainees were blindfolded and beaten up after being accused of carrying and using weapons.
“They transferred us to an army camp in Israel. They let dogs urinate on us and shoved sand on us. They threatened to shoot us. After two hours of being half-naked in such conditions, they moved us a few metres and told us to get ready for our execution,” he said.
Abdel Qader Tafesh, another former prisoner, says, “I only survived because of God’s will.
“We’ve gone through collective punishment day in, day out. I feel very sorry for the Palestinian men, the detained teenagers who are 15,16 years old, for the torture they’ve gone through,” Tafesh said.
Tons of waste in Gaza leading to increasing spread of diseases: UN agency
The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has said that “tons of waste” is piling up around the tents of displaced people in Gaza.
“The consequences are evident in the community, with increasing spread of diseases associated with this pollution among families and children,” it added.
