Brief: Israel strikes Southern Lebanon, Israel’s former military prosecutor under house arrest

Key Concepts

• Gaza and Lebanon Conflict: Ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and strikes on southern Lebanon.
• West Bank Violence: Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, including farmers and journalists, and Israeli forces' raids and killings.
• Israel-Hezbollah Escalation: Increased tensions and Israeli military actions against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, despite a previous ceasefire.
• Body Exchange: Return of Palestinian bodies killed by Israel in exchange for the remains of a US-Israeli captive.
• Sexual Violence Allegations: Leak of a video showing Israeli soldiers allegedly raping a Palestinian detainee, leading to the house arrest of Israel's former military prosecutor.
• War Crimes Investigations: Potential implications of the sexual violence allegations on ongoing war crimes investigations by the ICC and the genocide case at the ICJ.

Weekly Roundup: Israel's War on Gaza and Lebanon

This report provides a weekly roundup of events related to Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, as of Sunday, November 9th. The summary details casualties, settler violence, cross-border escalations, and significant legal and ethical developments.

Casualties and Ongoing Violence

• Gaza: Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed at least 240 Palestinians in Gaza. As of Sunday, November 9th, the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has reached over 68,875.
• Southern Lebanon: Israel continues to conduct strikes on southern Lebanon. On Thursday, Israeli air strikes hit several towns, resulting in one death and at least nine injuries. The bombardments continued into Saturday, with three more people killed.

Violence in the Occupied West Bank

• Settler Attacks: On Saturday, Israeli settlers, armed with sticks and rocks, violently attacked Palestinian farmers participating in an olive harvest near Nablus. Journalists, international volunteers, and activists were also injured. The attack forced Palestinians to flee, with some sustaining serious injuries requiring hospitalization. The report highlights that settlers often carry out such attacks with impunity, frequently protected by the Israeli military.
• Israeli Forces' Raids: Israeli forces conducted new raids in multiple areas of the West Bank and shot dead a Palestinian man.

Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah

• Increased Tensions: Zay Huda reports from Beirut on the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military has been conducting near-daily attacks against Hezbollah targets.
• Threats and Warnings: Israeli officials have been issuing frequent threats and warnings of intensified attacks against Hezbollah in recent weeks.
• Displacement and Fear: These strikes have caused chaos and led many residents in southern Lebanon to leave the area. There is a palpable fear of a gradual escalation in the coming days and weeks, with both sides negotiating "under fire."

Exchange of Bodies

• Palestinian Remains Returned: On Wednesday, Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians who were all killed by Israel.
• US-Israeli Captive Remains: The exchange also involved the remains of a US-Israeli captive.
• Gaza City Report: Hani Mahmood reports from Gaza City on the emotional toll of identifying the bodies. Families gathered at the Nablus Medical Complex to identify loved ones who had gone missing over the past two years due to bombardment.
• Decomposition and Identification Challenges: The bodies were held by the Israeli military for an extended period, leading to decomposition. The absence of proper DNA or lab testing in Gaza forces reliance on physical features and clothing fragments for identification.
• Denial of Dignity: This situation has pushed families to confront the reality that their loved ones are being denied dignity and proper mourning.

Allegations of Sexual Violence and Legal Implications

• Former Military Prosecutor Under House Arrest: On Monday, Israel's former military prosecutor, Yuval Shlomi, was placed under house arrest after admitting to leaking a video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian detainee from Gaza.
• Government Response: The Israeli prime minister and his coalition partners reacted with anger, stripping Shlomi of her military ranks and accusing her of spreading "blood libel" against the Israeli army.
• UN Findings: The UN's Independent Commission of Inquiry states that Israel's gender-based and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees is widespread and systematic.
• Impact on Investigations: This development is expected to have implications for the ongoing war crimes investigation conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• Previous Criticisms: Shlomi had previously been criticized for avoiding investigations into serious incidents, reportedly out of fear of backlash from Israel's right-wing.

Conclusion

This week's report highlights a concerning pattern of escalating violence and human rights abuses in the region. The ongoing conflict in Gaza, coupled with increased tensions in southern Lebanon and continued settler violence in the West Bank, underscores the precarious security situation. The allegations of systematic sexual violence against Palestinian detainees, and the subsequent legal and political fallout, add a critical dimension to the ongoing international legal scrutiny of Israel's actions. The denial of dignity in the identification of deceased Palestinians further emphasizes the profound human cost of the conflict.

Produced by: Marta Vanderwolf Executive Producer: Alexandra Lock Head of Audio (Al Jazeera): Nay Alvaras