Israel

Palestine

UN panel charges Israel committing genocide in Gaza

A UN independent inquiry issued findings that Israel has committed the international crime of genocide amid its military operations in the Gaza Strip. A 72-page legal analysis from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found that Israeli forces have committed genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza, including killing or seriously harming members of the group, as well as inflicting conditions of life “calculated to bring about [Gazans’] physical destruction in whole or in part,” and preventing births among the population. To support its conclusions, the commission cited the figure of 60,199 Palestinians killed since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, the fact that life expectancy in Gaza has dropped precipitously from 75.5 to 40.5 years, and that 46% of Palestinians killed were women or children. The panel also noted direct attacks on maternity wards and clinics. (Photo: Jaber Jehad Badwan via Wikimedia Commons)

Greater Middle East

Israeli strikes target Hamas in Qatar —and Greta Thunberg in Tunis?

Unprecedented Israeli air-strikes on buildings in Qatar’s capital Doha apparently targeted senior members of Hamas’ external leadership—precisely those involved in ceasefire negotiations. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the operation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the attack was “a wholly independent Israeli operation.” He added: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” However, the White House quickly confirmed that it was informed of the operation beforehand. On the same day as the Qatar strikes, organizers of a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza said their lead ship was hit by a drone while anchored at the port of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. A video posted by the Global Sumud Flotilla appears to show a lit projectile falling from the sky onto the vessel before flames erupt on the front deck. The ship sustained some damage, according to later footage posted on social media. One day later, a second vessel in the flotilla was evidently struck, causing similar damage. The Global Sumud Flotilla’s most prominent member is Greta Thunberg, internationally known for her climate activism and now a leading figure in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. (Photo: FreeGaza via Wikimedia Commons)

Iran

Iran: post-conflict crackdown on civil opposition

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the ongoing crackdown on civil opposition by the Iranian authorities following the conflict with Israel. Since the outbreak of hostilities in June, Iranian authorities have arrested over 20,000 people on such dubious charges as espionage for Israel, which may carry the death penalty. Minority ethnic and religious groups have been particularly targeted, with Kurdish, Baha’i, Christian and Jewish minorities under threat. Amnesty and HRW urged criminal accountability for unlawful arrests and executions. (Image: Grunge Love via Flickr)

Palestine

White House plans revealed for mass displacement of Gazans

Future plans for the Gaza Strip currently circulating among United States government officials call for for the relocation of the entire population to make way for construction of tourist resorts and tech industry hubs under a decade of US administrative control, according to a Washington Post exclusive. The 38-page document obtained by the newspaper includes full-color artist renderings of the envisioned “Riviera of the Middle East.” The prospectus, yet to be officially approved, would see the US take the Strip under trusteeship for at least 10 years, overseeing “voluntary departures” of the residents to third countries or into “restricted” zones within the territory. A “Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration & Transformation Trust” (GREAT Trust) would be established to coordinate the effort. (Image via Mada Masr)

Palestine

HRW sees US legal liability for Israeli war crimes

The US military could face legal responsibility for assisting Israeli forces that commit war crimes, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated. Direct participation by US forces in military operations in Gaza since October 2023, including by providing intelligence for Israeli strikes and conducting extensive coordination and planning, has made the United States a party to the conflict under international law, HRW found. Members of the US military could also be individually implicated for the crimes, according to the rights group. (Photo: IDF via Flickr)

Palestine

Israeli cabinet meets on West Bank annexation

The Israeli cabinet will convene to discuss annexation of areas of the West Bank, local media report. The discussion has been called in light of the recently-approved settlement construction plan spearheaded by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which will see some 3,400 housing units built in the West Bank’s contentious E1 area between Jerusalem and the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc. This follows approval of a Knesset resolution in favor of annexing the entirety of the West Bank. The motion, which passed 71-13, declared that the West Bank is “an inseparable part of the Land of Israel, the historical, cultural and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people,” and that “Israel has the natural, historical and legal right to all of the territories of the Land of Israel.” (Photo: delayed gratification via New Jewish Resistance)

Palestine

Global monitor confirms famine in Gaza City

A report released by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) program found that a “famine is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate,” the district covering Gaza City, and is “rapidly spreading” under seige conditions imposed by Israel. Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates are also approaching the IPC’s criteria for famine. Multiple international aid agencies and organizations have renewed their calls for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate an “unimpeded, large-scale humanitarian response that can save lives.” (Photo: Jaber Jehad Badwan via Wikimedia Commons)

Watching the Shadows

Podcast: Trump for War-is-Peace Prize

In Donald Trump’s perverse ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he is citing his supposed diplomatic victories in ending six conflicts: Armenia-Azerbaijan, Congo-Rwanda, Israel-Iran, India-Pakistan, Thailand-Cambodia and Egypt-Ethiopia. In Episode 292 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg examines each of these examples, and breaks down how claims to have won “peace” are either extremely overstated or (more often) total Orwellian jive. The implication that Russia-Ukraine will be next, as Putin escalates his aggression, puts a hideous crown on the irony. (Image via Twitter)

Syria

Druze protesters mobilize for independence from Syria

Hundreds demonstrated in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, pressing for the “self-determination” of the Druze people. Protesters demanded full independence from Syria, dismissing ideas of federalism or autonomy as inadequate. Speakers asserted that statehood is needed to guarantee their security, citing last month’s episode of violence in Suwayda as evidence that inter-ethnic coexistence under one state is no longer a viable solution. Complicating the situation is that Israel is posing itself as the protector of the Syrian Druze. Amid the July fighting, Israel launched air-strikes on Syria, saying that the Druze were threatened by government-affiliated forces. (Photo: Druze Free Spirits via Twitter)

Europe

Mass arrests at Palestine Action protest in London

London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reported that 466 people were arrested for displaying support for activist group Palestine Action at a protest in Westminster. The MPS added that an additional eight arrests were conducted, including five for assault on police officers. Police said they invoked Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act of 1994, which grants police officers the authority to demand the removal of any signs or clothing “expressing support” for a “proscribed group.” Palestine Action has been designated a “terrorist organization” by the UK government, following a series of “direct actions” (targeted vandalism) against arms manufacturers believed to be supplying weapons to Israel. (Photo: Cary Bass-Deschênes via Good Law Project)

Southeast Asia

Orwell and the Thai-Cambodia conflict

Cambodia’s prime minister, Hun Manet, nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on Aug. 7, citing his “crucial role” in restoring peace after bloody border fighting with Thailand. The gushy statement praised Trump’s “extraordinary statesmanship” and “innovative diplomacy.” (NYT) Cambodia now… Read moreOrwell and the Thai-Cambodia conflict

Palestine

Netanyahu seeks re-occupation of Gaza: reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told his ministers that he will seek cabinet approval for a plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip. According to reports in the Israeli media, several ministers said Netanyahu used the term “occupation of the Strip” in private conversations describing his plan. One anonymous official was quoted as saying: “The die is cast—we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” Referring to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who is said to oppose such plans, the official added: “If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign.” These reports come as more than a dozen former senior Israeli security officials issued a joint video message with a call to end the war in Gaza, arguing that it has become damaging to Israel’s own national interests. (Photo: Jaber Jehad Badwan via Wikimedia Commons)