Yes, it's rogue state territory. It has been ignoring the Geneva Conventions for a long time now, but this conflict is a massive escalation of that.
Although this is a whole new level, I do think the erosion of respect for international law amongst its traditional allies is contributary. I noticed they're now using the same language US did in its invasion of Afghanistan around "unlawful combatants" in connection with Sde Teiman.
The “busy and lucrative” business is estimated to have taken more than £300,000 from its 22,841 paying subscribers across the world between 2017 and 2021.
There’s seems to be no shortage of crazy people hiding behind the Internet willing to pay to watch people being tortured. So, even butchers like this can openly continue their “hobby”.
While I don't doubt that there are some people out there who would be willing participants (if with their own issues that are probably better delt with in a safer way), it sounds like at least some of the people he mutilated were manipulated (mentally, physically, it doesn't say, but both are probable) in to agreeing.
That's probably down to one or both being threatened to not go to the police, and/or deep shame of falling victims of the manipulation and fear of being publicly scrutinised for something so personal and traumatic, even though it's not their fault (a lot of people like to think they wouldn't or even couldn't be manipulated by someone, but actually are being manipulated every day, for example by abusers making everyone believe they're nice people "who could never hurt a fly", no one is immune).
It isn't at all unusual for victims of abuse, especially of something so extreme, not to come forward for a long long time, if at all.
To me that bit's the most relatable. Trying to explain to a cop how it is that you "let" this weird guy mutilate your genitals would be a bit daunting.
Because they were taught that what’s going on in Gaza is a bad thing throughout their lives, only for parents and politicians to say “it’s complicated” when footage reveals the simple, brutal, horrible reality.
Cognitive dissonance is a bitch. Shout out to people who remember when they first got disillusioned.
However, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the truce proposal fell short of Israel’s demands and that his war cabinet had approved continuing an operation in Rafah. Netanyahu’s office said Israel would still send a delegation to meet with negotiators to try to reach an agreement. Qatar’s foreign ministry said its delegation would head to Cairo on Tuesday.
One Israeli official said it was unclear exactly which proposal Hamas was accepting, as some of the terms appeared to differ substantially from those shown by mediators to Israel and agreed by the Israeli government last week. “[We] don’t recognise some,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
Hundreds of Israelis converged on the main military headquarters in Tel Aviv calling for a deal. Smaller gatherings were reported in Jerusalem and other cities across Israel. “Hamas’s announcement must pave the way for the return of the 132 hostages held captive by Hamas for the past seven months. Now is the time for all that are involved to fulfil their commitment and turn this opportunity into a deal for the return of all the hostages,” a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
US president Joe Biden urged Netanyahu not to launch an offensive in Rafah, the White House said. The leaders’ call occurred before Hamas announced it had accepted a ceasefire proposal. Biden told Netanyahu he still believes reaching a ceasefire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, officials said.
Biden also hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan for a private lunch meeting at the White House on Monday to discuss the war and hostage talks. Jordan’s embassy in Washington said in a posting on the social media site X following the leaders’ meeting that Abdullah warned that an Israeli operation on Rafah “threatens to lead to a new massacre.”
US officials familiar with the matter said a briefing by Israeli officials last week on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential Rafah operation had not changed the US administration’s view that moving forward with an operation would put too many innocent Palestinian civilians at risk. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said defence secretary Lloyd Austin had previously stressed with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant that Israel needed a “credible plan” to evacuate those civilians.
Separately a US official said the US was “concerned” about Israel’s latest strikes on Rafah, but “does not believe they represent a major military operation,” Reuters reported. US officials are focused on prevent major military operations targeting “densely populated” areas of Rafah, the source added, and that it “does not appear the Israelis are doing that”.
Saudi Arabia reacted furiously to Israel’s Rafah evacuation order, describing Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide”. A Saudi foreign ministry statement warned of the “dangers of the Israeli occupation forces targeting the city of Rafah as part of its systematic bloody campaign to storm all areas of the Gaza Strip and displace its residents towards the unknown”.
UN secretary general António Guterres reiterated “my urgent call to the Israeli government & Hamas leadership to come to an agreement & stop the suffering.” In a post on X he said he was “deeply concerned by indications that a large-scale military operation in Rafah may be imminent”.
If Hamas released the hostages and recognized the right of Israel to exist then it would be over forever . Aid would flow into Gaza like a dam of money had burst. They would get 98% of their demands with no questions asked and no contest given by Israel.
I doubt that but even if it were true none of this is helpful for the ordinary civilians of Gaza. Might as well say if aliens in a flying saucer released the hostages.
Moreover, even aid "flowing in" wouldn't be enough at this point. Aid workers and credible infrastructure are needed once children enter famine conditions.
What is happening now will have huge impacts on the civilian victims, for years to come.
More than 8.7 million people, including 4.6 million children, have been displaced by the war in Sudan and 24.8 million need assistance, according to OCHA.
I really hope for an end to the hostilities and for an end to the mass starvation.
There is still far less aid coming in than there was in peacetime, and any new aid crossing will be subject to the same border chokehold. Israel still wants to attack Rafah which is full of civilian refugees.
Israel has been repeatedly accused of blocking or obstructing aid deliveries to northern Gaza, though humanitarian organisations have said the number of lorries being let in has increased since May.
Aid convoys carrying vital have also reportedly been fired upon by Israeli forces, while others have been looted by desperate crowds and criminal gangs.
World Central Kitchen, a US-based nonprofit group, resumed operations on Monday after seven of its aid workers were killed by an Israeli airstrike in April. It has distributed over 43 million meals across Gaza.
Israel has denied such claims. It instead blamed the UN and other international organisations for logistical problems and delays.
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