Palestina - Israël

REPORT: Israel Is Creating Security Vacuum in Gaza by Backing Armed Looters, Killing Police

A new Mondoweiss report by Faris Giacaman and Tareq Hajjaj reveals how Israel is dismantling Gaza’s civil infrastructure by assassinating civilian officials and enabling looting, in what local officials say is an intentional campaign to plunge Gaza into chaos. Here are some of the key details:

➤ Israel has systematically targeted Gaza’s police, civil defense, and civil government officials, labeling them “Hamas operatives” to justify assassinations.
➤ Eyewitnesses say looters are operating with Israeli air support, including drone cover, and some reports indicate them receiving weapons from undercover operatives posing as local civilians.
➤ On May 2, Israeli airstrikes killed Gaza police officer As’ad Yahya Kafarneh, who was reportedly protecting food warehouses from gangs “collaborating with the occupation.”
➤ Gaza officials warn these armed groups are working “on the directives of Israeli forces” to disrupt order and exacerbate famine.
➤ During the January–March “ceasefire”, Gaza’s police restored order and protected aid convoys—until Israel broke the truce and started escalating attacks targeting top civil officials.
➤ U.S. officials (under Biden) previously warned Israel not to kill civilian police who escort aid convoys, citing the risk of total lawlessness.
➤ The Arrow Unit, a Gaza security force tasked with stopping looters, has also been targeted. It has reportedly been involved in detaining and executing alleged collaborators.
➤ Gaza’s Interior Ministry still vows to confront looters “at any cost,” despite being under constant threat of Israeli targeting.

Full story via @Mondoweiss





Mike
 
🚨IMPORTANT:

To the Israelis trying to justify the assassination of journalist Hassan Aslih: international humanitarian law is clear—he remains protected as a civilian and as a journalist, regardless of his coverage of October 7th or his photo with Yahya Sinwar. He is a journalist and should be protected, not targeted.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and international legal rulings regarding the protection of journalists and when such protection may be lost:

1. Geneva Conventions – Additional Protocol I (1977)

Article 79 – Measures of protection for journalists

“Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians… and shall be protected as such under the Conventions and this Protocol, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians.”

Interpretation: As long as journalists do not directly participate in hostilities, they are protected civilians.

Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule34

2. Customary IHL – Rule 34: Protection of Journalists

The ICRC’s Customary IHL Study states:

“Civilian journalists engaged in professional missions in areas of armed conflict must be respected and protected as long as they are not taking a direct part in hostilities.”

•Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule34

3. Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998)

Article 8(2)(b)(i) – War crimes:

“Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities”

Attacking a journalist who is not directly involved in combat could constitute a war crime.

Source: https://t.co/YlfHyhEIuK

4. Case Law:

ICTY – Prosecutor v. Galic (2003)

In the Trial Chamber judgment regarding the siege of Sarajevo, the court held:

“The targeting of journalists who are not directly participating in hostilities constitutes a grave breach of the laws and customs of war.”

The judgment reaffirmed that journalists are not lawful targets, even if they report from enemy-controlled areas or have contacts with fighters.

5. UN Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015)

Reaffirmed that journalists are civilians under IHL and must be protected.

Condemned attacks against journalists in conflict zones.

•Source: https://docs.un.org/S/RES/2222(2015)

Clarification:

Mere association, reporting, interviews with fighters, presence in enemy territory, or political sympathies do not meet the legal threshold for direct participation in hostilities under IHL.

Even taking photos with armed actors or embedding with them does not justify targeting a journalist unless they:

•Bear arms,
•Gather intelligence for the group,
•Serve a direct military function.



Mike
 


Journalist Hassan Aslih was assassinated by Israel in a targeted strike on Nasser Hospital while he was in bed receiving treatment.

Listen to his own words so you’d know how kind he was.

In a 2020 report, Hassan spoke of using his sudden fame to amplify unheard voices. A tireless reporter since 2009, he documented Gaza’s reality while battling a rare chronic illness.

He is now one of 215 journalists killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Translation: @translatingpal



Mike
 
⚡️Hamas Statement:

The return of Edan Alexander is the result of serious communications with the U.S. administration and the efforts of mediators, not due to the Zionist aggression or the illusion of military pressure.

Netanyahu is misleading his people. He has failed to retrieve his captives through aggression, and Edan Alexander’s return confirms that serious negotiations and a prisoner exchange deal are the way to recover captives and end the war.

Tuesday, 15 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1446 AH
Corresponding to: May 13, 2025 CE

Official Website – Hamas Movement



Mike
 
“Hassan “Abu Al-Abed,”
There are no words to describe you—I might exaggerate in expression, but I can no longer hold back.
You have gone to the Creator, who may protect you or grant you your due.
What you gave to the people of Gaza through your years in journalism is more than enough.

I will not mourn you as a colleague in the media profession—I will mourn you as my friend.
Many didn’t know the conversations we shared—the many discussions, words, and expressions; the countless moments.
You were truly a pillar of support to those around you, to those you could help.

Perhaps I know much about you, but I won’t boast about knowing you—you are already known to the world.
To the foolish world that let you die: there is no such thing left as media or journalism.
It was a lie, Hassan—a lie.

Thank you, Hassan.
May God have mercy on you.”



Mike
 

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