Israel
Israel Arrests Top IDF Lawyer Over Leaked Detainee Abuse Video
The Israeli government has arrested the top lawyer of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), General Yifat Tomer Yetushalmi.
She was apprehended at a beach in the capital, Tel Aviv, just hours after resigning from her position following a suspension for authorizing the release of a video allegedly showing Israeli officials assaulting a Palestinian detainee.
Yetushalmi reportedly took personal responsibility for releasing the footage, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as the worst public relations “propaganda” against the State of Israel and the IDF.
The incident occurred last year, and an internal investigation had indicted five soldiers for the alleged offence. Netanyahu made no comment regarding the victim, who was reportedly released as part of Israel’s deal with Hamas to end their two-year-old war.
Yetushalmi is expected to face multiple charges, including fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. She has since been stripped of her rank and dismissed from service.
Sudan
75% of Sudan’s School-Age Children Out of School
More than three-quarters (75%) of school-age children in Sudan are currently not attending school, according to Save the Children, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to child welfare.
The group reported that about 7 million children have not registered for basic education, while another 6 million who are enrolled are unable to attend due to ongoing violence.
Sudan remains gripped by a devastating civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls the entire Darfur region and parts of Kordofan.
Save the Children said over 55% of all primary schools have been shut down due to the conflict, while 10% have been converted into camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Meanwhile, the RSF announced it had arrested and detained some of its fighters allegedly involved in large-scale humanitarian abuses in Darfur, particularly in Al-Fasher, which fell under RSF control last Sunday. Those detained reportedly include Abi Lulu, who faces accusations of multiple rapes and summary executions.
Both the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have warned that a large-scale humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Darfur. The ICC added that the reported abuses could amount to crimes against humanity.
The city of Al-Fasher had been under siege for 17 months before falling to the RSF.
Palestine
Israel Attacks Gaza Again
Israel has launched fresh airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, despite its declared commitment to a ceasefire with Hamas.
Today’s attacks reportedly targeted Rafah and the Al-Bureij refugee camp. Details about casualties or the extent of damage were not immediately available at press time, but sources say the strikes occurred amid ongoing demolitions of private and public property by Israeli forces in Gaza-controlled areas.
There have also been reports of frequent drone and fighter jet overflights in the region, in apparent violation of the ceasefire.
Israel has reportedly killed more than 239 Palestinians since the truce took effect in October.
