Yet Another War Crime
A few days ago, Israeli troops, apparently aided by US soldiers freed 4 hostages held by Hamas while massacring more that 200 Palestinian men, women and children. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese wrote that she was "Relieved that four hostages have been released. It should not have come at the expense of at least 200 Palestinians, including children, killed and over 400 injured by Israel and allegedly foreign soldiers, while perfidiously hiding in an aid truck. This is "humanitarian camouflage" at another level. Israel has used hostages to legitimise killing, injuring, maiming, starving and traumatising Palestinians in Gaza. And while intensifying violence against Palestinians in the rest of the occupied territory and Israel. Israel could have freed all hostages, alive and intact, 8 months ago when the first ceasfire and hostage exchange was put on the table. Yet, Israel refused in order to continue to destroy Gaza and the Palestinians as a people. This is genocidal intent turned into action. Crystal clear.
Meanwhile my friend Bassem Tamimi, one of the finest human beings I have ever known has been released after more than 8 months of captivity, torture and starvation by the Israelis. I include the before and after pictures. This is what they did to a man who has been standing up for his people and his village against occupation. I know his family, as a Jew, I slept in his home, ate his food…this is what they did to him. There is no excuse, no justification, none for what Israel is doing.
Tarak Kauff
