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Asharq Al-Awsat
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Ben-Gvir Accuses Israel's Shin Bet Chief of Attempting a ‘Coup'
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday lashed out at Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and accused him of spying on him and on the heads of the Israel Prison Service and Israel Police in order to launch a 'coup.' For the past weeks, Israel has been mired with political disputes between Bar and the hardliners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which voted to oust the Shin Bet chief. Israel's Supreme Court has frozen the government's dismissal of head of the country's internal security service. The rift between the two sides deepened when Israeli media said last Sunday that the Shin Bet conducted a covert inquiry into the possible infiltration of extreme-right elements into the Israel Police following suspected political meddling in the force by Ben-Gvir, who is in charge of the police. The Shin Bet's investigation began in September, a Channel 12 news report said, presenting what it said was a typed note dated September 26, 2024, from Bar in which he said that the agency had 'marked the infiltration of Kahanism into the law enforcement agencies as a dangerous phenomenon whose prevention is part of the Shin Bet's mission.' In his note, Bar gave instructions 'to collect evidence and testimony of the involvement of political elements' in law enforcement work and specifically for 'unlawfully exerting force,' the report added. Ahead of his far-right Otzma Yehudit party's weekly faction meeting in the Knesset on Monday, Ben-Gvir said that Bar should be incarcerated. 'Ronen Bar conspired against the democratic state, he ordered the collection of incriminating information against a government minister. He is a criminal, a danger to democracy, and he belongs in prison,' Ben-Gvir said. 'It's no longer a question of impeachment; Ronen Bar should sit in prison,' he added. 'In any normal country, he'd be in solitary confinement right now on suspicion of attempting a coup.' On Monday, Netanyahu's office quickly said it was unaware of the investigation and had not ordered the Shin Bet chief to conduct a secret probe against Ben-Gvir. In a statement, it said, 'The prime minister was never informed by the Shin Bet chief that he intended to collect evidence on the political echelon behind his back,' adding that the premier 'did not give permission for this.' In return, the Shin Bet denied there had been any investigation against the police or politicians, but it did not rule out that the agency was looking into the matter. According to Ynet news, Bar told Netanyahu last June about his suspicions about the infiltration of far-right Kahanist figures into the police. 'The prime minister unequivocally instructed the Shin Bet chief to present to him support for this claim, to raise it directly and immediately with the national security minister, and in no way to act behind the minister's back,' it said. Bar told ministers on Sunday night that the ongoing accusations against him would lead them to execute him, according to quotes reported by Channel 12. 'Yesterday you accused me of treason, today you are threatening to send me to jail, tomorrow you will execute me,' he said. Last Thursday, Israeli police deployed a water cannon and made several arrests as protests against Netanyahu's move to oust the head of the domestic intelligence service flared. Meanwhile, the High Court of Justice on Sunday set April 8 as the date to hear petitions against the government's decision to fire Bar.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel and Hamas exchange to take place after ceasefire impasse resolved
Israel and Hamas say the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be returned on Wednesday night, after mediators resolved the latest ceasefire dispute. Israel is set to free in exchange 602 Palestinian prisoners, whose release it had delayed since last weekend in protest at what it said was the cruel treatment of hostages being handed over by Hamas. The Israeli prime minister's office announced the four bodies would be returned "without Hamas ceremonies", while the Israel Prison Service said it was preparing to free prisoners and detainees from Gaza. Hamas also confirmed the exchange, and the Prisoners' Media Office said a hospital in Gaza was preparing to receive released Palestinians. This would clear the way for US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to visit the region. He has said he wants Israel and Hamas to begin delayed talks on the second stage of the ceasefire, with the first due to expire on Saturday. News of the breakthrough came as thousands of Israelis gathered along roads in central and southern Israel to watch the funeral procession of hostages Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose bodies were returned by Hamas last week. They were killed in captivity after being kidnapped during Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. Israel has said they were murdered by their captors, rejecting Hamas's claim that they died in an Israeli air strike. Israelis pay last respects to hostage mother and sons killed in Gaza Six babies have died from cold in Gaza over two weeks, medics say 'The smallest coffins are the heaviest': Israel grieves youngest hostages On Tuesday night, Hamas said a delegation led by the group's Gaza leader, Khalil al-Hayya, had concluded talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo after reaching an agreement to resolve the problem over the delayed release of the Palestinian prisoners. "They will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli [hostages] agreed to be handed over during the first phase, in addition to the corresponding Palestinian women and children," it added. Hayya also reiterated that Hamas - which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US, UK, and other countries - was committed to the ceasefire deal "with all its stages and clauses". Israeli officials also said an agreement had been reached with the mediators, but it was not until Wednesday afternoon that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office put out a brief statement confirming that. "Four of our deceased hostages will be returned tonight in the framework of the first stage, in an agreed-upon procedure and without Hamas ceremonies," it said, without naming them. The spokesman of Hamas's military wing later announced: "Within the framework of the deal, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades has decided to hand over the bodies of four [hostages] tonight." He identified them as Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69. The Israel Prison Service confirmed it was "making preparations for the process of releasing imprisoned terrorists in accordance with the agreement". Operational units would escort the Palestinian prisoners and detainees to Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank, and Ketziot prison in southern Israel, where they would be identified by the Red Cross and await the handover of the Israeli hostages, a statement said. Once their release was approved, they would be driven by the Red Cross to release points in the West Bank and the Kerem Shalom crossing with southern Gaza, it added. The Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office meanwhile said the European Gaza Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis was preparing to receive those returned to Gaza. It has previously said the 602 Palestinians include 445 Gazans detained by Israeli forces during the war and 50 prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails. They should have been released last Saturday in return for six living and four dead hostages who had been handed over by Hamas, including Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. However, the Israeli prime minister's office said early on Sunday that the release would be postponed "in light of Hamas's repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes". Hamas said Israel's decision was a "blatant" violation and said indirect talks about further steps, including on the deal's second phase, were conditional on the prisoners being released. A total of 33 Israeli hostages are supposed to be exchanged for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza during the ceasefire deal's first phase lasting six weeks. So far, 25 living hostages and four dead hostages have been released. Both Israel and Hamas have said the last four hostages are dead. Five living Thai hostages have also been freed outside of the deal. The agreement has seen Israeli forces withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have been allowed to return to the north, and hundreds of aid lorries are now being allowed into the territory each day. The ceasefire's second phase should see the 57 remaining hostages released, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire. The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the 7 October attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. At least 48,348 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Most of Gaza's population of 2.1 million has also been displaced multiple times, almost 70% of buildings are estimated to be damaged or destroyed, the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed, and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza? What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal
LBCI
26-02-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel prison service says making 'preparations' to release Palestinian prisoners
The Israel Prison Service said Wednesday it was preparing for the process of releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the return of hostages as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal. "The Israel Prison Service is making preparations for the process of releasing imprisoned terrorists by the agreement for the return of the hostages," it said in a statement, adding it had received the list of prisoners to be released. AFP
Al Jazeera
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israel frees hundreds of Palestinians after captives in Gaza released
Hamas released three more Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip in the sixth such exchange following days of tense negotiations that threatened to undo the precarious ceasefire. In return, Israel began returning 369 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails on Saturday, most without any charges or convictions. It is the largest number of Palestinians to be freed since the beginning of the truce. Footage showed a busload of Palestinian prisoners from Ofer Prison arriving in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where they were met by relatives and cheering supporters. More buses full of Palestinians pulled out of an Israeli prison in the Negev desert heading towards Gaza. At least four of those freed were immediately brought to a hospital for treatment. Among the most prominent to be released is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of iconic Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti. Most of the prisoners were arrested in Gaza and will be sent back to the besieged enclave. About 10 will be released in the occupied West Bank, one in occupied East Jerusalem, with the others being sent to Egypt and later to other countries that will accept them. A number of elderly prisoners were among those released including a 70-year-old man. A few looked gaunt and others stern as they stepped off of buses, while some smiled and flashed the victory sign. A number of Palestinians wore their shirts inside out in order to cover messages after the Israel Prison Service made them put on outfits with a Star of David logo that said, 'We will not forget or forgive' in Arabic. Released Palestinian prisoner Amir Abu Radah told Al Jazeera he spent 18 months in Israel's Nafha desert prison where authorities cut water and electricity. 'Our conditions in prison were extremely difficult and no one could bear them. For a year and a half we have not had any means of communication and we were isolated from the world,' Abu Radah said. 'Complete the ceasefire' The three captives in Gaza – identified as American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexander Sasha Trufanov, and Argentinian-Israeli Yair Horn – were freed to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross during a brief ceremony in Gaza's southern city of Khan Younis. All three were among those taken by Hamas following its October 7 attack on southern Israel. Dekel-Chen, Trufanov and Horn were seen carrying certificates for their release and maps of Palestine. They were transported back to Israel for medical examinations before reuniting with their families. A crowd gathered in Tel Aviv's 'Hostages Square' to watch the exchange, with many carrying Israeli flags and posters with messages including 'Sorry and welcome back' and 'Complete the ceasefire.' With Saturday's handover, the number of captives released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has reached 25 since the ceasefire began on January 19. Dozens of armed Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters guarded the square where the handover took place. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including women, children and the elderly, gathered behind the security cordon trying to witness the release. Al Jazeera's Tarek Abu Azzoum, reporting from the site in Khan Younis, described the release as 'highly coordinated' and 'marked by a strict security protocol and symbolic display of power'. 'What is going to happen next?' Hamas issued a statement after the release saying it was 'a renewed message' to Israel. 'The release of the sixth batch of enemy prisoners confirms there is no way to free them except through negotiations and by adhering to the requirements of the ceasefire agreement,' the group said. Muhanad Seloom of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies told Al Jazeera so far both parties to the ceasefire are trying to stick to the agreement. 'The tough negotiations would be what comes after the first phase. While the focus is on the release of the hostages, the main question should be what is going to happen the next day?' he said. 'What we see now is Hamas sticking to its end of the deal. Israel is more elusive about it, which signals it might not be committed to the second phase.' 'No migration except to Jerusalem' Uri Dromi, a retired Israeli colonel, said, 'every Israeli is glued to their TV screen' watching the handover. 'At the same time, people are looking beyond the present event and asking themselves here what will happen in Gaza the next day,' he told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv. Referring to US President Donald Trump's proposal to remove all Palestinians from Gaza, he added: 'I would hope to see some change in the region – some better future for the people of Gaza. As long as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are pulling the strings there, it is not going to happen.' Trump's proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians has been roundly rejected by Palestinian groups and countries in the region. 'We say to the whole world: there is no migration except to Jerusalem, and this is our response to all the calls for displacement and liquidation launched by Trump and those who support his approach from the forces of colonialism and occupation,' said Hamas.
Al Jazeera
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Palestinians burn ‘humiliating' shirts after release from Israeli prisons
Israel's move to force the released Palestinians to wear shirts with a Star of David logo and 'we will not forget or forgive' written in Arabic has prompted anger and been slammed as a 'racist crime'. On Saturday, 369 Palestinians were released in exchange for three captives in Gaza following days of tense negotiations. Before the exchange, the Israel Prison Service released photos of a few of the Palestinians dressed in those provocative shirts. As the Palestinians were being returned, a number of them wore their shirts inside out in order to cover the messages. Footage shot in Gaza by Al Jazeera showed a few Palestinians setting fire to the shirts upon their arrival at the European Gaza Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis. 'We condemn the occupation's crime of placing racist slogans on the backs of our heroic prisoners, and treating them with cruelty and violence, in a blatant violation of humanitarian laws and norms,' Hamas said in a statement. It added that this is 'in contrast to the resistance's firm commitment to moral values in treating the occupation's prisoners'. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group also condemned the shirts as a 'racist crime'. According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, quoting an Israeli source, there was criticism in Israel over the uniforms as well. A source was quoted as saying that Israel's political echelon was not informed of the move. The decision to have the Palestinians don the shirts was made by Israel's Prison Commissioner Kobi Yaacobi, the source told the broadcaster. Mohamad Elmasry, a professor in the media studies programme at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that this was 'another method' under which Israel intends to 'dehumanise' Palestinians. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is facilitating the exchange, called on all parties for more 'dignified' releases. 'Despite repeatedly calling for all transfers to be carried out in a dignified and private manner, more must be done by all sides, including the mediators, to improve future transfers,' the ICRC said in a statement on Saturday. The furore surrounding the provocative shirts underscores a long policy of 'humiliation', according to Xavier Abu Eid, a political analyst speaking to Al Jazeera from Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. 'We've been analysing throughout these past weeks the humiliation of Palestinian prisoners,' Abu Eid said. He noted this was 'nothing new' but not only damaged the prisoners but also their families. A total of 24 captives and 985 Palestinians have been released since the ceasefire began in January, according to the ICRC.
