Ruth Wasserman Lande, in an interview with Luke Jones of BBC World, responds to EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Josep Borrell’s claim that the Israeli operation to rescue civilian hostages held by Hamas in Gaza was a ‘massacre’.
9.6.2024.
Moshe Fuzaylov: I can tell you – the planning for the rescue of the hostages began immediately after October 7th. The Shin Bet formulated two teams the day after the massacre – one to settle accounts with everyone who was involved in crossing the border fence and the second one to gather the intelligence for eventual rescue operations.
Uninvolved civilians in Gaza is a type of science fiction. In Gaza, everyone is involved – some on an emotional level and some on a practical level. Anyone who can stab you with a knife will stab you there – and the rescue forces take that into account.
Published in Yeshiva World News, June 9, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: We have to remain stuck to our ways and to be determined in this regard; As much we increase the friction with Hamas on the ground, we’ll be able to produce more intelligence, more operational opportunities.
The interview took place on the I24 channel on June 8, 2024.
Israel is preparing itself to launch an attack against Hezbollah in the north, just after it finishes the major operations in Gaza.
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser breaks down reports that Lebanon is preparing for escalation with Israel.
June 4, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: I think that there are some problems with this proposal although it is referred to Israel and it was introduced as a proposal of the Israeli government I think that it is a very creative interpretation of President Biden to the Israeli government framework.
The interview took place on ILTV on June 3, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: unfortunately, once again, Biden gave Hamas reason to be optimistic.
[The proposals] will make Hamas think that the president and the international community are about to heavily pressure Israel [into accepting a deal], so they believe time is on their side and that they have no incentive to make any significant movements.
Published in The National News UAE June 3, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael examines the recent proposed ceasefire and the likelihood that it will be approved by both Israel and Hamas.
June 2, 2024.
Watch this briefing by Misgav Institute Senior Fellow Arsen Ostrovsky to the FIDF (‘Friends of the Israel Defense Forces’) following the recent ICJ & ICC decisions, how international law is being weaponized against Israel and the unprecedented extent to which the IDF has gone to avoid harm to civilians.
June 2, 2024,
Prof. Kobi Michael: Israeli control over Rafah crossing and the entire Philadelphi corridor allows the IDF to cut off terrorists’ main supply route and a major source of taxation for Hamas.
The interview took place on the I24 channel on May 30. 2024.
Arsen Ostrovsky: “International law is clear that, when terrorists like Hamas embed themselves in civilian areas, they turn those sites into legitimate military targets and that any civilian death or harm that arises is therefore the sole responsibility of Hamas, especially in circumstances where the IDF went to extraordinary lengths to abide by the principles of proportionality and distinction, while taking every possible precaution to minimize harm to potential civilian casualties.
The fact of the matter is, war is ugly and devastating. But not every error or unintentional loss in civilian life is necessarily a war crime. We must not forget that, whereas Israel takes every precaution to avoid harm to civilians, Hamas has an utter disregard for human life, whether it be Palestinian or Israeli.
The international community would therefore be far better served to direct their outrage at Hamas, which continues to embed themselves in civilian areas and cynically use Palestinians in Rafah and across Gaza as human shields.”
Published in JNS, May 29, 2024.
