Israel Rescues 4 Hostages as Arab Media and Palestinians Claim Operation Led to Hundreds of Civilian Deaths. Quds News Claims US Forces Assisted in the Deadly Operation.
Israeli media reports Israeli forces dressed up like Gaza civilians while wearing and using civilian outfits and vehicles during the operation.
The Cradle reported that Israeli forces used civilian vehicles during a deadly hostage rescue operation:
Jake Sullivan denied US troops were on the ground assisting the Israeli operation and admitted civilian died in the operation:
The Washington Post reported that Israeli forces likely dressed up like civilians and that the four hostages rescued attended a pagan music festival during the Sabbath when they were kidnapped by Hamas.
The outlet also shared the Gaza health ministry estimates 274 Palestinian were killed (64 children and 57 women) and 700 injured during Israeli’s rescue operation.
Israeli soldiers and state actors have previously dressed up as civilians during military operations:
The video Hamas released claiming an American hostage was killed during the Israeli operation that is referenced in the article:
Israeli media reports that some Israelis dressed up like civilians and told locals they were displaced Gazans:
Article 4 of the Geneva Convention stipulates that in order to have POW protections, combatants must wear uniforms or a distinctive sign showing they are a part of the military (violating Article 4 (b-c) and openly carry arms. If these requirements are not met and the combatant is captured by enemy forces, they may lose any POW protections under the Geneva Convention.
This means if some Israelis soldiers were dressed as civilians while claiming to be civilians, they would fail to meet the criteria of Article 4 (b-c). Meaning that if they were captured by an enemy force or country, the captured Israelis may not have Geneva Convention status as POWs.
Article 4 (6) states POW status is granted to civilians taking up arms to defend against an enemy attack even if the civilians are not yet occupied by the enemy. This entails civilians taking up arms against against Israel after October 7th, 2023 in response to Israeli attacks could have POW status if detained by Israel. Israel has claimed many detained Palestinians were or are collaborating with terrorist groups or enemies of Israel. This Israel would have to treat them in accordance with the Geneva Convention.
This also means an Israeli occupation of Gaza would not need to exist prior to inhabitants of Gaza using force to resist an Israeli invasion. Given the conditions in Gaza since October 7, 2023 impeded the ability of citizens to organize a formal military and that Gaza does not have a professional military, it could be argued all those Israel detained for fighting Israel after October 7, 2023 could be granted POW status under the Geneva Convention.
POW status can be stripped if combatants are not following the laws or customs of war. The ICC prosecutor requesting warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant indicates Israel is not conducting a military operation in accordance with the laws and customs of war. If the ICC finds Israeli was in violation of the laws and customs of war prior to the October 7, 2023 attack, it could significantly alter the legal classification of the attacks and the status of belligerents and hostages invovled in the hostilities. Additionally, it could diminish Israel's legal standing to use force in response to the October 7th attacks. Considering the Bush administrations use of the term enemy combatant for Guantanamo Bay detainees, the tactic of stripping prisoners of Geneva Conventions under the pretext of a war against terrorism occuring in Ukraine and Israel should not be a surprise.
Israel has been accused of torturing Palestinians they have arrested or detained:
CBS News reported that the US supported the Israeli hostage rescue operation:
Isrealis cheered and danced to celebrate the liberation of hostages:
Quds News Network claims US forces participated in the operation:
Purported footage of civilian aid truck used by Isrealis during hostage rescue operation:
Press TV reported that Israeli forces used humanitarian aid vehicles and furniture lorries to conceal their identity as part of the deadly operation:
Coincidentally, several Israel's were investigated in the United States after an American took a photograph of them appearing to celebrate the 9/11 attacks. One of the Israelis questioned were found with over $4,000 cash in their sock (keep in mind less than 30% of Americans today can cover a $1,000 emergency expense). Another had a box cutter knife (infamously used by some of the 9/11 hijackers).
Purported videos and photos of Israeli forces operating during rescue of 4 hostages and related strikes in support of the operation:
Israel shared footage of the rescue operation:
Purported photos of Israeli soldiers:
