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Showing posts with label War Crimes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War Crimes. Show all posts

3 hours deadline for Gazans to evacuate Southward as Netanyahu Visits Israeli Troops Near Gaza, Fighting Escalates

3 hours deadline for Gazans to evacuate Southward as Netanyahu Visits Israeli Troops Near Gaza, Fighting Escalates

Israeli Authority has given Gazans 3-hour deadline to evacuate southward, report claims



Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited frontline soldiers near the Gaza border. Israel continues to deploy tanks and heavy artillery around Gaza in preparation for a ground offensive. Israeli continues airstrikes on Gaza for 9th consecutive day. 


Israel forces said Hamas is preventing Palestinians from leaving Gaza.


Large Explosions were seen on Gaza’s skyline as Israel continues airstrikes for 9th consecutive day.

 Thousands of Gazans left homeless by Israeli bombardment as Egypt sends aid to Gaza to support Palestinians.




Israeli Authority has given Gazans 3-hour deadline to evacuate southward, report claims



Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited frontline soldiers near the Gaza border. Israel continues to deploy tanks and heavy artillery around Gaza in preparation for a ground offensive. Israeli continues airstrikes on Gaza for 9th consecutive day. 


Israel forces said Hamas is preventing Palestinians from leaving Gaza.


Large Explosions were seen on Gaza’s skyline as Israel continues airstrikes for 9th consecutive day.

 Thousands of Gazans left homeless by Israeli bombardment as Egypt sends aid to Gaza to support Palestinians.




Attacks on Igangan, others: These incendiary video clips!

Attacks on Igangan, others: These incendiary video clips!

By Femi Mimiko, mni



It is indeed scary the speed with which our country is cascading into cataclysm! Some of the video clips making the Internet rounds - of deadly attacks on the sleepy Igangan community in Oyo State; of burning of individuals and animals in the Southeast; assassinations and killings in Imo; kidnappings in Ondo; and massacres in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Borno and elsewhere - are unspeakable! 


I have argued consistently, standing on the observatory of history, that when things are moving in this direction and with this speed, the onus is on GOVERNMENT to re-strategise, climb down from its Olympian heights, make concessions, and actively engage - to bring angry and hurting citizens and groups back into the loop. This is because, ultimately, if things get out of hand and the country collapses, it is the President and his government, not sundry movements or groups - many with incohate ideas, befuddled ideologies, questionable personal ambitions, and suspect platforms - that would be blamed. Today, nobody remembers the anti-Bashir Assad forces in the DESTRUCTION of Syria; or the multiple non-state actors that, in resistance to Siad Barre, helped to CRUSH Somalia. It is the President of these countries and their government that are and will forever be blamed. What is more, contemporary history has demonstrated that virtually ALL countries that sought the path of civil war this century ended up virtually completely destroyed! 


I, therefore, appeal to our colleagues on this platform, who may have the requisite access, to advise in this manner. Rather than trafficking in incendiary video clips - many of which are truly a disgrace to the fatherland, by the nature of the bestiality they evoke - we should seek the ears of government with enduring pieces of advice that are needful at times like these. Government here, as elsewhere, is the dominant force in society; the one with the right to legitimate use of violence. This exceptionalism is not in doubt. Thus, whatever concessions it chooses to make cannot be cited as evidence of weakness. This is what, elsewhere, I referred to as the leadership agency, which alone can move us away from this impending implosion and save our country, not just for Nigerians, but indeed for all of Africa and the black race. 


The starting point is an all-stakeholders, and I mean, ALL-stakeholders, meeting, to be held at the instance of government, to discuss these concerns. You'll be surprised how impactful such a little step as this can be in bringing our country back from the brink. There should be no sacrifice considered too much at this stage of our national life. As I have often said, if Nigeria crashes, it will be due to our irresponsibility and eternal shame as elites - governing and non-governing alike - of the country. 


Dear colleagues, I plead you bear with me. I have, by this missive, no intention to drag us into the arena of extant social contestation. But I consider it inappropriate for us to just keep on socializing, celebrating birthdays, and pretending everything is fine, when indeed our nation faces a present danger of existential proportions! We shouldn't be like that great emperor of Rome who fiddled while his empire burned. Nero, he was called, a name that has continued ever since to swim in the cesspool of infamy. 


Merci beaucoup!


@FemiMimiko, mni

June 6, 2021.

By Femi Mimiko, mni



It is indeed scary the speed with which our country is cascading into cataclysm! Some of the video clips making the Internet rounds - of deadly attacks on the sleepy Igangan community in Oyo State; of burning of individuals and animals in the Southeast; assassinations and killings in Imo; kidnappings in Ondo; and massacres in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Borno and elsewhere - are unspeakable! 


I have argued consistently, standing on the observatory of history, that when things are moving in this direction and with this speed, the onus is on GOVERNMENT to re-strategise, climb down from its Olympian heights, make concessions, and actively engage - to bring angry and hurting citizens and groups back into the loop. This is because, ultimately, if things get out of hand and the country collapses, it is the President and his government, not sundry movements or groups - many with incohate ideas, befuddled ideologies, questionable personal ambitions, and suspect platforms - that would be blamed. Today, nobody remembers the anti-Bashir Assad forces in the DESTRUCTION of Syria; or the multiple non-state actors that, in resistance to Siad Barre, helped to CRUSH Somalia. It is the President of these countries and their government that are and will forever be blamed. What is more, contemporary history has demonstrated that virtually ALL countries that sought the path of civil war this century ended up virtually completely destroyed! 


I, therefore, appeal to our colleagues on this platform, who may have the requisite access, to advise in this manner. Rather than trafficking in incendiary video clips - many of which are truly a disgrace to the fatherland, by the nature of the bestiality they evoke - we should seek the ears of government with enduring pieces of advice that are needful at times like these. Government here, as elsewhere, is the dominant force in society; the one with the right to legitimate use of violence. This exceptionalism is not in doubt. Thus, whatever concessions it chooses to make cannot be cited as evidence of weakness. This is what, elsewhere, I referred to as the leadership agency, which alone can move us away from this impending implosion and save our country, not just for Nigerians, but indeed for all of Africa and the black race. 


The starting point is an all-stakeholders, and I mean, ALL-stakeholders, meeting, to be held at the instance of government, to discuss these concerns. You'll be surprised how impactful such a little step as this can be in bringing our country back from the brink. There should be no sacrifice considered too much at this stage of our national life. As I have often said, if Nigeria crashes, it will be due to our irresponsibility and eternal shame as elites - governing and non-governing alike - of the country. 


Dear colleagues, I plead you bear with me. I have, by this missive, no intention to drag us into the arena of extant social contestation. But I consider it inappropriate for us to just keep on socializing, celebrating birthdays, and pretending everything is fine, when indeed our nation faces a present danger of existential proportions! We shouldn't be like that great emperor of Rome who fiddled while his empire burned. Nero, he was called, a name that has continued ever since to swim in the cesspool of infamy. 


Merci beaucoup!


@FemiMimiko, mni

June 6, 2021.

Israeli Defense Forces Strike Targets in Gaza as Hamas fired not less than 3 dozens of Rockets into Israel's territory

Israeli Defense Forces Strike Targets in Gaza as Hamas fired not less than 3 dozens of Rockets into Israel's territory

By Associated Press



Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired some three dozen rockets into Israel overnight Saturday, while the Israeli military struck back at targets operated by the ruling Hamas group. The exchange came as tensions in Jerusalem spilled over into the worst round of cross-border violence in months.


The barrage of rocket fire came as hundreds of Palestinians rioted in Jerusalem, clashing with Israeli police.  At least four police and six protesters were injured.


The riots have become a nightly occurrence throughout the month of Ramadan and show no signs of stopping.

The Israeli military said a total of 36 rockets were fired into Israel throughout the night. It said six rockets were intercepted, while most of the others landed in open areas. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage, but the incoming rocket fire set off air-raid sirens throughout southern Israel.


The military imposed limits on outdoor gatherings in southern Israel early Saturday but lifted the restrictions several hours later and allowed people to resume their normal routines.


Israel and Hamas, an Islamic terror group sworn to Israel’s destruction, are bitter enemies that have fought three wars and numerous skirmishes since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a bloody battle with rival Palestinian factions.


Although neither side appears to have an interest in escalating tensions, Hamas may feel obligated to act ahead of upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections.


At dawn, hundreds of people in Gaza challenged nightly curfews imposed by Hamas to curb the coronavirus outbreak and took to the streets in an act of solidarity with fellow Palestinians in Jerusalem, burning tires.


The Palestinians want Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, to be the capital of their future state.


Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police on a nightly basis since the start of the month of Ramadan nearly two weeks ago.


The clashes intensified Thursday evening when hundreds of Palestinians hurled stones and bottles at police, who fired a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse them.


At the same time, a Jewish group known as Lahava led a march of hundreds of protesters chanting “Arabs get out!” toward the Damascus Gate. The group, led by a disciple of the late rabbi Meir Kahane, is allied with elements of a far-right party elected to Israel’s parliament last month.


The show of force came in response to videos circulated on TikTok showing Palestinians slapping religious Jews at random. After keeping them a few hundred yards (meters) away from Damascus Gate, police used water cannon, stun grenades and mounted police to push Israeli protesters back toward Jewish areas of Jerusalem.


In all, police said 44 people were arrested and 20 officers were injured.

By Associated Press



Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired some three dozen rockets into Israel overnight Saturday, while the Israeli military struck back at targets operated by the ruling Hamas group. The exchange came as tensions in Jerusalem spilled over into the worst round of cross-border violence in months.


The barrage of rocket fire came as hundreds of Palestinians rioted in Jerusalem, clashing with Israeli police.  At least four police and six protesters were injured.


The riots have become a nightly occurrence throughout the month of Ramadan and show no signs of stopping.

The Israeli military said a total of 36 rockets were fired into Israel throughout the night. It said six rockets were intercepted, while most of the others landed in open areas. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage, but the incoming rocket fire set off air-raid sirens throughout southern Israel.


The military imposed limits on outdoor gatherings in southern Israel early Saturday but lifted the restrictions several hours later and allowed people to resume their normal routines.


Israel and Hamas, an Islamic terror group sworn to Israel’s destruction, are bitter enemies that have fought three wars and numerous skirmishes since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a bloody battle with rival Palestinian factions.


Although neither side appears to have an interest in escalating tensions, Hamas may feel obligated to act ahead of upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections.


At dawn, hundreds of people in Gaza challenged nightly curfews imposed by Hamas to curb the coronavirus outbreak and took to the streets in an act of solidarity with fellow Palestinians in Jerusalem, burning tires.


The Palestinians want Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, to be the capital of their future state.


Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police on a nightly basis since the start of the month of Ramadan nearly two weeks ago.


The clashes intensified Thursday evening when hundreds of Palestinians hurled stones and bottles at police, who fired a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse them.


At the same time, a Jewish group known as Lahava led a march of hundreds of protesters chanting “Arabs get out!” toward the Damascus Gate. The group, led by a disciple of the late rabbi Meir Kahane, is allied with elements of a far-right party elected to Israel’s parliament last month.


The show of force came in response to videos circulated on TikTok showing Palestinians slapping religious Jews at random. After keeping them a few hundred yards (meters) away from Damascus Gate, police used water cannon, stun grenades and mounted police to push Israeli protesters back toward Jewish areas of Jerusalem.


In all, police said 44 people were arrested and 20 officers were injured.

IDF Demands Billions of Shekels to attack Tehran as Iran-Israel war looming

IDF Demands Billions of Shekels to attack Tehran as Iran-Israel war looming

Israel's Prime Minister

The Israeli Defense Ministry (IDF) made its demand in the background of Iran’s growing nuclear threat. A report said on Tuesday.


Accord to the report by  Kan 11 News, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday evening with the finance and defense ministers, their top staff, and the chief of staff to discuss the allocation of “at least” 3 billion shekels to prepare for a possible attack on Iran.


The Defense Ministry made its demand in the background of Iran’s growing nuclear threat as it continues to abrogate terms of the 2015 agreement.


The Islamic republic of Iran has greatly enlarged its uranium stockpile and recently began enriching the material to 20%, a level that sharply reduces the time needed to make a bomb.


In an interview with NBC News Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Iran could be “weeks away” from having enough fissile material for a bomb if it keeps up its current pace. Others say it is up to two years.


In a speech last Tuesday at an Institute for National Securities Studies conference, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi stated Israel would not just stand by and let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon.


Warning that a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with only slight modifications was untenable, Kochavi said that offensive military operations are already on the table. Such a long-range mission would be very complicated, as Iran has spread out the various components of its program over several sites in the country, some deep underground.


During the discussion over Kochavi’s 3 billion request, one sticking point was how to fund it. Finance Ministry officials objected to the funding unless budget cuts were made in other areas to make up for the shortfall. The Defense Ministry countered with two suggestions that were dubbed “creative” by Kan 11 commentator Shaul Amsterdamski.


The first was to take the money from a special emergency fund currently containing some 12 billion shekels that is set aside for rehabilitation of the country and compensation in case of a severe earthquake or war.


 This fund is replenishable as it consists of a certain percentage of property taxes that citizens pay. The second was to grant a VAT exemption to the defense establishment on future defense imports.


Neither proposal was acceptable to the Finance Ministry, Amsterdamski said. The first suggestion was nixed because the purpose of the emergency fund is not to supplement Defense Ministry needs, and the second idea would impair the future budget of the entire country.


No decision was made at the hours-long meeting as Netanyahu said he would convene the security cabinet Wednesday, the first time it is meeting in nearly two months.


Israel's Prime Minister

The Israeli Defense Ministry (IDF) made its demand in the background of Iran’s growing nuclear threat. A report said on Tuesday.


Accord to the report by  Kan 11 News, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday evening with the finance and defense ministers, their top staff, and the chief of staff to discuss the allocation of “at least” 3 billion shekels to prepare for a possible attack on Iran.


The Defense Ministry made its demand in the background of Iran’s growing nuclear threat as it continues to abrogate terms of the 2015 agreement.


The Islamic republic of Iran has greatly enlarged its uranium stockpile and recently began enriching the material to 20%, a level that sharply reduces the time needed to make a bomb.


In an interview with NBC News Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Iran could be “weeks away” from having enough fissile material for a bomb if it keeps up its current pace. Others say it is up to two years.


In a speech last Tuesday at an Institute for National Securities Studies conference, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi stated Israel would not just stand by and let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon.


Warning that a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with only slight modifications was untenable, Kochavi said that offensive military operations are already on the table. Such a long-range mission would be very complicated, as Iran has spread out the various components of its program over several sites in the country, some deep underground.


During the discussion over Kochavi’s 3 billion request, one sticking point was how to fund it. Finance Ministry officials objected to the funding unless budget cuts were made in other areas to make up for the shortfall. The Defense Ministry countered with two suggestions that were dubbed “creative” by Kan 11 commentator Shaul Amsterdamski.


The first was to take the money from a special emergency fund currently containing some 12 billion shekels that is set aside for rehabilitation of the country and compensation in case of a severe earthquake or war.


 This fund is replenishable as it consists of a certain percentage of property taxes that citizens pay. The second was to grant a VAT exemption to the defense establishment on future defense imports.


Neither proposal was acceptable to the Finance Ministry, Amsterdamski said. The first suggestion was nixed because the purpose of the emergency fund is not to supplement Defense Ministry needs, and the second idea would impair the future budget of the entire country.


No decision was made at the hours-long meeting as Netanyahu said he would convene the security cabinet Wednesday, the first time it is meeting in nearly two months.


ICC investigates Nigerian military, Boko Haram for war crimes, torture, others

ICC investigates Nigerian military, Boko Haram for war crimes, torture, others

 Adelani Adepegba, Abuja


The International Criminal Court has concluded plans to investigate the military and the Boko Haram insurgents for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC stated that it has found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the Nigerian security forces and the insurgents have committed murder, rape, torture, and cruel treatment, including enforced disappearance and hostage-taking.

The ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, disclosed on Friday, that preliminary investigations also indicate that the military equally carried out the forcible transfer of population; outrages upon personal dignity; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities.

The Prosecutor’s Office has investigated war crimes in multiple jurisdictions since 2003, including in Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire; Mali; Georgia, Burundi Bangladesh/Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Bensouda in a statement also alleged that the troops engaged in unlawful imprisonment; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the armed forces and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and political grounds; and other inhumane acts.

The statement titled, ‘Statement of the Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the situation in Nigeria,’ followed the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the situation in Nigeria, which commenced since 2010.

The prosecutor explained that the statutory criteria for opening an investigation into the security situation had been met, paving the way for a full-blown probe of the allegations against the members of the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

This is happening five days after Amnesty International said that the military and the insurgents have killed many aged citizens at disproportionate levels due to their inability to flee attack

In a 67-page report titled ‘My heart is in pain: Older people’s experience of conflict, displacement, and detention in North-East Nigeria’, the rights group disclosed that older people were killed both by the terrorist group and the militay.

The officer of the ICC prosecutor had announced its findings on crimes in Nigeria since 2013 and about two months ago, promised to conduct a preliminary investigation into the conduct of security operatives in the country.

Bensouda disclosed that the duration of the preliminary examination, open since 2010, was due to the priority given by her Office in supporting the Nigerian authorities in investigating and prosecuting the crimes domestically.

She said, “While my Office recognises that the vast majority of criminality within the situation is attributable to non-state actors, we have also found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the Nigerian Security Forces have committed the following acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes: murder, rape, torture, and cruel treatment; enforced disappearance; forcible transfer of population; outrages upon personal dignity; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such and against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; unlawful imprisonment; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and political grounds; and other inhumane acts.”

The prosecutor noted that her office had concluded that there was a reasonable basis to believe that members of Boko Haram and its splinter groups similarly committed various war crimes including sexual slavery, forced pregnancy and forced marriage; enslavement; torture; cruel treatment; outrages upon personal dignity; taking of hostages; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population or individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities.

 

She further accused the sect of intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in humanitarian assistance; intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to education and places of worship and similar institutions; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed groups and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and religious grounds; and other inhumane acts.


Bensouda stated that the allegations are sufficiently grave to warrant investigation by her Office, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, noting that she would provide further details in the forthcoming annual Report on Preliminary Examination Activities.


Source: Punch




 Adelani Adepegba, Abuja


The International Criminal Court has concluded plans to investigate the military and the Boko Haram insurgents for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC stated that it has found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the Nigerian security forces and the insurgents have committed murder, rape, torture, and cruel treatment, including enforced disappearance and hostage-taking.

The ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, disclosed on Friday, that preliminary investigations also indicate that the military equally carried out the forcible transfer of population; outrages upon personal dignity; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population and individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities.

The Prosecutor’s Office has investigated war crimes in multiple jurisdictions since 2003, including in Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire; Mali; Georgia, Burundi Bangladesh/Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Bensouda in a statement also alleged that the troops engaged in unlawful imprisonment; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the armed forces and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and political grounds; and other inhumane acts.

The statement titled, ‘Statement of the Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the situation in Nigeria,’ followed the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the situation in Nigeria, which commenced since 2010.

The prosecutor explained that the statutory criteria for opening an investigation into the security situation had been met, paving the way for a full-blown probe of the allegations against the members of the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

This is happening five days after Amnesty International said that the military and the insurgents have killed many aged citizens at disproportionate levels due to their inability to flee attack

In a 67-page report titled ‘My heart is in pain: Older people’s experience of conflict, displacement, and detention in North-East Nigeria’, the rights group disclosed that older people were killed both by the terrorist group and the militay.

The officer of the ICC prosecutor had announced its findings on crimes in Nigeria since 2013 and about two months ago, promised to conduct a preliminary investigation into the conduct of security operatives in the country.

Bensouda disclosed that the duration of the preliminary examination, open since 2010, was due to the priority given by her Office in supporting the Nigerian authorities in investigating and prosecuting the crimes domestically.

She said, “While my Office recognises that the vast majority of criminality within the situation is attributable to non-state actors, we have also found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the Nigerian Security Forces have committed the following acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes: murder, rape, torture, and cruel treatment; enforced disappearance; forcible transfer of population; outrages upon personal dignity; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such and against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; unlawful imprisonment; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and political grounds; and other inhumane acts.”

The prosecutor noted that her office had concluded that there was a reasonable basis to believe that members of Boko Haram and its splinter groups similarly committed various war crimes including sexual slavery, forced pregnancy and forced marriage; enslavement; torture; cruel treatment; outrages upon personal dignity; taking of hostages; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population or individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities.

 

She further accused the sect of intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in humanitarian assistance; intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to education and places of worship and similar institutions; conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed groups and using them to participate actively in hostilities; persecution on gender and religious grounds; and other inhumane acts.


Bensouda stated that the allegations are sufficiently grave to warrant investigation by her Office, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, noting that she would provide further details in the forthcoming annual Report on Preliminary Examination Activities.


Source: Punch




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