President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an investigation into the unexpected arrival of 153 Palestinians from Gaza who arrived on a chartered plane at OR Tambo International Airport. Initially denied entry due to lacking proper departure stamps, they were eventually allowed in following intervention from a local charity and government compassion. The circumstances surrounding their travel, including their departure from Gaza, remain unclear, with the Palestinian embassy claiming an unregistered organization deceived families and facilitated irregular travel. Authorities have confirmed that, while possessing valid passports, the travelers did not apply for asylum. South Africa, a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, has been highly critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza and will be carrying out an evaluation of this matter.
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In an unprecedented move, former US President Donald Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu of corruption charges. Trump argued that the case was a “political, unjustified prosecution” and that Netanyahu should be allowed to unite Israel. This call for a pardon follows previous criticisms of the charges against Netanyahu, including comments made to the Knesset last month and a declaration of the trial being a “witch hunt”. President Herzog responded by stating that any pardon request must follow established procedures, highlighting the need for a formal request.
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The Israeli parliament has approved the first reading of a bill proposing the death penalty for individuals deemed terrorists, which is likely to primarily impact Palestinians convicted of attacks on Israelis. This bill, spearheaded by the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has garnered condemnation from the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups. Another controversial bill allowing the Israeli government to close foreign media outlets without court approval also passed its first reading. This proposed legislation follows a period in which the state of Israel exchanged Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, thus removing any leverage Hamas may have in the future.
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The Water Authority has initiated a groundbreaking project, becoming the first in the world to replenish a freshwater lake, the Sea of Galilee, with desalinated seawater. This initiative, launched on October 23rd, aims to combat the dropping water levels of the lake, Israel’s primary freshwater reservoir, and is expected to raise the lake’s level by approximately 0.5 centimeters monthly. The desalinated water is channeled through the seasonal Tsalmon Stream, reactivating the dried-out spring and is expected to maintain flow for at least six months. While tests suggest minimal harm to the ecosystem, concerns remain regarding potential dilution of the lake’s salinity, and officials will assess the project’s impact based on rainfall and available desalinated water surplus.
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The Prime Minister’s Office announced Sunday that the body received was confirmed to be that of Lt. Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war. His body was held in Gaza for over a decade, and his family has long campaigned for his return, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to not abandoning soldiers. The body was handed over to the International Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement, culminating in Goldin being buried in Israel. With his return, four deceased hostages, including three Israelis and a Thai citizen, remain in Gaza.
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In a recent development, Turkey issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other Israeli officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity” and “genocide” related to actions in Gaza and against a humanitarian aid flotilla. The warrants were quickly condemned by Israel, with the Foreign Minister calling the move a political maneuver. While Hamas welcomed the warrants, the situation raises questions regarding Turkey’s potential involvement in a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, a key element of the US-brokered ceasefire plan. This follows a similar warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last year, which was also dismissed by Israel.
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Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli hostage recently released from Gaza, has come forward to reveal he was sexually assaulted during his captivity, marking the first time a male hostage has made such an allegation public. In an interview with Israeli TV, Braslavski described being stripped, tied, and subjected to sexual violence by members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Braslavski’s account details the physical and psychological torture he endured, including beatings and threats, further illustrating the brutality of his captivity. This revelation comes amid reports of sexual violence against hostages and follows a US-brokered ceasefire that led to Braslavski’s release.
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Newly declassified intelligence from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reveals alleged links between Hamas and Iran, as well as connections to UNRWA and Al Jazeera. The released documents detail claims of Hamas diverting humanitarian aid intended for civilians within Gaza while also maintaining connections with these entities during the current conflict. The IDF further alleges that Hamas utilized tunnels to store and consume stolen aid, and to handle weapons. This intelligence paints a picture of systemic exploitation and misuse of resources.
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The former top lawyer in the Israeli military, Maj Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested following her resignation and admission of responsibility for leaking a video allegedly depicting severe abuse of a Palestinian detainee. The video, which surfaced in August 2024, allegedly shows reserve soldiers at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel physically assaulting a detainee. The detainee was later released to Gaza as part of an exchange. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s arrest, along with the former chief military prosecutor, is part of a deepening political conflict surrounding the incident and its handling.
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In a stunning turn of events, Israel’s chief military lawyer, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, was arrested on Sunday. The arrest followed her admission of authorizing the leak of a video depicting Israeli reservists abusing a Palestinian prisoner. Furthermore, she confessed to lying to the Supreme Court regarding her involvement. This news came after she was reported missing for several hours, with her car found near a beach.
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John Q. Hosedrinker