#Palestine-Israel / BREAKING: IDF investigating Brigadier General Vach for unauthorized destruction of Gaza Hospital

Israeli military authorities have launched an investigation into Brigadier General Yehuda Vach, commander of the 252nd Division, for allegedly ordering the destruction of a Turkish hospital building in Gaza's Netzarim Corridor without required authorization.

According to today's #Haaretz exposé, Vach deliberately reclassified the building to circumvent military protocols requiring approval from Southern Command Commander or the #IDF Chief of Staff for destroying "sensitive targets" like hospitals.

Military sources familiar with the investigation told Haaretz that Vach unilaterally canceled the building's "sensitive target" designation to avoid seeking approval from superior officers. The IDF has confirmed these details, stating "the incident is being investigated."

The controversy erupted after videos of the building's destruction circulated on social media over the weekend. While the military initially claimed the strike targeted "terrorists in Hamas terror infrastructure in an area previously used as a hospital," Haaretz reports that military leadership was surprised by the decision to demolish the structure.

This latest incident adds to Vach's record of controversial actions in Gaza, including:

- Implementing relaxed rules of engagement in the Netzarim Corridor resulting in Palestinians being shot for crossing arbitrary lines, including children and elderly

- Conducting operations that allegedly endangered his own troops, resulting in the deaths of eight reserve soldiers in just days

- Previous accusations of blocking humanitarian aid

- Ordering arbitrary killings of Palestinians

The Military Advocate General has instructed Southern Command Commander Major General Yaniv Asur to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Hebrew https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-03-24/ty-article/.premium/00000195-c7b7-de89-a1fd-e7b769e70000 or https://archive.is/pvtIs

English https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-24/ty-article/.premium/idf-investigating-if-commander-demolished-nonfunctioning-hospital-in-gaza-without-approval/00000195-c820-d2d1-a397-ea2d0c900000 or https://archive.is/lxze2

Background

Vach is an Israeli military officer born in 1979 in Kiryat Arba, a settlement in the West Bank. He commanded the 252nd Armored Division in the Netzarim Corridor during the Israel-Hamas war of 2023-2024, particularly from August to November 2024.

#Haaretz published few investigations about his conduct. Quotes attributed to him include "there are no innocents in Gaza... everyone is a terrorist."

Vach was already accused of several serious violations:

1. War crimes and potential crimes against humanity for ordering his soldiers to shoot on sight any Palestinians approaching the Netzarim Corridor. The article states the Israeli military estimates over 200 Palestinians were killed this way, with fewer than 10 being Hamas members.

2. Preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, with reports that he made blocking aid a central aspect of his policy. The article mentions that an aid convoy was even bombed in his area of control.

3. Endangering his own soldiers by ordering assaults in insufficiently prepared areas.

4. Allowing his brother Golan Vach to enter Gaza with what's described as a "dubious unit" to destroy Palestinian homes.

5. Permitting Israeli civilians to enter Gaza during military operations.

The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a complaint against him with the #ICC for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-01/ty-article-magazine/.premium/flatten-gaza-halt-aid-the-commander-overseeing-gazas-brutal-netzarim-corridor/00000194-223e-da14-adb7-767eb9790000

https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2025-01-02/ty-article-opinion/vachs-private-army-the-growing-gap-between-the-idf-and-rogue-commanders/00000194-23d6-dcc4-a1d7-3bf6b3370000

https://qudsnen.co/hind-rajab-foundation-files-icc-complaint-against-israeli-general-yehuda-vach/

@palestine
@israel
#GazaGenocide
#IsraelWarCrimee #YehudaVach
#HindRajab

#Palestine / UN's Srebrenica recognition amidst Gaza genocide: double standard when it’s about Muslim lives

The recognition of the #Srebrenica #genocide is criticized for its timing, almost 30 years after the event, amidst the ongoing genocide in #Gaza. The recognition feels performative and serves to legitimize the ongoing violence against Palestinians, rather than genuinely addressing the issue of genocide.

Critics argue that this timing suggests a double standard, prioritizing the commemoration of past atrocities while seemingly ignoring the current genocide in Palestine. It’s not surprising that the involvement of countries like #Germany, which supports the Srebrenica resolution while simultaneously supplying weapons to #Israel, further fuels this criticism.

https://lefteast.org/yesterday-srebrenica-today-gaza/

Emina Bužinkić is a researcher, activist, and writer focusing on migration, refuge, education, transnational solidarities, and feminist praxis. Dr. Piro Rexhepi is a research fellow at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at UCL.

@histodons
@palestine
@israel
#GazaGenocide
#IsraelWarCrimee
#BalkansSolidarity
#SrebrenicaGenocide

#Gaza / Mother and 6 Children Are Killed in Israeli Strike in Gaza, Family Says

[…] “We collected the scattered body parts of the children,” said Ms. Khattab’s brother, Ahmad Khattab, a nurse who lives nearby and helped search the rubble. Mr. Khattab added, “There is absolutely no explanation” for the strike on the family.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/19/world/middleeast/woman-six-children-israeli-airstrike-gaza.html or https://archive.is/uyA2D

@palestine
@israel
#IsraelWarCrimee #IsraelOccupation