IMRA Middle East News Updates

BRICS Summit Declaration Condemns Israel, Hamas & Hezbollah not cited

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 15:49:33 -0400

BRICS Summit Declaration Condemns Israel, Hamas & Hezbollah not cited
Dr. Aaron Lerner 27 October 2024

The BRICS Summit Declaration repeatedly condemns Israel without a mention of
Hamas or Hezbollah attacks against Israel.

The Declaration does call for " the immediate and unconditional release of
all hostages and detainees from both sides who are being illegally held
captive" but it may be that as far as Russia and the rest of the BRICs
group, it is perfectly legal for Hamas to hold hostages and thus the call
does not apply to Hamas.

For a laugh read paragraph 47 ..." We recognise that any acts of terrorism
are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivations." Russia
recognizes this?

The following countries participated in the Summit: Russia, Brazil, India,
China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates.

XVI BRICS Summit
Kazan Declaration
STRENGTHENING MULTILATERALISM FOR JUST GLOBAL
DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY
Kazan, Russian Federation
23 October 2024
http://static.kremlin.ru/media/events/files/en/RosOySvLzGaJtmx2wYFv0lN4NSPZp
loG.pdf
...
28. We are deeply concerned over continued conflicts and instability in the
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, noting the Joint Statement by
BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys at their meeting of 25
April 2024.

29. We mourn the tragic loss of civilian lives in the recent period and
express sympathy with all civilian victims and their families. We call for
urgent measures, in accordance with international law, to ensure the
protection of lives.

30. We reiterate our grave concern at the deterioration of the situation and
humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular the
unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and in West Bank as a
result of the Israeli military offensive, which led to mass killing and
injury of civilians,
forced displacement and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
We stress the urgent need for an immediate, comprehensive and permanent
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all
hostages and detainees from both sides who are being illegally held captive
and the unhindered sustainable and at scale supply of humanitarian aid to
the Gaza Strip, and cessation of all aggressive actions. We denounce the
Israeli attacks against humanitarian operations, facilities, personnel and
distribution points. For this purpose, we call for the full implementation
of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024) and 2735 (2024) of the
United Nations Security Council and in this regard welcome the continuous
efforts by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar, other regional
and international efforts in order to reach immediate ceasefire, accelerate
the delivery of humanitarian aid and Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza
Strip. We call for adherence to international law. We are also alarmed that
the further escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip fuel tension,
extremism and severe negative consequences both regionally and globally. We
call on all relevant parties to act with utmost restraint and to avoid
escalatory actions and provocative declarations. We acknowledge the
provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the legal
proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel. We reaffirm our
support for the State of Palestine's full membership in the United Nations
in the context of the unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state
solution based on
international law including relevant UNSC and UNGA resolutions and the Arab
Peace Initiative that includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent
and viable State of Palestine in line with internationally recognised
borders of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital living side by side
in peace and security with Israel.

31. We express alarm over the situation in Southern Lebanon. We condemn the
loss of civilian lives and the immense damage to civilian infrastructure
resulting from attacks by Israel in residential areas in Lebanon and call
for immediate cessation of military acts. We stress the need to preserve the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Lebanon and to create
conditions for political and diplomatic solution in order to safeguard peace
and stability in the Middle East while underlining the importance of strict
observance of UNSC resolutions 1701 (2006) and 2749 (2024).
We strongly condemn attacks on UN personnel, threats to their safety and
call upon Israel to immediately cease such activity.

32. We express our concern over the increasing incidents of terrorist
attacks linked with ICT capabilities. In this regard, we condemn the
premeditated terrorist act of detonating handheld communication devices in
Beirut on 17 September 2024, resulted in the loss of life and injury of
dozens of civilians. We reiterate that these attacks constitute a grave
violation of International Law.

33. We stress the importance of ensuring the exercise of navigational rights
and freedoms of vessels of all states in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab
Strait, in accordance with international law. We encourage enhanced
diplomatic efforts by all parties to that end, including by addressing the
causes of the conflict, and continued support for dialogue and Yemen's peace
process under UN auspices.

34. We stress that Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be
strictly observed. We condemn illegal foreign military presence that lead to
increasing risks of a large-scale conflict in the region. We emphasize that
illegal unilateral sanctions seriously exacerbate the suffering of the
Syrian people.

35. We condemn the attack against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic
Republic of Iran in the Syrian capital Damascus by Israel on 1 April 2024
that constitutes a violation of the fundamental principle of the
inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises under the 1961 Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic
Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations

...
47. We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed while
reaffirming that it should not be associated with any religion, nationality,
civilization or ethnic group. We emphasize that terrorism is a common
threat, which requires a comprehensive and balanced approach at global and
regional levels with due regard to national priorities of States. We commit
to enhance further international and regional cooperation to prevent and
counter terrorist threats on the basis of full respect for the sovereignty
and security of States and in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations and international law. We acknowledge that States have the primary
responsibility in preventing and combating terrorism with the United Nations
continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area. We recognize
that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of
their motivations, and stress the need to ensure strong collective response
to the persistent and emerging terrorist threats without double standards.
We reject any attempts at politicization of counter-terrorism issues and the
use of terrorist groups to achieve political ends. We
commit to take decisive measures to prevent and disrupt the spread of
terrorist ideology and radicalization, the misuse of modern technologies for
terrorist purposes, cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorist financing
and other forms of terrorism support, incitement to commit terrorist acts,
as well as recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters. We call for an
expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism within the UN framework. We call for concerted
actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

For free regular subscription:
Subscribe at no charge: imra-subscribe@imra.org.il
Unsubscribe: imra-unsubscribe@imra.org.il

For free daily digest subscription:
Subscribe at no charge: imra-subscribe-digest@imra.org.il
Unsubscribe: imra-unsubscribe@imra.org.il

IMRA is now also on Twitter
http://twitter.com/IMRA_UPDATES

Dan Halutz: Military's Assumption That Hamas Leadership Was on High Floor Saved Their Lives In July 2006 Attack

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 09:05:55 -0400

Dan Halutz: Military's Assumption That Hamas Leadership Was on High
Floor
Saved Their Lives In July 2006 Attack
Dr. Aaron Lerner 27 October 2024

Dan Halutz reveals ("And Broken" - Haaretz Supplement 25 October 2024) that when the political echelon "asked that we do an analysis and say what is the minimum that can be used" for the operation between 11 and 12 July, 2006
to hit the leaders of the Hamas movement, the military echelon decided to bet that the target was on a high floor and not in the basement.

The Hamas leaders were saved because they were in the basement.

In proper relations, the military echelon should have provided the political echelon with all the information so that the civilian leadership could decide whether to bet that the target was on a high floor or to risk causing more casualties in the nearby buildings by using a bomb that would also kill a target in the basement.

It can be assumed that the arrogance of the military echelon that Halutz's
revelation presents is not a one-off, but rather reflects a working method
that denies the political echelon the ability to choose between options
according to their discretion and not get stuck with making binary decisions
regarding the action plan submitted by the military echelon.
_______________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus
on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Weekly Commentary: Never Again Give Head's Up To Biden's Leakers

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 17:14:18 -0400

Weekly Commentary: Never Again Give Head's Up To Biden's Leakers
Dr. Aaron Lerner, 26 October 2024

First, they leaked top-secret intelligence to interfere with the Jewish
State's execution of an attack on Iran.

Bad enough.

This morning, the Bine team risked the lives of our pilots by revealing our
targets mid-operation!

It's reported that we gave the Biden team a heads-up six hours before the
attack on Iran.

As soon as we started, Biden's people began calling reporters.

An American official with knowledge of Israel's plans told The Washington
Post - while much of the operation was still underway - that missile
manufacturing facilities were the targets.

Biden's team couldn't wait for our pilots to return safely?

If our leaders have eye in the heads, today's attack wasn't just about
leveling scores.

Starting November 7 (when it is dawn in Tehran it is 6:20 PM the previous
day in Alaska), we'll have an opportunity to secure our future as the
Iranians scramble to restore their air defenses and get solid-fuel mixers
from China.

And before Hezbollah could rearm with precision missiles if Blinken pursues
a post-election Chapter VII UN Security Council Resolution mandating a
ceasefire, with harsh penalties for non-compliance.

We simply can't afford to give the Biden team another heads-up.

At best, to avoid mishaps with American jets in the region, we can provide
the wrong target details.

Yes, it's depressing that this is our relationship with the Biden team.

But we have to play the cards we have.
_______________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Translation Of Shin Bet 7.10.23 Warning

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:49:43 -0400

Translation Of Shin Bet 7.10.23 Warning
Source: Kann (Channel 11 News)
https://x.com/kann_news/status/1848050271425089654
[IMRA translation]

Top Secret

The information we have is an indication of mobilization and activity of
[deleted 3 words] in several Hamas divisions.
So far, we have no information about the nature of the activity.
However, noting that this is an unusual aggregation and given additional
suspicious signs this may indicate offensive activity by Hamas.

Sender: Shin Bet
Date: 7.10.23
Time: 02:58
To: Military Intelligence, Mossad, Police
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus
on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: http://www.imra.org.il

$10 million for those who surrender first hostage alive

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 03:03:00 -0400

Hamas is no longer relevant - $10 million for those who surrender the
first hostage alive
Dr. Aaron Lerner 20 October, 2024

Sinwar set a precedent when he abandoned the campaign in an attempt to
escape from Gaza.

The Israeli government should offer a ransom of 10 million dollars for
those who surrender the first hostage alive - a million dollars for the
surrender of every additional hostage alive after the first hostage is
released.

The 10 million dollars will push someone to be the first. And a million
dollars will be enough for others to follow in his footsteps.

In addition, whoever delivers the body of a hostage who died before
Sinwar's elimination will receive $200,000.

The aforementioned arrangement is in addition to the proposal announced
by Netanyahu, according to which those who release hostages will leave
Gaza and be able to continue with their lives.

This is a serious plan that reflects a change on the ground - that is,
that Hamas is no longer a significant factor in the negotiations. We are
determined to do everything to free the hostages and therefore think out
of the box to offer creative solutions.
____________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus
on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: http://www.imra.org.il

Minister Smotrich Slams Haredis Who Denigrate IDF Service

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:43:26 -0400

Minister Smotrich Slams Haredis Who Denigrate IDF Service
(IMRA translation of his 16 October 2024 Twitter post )
https://x.com/bezalelsm/status/1846503627579408508?s=46

Between Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
Between the building of the spirit and the building of the material for the people of Israel.

These are days when I walk in sacred fear, again and again, from family to family, from one shiva (mourning) to another, of our heroic fighters, the most righteous who fell defending the people and the land, and no one can stand in their presence.

On the eve of Sukkot, after more difficult but necessary days for the people of Israel, I read with heart-piercing pain the words of some members of the Haredi factions, my coalition partners, regarding the sacred duty of service in the Israel Defense Forces.

Service that in no way contradicts the study of Torah and the fear of Heaven, as proven by the tens of thousands of fighters from religious Zionism, who combine the book (Torah) and the sword with courage and sanctification of God’s name.

Service in the IDF is a duty, a privilege, and a commandment. Certainly not a problem.

The disregard by some of our Haredi brothers of this duty, whatever the reasons or concerns may be, during wartime and in general, is an injustice that requires a fundamental correction.

We are in historic times regarding this matter, which will allow us to make this correction, and so it will be, with God’s help and determination.

I also firmly reject attempts to irresponsibly set an ultimatum regarding the approval of the state budget, which is necessary for the war and for economic resilience.

“All of Israel is worthy to dwell in one sukkah,” says the Talmud in Tractate Sukkah.

I pray and hope that we will all know how to enter together under the Israeli sukkah, and with God’s help, we will also together be victorious.

Happy holiday to all of the House of Israel.

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: http://www.imra.org.il