Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates Amidst Scandal and Ceasefire

The former top lawyer of the Israeli military, Maj Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested over the leak of a video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee. The video, filmed at the Sde Teiman military base, shows reservists beating and stabbing a detainee in the rectum with a sharp object. Five reservists were charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm. Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned after admitting to leaking the video, saying she did so to counter false propaganda against the army's law enforcement authorities. The incident has sparked a political showdown, with right-wing figures claiming the allegations were fabricated and left-wing figures seeing the video as evidence of abuse. Tomer-Yerushalmi was found alive and well after being reported missing, and was then taken into custody.

Hamas has returned the remains of three Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American dual national, as part of a ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war. The release brings the total number of hostages returned to 20, but eight remain in Gaza. Israel's government and hostage families have accused Hamas of delaying the return of the remaining hostages, threatening to resume military operations or withhold humanitarian aid if they are not returned. The article lists the eight remaining hostages, including their backgrounds and circumstances of capture.

The article discusses the scandal surrounding Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel's former top military lawyer, who was arrested as part of a criminal investigation into the leak of a video showing the alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees in the Sde Teiman military prison. The video, aired by Israel's Channel 12 in August 2024, led to an investigation and the arrest of soldiers involved. Tomer-Yerushalmi was suspended and later resigned, acknowledging she approved the release of the video. The incident sparked a national scandal, with right-wing politicians criticizing Tomer-Yerushalmi and calling for her punishment. The article highlights the political backlash, the investigation, and the implications for Israel's judiciary.

The article reports that Hamas has handed over the remains of three Israeli hostages, including one US citizen, Omer Neutra, to Israel through the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement. President Donald Trump confirmed the return of Neutra's body and spoke to his parents. The remains were recovered by Israeli forces inside the Gaza Strip and will be identified at the National Center of Forensic Medicine. This is part of an agreement where Hamas agreed to hand over 28 dead hostages in exchange for 360 Palestinian militants' bodies. So far, Hamas has returned 17 deceased hostages since the ceasefire began, but 11 other hostage bodies are still believed to be in Gaza.

The former top military lawyer of Israel, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested for leaking a video showing soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian prisoner. The arrest comes as Israel handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza health officials. The leaked video was aired last year and sparked a growing scandal. Another former chief military prosecutor, Colonel Matan Solomesh, was also arrested as part of the investigation. The developments coincide with the release of the remains of three Israeli troops taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Hamas stated that the remains were found in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire began, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 20 hostages, with eight remaining in Gaza. Israel has demanded faster progress in the release of hostages and has released the remains of 15 Palestinians for each hostage returned.

A political scandal has erupted in Israel after Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the Israeli army's top lawyer, was thrown into jail following her resignation and brief disappearance. Tomer-Yerushalmi had leaked a surveillance video showing Israeli soldiers allegedly sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison. The leak triggered fierce criticism from Israel's hard-line political leaders, and Tomer-Yerushalmi was subsequently arrested on suspicion of committing fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. The scandal highlights the deep divisions within Israel and the intense polarization surrounding the treatment of Palestinian detainees.

Israel has returned the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza, bringing the total number handed over under a ceasefire deal to 270. The ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, stipulates that Israel will return 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased Israeli returned. Following forensic identification, Israel confirmed that remains handed over by Hamas belonged to three hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack. Hamas has released 20 surviving hostages and handed over the remains of 28 deceased captives since the truce began on October 10. Israel has accused Hamas of dragging its feet in returning the bodies, while Hamas claims the process is slow due to many remains being buried beneath Gaza's rubble.