Israel Faces Accusations of Human Rights Abuses

At least 13 people, including children, were killed in an Israeli raid on a village in southern Syria. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted the Jamaa Islamiya militant group, while Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack as a 'war crime'. The IDF released footage showing air strikes and soldiers firing on a street. The Syrian foreign ministry called on the UN Security Council to act against Israel's 'policy of aggression'.

The UN Committee Against Torture has concluded that Israel is operating a 'de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture' against Palestinians in its detention centers. The committee's findings were based on testimony from Israeli and Palestinian rights groups, which described harsh conditions, including deprivation of food and water, severe beatings, and sexual violence. The committee was critical of Israel's use of administrative detention and the Unlawful Combatants law, which allows for long periods of detention without access to a lawyer or family members. Israel has rejected accusations of torture and genocide, but the committee called for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible. The findings come amid increasing pressure on Israel over its human rights record, with recent incidents including the killing of two Palestinians in the West Bank and dire conditions in the Gaza strip.

A video shared by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem appears to show Israeli soldiers executing two Palestinian men who had surrendered during a raid in Jenin, West Bank. The men, identified as Yusef 'Asa'sah and al-Muntaser bel-lah 'Abdallah, were wanted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for carrying out terror activities. The IDF acknowledged the operation and claimed the men were killed after fire was directed towards them. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Palestinian leaders accusing Israel of extrajudicial killing and human rights groups criticizing the IDF's actions. The incident is the latest in a series of violent clashes in the West Bank since the war in Gaza began.

The article discusses the 'Zero Units' that the National Guard shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly worked for during the war in Afghanistan. These units were Afghan intelligence and paramilitary forces that worked closely with the CIA and U.S. forces. While considered trusted by the U.S., they were also labeled 'death squads' by human rights groups due to alleged brutality and extrajudicial killings. Lakanwal was part of the '03' unit, also known as the Kandahar Strike Force, for eight years and was known for being responsible and having strong anti-Taliban views. The article also mentions Lakanwal's background, his work with the CIA, and his struggles with PTSD.

A video showing Israeli forces killing two Palestinians after they appeared to surrender has sparked outrage and calls for investigation. The incident, captured on camera in Jenin, West Bank, shows the men being shot at close range and their bodies being covered by a demolished building. The Israeli military has promised an investigation, but precedents suggest a lack of accountability. Palestinians in Jenin express feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, citing a history of violence and lack of international protection. Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have praised the military and opposed investigations into soldier misconduct.

The United States has paused all asylum decisions and stopped issuing visas to people from Afghanistan under President Trump's immigration policy review. The decision affects individuals already in the US who claim persecution if returned to their home country. The State Department halted visas for Afghans, including those who assisted the US during the war. This move comes after a gunman, an Afghan national, shot two National Guard members in Washington. The Trump administration is stepping up anti-immigration policies, reviewing green cards given to people from countries banned from travel to the US, and pausing immigration applications from Afghan immigrants.