Israel backs rogue troops

Netanyahu defends Orthodox army unit over ‘human rights abuses’

Israel has criticised the US over the potential sanctioning of a military unit allegedly involved in human rights violations in the West Bank.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday his department was conducting investigations under a law that prohibits sending military aid to foreign security units that violate human rights with impunity.

“I think it’s fair to say that you’ll see results very soon. I’ve made determinations – you can expect to see them in the days ahead,” Mr Blinken said.

The decision – against the notorious Netzah Yehuda Battalion – would mark the first time the US has ever imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israel Defence Forces.

The unit was established for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men as their strict religious observance demands males and females are separated.

In late 2022, the State Department directed embassy staff in Israel to investigate alleged abuses in the West Bank by the battalion. That included an incident which a 78-year-old Palestinian American died of a heart attack after being detained.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant discussed with army chief Herzl Halevi the US administration’s threat, saying “any attempt to discredit an entire unit casts a heavy shadow on the IDF – damaging one battalion undermines the entire security apparatus”.

Mr Gallant added that he directed the security establishment to convey to the Biden administration the significance the military places on adherence to international law.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the (Israeli army) – I will fight it with all my strength.”

The development comes as Gaza’s civil defence said on Monday that health workers had uncovered at least 50 bodies of people killed and buried by Israeli forces at a hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, adding to previous tallies which brings the number of bodies buried by the IDF to 210. In a statement, the civil defence agency said the remains were discovered in the courtyard of Nasser Medical Complex.

“There are mass graves dug by the Israeli occupation … we were shocked by the presence of bodies of 50 martyrs in one of the pits,” said Mahmud Bassal, an agency spokesman said.

“We are continuing the search and are waiting for all graves to be exhumed in order to give a final number.”

He alleged some of those killed had been tortured.

“There were no clothes on some bodies, which certainly indicates (the victims) faced torture and abuse,” Mr Bassal said.

Intense fighting raged in midFebruary in the area of the hospital, and Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles surrounded it on March 26.

Despite the revelations, Mr Netanyahu said Israel would ramp up its efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

“In the coming days, we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas,” the Prime Minister said.