Yedioth Ahronoth: Fearing international prosecution… Israel is taking secret measures for its soldiers participating in the war of extermination in Gaza

Israel secretly honored 120 of its soldiers on Thursday, fearing international prosecution for violations they committed in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported, “President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, hosted the traditional ceremony on Thursday for 120 distinguished soldiers to award them Presidential Medals in commemoration of the so-called establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948, and what Palestinians call the Nakba”.

Yedioth Ahronoth added, “For the first time, the (traditional annual) honoring ceremony is being held under the information security restrictions imposed by the Israeli army, without revealing the faces and names of the distinguished soldiers”.

Yedioth Ahronoth added, “Due to restrictions following the conclusion of the main live broadcast, the diplomas will be awarded in front of the families of the outstanding soldiers only, and won’t be broadcast live as is the case every year”.

Yedioth Ahronoth continued, “The arrangements, as determined by the Israeli military, were determined for operational considerations and a desire to maintain information security and the personal safety of soldiers, against the backdrop of fears that IDF soldiers would be persecuted worldwide”.

The Israeli newspaper reported, “President Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir participated in the ceremony… The distinguished soldiers represent all branches of the military”.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted Herzog calling for the return of all prisoners from Gaza, saying, “This unique Israeli courage is also the source of our strength – in our steadfast national commitment: to return all hostages to their homes”.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, 24 of whom are still alive.

Meanwhile, more than 9,500 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

It’s noteworthy that Palestinian and international human rights organizations that support the Palestinians, including the Hind Rajab Foundation (based in the Belgian capital, Brussels), document violations committed by Israeli soldiers during the war on Gaza and prosecute them in the countries they visit on vacation.