Civilian Archives - The American Retiree

Israeli Military Expands Strike Authority, Elevates Civilian Risk Threshold Amid Gaza Conflict

Jerusalem, Israel – In the wake of escalating violence initiated by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has reportedly broadened the guidelines for engaging targets in Gaza, increasing the permissible risk to civilian lives during operations. This strategic adjustment granted mid-level officers amplified authority to launch attacks on a broader scope of military targets, even when civilian casualties could reach as high as 20 in a single strike. The move represents a …

Marine NCO Facing Court-Martial for Murder of Civilian at Camp Lejeune

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A Marine Corps sergeant stationed at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune has been charged with murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the January shooting death of a female civilian on the base, officials said. Sgt. Dakota Honstein, 26, is set to face a court-martial from April 21 to May 6, 2025. The charges stem from the alleged incident which took place in January of this year, where Honstein is accused of …

Authorities Charge Officers and Civilian in Harsh Assault on Palestinian Man

Jerusalem — Officials reported on Wednesday the arrest of a group of police officers and a civilian implicated in the severe beating of a Palestinian man. The incident, raising serious questions about conduct and oversight within the ranks of law enforcement, signals a troubling abuse of power in a region already plagued by tensions. According to authorities, the assault happened last month when the officers and their civilian companion allegedly intercepted the Palestinian individual at …

Ukraine Endures Record Summer Civilian Casualties Amid Expanding Conflict

Kyiv, Ukraine – The conflict in Ukraine, escalating in scale and severity, has led to devastating consequences with civilian casualties reaching unprecedented levels this summer, the highest since the invasion began in early 2022. The ongoing war has claimed the lives and wellbeing of countless individuals amid expanding battlefronts and intensifying military actions. Latest reports indicate that approximately one million individuals, encompassing both Ukrainian and Russian nationals, have suffered death or injuries since the onset …

IDF Reservist Indicted for Fatal Shooting of Israeli Civilian Who Neutralized Terrorists in Jerusalem Attack

Jerusalem – An Israeli military court has charged Sgt. Aviad Frija, a reserve member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with the fatal shooting of a civilian, Yuval Doron Castleman, in a chaotic incident that involved the killing of two Hamas terrorists in Jerusalem last November. On November 30, 2023, a violent confrontation unfolded at the entrance to Jerusalem, where two Hamas-affiliated terrorists attacked, resulting in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to four. …

Israel’s Claims of Self-Defense Questioned Amid High Civilian Casualties in Lebanon and Gaza

Beirut, Lebanon — Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the Israeli military’s bombardment of civilian areas in southern Lebanon on September 20, which Israel claims was a defensive measure against hidden missile launchers. This strike, claiming 492 lives and injuring 1,645, has sparked international outrage with concerns over the justification and real motives behind the targeting of densely populated regions. During this conflict, Israeli officials, including Isaac Herzog, have publicly stated that they …

Vice President Harris Voices Concern Over High Civilian Deaths in Gaza, Considers Talks on Arms Embargo Amid Rising Tensions

Phoenix, AZ — Vice President Kamala Harris voiced her concern over the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza following an Israeli airstrike on a school, emphasizing the need for Israel to minimize civilian harm. The school in question reportedly served as a shelter for refugees as well as a base for Hamas militants. Speaking at a campaign event in Phoenix on Saturday, Harris highlighted the critical responsibility of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to …

Germany Challenges Netanyahu’s Claims, Asserts High Civilian Toll in Gaza Assault

Berlin, Germany — The German government on Friday expressed stark disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent assertions that civilian casualties were nearly non-existent during military operations in Rafah, Gaza. This statement came after Netanyahu’s remarks to the U.S. Congress, emphasizing that civilian losses in Rafah were minimal, except for a specific incident that resulted in 24 casualties due to bomb shrapnel hitting a Hamas weapons depot. Kathrin Deschauer, the deputy spokesperson for the …

Revealed: IDF Employed Controversial ‘Hannibal Directive’ During Hamas Incursion, Risking Civilian Lives to Deter Captivity

Jerusalem, Israel – The Israel Defense Forces’ controversial “Hannibal Directive,” a military protocol ostensibly discontinued in 2016, resurfaced during the October 7 attacks, according to recent revelations. On that day, the order led to actions that ultimately resulted in significant fatalities at Hamas-infiltrated army facilities. Originally formulated in 1986 during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, the Hannibal Directive enabled the use of substantial force to prevent soldiers from being captured by enemy forces, potentially at …

CIVILIAN TOLL RISES IN ISRAELI RAID RESCUING HOSTAGES

Jerusalem, Israel – The aftermath of Israel’s recent hostage rescue operation in Gaza has sparked renewed concerns over civilian casualties and the protection of non-combatants in conflict zones. The operation, which took place in the Nuseirat refugee camp, resulted in the freeing of four Israeli hostages but also led to the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians, with hundreds more injured. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that among the casualties were both combatants and civilians, …