Sometimes you read a news item and no matter how many times you go over it, you just can’t get your head around it. The State Attorney’s office is one of the central bodies governing law in Israel, and the main body representing the State of Israel in court. Recently, the State Attorney brought charges against Israelis for killing a Nukba terrorist on October 7. I know. You’ll read that line a few times before it sinks in, as I have. But it is no mistake. The Knesset’s Constitution Committee discussed this morning (Sunday) the case that has has enraged most Israeli citizens: the investigation of Israelis suspected of “murdering” a Nukba (the special unit of Hamas trained in rape, murder, and atrocities) terrorist on October 7.

 “When I read the words ‘murder of a Nukba terrorist’ in the police statement, I was completely shocked,” said the chairman of the committee, MK Simcha Rotman, at the beginning of the hearing, “I will express my demand that the case be closed as soon as possible.”

MK Almog Cohen warned representatives of the State Attorney’s Office. “Next time, we will shut you down.” The so-called “perpetrators” were even remanded by police and brought to court,where a judge immediately set them free. “Stand up, apologize, and leave the keys to your office,” demanded MK Saada of the State Attoney’s Office.

Eyal Eshel, the father of Roni, one of the border watchers murdered by terrorists in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, has been appointed to the civilian committee investigating the failures that allowed it to happen. In an interview to Channel Seven, he explained what brought him to the decision to participate. “In the last nine months we have begged again and again for the creation of a committee of investigation into what happened and why, and what lessons can be learned from it so that we can improve our country. What happened here was a failure that shocked an entire nation. If we don’t investigate it thoroughly, find out who was responsible for the death of so many, we won’t know how to fix it. For that we organized this committee.”

Eshel denies accusations that the creation of the committee is a political move designed to bring down the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. “I emphasize and clarify in a way that cannot be misinterpreted or misunderstood: We are not operating with a political bias and no such bias will be allowed to enter into our investigation. Nor are we motivated by a desire for revenge. We are here to listen to the truth and more importantly, to bring it to the attention of the public. There is much work to be done and the sooner we begin, the better it will be for us all.”

As for his inclusion in the investigating committee, Eshel sees it as an obligation to his daughter. “I said over her grave that I will make sure what happened to her will be investigated and those who failed in their responsibilities will be judged and will pay the price.” He believes that both the political and military establishment should be judged equally for the parts they played. “We will see the photos and films; hear the testimonies, and bring the truth to light.”

I, for one, am glad.

Matan Baranes, the son of Nir and Noa, the couple killed in their car by a Hezbollah drone in the Golan Heights two weeks ago, complained in an Instagram story that: “When my parents were killed, Israeli television was busy showing ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ But when a rocket fell in Tel Aviv, there was a television special at four in the morning. Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.”

I feel his pain. It’s justified. As Israel Today wrote: Israel’s rapid response to the deadly UAV attack from Yemen on Tel Aviv within 24 hours must be exactly the same response if Metula, Kiryat Shmona or the Golan Heights are attacked from Lebanon in the north of the country.” So far, that hasn’t happened.

According to Abu Ali Express, Palestinians are claiming that the IDF is blowing up entire neighborhoods in western Rafah using robotic vehicles that carry large quantities of explosives. The robotic tools place the explosive barrels between the buildings and later detonate them. Echoes of the explosions can be heard far away. The buildings tremble, then collapse.

It is so incredibly hot all over the country. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for our troops. Glad to hear that much of the work is being done robotically. I hope our troops are sitting in rooms with portable air conditioners as they press the buttons. True, the neighborhoods look like they’ve experienced an earthquake afterwards. But isn’t that what the Gazans wanted? A “flood”? Like in the time of Noah? Only they didn’t expect to be the receipients, just the perpetrators.

Boo hoo.

The Saudis, who made the attack against the Houthis possible by allowing the IDF to fly over their airspace, and who have a long score with the Houthis themselves, issued the following statement following the massive IDF attack against the main port of the Houthis – their lifeline to importing weapons and food, etc –  “We call on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and call on the international authorities to act to end the conflicts in the region… Saudi Arabia will continue to work to end the war in Gaza and achieve peace in Yemen…”

Abu Ali Express for one, isn’t buying a word of it:

“The Saudis must have laughed when they put this message together.

Here is a possible wording that better reflects their feelings: ‘How fun that the Israelis struck the Houthis. We celebrated all night. Let’s hope they finish off Hamas, the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza, soon. Trump is coming, may God give him strength…’”

More and more, it looks as if Mohammed Deif, the miserable arch terrorist and chief atrocity planner, is finally dead. Like the house landing on the Wicked Witch of the North, all of us munchkins celebrate this news, hoping it is true.

I’m sure Sinwar and his ugly brother aren’t happy that they’ve been left holding the bag. Back to the drawing board, oh brilliant Hamas strategists.

A photo of IDF soldiers in Gaza feasting on local grapes has deeply anguished Gazan internet users, if one is to judge by their responses:

• “Grapes are gone, Gaza’s gone.”
• “The tar movement (Hamas – AA) shames us.”
• “Where’s (Al-Jazeera’s military correspondent – AA) al-Dawiri to clarify these grapes are supplies, and not from our sacred land?”
• “Shame and humiliation.”
• “Hamas brings them, and then leaves us at their mercy.”
• “Khazuk’s true meaning, we brought this on ourselves.”
• “Oh homeland, how many thugs caused your ruin.”

Dear Gazans: internalize, internalize, internalize. You set out to kill and destroy our land, and you and your land have been killed and destroyed.

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