��������Ƶ

LONDON: The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed they are “reviewing” a video which appears to show their soldiers throwing the bodies of three Palestinians from a building in the West Bank.

According to an Associated Press journalist on the scene and obtained video footage, the soldiers allegedly killed the three men before pushing them from the top of a structure in Qabatiya.

“This is a serious incident that does not coincide with IDF values and the expectations from IDF soldiers,” said a statement from the organization.

No formal investigation has yet been launched.

The BBC runs a report on Israeli soldiers pushing Palestinian bodies off the roof of a building & the presenter then remarks that the footage is an example of the many fronts Israel is fighting on

No, its an example of the IDF committing war crimes.

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth)

The incident happened following a 10-hour military assault on Qabatiya, where Israeli forces reportedly knocked over pedestrians as they hurtled through the town in armored vehicles.

Israel claimed its troops killed four militants in the assault. However, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah reported only one confirmed death, with 10 people hospitalized.

This is the latest in a series of alleged violations by the Israeli military, with human rights groups expressing concern over excessive force used against Palestinians.

In the video, soldiers are seen standing on the ground while troops peer over the roof of the building before pushing a body over the edge. In a second instance, soldiers are shown swinging a body over the side by its limbs, and in a third the body is kicked to the edge before falling.

Photos captured by AP during Thursday’s raid show an Israeli army bulldozer near the buildings where the bodies were dropped. Other journalists at the scene also witnessed the bodies being pushed.

Neither the identities of the dead nor the cause of their deaths were immediately known.

The AP reporter who witnessed the raid said they saw a blindfolded and shirtless Palestinian man kneeling before an Israeli army jeep and armed soldiers.

LONDON: Former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi has criticized the UK government for blocking the sale of The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator to a UAE-led media company earlier this year, calling the decision “a terrible error of judgment.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arab News for the season premiere of “Frankly Speaking,” Zahawi expressed disappointment at the decision.

“If Margaret Thatcher (had a say, she) would have said the UK should always be open for business.

“The way you protect particular sectors of the economy, if they require protection, whether it’s nuclear or media, it’s through regulation — good regulation — not legislation.”

The sale of the titles was halted due to government concerns over foreign ownership in critical sectors like the media.

Zahawi, who served as chair of the Conservative Party until January 2023, said he disagreed with colleagues who opposed the sale, especially given the growing economic ties between the UK and the UAE.

He said RedBird IMI, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments and US-based RedBird Capital led by former Vice President of CNN International Rani Raad, deserved credit for securing what he called an “incredible sale” of The Spectator for £100 million ($133 million) to Sir Paul Marshall, a hedge fund tycoon and major investor in GB News.

Zahawi, who founded and served as CEO of market research firm YouGov, declined to comment on the ongoing discussions regarding the sale of The Telegraph and dismissed those who questioned his own possible involvement in a takeover.

“I won’t comment on a live commercial process,” he said. “Suffice to say that it would be an honor and a privilege to lead a great newspaper like The Daily Telegraph.”

RedBird IMI, which owns The National, Sky News Arabia and holds stakes in Euronews and other media companies, took control of The Telegraph and The Spectator in December 2022 after repaying a £600 million debt owed by the Barclay family to Lloyds Bank.

However, UK legislation passed in April aimed at curbing foreign state ownership of newspapers prevented the group from assuming full control.

In September, reports surfaced that Zahawi, who acted as a mediator between RedBird IMI and potential buyers, had allegedly approached former Conservative Party treasurer Sir Mohamed Mansour, an Egyptian-born businessman, to help finance his own bid for the broadsheet.

He was also reported to have held talks with the Reuben family, property billionaires with a stake in Newcastle United Football Club.

In the interview, Zahawi also reflected on his personal journey from Baghdad to the UK, sharing experiences of financial hardship, racism and political awakening during his time at university. He discussed his new book, “The Boy from Baghdad,” his views on the Labour Party, the recent riots in the UK and the country’s immigration policies.

The full “Frankly Speaking” interview will be available on Sunday on Arab News’ website and social media platforms.