UN rapporteur takes aim at talk of Israeli settlers in Gaza ‘in less than one year’
The UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory has called out contemporary Israeli “settler-colonialism” in a post on social media.
In a brief comment above a video of an Israeli TV studio discussion, where far-right settler leader Daniella Weiss speaks about settlers entering Gaza “in less than one year” and Israelis already “snapping up plots of land”, Francesca Albanese said: “In their own words. Settler-colonialism, 21 st Century.”
In the studio discussion, Weiss speaks about “a sense of historical rhythm” and how a long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza would lead to a “copy/paste” of “what we did in the West Bank and also in the Golan [Heights]” – which have remained under Israeli military occupation and illegal settlement for decades.
In their own words.
Settler-colonialism, 21st century.
Plus ça change... https://t.co/xxkggV66fG
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) August 13, 2024
Israelis march on Al-Aqsa Mosque for second day
Crowds of Israelis have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the second straight day and performed Talmudic rituals there, reports the Wafa news agency.
Yesterday, thousands of Israelis, watched by security forces, marched on the holy site and performed Jewish religious rites, which are banned at the location. Among the activists was far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who told the crowd Israel was making progress in establishing “sovereignty” there.
The minister’s visit was denounced by numerous Arab states as well as the US, which said he had “demonstrated blatant disregard for the historic status quo” of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Thousands of Israeli soldiers treated for PTSD since October 7: Report
At least 10,056 Israeli soldiers have received rehabilitation care since the Gaza war broke out, reports The Times of Israel, citing the Defence Ministry’s rehabilitation department.
More than one-third of those soldiers -about 3,500 – have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health issues, according to ministry figures cited by The Times of Israel.
Thirty-seven percent of them have limb injuries, it added.
Since October 7, Israel’s military has named 690 soldiers as having died in combat.
