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SvennoJ 4 days ago
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Israeli military arrests settlers attempting to enter Gaza

Israeli military radio has reported that a number of settlers have been arrested for attempting to break into Gaza in order to begin establishing settlements in the Palestinian territory.

Army Radio said the arrests took place following an event to promote Israel’s settlement of the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Israeli politicians and far-right settler organisations have held events in recent months to push for the establishment of settlements in post-war Gaza.

Prominent settler activist Daniella Weiss reportedly attempted to enter Gaza in November with the help of Israeli soldiers to survey areas for potential settlement.

Israeli political leaders held a similar event in October, entitled “Preparing to Resettle Gaza”, in which 10 of 32 members of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party attended.

The arrest of Dr Hussam Abu Safia and a wife’s desperate plea

Dr Hussam Abu Safia hasn’t been seen since Israeli forces raided the last functioning medical facility in northern Gaza, the Kamal Adwan Hospital, last Friday. Soldiers carried out multiple strikes on the facility, setting parts of it on fire, forcing patients out, and detaining Dr Abu Safia, who is the head of the hospital.

The Israeli military has denied it is holding Dr Abu Safia, and his wife, Albina Abu Safia, says she has no information on his whereabouts.

Israeli military confirms Gaza hospital director in detention: Report

The Israeli military has now confirmed it is holding Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safia in custody, ABC News reports, citing a statement provided to the Australian network.

The Israeli military said in the statement that Abu Safia was “apprehended for suspected involvement in terrorist activities and for holding a rank in the Hamas terror organisation”.

Israeli authorities have provided no evidence of Abu Safia’s connection to Hamas.

The doctor is “currently being investigated by Israeli security forces”, the military added. Israeli forces detained Abu Safia during an assault on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on December 27.

Israel’s military denied they were holding him in custody, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel said on Thursday, despite video evidence of his arrest near the hospital which Israeli forces destroyed.