August 3, 2026
The other day we wrote that Azerbaijan is strengthening its air defense without “economizing”.
And today the Turkish and Azerbaijani sources reported that the Turkish defense company HAVELSAN has transferred to the Air Force of Azerbaijan the HvBS (Hava Kuvvetleri Bilgi Sistemi) system designed for planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of air operations.
That is, HvBS is a modern digital platform of command and control, which combines all the main stages of preparation and implementation of air operations.
Moreover, the system was developed taking into account the requirements of the Turkish Air Force, a member of NATO.
Moreover, Turkish sources According to reports, by successfully passing the first 4 stages of NATO’s 6-stage technical and operational evaluation, it has become the only system in the world that has recorded such success.
And the system supplied to Azerbaijan allows the personnel of operational centers to work in a unified information space, manage tasks and operational information in real time, centrally track critical data and significantly accelerate the decision-making process, which increases the speed, accuracy and efficiency of planning, coordination and implementation of operations.
In this context, we should mention that the multinational EFES-2026 held in Turkey months ago exercises, which was attended by representatives of the armed forces of several dozen countries, including Azerbaijan, the HvBS system applied.
It should be noted that before Azerbaijan, Turkey transferred it to Pakistan.
Regarding Azerbaijan, let’s add that about 2 years ago we reported that Azerbaijan is negotiating with the Turkish company ASELSAN on the acquisition of Herikks air attack warning systems.
At the same time, it became known that the system was installed for testing purposes in the occupied Karvachar region or in the heights, at an altitude of more than 3000 meters.
A representative of the Turkish company said that the warning system can detect targets both automatically and non-automatically, and that it can also operate while on the move. Maybe Azerbaijan has already bought the system.
Almost at the same time information It turned out that Azerbaijan and Turkey are creating an airspace control or air command management system project HAKİM.
Between the two mentioned systems, Herikks and HAKİM systems interconnectedness there is, i.e. HAKİM modernizes radar network management, HERİKKS provides early warning, etc.
In this context, let us recall that during the 44-day war, the Turkish military system was interconnected NATO’s command and control system. In other words, one nation, two states are not just words, nor is Shushi’s declaration a pile of words.
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Through Turkey to the Middle East. Will Armenia join the “Road to Development”?
August 3, 2026
Lately Ankara done visit during Turkey and: Iraq leaders confirm are the support «Development way» to the project, which called is Iraq From Persia of the bay the shores Small through Asia connect of Europe with:
“The road of development will connect the East and the West through our countries,” Iraqi Prime Minister Az Zaidi said at a July 28 press conference, adding that this project will strengthen bilateral ties and expand the economic resources of both countries.
Turkey USA: ambassador Tom: Barak, which also Trump representative is Syria and: Iraq with questions, more early high is evaluate of Zaidi efforts Turkey, Syria and: other countries between connections confirmation regional of the program implementation direction, which, his word, can is Hormuz the strait «already two year after irrelevant to make»՝ marine of ways trade reorienting to: terrestrial logistic networks, to whom towards interest are showing also Caucasus countries:
Not yet 2025 year in October Iraq of the Prime Minister of transport with questions advisor Nasser Al:–Assad State news to the agency to report was, that Oman and: Armenia: “Z:of inhibition way» to the project to join official applications are presented: He noted that the project “enjoys a growing international interest, so Baghdad believes that neighboring countries should also join it. In this regard, for example, “Qatar, UAE have also expressed their willingness to support the project.”
in Iraq of Armenia the ambassador, clarify is Al:–Assad, «also wish is to report, that her the country of the project part become Armenian industry for free zone of creation and: Iraq and of the region with commercial exchange through»,- to add is the official:
The word corridor about is, which From Persia of the bay iraqi ports pinning is Turkey black sea ports with to: South Europe exit and: Iran, Jordanian Aqaba port (Red sea), Saudi Arabia and: From Persia of the bay coastal monarchies to leave with:
This to the project hypothetical connection in context note are taken s:.the. 3 th per quarter Armenia:–Turkey railway of communication recovery and: Iran and: Iraq transportation contact reinforcement: This two countries between new railway the transition planned is until 2029 year the beginning:
“Path of Development” project has started by the now former prime minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudan, at a regional conference on transit in late May 2023 in Baghdad. Official Baghdad has announced the decision to form a new transport corridor agreed with Turkey (2022-23), which will allow Iraq, together with Turkey, to become a key hub for cargo between the Middle East and Europe. The cost of the project will be about 17 billion dollars (at the prices of the beginning of 2024), and the length of the route in Iraq is about 1200 km.
In 2024, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates signed a preliminary cooperation agreement. Amid rumors of a doping project, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased the appeal of the land route as an alternative to vulnerable sea routes in the Persian Gulf.
In addition, according to the project, it is primarily about the modernization of the existing railway network of Iraq and neighboring southeastern Turkey, the modernization of the Iraqi ports of Basra, Fao, Umm-Qasr and the construction of the mentioned railway branches.
Along with Iraq and Turkey, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Syria officially participated in the implementation of the “Road to Development” project (within the territory of Syria: railway and oil pipeline exits between Iraq and the Mediterranean region).
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudan in his speech at the Baghdad conference said: “…We see this project as a pillar of a sustainable non-oil-based economy, as a link that will serve Iraq’s neighbors and the entire region and promote economic integration.”
At the forum, the special representative of Turkey expressed himself in line with Iraq’s position. “…Ankara is a key partner for a development path that provides universal benefit and an even more profitable perspective.”
Similar the project can is huge significance to have Iraq economy for, that թվում՝ Իրաքի՝ transit country transformation and: Turkey transit role increase in terms of, what? email her հերթին՝ them for will increase financial funds inflow:
The completion of the first phase of the project (Iraq-Turkey, modernization of Iraqi ports) is planned for 2029, and by 2050 the main project infrastructure will be created. The Turkish and Iraqi sides consider its creation possible by 2040.
«Development way» of the project first the node Iraq super rich նավթով՝ in the south situated Faoin: the port is, which by rail and: by highway the country pinning is Turkey and: Iran with: Moreover, the “Development Path” project is intended not only for the transportation of goods or passengers. It opens the door for the development of vast areas of Iraq,” at the conference announced Farhan al-Fartusi, director general of the Iraqi state “General Ports Company”.
The Iraqi government plans to launch high-speed freight and passenger trains that will reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. “Z:of inhibition the path» provide is also graduation or extra stage (2030-mines last-2040-mines in the middle) companion high technological ենթակառուցվածքներ՝ parallel oil pipelines, gas pipelines, highways, fiber optic cables and: etc:
The project also takes on a special importance in comparison with the outdated railway network operating in Iraq, with which the 500 kilometers from Baghdad to Basra or Fio can be covered in 10-12 hours, against the maximum of 6.5 hours planned for the project, which is also interesting for neighboring countries.
Although “Z:of inhibition track» first beneficiaries will become Iraq and: Turkey, actively under discussion is of it internationalization՝ inclusive of the project supranational management options: In fact, the word Iran by area passing «North–South» MT:M: route of an alternative about is:
Alexey Baliev
vpoanalytics.com
Translation by Zhanna Avetisyan
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168: Pashinyan is not legitimate. Why did Putin refuse? what did Mishustin say? Armenian:
August 3, 2026
168TVof “Trigger” is the guest of the program Alexander Ananev, retired senior adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
During the program, the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the upcoming elections in Russia in September, as well as their possible political and geopolitical consequences were discussed.
Special attention was paid to the relations between Armenia and the European Union. The results of the meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the prospects of cooperation with the EU, as well as the question of whether Yerevan’s expectations regarding economic support from Brussels were justified were discussed.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the current state of Russian-Armenian relations have become key topics. The demands of the Armenian authorities towards Moscow, the situation around the South Caucasian Railway (SCR) and the future prospects of bilateral cooperation came into the center of attention.
The situation around the Eurasian Economic Union was also discussed. Statements about Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the EAEU, demands to hold a referendum in Armenia on the issue of continued membership in the EAEU, as well as Nikol Pashinyan’s intention to raise the issue of “paralysis” of the union due to restrictions on the supply of Armenian products at the EAEU intergovernmental council session were addressed.
In addition, during the program, the position of the Russian foreign intelligence service was considered regarding the European trajectory of Armenia and the possible economic consequences of the republic’s further integration with the European Union.
About the 2026 parliamentary elections of Armenia
Neither Russia, nor China, nor Iran officially congratulated Nikol Pashinyan and the “Civil Agreement” party on the victory in the elections.
In diplomatic language, this means that we do not recognize these results until the end. Of course, we will maintain relations, because economic ties remain. But for us he is not legitimate.
About the situation created around EAEU and SCR
“Russia does not remove the issue of sanctions within the framework of the EAEU from the agenda and is waiting for Pashinyan’s answer regarding the holding of the referendum.
That is why blackmail has started around SCR. There are demands to pay two billion annually or monthly, although the railway is under concession.
This, again, is an international agreement. Billions of rubles have been invested in the implementation of this concession. Demanding money for the use of the railway in Armenia is nonsense.”
About the meeting between Pashinyan and Ursula von der Leyen and the prospects of cooperation with the EU
Von der Leyen came and offered nothing but 52 million. At the same time, Armenia is losing billions. About 94% of all exports and imports of Armenia are related to Russia. Now supplies are virtually closed. even fish no longer reaches the Russian market.
As a result, von der Leyen sent only 10,000 Armenian flowers to Latvia, and that was the end of it.”
About EU promises and European standards
The promises that 80% of Armenian exports will be delivered to the European Union without customs duties are one thing. But Armenian products do not meet European standards. For this reason, the duty-free regime will operate only if the product meets EU requirements. However, now it is not accepted precisely because it does not meet the standards. In Europe, there are very strict standards that differ from the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union. And it takes years, not days, to adapt the production to these requirements.
Hayk Derzyan
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RFE/RL – New Armenian Parliament Meets, Elects Speaker
- Shoghik Galstian
Armenia’s new parliament controlled by the ruling Civil Contract party elected its speaker on Monday during its inaugural session marked by bitter accusations traded by pro-government and opposition lawmakers.
Ruben Rubinian’s election became a forgone conclusion when the party’s governing board headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian unexpectedly designated him for the post in late June. Pashinian has since not given a clear reason for removing the previous parliament speaker and his longtime political ally, Alen Simonian. Rubinian served as one of Simonian’s deputies in the former National Assembly.
The new assembly convened almost two months after parliamentary elections won by Civil Contract, according to their official results rejected by the Armenian opposition as fraudulent. Lawmakers representing the two opposition blocs that won parliament seats repeated the fraud claims during the session that began on Sunday.
“Yes, Mr. Rubinian, the opposition did not win the June 7 elections … but the incumbent authorities didn’t win either. The June 7 elections were one of the most disgraceful in Armenia’s history,” charged Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leading member of former President Robert Kocharian’s Hayastan alliance.
“This parliament has a very serious problem with its legitimacy, and so does the government formed by this parliament,” he said.
For his part, Rubinian, who was elected only by fellow Civil Contract parliamentarians, accused the opposition of refusing to “accept the people’s choice.”
At the same, time he urged it to end, together with the ruling party, what he called a widely held belief that the Armenian parliament has been a “place for pointless and fruitless arguments, slander, and insults” and that the new National Assembly “will be even worse in that sense than the previous one.” To that end, the two rival camps should commit to “very sharp but polite debates” that would not go beyond “the bounds of human decency,” added Rubinian.
“If you do not accept my proposal and have other suggestions or think that we should continue to follow the long-outdated, repeatedly beaten and trampled path, then Civil Contract is more than ready for it in the toughest sense of the word,” he warned.
Like Simonian, Rubinian repeatedly attacked and insulted opposition lawmakers while chairing sessions of the former parliament that occasionally degenerated into shouting matches and even brawls. The oppositionists claimed that their pro-government colleagues deliberately provoked such incidents on Pashinian’s orders.
Pashinian’s party now has 64 seats in the 105-member parliament. Hayastan and billionaire Samvel Karapetian’s Strong Armenia hold 12 and 29 seats respectively.
Pashinian Ally Defends Wife’s $10,000 Wage
An incoming deputy speaker of Armenia’s new parliament affiliated with the ruling Civil Contract party insisted on Monday that a massive salary of his wife managing the national postal service is not the result of profligacy or corruption alleged by opposition lawmakers.
Citing her income declaration, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service revealed late last week that Shushan Aleksanian makes 3.6 million drams (about $10,000) per month as chief executive of the state-run company HayPost. The official monthly salary in the country currently stands at less than 320,000 drams. Most HayPost employees earn significantly less than that.
The revelation sparked an uproar from opposition figures and other critics of the Armenian government. They say Aleksanian earns far more than any government official because she is married to Hayk Konjorian, who led the Civil Contract faction in the former Armenian parliament and was due to be elected vice-speaker of the new National Assembly later on Monday.
An opposition lawmaker, Agnesa Khamoyan, pressed Konjorian on the subject during a debate on his candidacy for the post nominated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s party.
“My wife is the lowest-paid director in the history of HayPost,” responded the senior lawmaker.
Konjorian also said that Aleksanian, who had joined HayPost after Pashinian came to power in 2018, was appointed as the company’s chief executive in November 2024 on a fair and competitive basis.
The Armenian Ministry of High-Technology Industry, which directly oversees HayPost, declined last week to give any details of the purported job contest mentioned by Konjorian. It did not even say whether anyone else applied for the lucrative position.
The ministry also refused to explain Aleksanian’s salary, saying only that there is no “separate formula” for calculating it.
HayPost’s 2025 financial report shows that spending on the remuneration of its top management soared by 28 percent last year despite a 7 percent fall in the company’s revenues and a nearly sixfold surge in its debts.
Armenia’s leadership faced opposition allegations of widespread nepotism within its ranks even before the latest controversy. Late last year, it installed Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s wife, Gohar Abajian, as head of Enterprise Armenia, a state agency supporting business projects in the country. The then chief of Pashinian’s staff claimed that Abajian was appointed because of winning a job contest, rather than her government connections.
Pashinian has repeatedly claimed to have eliminated “systemic corruption” in Armenia. However, members of his entourage are increasingly accused by media of using their positions to enrich themselves, their families or cronies.
Konjorian came under media scrutiny last December after the investigative publication Hetq.am reported that he purchased an expensive house in Yerevan at a massive discount. The price paid by Konjorian was set just below a legal ceiling set for a government scheme that has exempted home buyers from income tax for the duration of their mortgage repayments. The lawmaker thus qualified for the tax rebate. He denied receiving any discounts.
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Yerevan State University Continues ‘Political’ Sackings
- Gayane Saribekian
Armenia’s leading university has fired one of its most renowned law professors, the latest in a series of sackings of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s critics or their relatives working in the public sector.
The 71-year-old professor, Gagik Ghazinian, is the father of Davit Ghazinian, a leading member of the main opposition Strong Armenia elected to the country’s new parliament. The latter was arrested following the June 7 parliamentary election and spent nearly a month in prison on vote-buying charges denied by him.
Gagik Ghazinian has worked at Yerevan State University (YSU) since 1983. He continued to teach law there after resigning in 2024 as dean of YSU’s Law Department, a position he held for 28 years. The university administration notified him recently that his employment contract will not be renewed in September.
Davit Ghazinian said on Monday that his father will challenge the dismissal in court. He described it as government retribution for his political activities which he said was ordered by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
YSU’s pro-government rector, Hovannes Hovannisian, could not be reached for comment. The university spokeswoman, Knar Misakian, promised to explain Gazinian’s sacking but did not get back to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service by the end of the day.
At least four YSU lecturers critical of Pashinian were pushed out of the university in a similar fashion in July and June this year. They included prominent pro-opposition lawyer Ruben Melikian and indicted political scientist Alen Ghulian. Melikian, who taught law at YSU for the last 23 years, also pledged to take the university administration to court.
Also planning legal action was Hayastan Hakobian, who was fired from a state college in the town of Armavir shortly after the June 7 elections in which she ran on the Strong Armenia ticket. The college director denied that her dismissal was politically motivated.
Quite a few other individuals holding managerial positions in the public sector, who are related to oppositionists or critical of the government, have also lost their jobs in recent months. They include Lilit Ghazarian, the sister of another Strong Armenia member elected to the parliament.
Ghazarian served as deputy head of the Armenian government’s drug regulatory agency for 22 years. She said that her boss told her to resign for “known reasons” the day after the disputed polls. She said she refused before being notified that her position has been abolished.
On July 13, a state policlinic in Yerevan fired its chief gynecologist Arpine Soghoyan who bitterly argued with Pashinian during his election campaign in the city’s northern Arabkir district. Soghoyan accused him of having “ruined the country” and “wiped out a whole young generation” during the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinian reacted furiously, linking her to the leaders of Armenia’s three main opposition groups.
Soghoyan was notified by the policlinic director that her position has been abolished as part of what the Yerevan municipality described as cost-cutting layoffs. She brushed aside the explanation, saying that she was punished for the incident with Pashinian. The experienced doctor too challenged her dismissal in court.
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RFE/RL – Opposition Lawmakers Meet Armenian Catholicos Snubbed By Parliament M
Opposition lawmakers made a point of visiting Catholicos Garegin and receiving his blessings late on Sunday after he was effectively barred from addressing the inaugural session of Armenia’s new parliament contrary to an established tradition.
The parliament’s statutes entitle the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church to delivering such an address along with the president of the republic. Garegin did not exercise that right due to a lack of formal invitation from the pro-government majority in the National Assembly. The snub reflected Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s yearlong campaign to depose him denounced by the Armenian opposition as illegal.
Lawmakers representing the opposition Strong Armenia and Hayastan alliances decried Garegin’s absence when the parliament elected on June 7 began its opening session on Sunday morning.
“Where is the Catholicos?” shouted some of them, prompting stern warnings from a pro-government colleague chairing the session.
The entire parliamentary groups of both alliances visited Garegin at his Echmiadzin headquarters late in the evening to show solidarity with him.
“In the context of this government’s anti-national campaign, when for the first time in the history of our state, His Holiness’ message, prayer, and wishes were not heard at the inaugural session of the National Assembly, we were obliged to correct what happened,” Hayastan’s parliamentary leader, Anna Grigorian, said at the meeting.
According to a statement released by the church’s Mother See, Garegin “conveyed his greetings and blessings to the deputies” and regretted the fact he was not unable to address them and the other lawmakers on the parliament floor “for known reasons.” He also deplored the “concerning situation” in Armenia and “illegal, unconstitutional steps taken against the Armenian Church.”
“Such unacceptable phenomena undermine the foundations of national unity, Diaspora-Armenia relations, disrupt the atmosphere of mutual respect and trust in society, the strengthening of democracy and legality, and the supremacy of justice and truth,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Garegin as well as six archbishops and bishops will go on trial on Friday on charges rejected by them, opposition leaders and other critics of Pashinian as politically motivated. The charges stem from his January 27 decision to defrock a pro-government bishop involved in Pashinian’s controversial campaign. Lawyers representing the Mother See maintain that Armenian courts law-enforcement agencies have no jurisdiction over internal church affairs.
Garegin is the first Catholicos prosecuted in Armenia’s post-Soviet history. Even Soviet authorities had never formally prosecuted his predecessors.
Pashinian began pressuring Garegin to resign in June 2025 shortly after the Catholicos accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and illegally occupying Armenian border areas during an international conference in Switzerland. Three Armenian archbishops and one bishop were arrested in the following months on different charges strongly denied by them. They all were moved to house arrest this year.
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Armed Israeli settlers attack Armenian Church in occupied Jerusalem
Armed Israeli settlers attacked the Armenian Church in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday evening, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
In a statement, the governorate said a group of settlers threw stones at the church and collectively spat at its entrance.
According to Palestinian figures, around 750,000 Israeli settlers live in 156 settlements and 360 settlement outposts across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. The figures say settlers have carried out repeated attacks aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians.
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Israeli Extremists Attack Armenian Church in Occupied Jerusalem – Video
By Palestine Chronicle Staff
Israeli settlers attacked an Armenian church in Jerusalem’s Old City, spitting at its entrance and hurling stones, as Palestinian officials warned of a continued rise in attacks targeting Christian holy sites.
Key Developments
- Israeli extremists spat at and threw stones toward an Armenian church in occupied East Jerusalem.
- The Jerusalem Governorate published footage of the attack.
- Palestinian officials say at least 45 attacks have targeted Christians and Christian holy sites this year.
Israeli settlers attacked an Armenian church in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, spitting at its entrance and throwing stones at the building, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
In a statement, the governorate said a group of Israeli settlers carried out the assault, describing it as part of an ongoing pattern of attacks targeting Christian holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.
The governorate also released video footage showing at least five Israeli extremists gathering outside the church, spitting toward its entrance before hurling stones at the building.
Pattern of Attacks
The latest incident follows repeated attacks by Israeli settlers and extremists against churches in Jerusalem’s Old City over recent months, including multiple incidents in which Christian clergy and worshippers have been subjected to harassment and spitting.
According to the Palestinian Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, at least 45 attacks have targeted Christians and Christian holy sites since the beginning of the year.
The committee has previously warned of escalating assaults against churches, clergy, and Christian communities in occupied Jerusalem.
In a separate statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said an Arab bus driver was violently assaulted by a group of Israeli settlers in occupied East Jerusalem.
The driver sustained injuries and was transferred to hospital for treatment. No further details were immediately released.
Escalating Violence
The incidents come amid escalating attacks by the Israeli army and illegal Israeli settlers across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023.
According to official Palestinian figures, Israeli military operations and settler attacks have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians, injured around 13,000, and resulted in approximately 24,000 arrests across the occupied West Bank during the same period.
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Armed ‘Israeli’ settlers attack Armenian Church in occupied Jerusalem
- Armed ‘Israeli’ settlers attacked the Armenian Quarter in occupied East Jerusalem, targeting the entrance to St. James Monastery and an Armenian resident.
- ‘Israeli’ police later arrested six suspects following the incident.
Armed ‘Israeli’ settlers attacked the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, targeting the entrance to St. James Monastery and an Armenian resident, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
In a statement, the governorate said a group of settlers threw stones at the Armenian Church and repeatedly spat at its entrance.
Video from the scene showed six Jewish ‘Israeli’ settlers spitting at the entrance to St. James Monastery and throwing rocks at an Armenian woman who was filming the incident.
The attack took place in the Armenian Quarter of occupied East Jerusalem, an area that has witnessed repeated tensions involving settlers and local residents.
‘Israeli’ police later arrested the six suspects accused of carrying out the attack.
According to Palestinian figures, about 750,000 ‘Israeli’ settlers live in 156 settlements and 360 settlement outposts across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinian officials say settlers have carried out repeated attacks against Palestinian communities aimed at forcibly displacing residents.
https://en.royanews.tv/news/72099/Palestinian-fetus-dies-after-‘Israeli’-forces-detain-ambulance
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