Israeli General Praises Illegal West Bank Outposts as Security Assets
Israeli General Endorses Illegal West Bank Outposts
Major-General Avi Bluth, head of Israel’s Central Command, told a conference organised by the Farm Union on Wednesday that the agricultural outposts “align well with the security concept. It does not contradict it”. [1] He added that the outposts integrate with the security concept provided this is reflected in operational conduct, ethical conduct, and in accordance with the law. [1] The Israeli military commander responsible for the occupied West Bank has praised illegal settler outposts as security assets. [1] Like every Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory, the outposts are illegal under international law. [1] They are also illegal under Israeli law. [1] All Israeli settlements and outposts in occupied Palestinian territory have been instrumental in driving Palestinian ethnic cleansing from their land. [1]
Gaza Rebuilding Effort Reduced to Pilot Project
US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has reduced its plan to rebuild Gaza to a pilot settlement near Rafah. [2] The revision followed months of Israeli restrictions, funding shortfalls and continued Israeli military attacks that blocked work across the territory. [2] The revised project would house tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians, a small share of Gaza’s population. [2] The Gaza rebuilding plan under the Board of Peace has been reduced to a limited pilot settlement near Rafah that would house only tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians due to Israeli restrictions, funding shortfalls and ongoing military attacks. [2]
Ukrainian Activist Accuses Military Leadership of Sabotage
Serhii Sternenko, former adviser to dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, accused Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi of covering up friendly-fire incidents. [3] Sternenko also accused Syrskyi of deliberately weakening certain brigades by withholding personnel and support. [3] He further alleged that Syrskyi failed to analyze battlefield losses. [3] Sternenko broadcast the accusations live on YouTube on July 17. [3] Fedorov’s dismissal as defense minister sparked protests in Kyiv. [3] The protests stemmed from clashes with Syrskyi over military culture, transparency on losses, and reform efforts. [3]
Context of Skelia Regiment and Broader Military Tensions
Sternenko detailed a failed assault on the Pokrovsk front by the 425th Skelia Regiment. [3] The assault led to friendly-fire deaths after troops entered minefields without reconnaissance. [3] According to Sternenko, the General Staff allegedly launched an information campaign to discredit the commander who reported the incident. [3] Skelia is one of Ukraine’s largest assault formations, with more than 10,000 personnel. [3] The regiment has reportedly suffered higher-than-average battlefield losses. [3] A recent investigation by Ukrainian news outlet Babel alleged abuse within the unit and at least 26 noncombat deaths among recruits. [3] On July 24, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation announced a pre-trial investigation of Skelia. [3] Sternenko alleged that Syrskyi deliberately deprived certain brigades of personnel, equipment, and logistical support if he disapproved of their commanders. [3] He said some brigades at one point were receiving more than half of all newly mobilized personnel in the entire country. [3] The dismissal of Fedorov as defense minister has been met with outrage across Ukrainian society. [3] Approximately 1,000-2,000 people gathered in Kyiv on the morning of July 16 to protest his dismissal. [3]
Humanitarian Snapshot in Gaza
Continued military operations, new displacement and deteriorating access further limited humanitarian assistance and heightened protection concerns across Gaza. [4] Agricultural recovery is at risk as animal feed shortages and soaring prices threaten livestock survival across the Gaza Strip. [5] Engine oil shortages continue to disrupt essential water and sanitation systems. [5]
What to watch next: Further protests are scheduled to take place on the evening of July 17 following Fedorov’s dismissal, while the General Staff has not publicly responded to Sternenko’s allegations and the State Bureau of Investigation continues its pre-trial examination of the Skelia Regiment.
