City in the West Bank, cradle of faith and heritage
The UK has insisted its support for a two‑state solution remains, as Israel opens tenders for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has summoned Israel’s envoy and pledged a forthcoming package of measures. London says these steps will target those involved in illegal settlement expansion.
A seven‑month‑old Palestinian boy, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, has been killed and his parents have been wounded after an Israeli soldier has fired at the family’s car in Tel Rumeida, south of Hebron. Rights group B'Tselem has released video that it says shows the vehicle was stopping, and Israel’s military has opened a Military Police investigation.
A set of articles spans Palestinian cultural expression through tatreez embroidery, a Prada campaign featuring Saint Levant with a Palestine map pendant, and football gestures at the World Cup highlighting Palestinian identity and solidarity. The pieces examine heritage, controversy, and diaspora connections in 2026.
Palestinian health officials report that Israeli forces have killed a 15-year-old in Ramallah and another teenager in the Qalandia refugee camp after raids across the West Bank. Dozens have been detained, including women, amid rising violence since October 2023. The death toll in the West Bank now exceeds 1,085 with ongoing clashes and arrests.
Palestinian residents report a surge in settler violence across the West Bank, with multiple incidents including arson, property seizure, and clashes with Israeli forces. Reports indicate ongoing attacks are linked to broader settlement activity, with no immediate arrests in some cases and sporadic detentions in others.
A Jordan-hosted emergency meeting convenes to address escalating tensions around Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa and Christian holy sites. Arab ministers warn of potential regional instability as Israeli actions provoke protests and international scrutiny ahead of October elections.
The articles report on Israeli plans to create a 'Samaria' national park on land in the Sebastia area, amid land expropriation and UNESCO involvement. Landowners face expropriation without payment, while restoration and excavations proceed. UNESCO has added Sebastia to its Danger List, highlighting cultural and political stakes.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.
Palestinian healthcare workers report a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with a nurse paralyzed in Sa’ir and ambulances stormed. Health officials say the violence has displaced communities and escalated this year.
West Ham has said it is aware that some travelling supporters sang an anti‑Palestine chant about new signing Manor Solomon during the 2-2 draw at Burnley. The club has appealed for supporters not to repeat the song ahead of its first home Championship match and stressed it will not tolerate discrimination at matches.
The Times of Israel, BBC Business, France 24 and Bloomberg report that Israel has opened tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 corridor, east of Jerusalem. The move draws international condemnation and raises concerns about a two-state solution. France, Germany, Italy and the UK join in urging reconsideration, while the EU and UN caution on the broader implications for regional stability.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has met Jared Kushner to discuss housing, immigration and affordability as Democrats eye potential gains in November. Officials say the conversations are part of broader groundwork as Jeffries signals willingness to work with the White House on policy changes while maintaining a tough stance on accountability.
Activists supporting Palestinians have faced violence amid a surge in settler aggression in the West Bank. AFP reporters and journalists were targeted as activists worked to defend Palestinian homes and block outpost development around Jannatah near Bethlehem. The group, including members of Bnei Avraham, frames its mission as a humane, religious response to violence, while Israeli authorities continue to dismantle and rebuild outposts.