Palestinians are in the news due to ongoing Gaza-West Bank violence, Israeli strikes, settler attacks, and international responses. Palestinians are an Arab ethnonational group native to the Levant, with millennia of history in the area.
Pew Research Center finds that in 36 countries, a median of 76% do not trust Donald Trump to act in world affairs, while 57% view the US unfavorably. Israelis remain relatively more supportive of Trump’s role, but confidence in the US as a reliable partner has waned in many regions since 2022.
On April 11, 2026, Ali Majed Hamadneh, 23, has died after Israeli settlers opened fire during a raid on Deir Jarir village in the West Bank. The attack occurred under Israeli military protection amid a surge in settler violence and government approval of 34 new settlements. The incident has intensified criticism of settlement expansion and settler attacks in the occupied territory.
Israel's parliament is set to pass legislation allowing the death penalty exclusively for Palestinians accused of terror, sparking international criticism. Countries including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy have expressed concern over the bill's discriminatory nature and potential violation of international law. The law is expected to face legal challenges.
A recent Israeli airstrike on Jaffa Street in Gaza City killed four people and wounded others, raising tensions in a fragile ceasefire. Hamas and Israel blame each other for violations. Hamas demands guarantees of Israeli troop withdrawal before discussing disarmament, complicating efforts to implement a US-backed peace plan.
On April 5, 2026, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City killed four Palestinian policemen, marking the latest breach of the ceasefire established in October 2025. Despite the truce, Israeli strikes continue almost daily, killing over 715 Palestinians since October. Violence also persists in the West Bank, with settler attacks and Israeli military actions escalating amid Israel's broader conflicts with Iran and Hezbollah.
Since early April 2026, Jerusalem's Old City holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, have reopened after a six-week closure due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly entered Al-Aqsa, performing Jewish prayers forbidden under the Status Quo, sparking Palestinian and Jordanian condemnation. Restrictions on Muslim worshippers and settler incursions continue, raising fears of escalating tensions and changes to the site's religious status.
Israel's parliament approved its largest-ever budget of $271 billion, increasing military and ultra-Orthodox funding. The move follows a last-minute amendment supporting ultra-Orthodox institutions, sparking criticism. The government also advances a controversial bill to impose the death penalty for Palestinian attackers, drawing domestic and international opposition.
Palestinians commemorate Land Day, highlighting land confiscations, settlement expansion, and ongoing displacement. Despite war and destruction, many reaffirm their connection to their land through protests, planting trees, and staying on their land, emphasizing resistance and the right of return.
Israel's parliament approved a law making the death penalty the default for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in the West Bank. The law, supported by far-right leaders, faces international criticism for discrimination and potential violations of international law. Implementation is set for 30 days, with legal challenges expected.
Israel's Knesset has approved a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism, sparking protests and international criticism. The law targets Palestinians in the West Bank and is seen as a move towards harsher punitive measures, with critics warning of legal and human rights violations. The law was passed on April 12, 2026.
A UN-brokered effort has reunited 11 toddlers and 29 newborns evacuated from Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza with their families in Gaza and Egypt. Parents describe mixed relief and ongoing grief as the group returns amid ongoing conflict and power shortages.
Israel's parliament has approved a law making death by hanging the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in military courts. Critics say the law violates due process and international obligations, prompting international condemnation. The move fulfills a pledge by Prime Minister Netanyahu's far-right allies and marks a significant shift in Israeli military justice.
Palestinian protests have erupted across the West Bank and Gaza following Israel's passage of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians accused of terrorism. The law has drawn international condemnation, increased violence, and protests in Palestinian cities and abroad. Israeli military actions and settler violence continue to escalate.
Israel's Knesset approved a law making death by hanging the default for Palestinians accused of killing Israelis, excluding Jewish citizens. The law has been condemned internationally as discriminatory and a violation of human rights, with critics describing it as institutionalising apartheid-like practices.
Israel has passed a death-penalty law that makes capital punishment the default for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, while rights groups warn of discriminatory application and potential impact on regional stability. The United Nations, EU, and multiple governments call for scrutiny, with critics labeling the measure as a step toward apartheid.
Gaza's small Christian community marks Easter with prayers and traditions despite severe shortages and violence. Many have fled, and church attendance is down. Restrictions and attacks have disrupted religious practices, highlighting ongoing conflict and humanitarian struggles in the region.
Hamas is set to hold talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo to address Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire. Israel has continued to violate the truce, killing Palestinians, while Hamas demands Israel cease violations, dismantle military positions, and fully reopen border crossings. The talks also focus on a Gaza administrative body and humanitarian aid.
Israel's government secretly approved 34 new settlements in the West Bank, drawing international condemnation. The move, part of a broader settlement expansion since 2022, violates international law and has sparked protests and violence. The Palestinian leadership condemns the decision as illegal and a violation of their rights.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared a 2024 video showing Israeli soldiers abusing Palestinians, prompting Israel's foreign ministry to accuse him of spreading disinformation. The incident involves a Palestinian man pushed from a roof in the West Bank, which Israel claims was investigated. Lee defends his stance, emphasizing human rights.
Israeli forces have targeted Hamas operatives in Gaza, killing several including commanders linked to recent hostilities. The strikes follow ongoing clashes and violations of the ceasefire, with casualties reported on both sides. The situation remains tense as Israel continues military operations in response to threats.
In the West Bank, Palestinians and Israeli forces have clashed during raids and patrols, with several fatalities reported in Silwad and Hebron. Separate incidents involve settlers attacking Palestinian communities and clashes near Deir Jarir, Nablus, and Masafer Yatta. The pattern of violence has intensified amid ongoing regional pressures and wartime dynamics.
Since mid‑April 2026 the Global Sumud Flotilla has been sailing from Mediterranean ports with more than 70 boats and about 1,000 activists carrying symbolic food and medical supplies for Gaza. Departures have been delayed by weather; organisers are coordinating with NGOs including Greenpeace and Open Arms, while critics and Israeli officials have questioned the mission's effectiveness and raised misconduct allegations within leadership.
Reports have documented a continuing surge of violent attacks by Israeli settlers across the occupied West Bank this spring: arson, beatings, shootings and property destruction. Israeli forces are regularly present during incidents, with limited arrests reported; Palestinian authorities say bodies have been withheld after some killings, preventing burial and mourning.
Israeli forces have carried out a strike outside a school in Deir el-Balah, Gaza, killing multiple Palestinians. The ceasefire brokered last October is under strain as Israeli military operations continue and Palestinian factions meet in Cairo to discuss disarmament and peace implementation. Over 750 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in multiple Palestinian deaths, overshadowing the ongoing ceasefire. Israeli forces are conducting near-daily attacks, with casualties reported in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Bureij. Both sides blame each other for violations, and violence persists despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
South Korean President Lee has sparked international controversy by comparing Israeli military actions against Palestinians to the Holocaust. His remarks, made on social media, have drawn criticism from Israel and domestic political parties, amid ongoing tensions over human rights and regional stability. The story is evolving as Lee defends his stance.
On April 16, 2026, the US Senate has rejected two resolutions led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block $295 million in bulldozer sales and $152 million in bomb sales to Israel. Forty Democrats supported blocking bulldozer sales, and 36 backed blocking bomb sales, but Republicans opposed both measures, defeating them 40-59 and 36-63 respectively. The votes have reflected growing Democratic unease over US military aid amid Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Since the ceasefire took effect in October, Israeli airstrikes have killed five Palestinians near Beit Lahia, including three children. Gaza remains volatile with ongoing Israeli violations, including restrictions on aid and military operations, leading to continued civilian casualties and humanitarian distress.
Israel observes Memorial Day on April 21, 2026, with ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Recent events include protests, controversial torch-lighting, and ongoing security challenges linked to conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Leaders emphasize military achievements while families of the fallen express frustration.
On April 25–26, 2026, municipal elections have been held across 183 West Bank councils and in Gaza's Deir al-Balah. Turnout has reached about 56% in the West Bank but only 23% in Deir al-Balah. The vote has been described as a symbolic pilot to politically link Gaza and the West Bank while displacement, outdated registries and political disillusionment have limited participation.
Israel has marked its 78th Independence Day with nationwide celebrations, despite recent conflicts. The country is shifting from mourning to celebration as ceasefires with Iran and Hezbollah hold, allowing public festivities to resume across cities, including beaches, parks, and community events. The holiday reflects resilience amid ongoing tensions.
Three Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank amid Israeli military operations and clashes, including a 15-year-old in Nablus; the toll of 2026 exceeds 40 overall, with at least 11 killed by settlers. Israeli forces acknowledge shootings after rock-throwing incidents. The broader pattern of violence is drawing international concern.
Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have merged their parties into a new alliance called Together (Yachad) and have presented a united list to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in elections due by 27 October 2026. Polling has shown the joint ticket leading or matching Netanyahu's Likud and the merger is intended to end opposition infighting.
The EU has approved sanctions today targeting seven Israeli settlers or settler organisations and leaders accused of supporting violent colonisation of the West Bank, and has added sanctions on leading Hamas figures. The move has been enabled by Hungarys government change and stops short of trade curbs on settlement goods.
Israel has instructed legal advisers to consider defamation action against The New York Times and columnist Nicholas Kristof after a May 11 opinion piece alleged widespread sexual abuse of Palestinians by Israeli forces. The Times has defended its fact‑checking and sourcing; Israeli officials and the Israel Prison Service have rejected the claims as "blood libel."
Israeli settlers have been attacking Palestinians across the West Bank, displacing communities, injuring and killing civilians and vandalising property; Israeli authorities have charged at least one suspected attacker, while the ICC has been preparing arrest-warrant applications against Israeli ministers for alleged crimes including forced displacement and apartheid. (As of 24 May 2026.)
Prince Harry has written in the New Statesman about rising antisemitism in Britain, saying it is deeply troubling and that legitimate protest over Middle East events must not translate into hostility toward Jewish communities. The piece follows a surge in antisemitic incidents in London and growing concerns amid pro-Palestinian protests. The coverage spans reactions from police, faith leaders and Jewish communal bodies as Britain grapples with safety and free expression.
Nicholas Kristof’s opinion piece alleging sexual violence by Israeli forces has elicited strong responses from Israeli officials and readers. The Times defends the column, while critics question sourcing and timing ahead of a forthcoming Israeli report on Hamas sexual violence.
Israeli airstrikes and shootings have killed multiple Palestinians across Gaza this week, including strikes on refugee camps and apartment blocks in Gaza City, Jabalia and Khan Younis. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have been holding talks in Cairo with Hamas and other factions over a U.S.-backed plan; talks remain deadlocked mainly over disarming Hamas and Israeli withdrawals.
The Guardian and other outlets report that Israeli detention facilities are under scrutiny as footage of abuse of Palestinian detainees surfaces. Officials have faced international condemnation following a high-profile video showing detainees in distress, prompting comment from leaders and human-rights bodies.
Since late May, the EU and several Western allies have imposed travel bans, asset freezes and targeted national sanctions on Israeli settlers, settler organisations and some far-right ministers over record settlement expansion and rising settler violence in the West Bank. Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and others are coordinating measures to disrupt financing for extremist settler groups.
The Gaza Strip remains under a fragile ceasefire. Israel has expanded its control to about 70% of Gaza, with warnings that more territory could be seized. Crossings remain restricted; aid and civilian suffering persist. International bodies urge open crossings and humanitarian access.
Multiple reports confirm that Israeli officials have advanced plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, including thousands of new homes and infrastructure. The push is led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and could reshape settlement footprint, raising tensions with Palestinians and drawing international condemnation.
Palestinian athletes, including Rand Halawani, are detained by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem after protests; some are released with house arrest as investigations continue. The Palestinian Football Association condemns the detentions as part of a broader pattern targeting Palestinian athletes, while international observers note ongoing rights concerns.
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.
Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and others have imposed coordinated sanctions on six settler-linked entities and one individual for financing and enabling violence in the occupied West Bank. France has also barred Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and several settlers from entry. Israel has rejected the measures as "disgraceful."
The UN rights office has documented hundreds of extrajudicial punishments in Gaza, including executions and public beatings conducted by Hamas-affiliated forces and police, with some cases filmed. The report links these abuses to an environment created by ongoing Israeli attacks and notes hospital-based punishments; it also highlights violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Amid rising settlement expansion in the West Bank, Israeli policy advances 69 new settlements with a total plan value of $388m, while a parallel UN-backed and Amnesty reports allege state-backed displacement of Palestinians. Western powers impose coordinated sanctions targeting settler networks; human rights groups call for broader accountability as violence intensifies.
Eight Muslim-majority states have condemned arson attacks on two West Bank mosques, attributing responsibility to Israel as settlers have ignited a wave of violence in the occupied territory. Reports describe scorched walls, graffiti including calls for vengeance, and damage to religious sites. The incidents follow a period of rising settler violence since the Gaza war began in 2023.
A no-confidence motion against Oxford Union’s Palestinian president, Arwa Elrayess, has failed after a heated forum. Elrayess argues Palestinians are routinely vilified, while opponents say the debate reflects ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian advocacy. The debate follows scrutiny of messages attributed to Elrayess and broader disputes over how Palestinian issues are discussed on campus.