Articles in this Cluster
31-05-2025
Israel has authorized the establishment of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalization of unauthorized outposts, sparking criticism from neighboring Jordan, Britain, and Palestinian leaders. The move is seen as a major obstacle to Palestinian statehood and a deliberate attempt to deepen Israel's occupation of the territory. The international community largely views Israeli settlements as illegal, and the decision has been condemned as a "dangerous escalation" and a "deliberate obstacle" to peace. The West Bank is home to 3 million Palestinians and around 500,000 Israeli settlers, and the new settlements are expected to further entrench the occupation and make a viable Palestinian state even more remote.
31-05-2025
The US and Israel are waiting for Hamas to respond to a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, according to the White House. The proposal, backed by Israel and submitted by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump, includes the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 dead hostages by Hamas, and the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and 180 deceased Palestinians by Israel. Humanitarian aid would be sent to Gaza immediately upon Hamas' agreement. Hamas has not accepted the deal, with a senior official saying it "fails to meet any of our people's demands," but is studying the proposal. The group is seeking guarantees that Israel will not attack Gaza during the ceasefire.
31-05-2025
Israel's military operation in Gaza, code-named "Gideon's Chariots," has displaced around 600,000 people, with the entire 2 million population potentially being forced to move south. The Israeli military has issued at least 31 evacuation orders, covering 80% of the territory, and established militarized zones and buffer areas, leaving Palestinians with limited space to flee. The UN has described Gaza as an "open-air prison" even before the current conflict, and the situation has worsened with widespread destruction, with 60% of buildings and 92% of homes damaged or destroyed. The designated safe area, Al-Mawasi, is overcrowded and lacks sufficient shelter, with aid groups warning of a humanitarian crisis.
31-05-2025
Hamas is facing a legitimacy crisis as its influence and support continue to decline in the Gaza Strip due to internal pressure to end the war and return hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks. The group threatened Palestinians who accepted food aid from a US-Israeli-backed distribution center, warning they "will pay the price." Despite this, Palestinians have flocked to the aid sites, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distributing over 840,000 meals. Hamas's opposition to the new aid mechanism signals that its primary concern is preserving its authority, not the well-being of Palestinians. The erosion of Hamas's influence over aid flows poses a symbolic and operational threat to the group, and its support has been declining even before the 2023 attacks. Civilians are increasingly calling on Hamas to return hostages, stop the war, and leave the Gaza Strip, further undermining its image as the authority in Gaza.
31-05-2025
The White House confirmed that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire proposal submitted by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump aimed at returning 58 hostages held in Gaza for over 600 days. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Israel signed off on the proposal before it was sent to Hamas and that discussions are ongoing, with hopes for a ceasefire to return the hostages home. The details of the proposal were not disclosed, and Hamas's position remains unknown, although the group claimed to have reviewed a proposal that included a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of occupation forces, and humanitarian aid.
31-05-2025
Former UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has stated that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, marking a significant shift in how some in the international community view the conflict. Griffiths' comments are notable for their gravity and because he is known for his calm demeanor and avoidance of inflammatory language. The statement comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and as Israel's allies face growing scrutiny over their continued support for Israel, including arms exports. Griffiths' remarks are seen as a challenge to Israel's allies to re-examine their stance on the conflict.
31-05-2025
The last hospital in North Gaza governorate, al-Awda hospital, has been evacuated after the Israeli military ordered its immediate evacuation, the hospital's director, Dr. Mohammed Salha, told the BBC. The hospital was under siege for two weeks and faced bombing and shooting from Israeli tanks before the evacuation. Patients were transferred to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. The World Health Organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the closure of al-Awda meant there was no functioning hospital in North Gaza, "severing a critical lifeline for the people there". The evacuation comes as efforts continue to secure a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the US proposing a 60-day pause in fighting and the release of hostages and prisoners. Gaza's health system is "stretched beyond breaking point" and the UN has warned of a risk of famine, with Israel facing international pressure to allow more aid into the territory.
31-05-2025
The last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital, is out of service after staff and patients evacuated due to safety concerns as Israeli troops surrounded the site. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the hospital's closure is "severing a critical lifeline for the people" in northern Gaza. The development comes as the United Nations described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as the "worst since the war began" between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, despite a resumption in aid deliveries.
