News roundup for Friday, June 19, 2026, Day 987 since Israel began its 2023 genocide on the Palestinian people.
Compilation of news reports – IAK staff
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM GAZA:
For some basic info on the Palestine-Israel conflict, go here. For more critical context, skim this, this, and this. To read about a remarkable but underreported, 20-month-long peaceful protest in Gaza against Israel, go here.
A Palestinian was killed and four others injured on Friday evening, when Israeli forces targeted a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Fatalities From Israel’s Vast Gaza Genocide Deliberately Undercounted: Analysts reported by The Lancet, international relief organizations, universities, and UN agencies all estimate hundreds of thousands of dead Palestinians from violent bombs, artillery, snipers, and the resultant, related secondary effects.
Civilians in Gaza reportedly under fire from ‘killer cranes’ deployed by Israel: Israel’s military has deployed 23 military cranes in Gaza to launch attacks and conduct surveillance operations, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Reportedly, the cranes – some of which are operated remotely – “fire randomly and almost continuously at tents, streets, and exposed neighborhoods”. Three people, including a five year old girl, were killed by the fire earlier this week.
RELATED: UNICEF: “Trauma is woven into the very fabric of childhood in Gaza”
DEATH TOLL – GAZA GENOCIDE (tentative):
- At least 1,007 since ceasefire began Oct. 11, 2025 (247 children, 191 women)
- 5 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began – one by friendly fire, and four others incidents during the first three weeks of the ceasefire.
- 73,018 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls) since October 2023
- More statistics below
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM:
Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem endure dozens of incidents like the ones below, at the hands of Israeli soldiers and/or settlers. For background on the West Bank, read this and this. For information on the significance of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, read this and this.)
Israeli settlers* launch coordinated 24-hour rampage across occupied West Bank: The assault began on 18 June and continued into the early hours of 19 June, with settler attacks persisting on Friday. Some of the towns affected were Khirbet al-Himsa, Awarta, Anata, Jamala, Al-Taybeh, Beita, and Salfit, where settlers assaulted Palestinians, damaged property and infrastructure, and established two new illegal settler outposts.
*NOTE: Israeli settlers – many fueled by extremism – have carried out a number of mass attacks or “pogroms.” These well-organized groups aim to destroy the West Bank economy and/or drive out the indigenous Palestinians (including Palestinian Christians). Settlers enjoy impunity – even support and assistance from the Israeli government and military – as they attack Palestinians on a daily basis. Meanwhile Palestinians are not allowed to own weapons.
DEATH TOLL – WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM (tentative):
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM ISRAEL:
Israel is a tiny country, about the size of New Jersey, with a population smaller than the US state of Georgia – about 10 million (of which about 20 percent are Palestinians), yet it is in the news constantly. As has been demonstrated again and again, however, mainstream media rarely covers Israel news accurately. IAK gets the facts – sometimes from Israeli media sites, where we can get a glimpse inside this country that is rife with turmoil and contradictions, and that receives $63 million a day from America.
ISRAELI MEDIA: Central Elections Committee orders Ben Gvir to take down flotilla abuse video*: Far-right minister deletes clip after judge determines that it constituted unlawful election propaganda and orders far-right minister pay $7,800 in legal fees.
*NOTE: The significance of this news item lies in the fact that a video showing Ben Gvir’s abuse of a group of unarmed humanitarian activists was going to make him more popular among voters. Read more about Itamar Ben Gvir here.
‘Psychopath’ Ben-Gvir Slammed for Demand That ‘All Lebanon Must Burn’: Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said, “When will the West ask the question that never gets asked: How is the rest of the region supposed to live in peace and security next to a state that behaves like this?”
Why US presidents from both parties end up cursing Benjamin Netanyahu:It is the unique nature of US-Israeli relations – and the place that the country has in American domestic politics – which explains why Netanyahu has stressed so many presidents out.
VIDEO | “We have flattened the entire first line of villages in southern Lebanon, all the houses have been destroyed. The residents will never see them standing ever again.”
In a stark acknowledgment of systemic ethnic cleansing, Israeli War Minister Israel Katz boasted on… pic.twitter.com/lEhIEiHFfr
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 19, 2026
IRAN & LEBANON – NEWS & HEADLINES:
It can not be overemphasized that Israel is the impetus behind US policies and actions vis-a-vis Iran. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing the US to attack Iran for decades, using lies and deception. Under President Trump, he got his wish.
Israel has invaded Lebanon seven times in the last half century. Between 1978 and 2000, Israel maintained an 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon — Hezbollah was formed to fight that occupation.
Hormuz disruption will continue until 80 mines blocking route are cleared
Iran’s Persian Gulf authority ‘waives’ transit fees for 60 days as Hormuz traffic soars
Israel violently bombs Lebanon minutes after US officials declare ‘new ceasefire’: Due to these brutal strikes on Lebanon, Iran–US technical negotiations scheduled for Friday in Geneva were postponed.
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon from midnight into Friday morning killed at least 47 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes were part of a major clash that included an attack by Hezbollah that killed four Israeli soldiers. Later on Friday, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced, another Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed 2.
US stands with Lebanon, backs its ‘security and stability,’ Marco Rubio tells Lebanese president: In a phone call, Rubio told President Joseph Aoun that the US “stands with Lebanon” and said Washington would work to achieve “security and stability,” ensure “the extension of state authority over all its territory,” and support Lebanon’s legitimate political, security and military institutions, “foremost among them the army.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in an interview with Israeli media, “If Iran attacks us, we will act immediately and respond with force. No one can tell us what to do, and we have proven that… We never asked the US to fight with us against Hezbollah in Lebanon, against jihadist elements in Syria or against Hamas in Gaza. We do that alone… Not in Syria, not in Gaza and not in Lebanon, we will not leave there under any circumstances.”
DEATH TOLL – WARS ON IRAN & LEBANON (tentative):
- United States: 13 (or more) since Feb. 28, 2026
- Iran: at least 3,636 (1,701 civilians) since Feb. 28, 2026 (another source puts the number at 3,499)
- Lebanon: at least 3,912 people since March 2, 2026
- Arab states: at least 154 (including Palestine, excluding Lebanon)
- Israel: at least 54 people (Iran killed 20 civilians; Hezbollah killed 30 soldiers, 4 civilians)
This is not a rant by a random genocidal lunatic. It’s a public post by the national security minister of the Israeli regime.
The genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv is a threat to all of humanity. It threatens all humans. Its only interest is permanent war. pic.twitter.com/7t5bcpafs0
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 19, 2026
MORE NEWS & HEADLINES:
Vance says criticism of Israel does not always lead to ‘antisemitism’: “Sometimes criticism of the Israeli government can be expressed in a way that’s anti-Semitic. It’s just not the case that every criticism of Bibi Netanyahu’s policy decisions leads to anti-Semitism,” Vance said.
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
Gaza municipalities warn of humanitarian, health catastrophe as basic services near collapse
After a year of displacement, Tulkarm’s Palestinians allowed home for two hours
Israeli officials fear rift with US could lead to arms embargo
Israeli army announces continuation of war on Lebanon, in defiance of US-Iran agreement
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – June 19, 2026*:
- At least 74,187 Palestinians killed, 185,909 injured – including:
- Gaza: at least 73,018 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls), 173,273 injured
- West Bank/East Jerusalem: at least 1,169 killed (~244 children), 12,666 injured
*NOTE: Thousands of remains in Gaza have yet to be identified, and thousands more are still buried under rubble; others are reportedly missing.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – June 19, 2026: ~1,663 – including ~1,139** on October 7, 2023 (~36 children), 472 military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza, about 52 military and civilians (by one count, there have been 59 victims) in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel (these numbers do not include deaths from the conflicts with Lebanon or Iran).
**NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers.
- Human rights reports on Israel-Palestine (regularly updated)
- 15 articles a day: The extent of the Israeli army’s media interference
- Greek Orthodox Patriarchate denounces Israeli seizure of church land in Jerusalem
- How Hillel International uses antisemitism training and ‘campus climate’ concerns to attack Palestine solidarity
- Trita Parsi on the Iran deal, Israel, and how Iran has been a ‘cash cow’ for AIPAC
- Unmasking Axios, its Israeli ties and agenda
- Israel Is Bleeding Support in the U.S. – and Pouring Tens of Millions Into Trying to Change That
- Israeli army included on UN blacklist for 3rd year over ‘grave violations’ against children
- Trita Parsi on the Iran deal, Israel, and how Iran has been a ‘cash cow’ for AIPAC
- What Ceasefire? Israel Has Now Killed Over 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza Since October
- U.S. Whole-of-Government Takeover by Israel
- Netanyahu’s Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli Ingratitude
- Senate wants to force US to share sensitive intel with Israel
- Trump ended his idiotic Iran war. Good.
- Khanna Becomes First in Congress to Sign ‘Peace Pledge’ Promising to Reject AIPAC Funds
