News roundup for Monday, June 22, 2026, Day 990 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 17-year-old Palestinian young woman and a paramedic were killed, and four other people were wounded in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Monday, medics said.
Raghad Ashour, a high-school student who was her family’s only child and whose father had previously been killed by Israeli forces, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City after returning from taking her final secondary school examination. The strike hit a busy area near kindergartens and schools in Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.
Jerusalem’s Latin and Greek patriarchs visit Gaza, vow to not abandon its Christians: The visit comes as Gaza’s dwindling Christian community of around 1,000 people faces displacement, insecurity and severe shortages of basic items alongside the rest of the population.
In remarks to Fox News, Trump said Hamas “isn’t causing a lot of problems right now*” in the Gaza Strip and suggested that ongoing diplomatic efforts should be given time to develop. Last week, Trump also said the group had behaved “fairly well” in recent weeks. The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from previous statements by US officials, who have frequently identified Hamas as a central obstacle to stability in Gaza.
*NOTE: Trump and the negotiators have been claiming for months that Hamas had agreed to disarm, and that its refusal to do now so was standing in the way of peace. The facts are different. See video below.
DEATH TOLL – GAZA GENOCIDE (tentative):
- At least 1,024 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.
- 73,035 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.)
‘Doctor of the Poor’: Israeli Occupation Arrests Prominent Palestinian Physician: Dr. Mazen Al-Rantisi is widely known throughout Palestinian cities, towns and villages as “Doctor of the Poor” because of his long-standing commitment to treating low-income patients. Israeli authorities have not announced the reasons for his arrest, or disclosed where he is being held.
An Israeli occupier (i.e. settler) group filed a lawsuit against a Palestinian family, claiming ownership of the land on which the Palestinians’ house was built, and seeking more than $400,000 in rent from the for living on the property the past 7 years.
Israeli forces raid church-owned land in occupied East Jerusalem: Land belongs to Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli Troops Invade Jenin; Other Parts of the West Bank
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.
The Palestinian Prisoner Society called Monday for the release of three pregnant Palestinian women held by Israel under “harsh” and “tragic” conditions at Damon Prison. The women, Amina al-Taweel, Dana Jouda and Manar Ibrahim, are among 93 Palestinian women reportedly held in Israeli prisons. Israel has arrested more than 765 Palestinian women since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023.
Israel Is Out of Control—And No, It’s Not Just Netanyahu: The only way Israel’s toxic political culture will change is if we make Israel pay a price by ending aid and political and military cooperation – triggering a political reckoning in the country.
IRAN, LEBANON, & SYRIA – 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.
Although Israel is not at war with Syria, the Israeli army has reportedly carried out over 1,600 violations inside Syrian territory since August 2025, and demanded the demilitarization of southern Syria – but also vowed to permanently occupy some areas.
IRAN
Iran is not obligated to purchase agricultural products from the United States under existing agreements, the country’s Central Bank governor said Monday. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Sunday that any Iranian funds unfrozen under a future agreement with Washington would be used for food purchases from the United States.
Vance reiterates claim Iran agreed to nuclear inspections, Tehran denies
FACTBOX – Key outcomes of Switzerland summit on Iran-US talks
LEBANON
Israel declares “three minimum conditions for withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon: the withdrawal of all Hezbollah [members] north of the Litani River; the dismantling of Hezbollah … infrastructure south of the Litani; and full Israeli freedom of action to remove threats*.” At the same time, Israel will continue to insist on maintaining a “defensive strip” in the country, senior officials told the outlet.
*NOTE: This clause would enable Israel to continue attacking southern Lebanon at will (under the guise of “self-defense”), while Hezbollah would enjoy no such freedom. Israel has managed to have similar clauses placed in other agreements, enabling their military to operate at will, while the other side was bound by the agreement.
As an alternative to Israel’s conditions for withdrawal, a new “deconfliction mechanism” was reportedly established during the talks in Switzerland, which will “exclude” Israel, “exclude” Israel and involve Washington, Tehran, Beirut, Qatar, and Pakistan. The mechanism reportedly limits Israeli military action to responding only to “imminent threats,” a departure from the previous “emerging threats” standard that allowed Israel to “pre-emptively” strike any target under the pretext of self-defense. Netanyahu has rejected the plan.
Israeli Cabinet minister rejects ceasefire, says Lebanon ‘should be Israel’s playground’: Ben Gvir has also recently said, “For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!”
‘They Knew Exactly Who Mona Khalil Was’: Israel Kills Lebanese Turtle Conservationist: “The murder of Mona Khalil sends a chilling message: Even those whose only weapon is compassion, whose only mission is preservation, are not spared,” said one observer.
SYRIA
UN official decries continued Israeli ‘violations’ in southern Syria, demands detainee release: ‘We strongly reiterate our call on Israel to adhere to 1974 Agreement, release those illegally detained and respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ says an envoy for Syria.
From Quneitra to Israel’s ‘Guantanamo’, Syrians recount detention ordeal: Israel has reportedly detained dozens of civilians from Quneitra, Daraa, and the western Damascus countryside and transferred them into Israeli custody. Many were civilians engaged in ordinary daily activities who showed no signs of involvement in military or security operations. While some detainees have returned home after days, weeks or months in detention, others remain missing.
Israeli Troops Raid Southwest Syria Villages, Interrogate Shepherds, Detain Farm Worker
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 4,057 people since March 2, 2026
- Arab states: at least 154 (including Palestine, excluding Lebanon)
- Israel: at least 60 people (Iran killed 20 civilians; Hezbollah killed 36 soldiers, 4 civilians)
MORE NEWS & HEADLINES:
Israel is training Somaliland military, has been secretly collaborating for years: Israel reportedly deployed a secret contingent of forces to Somaliland earlier this year following its recognition of the breakaway territory; Israeli officials have also confirmed that Israel is now directly involved in training the breakaway region’s military and police. Recently Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted to years of clandestine, “under the radar” security operations with Somaliland.
*NOTE: To read up on Israel’s interest in the breakaway de facto state of Somaliland, go here.
In Maryland District, a Last-Minute Scramble to Stop “AIPAC Adrian” Boafo: A powerful local figure is switching sides to back Quincy Bareebe in hopes of blocking an Oracle lobbyist from taking over the seat being vacated by AIPAC stalwart Steny Hoyer.
How Keir Starmer supported Israel throughout its genocide in Gaza
Recognizing Palestine, Sanctioning Settlers: Keir Starmer’s Legacy on Israel
Colombia’s Petro alleges Israeli interference in election, demands audit and recount
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
Three-month-old infant Mohammad Al-Khatib is in critical condition
Two Teenagers Killed by Israeli Fire near Illegal Settlement in Hebron Area
Palestinian Prisoner Tortured to Death by Israel
Suspected Israeli soccer ball-shaped cluster bomb raises fears for Lebanese children
Pentagon Tells Lawmakers It Needs Additional $80 Billion for Iran War and Other Costs
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – June 22, 2026*:
- At least 74,194 Palestinians killed, 186,034 injured – including:
- Gaza: at least 73,035 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls), 173,368 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 22, 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)
- The Republican & Democratic Politicians Trying to Scuttle Iran Agreement
- Israel’s continued targeting of civilians in Lebanon renders ceasefire meaningless
- U.S. intelligence warns Israel is likely to undermine Iran peace deal, officials say
- In Gaza, Fathers Can’t Promise Their Children Food, Safety, or Even Survival
- This baby joins thousands of Gazans in need of medical evacuation
- Israel Kills Al Jazeera Journalist & Beloved Ecologist: 2 Articles
- Promoters of Israel: Leo Terrell, Ghana, Floyd Mayweather, Van Jones
- Gaza Soccer Player Who Dreamed of Competing in World Cup Can Now Barely Watch It
- JNS Policy Summit to kick off in Israel
- Fatalities From Israel’s Vast Gaza Genocide Deliberately Undercounted
- Israelis Invaded Lebanon And Then Cried Victim When Their Soldiers Got Killed
- FARA Docs: Israel is Spying On Millions Of Christian Americans In Their Churches
- Why US presidents from both parties end up cursing Benjamin Netanyahu
- Israel Asked Facebook to Censor Iran War Content, Internal Documents Show
