News roundup for Saturday, May 23, 2026, Day 960 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.
Eight Palestinians were killed and at least 29 others were injured on Saturday as Israeli occupation forces intensified attacks across the Gaza Strip, in continued violations of the ceasefire agreement announced on October 11, 2025. Among the dead were five police officers. Medical teams and humanitarian agencies reported a sharp escalation in drone strikes, artillery fire, and air attacks targeting residential areas, public roads, and refugee camps.
‘I feel like I lost my life’: Gaza amputees fight for mobility amid shortages: Survivors of Israeli strikes face a severe shortage of prosthetics and rehabilitation as Gaza’s health system struggles under siege.
RELATED: ‘They severed my gymnast limbs’: Israeli bombing shatters Gaza teen’s dream
Trump’s Board of Peace Demands that Hamas Surrender to Netanyahu’s Gaza Agenda: Palestinian negotiators charge that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials from Trump’s “Board of Peace” have trashed the original October “ceasefire” agreement and have presented a new framework that demands the total disarmament of the Palestinian resistance as the first step. “These weapons are not merely the weapons of the Palestinian factions; they are the weapons of the Palestinian people during a phase of national liberation,” said a chief political negotiator
In April, Nickolay Mladenov—the U.S.-installed viceroy of Gaza—presented Hamas with an ultimatum: If the Palestinian resistance does not surrender its weapons, no meaningful reconstruction will be permitted in Gaza and Israeli forces will not withdraw. The Board of Peace declared the total disarmament of Hamas and other resistance groups “the single factor that unlocks every other element of the plan.”
Yet disarmament was categorically not a part of the phase one deal signed by Hamas and Israel in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in October 2025. Watch this video:
DEATH TOLL – GAZA GENOCIDE (tentative):
- At least 890 since ceasefire began Oct. 11, 2025
- 72,783 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls) since October 2023
- More statistics below
FLOTILLA NEWS & HEADLINES:
Go here to read about the most recent flotilla; go here to read about the history of flotillas to Gaza.
41 injured activists from Global Sumud Flotilla discharged from Istanbul hospitals: 12 activists remain hospitalized after arriving in Istanbul following Israeli interception of aid flotilla in international waters.
📹 Police violence caught on camera at Spain’s Bilbao Airport as flotilla activists return home
✈️ Basque police assaulted Global Sumud Flotilla activists arriving in Bilbao, following their detention by Israeli forces in international waters pic.twitter.com/Sz4XaIbJhN
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 23, 2026
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 Army Launches Broad Invasions Across West Bank
Israeli Colonizers Escalate West Bank Attacks on Saturday
Israeli Forces Shoot Three Palestinians in Hebron and Bethlehem
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.
Humiliate, Kill, Flatten, Just Don’t Take Pictures: Just as in the Sde Teiman affair, with the accounts describing the egregious abuse of a Palestinian detainee, the public’s shock was not a result of moral disgust over the violation of human rights, but rather over the videos having reached foreign media.
Israel’s Education Minister: The Thought Police Chief: A secretive apparatus that monitors and investigates speech by teachers in a variety of arenas – unrelated to their work in the school system – characterizes tyrannical regimes. It is designed to create a chilling effect that paralyzes teachers, while making them toe the government line.
ISRAEL-US WAR/CEASEFIRE ON IRAN – 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.
Mediators are reportedly nearing a deal to extend the U.S.–Iran ceasefire by 60 days, with terms that would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, eased restrictions on Iranian ports, phased sanctions relief, and commitments to discuss Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium in the future.
But Iranian officials have tempered expectations for a quick breakthrough. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said differences in the mediated talks between Tehran and Washington remain “deep and significant”, signaling that major obstacles still stand in the way of a formal agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday, “Due to the lack of constructive engagement from the American side, no draft text has yet been produced.”
President Trump said on Saturday that he would likely decide by Sunday whether to resume the war. Trump said it was a “solid 50/50” as to whether he would be able to make a “good” deal or else “blow them to kingdom come.” A senior Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides are in touch with the White House about the emerging deal.
Iran’s Fars news agency says the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Iran’s management under the provisions of the latest exchanged text for a deal between Iran and the US. The outlet dismisses as “incomplete and inconsistent with reality” Trump’s announcement that the deal was now being finalized and would include the reopening of the strait.
Tehran demands Arab states pay ‘full compensation’ for facilitating US-Israel war: The Gulf states and Jordan provided the US military with access to bases, airspace, and logistical support to wage its unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic.
New US proposal to Tehran includes significant financial concessions to Iran, claims journalist: Proposal includes major economic funds for damages in Iran, waivers on oil sales, gradual unfreezing of funds, sanctions relief; nothing firm on nuclear enrichment, according to Alex Marquardt.
Lindsey Graham prioritizes Israel in Iran deal: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a vocal supporter of the war against Iran unleashed by the US and Israel on February 28, expressed fear over terms that would allow the Iranian regime to survive, saying a deal that leaves Iran in a strong position in the region would lead to a “nightmare for Israel.”
DEATH TOLL – WAR ON IRAN (tentative):
- United States: 13 (or more)
- Iran: at least 3,636 (1,701 civilians, 254 children)
- Israel: about 40 (19 Israeli soldiers, and 1 friendly fire – including both Iran and Lebanon-related deaths; another count shows 20 Israeli civilian deaths)
- Arab states (including Palestine, excluding Lebanon), at least 154
ISRAEL’S WAR/CEASEFIRE ON LEBANON – NEWS & HEADLINES:
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 signed a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon in November 2024, Israel has attacked Lebanon almost every day since, committing over 10,000 air and ground violations – the most violated ceasefire deal in recorded history. (Read about UNIFIL, the UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, here.)
Israeli forces killed at least 20 people in a new wave of air attacks in Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state media.
A new wave of Israeli strikes early Saturday caused extensive damage to Hiram Hospital in Tyre, including operating rooms, nurses’ quarters, patient rooms, clinics, electrical networks, and windows.
In video, Israel appears to target ambulance, medics: In a video of one of the Israeli strikes on Friday morning released by the Lebanese ministry of health, civil defense workers are seen wearing high-visibility vests standing beside an injured person on a motorcycle in the town of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr. They gesture at an ambulance to come to them, and when it comes closer, it is bombed, killing two paramedics and a child.
DEATH TOLL – WAR ON LEBANON (tentative):
- At least 380 killed since “ceasefire” began on April 17, 2026 (22 children, 39 women)
- At least 3,089 people have been killed since war began on March 2, 2026
MORE NEWS & HEADLINES:
ISRAELI MEDIA: Why New York’s Walk of Shame Still Salutes Israel in 2026? (excerpt): For 62 years, the city of New York has been saluting Israel every spring, an annual parade of support, the largest display of sympathy for Israel in the largest Jewish city in the world. Next Sunday, they’ll be marching again, loudly cheering Israel, as usual. But the organizers are worried. This year, there will be fewer participants. They already have an explanation: It’s because of the fear of antisemitism.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said that he will boycott the parade. Boom. This will be the first in the history of these parades in which the mayor is absent. Jewish and Israeli functionaries have already started their usual cries, accusing the mayor of antisemitism and hatred of Israel.
But this year, more than in any other, one should direct questions to people who still take part. Why are you marching? Whom are you saluting? Whom are you embracing? Do you seriously believe that Israel in 2026 deserves a parade expressing support in the streets of your city? What for, exactly? (continue reading here).
Australia joins coalition of nations calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank: Australia joins the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand in condemning illegal settlements.
France bans far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir over abuse of activists, joining United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, as well as Slovenia and the Netherlands.
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
At least 15 Gaza flotilla activists allege sexual assault and rape in Israeli detention
The Secret Israeli Unit Spying on Teachers Who Criticize the Government
Let’s stop pretending Ben-Gvir is not the true face of Israel
Washington spent ‘far more’ interceptors than Tel Aviv to defend Israel during war
Are Israel and the United States planning a joint AI hub in the Negev?
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – MAY 22, 2026*:
- At least 73,949 Palestinians killed, 184,479 injured – including:
- Gaza: at least 72,783 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls), 172,779 injured
- West Bank/East Jerusalem: at least 1,166 killed (~244 children), 11,700 injured
*NOTE: Thousands of those killed in Gaza have yet to be identified, and an estimated 8,000 more are still buried under rubble (some sources put the number of missing as high as 14,000); 3,000 more are reportedly missing. Only the dead who are brought to hospitals are included in the official fatality count. Additionally, the numbers of injured are very conservative estimates.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – May 22, 2026: ~1,661 – 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).
By one count, Israeli attacks have killed approximately 282 Palestinian journalists and media workers (most recent March 9, 2026; other groups have tallied between 215 and 356 Palestinian journalists killed – depending on the criteria used). Palestinians have killed 4 Israeli journalists (all on October 7, 2023).
**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)
- Israel’s long record of using banned incendiary weapons on civilians
- How Jeffrey Goldberg weaponized Jewish trauma to pave the way for war with Iran
- They Were Children During the Nakba. This Is What They Remember 78 Years Later
- Pro-Israel commentator warns critics face ‘buzzsaw’ of ‘Jewish money’ after Massie defeat
- How Dumb Does Ted Cruz Think Americans Are?
- Autopsies of Gaza Medics Killed by Israeli Troops Show Some Were Shot in the Head
- U.S.: New Data Highlights AIPAC Ties to the U.S., Israeli Governments
- Joe Kent: Trump can’t end war until Israel taken out of the loop
- ‘Over the Border It Was Okay to Be Crazy’: IDF Soldiers Tell About the Army’s Moral Decay in Lebanon
- In Response To ICC Arrest Warrant, Israel’s Smotrich Orders the Destruction of a Palestinian Village
- Student protest silencing goes to new extremes on US campuses
- Has Trump torpedoed the ICC’s Gaza probe?
- The Numbers Behind the ‘Sacred Work’ of Cleansing West Bank Palestinians for Future Jewish Villas
- ‘Unprecedented act of savagery’: How Israel’s new law places Palestinians on death row by default
