Harsh conditions in Gaza, as Trump admin halts almost all foreign aid (Israel is exempt); private US security contractors to run checkpoints in Gaza; countdown to UNRWA departure; West Bank under fire; Pope Francis stays in touch with Gaza; Lebanon news; Harvard; more.
Commentary: The release of 3 Israeli women held captive in Gaza on Sunday attracted significant global media attention. However, there was comparatively limited coverage of the 90 freed Palestinian women, who had been kidnapped and detained by Israel without charge.
Unlike what Fox viewers were told, the 90 recently released Palestinian prisoners were women and teens, often imprisoned for social media posts. A large number had never even been charged with a crime.
Food aid and danger in Gaza; Trump will restart 2K-lb bomb shipments to Israel; Palestinian prisoners show Israel’s cruelty; West Bank under attack from Israeli military, settlers
Data compiled by Defence for Children International-Palestine show that Israel’s use of administrative detention – imprisoning people without charge or trial – against minors quadrupled since last year.
In 2024, the U.S. State Department faced sharp criticism for supplying arms to Israel amid allegations of human rights abuses in Gaza. Internal dissent raised alarms over eroding U.S. credibility, the lack of accountability for Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the displacement of civilians—actions seen as undermining America’s human rights commitments.
Sexual assaults by Israeli forces come to light; Palestinian journalist killed; Kamal Adwan’s De. Hussam Abu Safia held in Ofer Prison; ceasefire reports; pursuing a war criminal in Italy; Jimmy Carter olive grove; new settlement units; extremist Israeli settler leaders to be ‘special guests’ at Trump inauguration; more.
Israel’s consistent obstruction of all UN investigations into allegations of sexual violence since October 7, 2023 is profoundly concerning. There is substantial evidence indicating systematic, widespread acts of rape and other forms of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians.
Truce may be very near, as Gaza’s children suffer; northern Gaza hits 100 days without food, water; Israel tortures to death another Palestinian prisoner; Gaza struggles under the weight of tens of millions of tons of rubble; Israel’s scholasticide in the West Bank; calls for 1 million new illegal Israeli settlers; more.
Death is everywhere in Gaza; unexploded munitions litter the enclave; a prisoner swap deal may be close; Palestinian Authority besieges Jenin; 1,000 Israeli soldiers’ names sent to Int’l Criminal Court