Israeli settlers establish new illegal outpost in occupied West Bank’s Jordan Valley: Report
A group of Israeli settlers has begun setting up an illegal outpost in Ein al-Sakout area in the northern Jordan Valley, northeast of the occupied West Bank. This is according to Mutaz Bisharat, a settlement affairs official in the Tubas governorate, cited by the Wafa news agency.
Situated along the Jordan River, Ein al-Sakout is a Palestinian village with some of the most fertile agricultural lands in the West Bank, the report said.
Gaza’s future must begin with freedom of movement: Israeli rights group
“The catastrophic situation [in Gaza] today must be understood within the context of Israel’s pre-October 7 policies, including vis-a-vis Palestinians’ freedom of movement between Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank,” says Gisha, a legal centre for freedom of movement.
“Even in ‘ordinary’ times, between its periodic military offensives in the [Gaza] Strip, Israel’s sweeping restrictions on the movement of people and goods have long undermined basic living conditions in Gaza and violated other human rights that depend on it – such as the rights to family life, education, medical treatment, and pursuing one’s livelihood,” it said.
Gisha said that five months into war in Gaza, it is important to remember that any “day after” plan must include access between Gaza, Israel, the West Bank, and the rest of the world.
“Going back to the status quo ante – a life of closures, separation, permits, and endless wars – is not an option,” it said.
Palestine cycling club stops trips over safety concerns
It has never been harder for Palestinians to move around the occupied West Bank. Increasing numbers of Israeli checkpoints and intense settler attacks make it safer just to stay at home. Simple activities like going for a hike or a bike ride are now almost impossible.
Israel to send in 15,000 extra soldiers to occupied West Bank
The Israeli army is deploying 24 battalions, 20 MGB companies and two special units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as 5,000 reservists already stationed in the Palestinian territories, according to Israeli Army Radio.
A total of more than 15,000 soldiers will operate in the area, it added.
US NGO worker killed in Israeli attack
A Palestinian aid worker employed at a US charity has been killed in an Israeli attack on his shelter in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, according to the nongovernmental organisation. Anera – which helps refugees in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon – said Mousa Shawwa was killed on Friday despite “the fact the coordinates of his shelter had been provided for the purpose of protecting him on several occasions, including just days before the attack”.
US charity demands independent probe into staff member’s killing in Gaza
The American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), a relief group, is calling for an investigation into the death of Mousa Shawwa, who was killed in Gaza by an Israeli air strike. Shawwa, the group’s logistics coordinator in Gaza, was the fifth American aid worker killed in Gaza.
“We demand an independent investigation into his death, which threatens our team’s ability to function safely and deliver aid to civilians facing starvation,” said Rebecca Abou-Chedid, a board member. Anera said it had shared coordinates with Israel for staff safety, “but this attack highlights the failure of deconfliction efforts”.
“Shawwa’s death threatens the ability of humanitarian staff to continue operations,” it said.
