Israel kills 52,418 Palestinians, 118,091 injured

At least 18 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israel’s ongoing genocidal war since October 2023 to 52,418, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. A ministry statement said that 77 more injured people were also transferred to hospitals, taking the number of […]

At least 18 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israel’s ongoing genocidal war since October 2023 to 52,418, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

A ministry statement said that 77 more injured people were also transferred to hospitals, taking the number of injuries to 118,091 in the Israeli onslaught.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

The Israeli army resumed its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed over 2,300 people and injured over 6,000 others despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

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Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Over 400,000 Gazans displaced –UN

The UN warned on Thursday that humanitarian efforts in Gaza are severely constrained as Israeli military operations intensify, with over 423,000 Palestinians displaced yet again, “with no safe place to go.”

“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that humanitarian operations continue to be stifled by severe movement restrictions inside Gaza, as well as (Israeli) military activity and attacks that jeopardize the safety of aid workers and their premises,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference.

He noted that “recent strikes have reportedly hit residential buildings, intensifying sheltering displaced people, especially in Rafah and eastern Gaza City.”

As of Tuesday, “our humanitarian partners estimate that more than 423,000 people have been displaced once again with no safe place to go in Gaza.”

Dujarric added that most essential commodities are unavailable, while attacks on humanitarian convoys and looting are increasing.

“Meanwhile, our colleagues on the ground have been unable to retrieve the remaining stocks of desperately needed fuel, which are located in areas that require coordination with Israeli authorities,” he said, noting that “eight of our nine such attempts have been denied by the (Israeli) authority since mid-April.”

Dujarric emphasised the devastating toll on children in Gaza, saying: “Our partners, who work to provide child protection support, warn that children, who make up half of Gaza’s population, are facing escalating levels of trauma. They face violence. They face neglect.”

Concerning the occupied West Bank, he said: “Today marks 100 days since the Israeli operation in northern areas of the West Bank began that has been causing a wave of deaths, injuries, destruction, and displacement.”

He said approximately 40,000 Palestinians remain displaced and unable to return home.

Israel has closed Gaza’s crossings since March 2, blocking essential supplies from entering the enclave despite multiple reports of famine in the war-devastated territory.

 

Lift ‘brutal blockade’ of humanitarian aid, UN urges Israel

The UN on Thursday called on Israel to lift its blockade of humanitarian aid delivery into the Gaza Strip, saying blocking the desperately needed aid inflicts a “cruel collective punishment.”

“International law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in. Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” Tom Fletcher, the UN relief chief, said in a statement.

He said blocking aid starves civilians and leaves them without basic medical support, adding that it strips them of dignity and hope and “inflicts a cruel collective punishment. Blocking aid kills.”

“The humanitarian movement is independent, impartial and neutral. We believe that all civilians are equally worthy of protection,” said Fletcher, underlining that they remain ready to save as many lives as they can, despite the risks.

“But as the UN Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) has made clear, the latest modality proposed by Israeli authorities does not meet the minimum bar for principled humanitarian support,” said the statement.

Fletcher urged Israel to lift “this brutal blockade” and “let humanitarians save lives.”

“To the civilians left unprotected, no apology can suffice. But I am truly sorry that we are unable to move the international community to prevent this injustice.”

 

Protests in Europe for Palestinians

Hundreds rally in central Stockholm against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza on May Day

Hundreds marched through central Stockholm on Wednesday to protest Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, as part of larger International Workers’ Day demonstrations featuring strong messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The protest, held in the Odenplan district, saw activists, citizens, and artists call for urgent humanitarian access to Gaza and accountability for what participants described as acts of genocide carried out by Israel.

The march proceeded peacefully toward Segel Torg Square under close police supervision.

Protesters carried banners reading “Children are being killed in Gaza,” “Schools and hospitals are being bombed,” and “Impose a genocide embargo on Israel.”

On stage, local performers wearing Palestinian scarves dedicated songs to children in Gaza, drawing emotional responses from the crowd.

The protest focused not only on solidarity with Palestinians but also on broader issues of human rights and international justice.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday that Israel must lift its restrictions on humanitarian assistance to Gaza, ensure civilian protection, and fully comply with international humanitarian law.

 

Israel wildfires flare near Jerusalem for a second day

Israeli firefighting teams have been tackling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day, with police reporting the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that 18 people have been detained on suspicion of arson, according to Israel’s Arutz Sheva media outlet.

Israel’s fire service says more than 150 firefighting teams are still working to extinguish blazes and 12 aircraft were working to contain the flames.

The fires broke out on Wednesday along the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, prompting police to shut the roads and evacuate thousands of residents from nearby areas.