Israel

Palestinians mark 1948 Nakba in the shadow of war in Gaza

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Palestinians mark 1948 Nakba in the shadow of war in Gaza

Palestinians commemorated the 1948 “Nakba” on Wednesday, marking the time when hundreds of thousands were dispossessed of their homes in the war at the birth of the state of Israel. The Nakba has been a defining experience for Palestinians for more than 75 years, shaping their national identity. This year’s commemoration focused on the plight of around two million Palestinians in Gaza, most living in temporary shelters after being displaced by the Israeli campaign. More than 5.9 million Palestinians are currently registered as refugees in various locations, including refugee camps that have grown into urban townships. Events marking the Nakba anniversary were also held in Ramallah, where a student was killed in a clash with Israeli forces.

Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

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Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present a bill to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military to a ministerial committee. The issue is sensitive due to ongoing conflicts and high casualties among secular draftees. Ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition oppose the exemptions, leading to protests. Economists argue that the conscription waiver keeps ultra-Orthodox out of the workforce, creating a welfare burden. Israel’s Arab minority is also largely exempt from the draft.

Ireland to recognise Palestinian state by end May, foreign minister says

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Ireland to recognise Palestinian state by end May, foreign minister says

Ireland will recognize a Palestinian state before the end of the month, as part of a joint effort with other European Union members. The decision is based on the belief that a two-state solution is crucial for lasting peace in the region. This move comes amid escalating violence in Gaza, with calls for a ceasefire and a lasting peace solution. Israel has criticized the recognition plan, calling it a “prize for terrorism.”

Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel’s attack killed

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Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel’s attack killed

Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, mostly civilians, and driven most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people from their homes. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported a death toll of 34,844, with 21,058 counted from bodies arriving at morgues and 3,715 reported online by family members. The ministry estimates that around 10,000 bodies are uncounted. The credibility of the death toll is supported by public health experts and the World Health Organization, although there are specific questions about certain casualties. Hamas does not control the figures, as the Health Ministry also answers to the Palestinian Authority ministry in the West Bank. Israeli officials have questioned the figures, but the military has acknowledged their reliability. Israel estimates that 14,000 Hamas fighters and 16,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed in the war. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that over 70% of the dead are women and children under 18, with children representing slightly over 40% of all those killed.

Criminal gangs, profiteers thrive in Gaza as cash shortage worsens misery

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Criminal gangs, profiteers thrive in Gaza as cash shortage worsens misery

A shortage of banknotes in Gaza is causing chaos, with only a few ATMs operational in the southern city of Rafah. Residents are facing long waits and sometimes paying fees to access cash, as armed gangs exploit the situation. The conflict has led to a lack of liquidity in the enclave, with hundreds of millions of shekels stuck in bank vaults. Essential goods remain scarce, and some merchants are profiteering from the shortage by charging high commissions. Gaza’s economy relies heavily on Israel, which has blocked cash imports since the start of the war.

Cost-benefits of electricity cable expected by end of month

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Cost-benefits of electricity cable expected by end of month

Fact: The first results of the cost-benefit study for the Greece-Cyprus Great Sea Interconnector electricity project are anticipated to be unveiled by the end of May.

Israeli forces push into Gaza from north and south

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Israeli forces push into Gaza from north and south

Israeli forces have re-entered the northern edge of Gaza to prevent fighters from returning, resulting in intense fighting on both the northern and southern edges of the enclave. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled, and aid groups warn of a looming humanitarian crisis. The death toll has surpassed 35,000, with many more feared buried under rubble. Israel’s assault on Rafah has strained its relationship with the United States, leading to a temporary hold on weapon shipments. Hamas fighters are engaged in battles with Israeli forces in various areas of Gaza.

Nemo’s Eurovision win fires up Swiss advocates for non-binary rights

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Nemo’s Eurovision win fires up Swiss advocates for non-binary rights

Swiss advocates for non-binary rights celebrated Nemo’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, urging authorities to recognize those who identify as neither male nor female. Nemo, a Swiss musician using they/them pronouns, won the contest in a politically charged night in Malmo, beating out Croatia’s Baby Lasagna. The victory comes after the Swiss government rejected proposals for a third gender option in official records. Sibel Arslan, a Green Party lawmaker, praised Nemo’s win and highlighted the relevance of enabling non-binary designations. An Ipsos poll revealed that 6% of Swiss respondents identified as transgender or non-binary, the highest proportion among surveyed countries. Nemo’s winning song, “The Code,” describes their journey as a non-binary person. Despite public opposition, the youth wing of the Green Liberal Party called for Switzerland to break with binary gender designations.

Israel protests after Nobel laureate denounces Gaza invasion at Vatican

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Israel protests after Nobel laureate denounces Gaza invasion at Vatican

Israel’s Embassy to the Holy See protested against Yemeni Nobel Prize winner Tawakkol Karman for accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza during an event at the Vatican. Israeli embassy rejected the accusations as “lies” and criticized the anti-Semitic speech. The tension between the Vatican and Israel has increased since the war in Gaza, with Jewish groups accusing Pope Francis of not recognizing Israel’s actions as self-defense.

Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

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Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

Tens of thousands of faithful prayed for peace at Portugal’s Fatima shrine amid wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and other places. The shrine marks the site of reported visions of the Virgin Mary over 100 years ago. The Roman Catholic Church believes she gave three messages to three Portuguese children in 1917. Pope Francis made two of the children saints in 2017. Some pilgrims brought Ukrainian flags in support following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.