Palestine

Egypt cracks down on pro-Palestine activism with student arrests

by
Egypt cracks down on pro-Palestine activism with student arrests

Egypt has detained students promoting pro-Palestinian boycotts and solidarity campaigns, along with many others protesting against Israel’s military campaign. At least 125 people have been arrested since the Gaza war began in October, with 95 still in pre-trial detention. The crackdown on dissent in Egypt has intensified since 2013, with tens of thousands arrested for speaking out against the government. Public demonstrations are outlawed, and authorities fear protests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could fuel political dissent.

Pentagon to continue delivering Gaza aid from Cyprus despite pier damage

by
Pentagon to continue delivering Gaza aid from Cyprus despite pier damage

The Pentagon is committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza despite damage to the temporary pier off the coast. The Israeli Defense Forces are clearing the pier for repairs, expected to take over a week. The damaged pieces have been transported to Ashdod port for reconstruction. The cause of the damage was a recent storm from North Africa, but calmer seas are expected. Efforts are being made to find alternative routes for aid from Cyprus to reach Gaza. Over 1,000 metric tons of aid had been delivered prior to the damage.

US-British strikes leave 16 dead in Yemen, Houthis say

by
US-British strikes leave 16 dead in Yemen, Houthis say

16 people were killed and 35 wounded in U.S. and British strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah province. The strikes targeted a radio building in Al-Hawk district and port of Salif. The U.S. and British militaries launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen to deter the militant group from disrupting shipping in the Red Sea.

Cyprus deplores Rafah attacks; calls for ceasefire

by
Cyprus deplores Rafah attacks; calls for ceasefire

Cyprus has condemned the recent Israeli strikes on Rafah, expressing grief over the devastation and loss of civilian lives, including children. They called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, emphasizing the need to respect International Humanitarian Law.

US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

by
US State Department official resigns, says US report on Gaza inaccurate

Stacy Gilbert, a U.S. State Department official, resigned in protest after a report to Congress falsely claimed that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Gilbert, who worked in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, stated that the report’s conclusions were incorrect. The report was submitted in accordance with a new National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden. Gilbert’s resignation came after she disagreed with the final version of the report, which she believed did not accurately reflect the situation in Gaza.

Slovenia to recognise Palestine, pending parliament’s approval

by
Slovenia to recognise Palestine, pending parliament’s approval

Slovenia’s government approved the recognition of an independent Palestinian state, following Spain, Ireland, and Norway. Other EU countries have also recognized Palestine, with some considering it, while Germany and the US emphasize a two-state solution through dialogue. Israel has been in conflict with Hamas in Gaza, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Reuters: Israel reopens Gaza food sales as Rafah raid chokes aid

by
Reuters: Israel reopens Gaza food sales as Rafah raid chokes aid

The Israeli military has lifted a ban on the sale of food to Gaza from Israel and the occupied West Bank amid international aid choking as a result of the battlefield offensive. Gaza traders have been given permission to resume purchasing food such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy products from Israeli and Palestinian suppliers. The deliveries are vetted by the Israeli military at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, with only products for sale allowed and no charitable donations permitted. The flow of deliveries has been inconsistent, with prices often too high for cash-strapped families in Gaza.

Israel aims to boost Red Sea oil deliveries despite environmental risks

by
Israel aims to boost Red Sea oil deliveries despite environmental risks

Israel plans to allow more oil tankers to dock at a Red Sea port in Eilat despite environmental risks. The government wants to revoke restrictions on the amount of oil that can be unloaded at a jetty in the city, which sits near a coral reef. The curbs imposed in 2021 were eased temporarily during the Gaza war. EAPC, the state-owned company operating the pipeline, wants to receive more oil, but environmental regulators and Eilat’s mayor oppose the plan. Israel is pushing to ensure energy security amid conflicts with various groups. Netanyahu’s office recommended easing restrictions to include fuel for trade and domestic use. The environment ministry expressed concerns about the risks of more oil deliveries and cited past mishaps. EAPC welcomed the government’s U-turn, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Eilat facility for energy delivery. Israel imports most of its oil through seaborne trade, and the Emirati oil deal could be worth about million a year for EAPC. The Energy Ministry emphasized the need to handle oil deliveries properly to sustain the terminal economically.

Gaza aid deliveries drop by two-thirds since Israel’s move into Rafah, UN says

by
Gaza aid deliveries drop by two-thirds since Israel’s move into Rafah, UN says

The United Nations has reported a significant drop in humanitarian aid entering Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the region. The daily average of aid trucks reaching Gaza dropped by 67%, with only 58 trucks reaching the area from May 7 to Tuesday. Israel has stated that it is committed to facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza despite ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids amid Gaza-wide offensive

by
Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids amid Gaza-wide offensive

Israeli tanks continued to raid Rafah for a second day, defying the World Court’s order to end attacks on the city. The United States did not believe a major ground operation was underway, despite Israel’s incursion into Rafah. Residents reported Israeli tanks entering various areas before retreating towards the border with Egypt. The Palestinian health ministry called for immediate healthcare assistance in Rafah and northern Gaza, where hospitals had stopped functioning. UNRWA reported that around a million Palestinians had fled after Israeli evacuation orders. The Red Crescent Society evacuated medical teams due to ongoing bombardments. The World Court criticized Israel for not ensuring the safety and well-being of the evacuees from Rafah. Israel proposed a ceasefire and hostage release to Qatar, but Hamas insisted talks were pointless unless Israel ended its offensive on Rafah. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.