Palestinians

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly disputed statements made by Donald Trump about Gaza. According to the claim, the French leader rejected the US president's assertions regarding the situation in the Palestinian territory. The exchange adds to ongoing tensions between Western leaders over policy on the Middle East, though further details of the dispute and both sides' exact arguments remain unclear.

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza war has risen above 74,000 since the conflict began, according to figures reported by CBC. The new count underscores the continuing scale of casualties as fighting and its humanitarian consequences persist, drawing renewed international attention to the war's toll on Gaza's civilian population.

Gaza health authorities report that the Palestinian death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas has risen above 74,000 since fighting began in October 2023. The figure comes from the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count the United Nations and many observers have previously described as broadly reliable. News outlets across the United States and internationally are carrying the update alongside other Middle East developments, keeping the scale of the conflict's human cost in focus.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for war in the occupied West Bank, prompting debate over whether his words reflect actual policy or political rhetoric. The remarks come amid heightened Israeli military operations in the territory, and observers are weighing how far the government may act on his call and what it means for Palestinians and regional stability.

Democratic lawmakers are pledging to directly challenge the Israeli government over violence against Palestinians, with one describing the situation as 'out of control'. The statements signal growing willingness within the party to publicly criticise Israel, a notable shift for a caucus that has traditionally maintained broad support for the US ally.

An Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian man in Gaza City, according to a report by Middle East Eye. No further details about the victim's identity or the circumstances of the strike were given in the report. The incident comes amid continuing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have drawn ongoing international attention and concern.

Israel's High Court has found that the state is defying its ruling requiring Red Cross visits for Palestinian detainees. The decision points to continued non-compliance with a court order on access to prisoners held by Israeli authorities. The ruling is likely to renew debate over detainee rights and the government's willingness to abide by court decisions amid the ongoing conflict.

Four Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to reports from the region. The strikes come amid the ongoing conflict that has caused heavy casualties and a humanitarian crisis in the territory. Further details about the victims or the specific locations of the attacks were not immediately available.

Thousands of people are heading toward the Gaza border in a march calling for the renewal of Israeli settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel withdrew its settlements from Gaza in 2005, and any effort to re-establish them would be highly contentious, touching on one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The march is drawing significant attention and reaction across the region.

Gaza's civil defense agency says it has recovered the remains of 28 Palestinians from a house in the territory that was destroyed in an Israeli strike in 2023. The recovery effort comes as crews continue to pull bodies from rubble across Gaza, where thousands remain missing under destroyed buildings and ceasefire and recovery operations remain a focus of international attention.

The head of Hamas has called for direct talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and endorsed a roadmap for Gaza's future, in a significant political overture between the rival Palestinian factions. The move signals a possible thaw in years of tensions over who should govern Gaza after the war. Observers are watching whether the gesture will translate into concrete negotiations on Palestinian unity.

The Israeli military has reinforced its troop deployment in the West Bank as concerns grow about potential terror attacks during the holiday period. The move adds forces to an area already under heightened security, with officials reportedly seeking to prevent incidents during the festive season, when tensions and attack risks have historically risen.

The US-led Board of Peace has announced that UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, will have no role in Gaza going forward. The statement marks a significant decision about the administration of humanitarian aid and services in the territory, and is likely to draw strong reactions from the UN, Palestinian representatives and humanitarian organisations.

An Israeli court has found the government in violation of a ruling requiring Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners. The decision puts further legal pressure on Israeli authorities over detention conditions and prisoner rights, a flashpoint issue amid the ongoing conflict and the large numbers of Palestinians held in Israeli custody. The ruling highlights growing tension between Israel's judiciary and government over compliance with court orders.

The United Nations has expanded its list of companies with business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, adding firms to bring the total to 138. The database, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, is intended to press companies to end activities linked to settlements, which most of the international community considers illegal. Israel rejects the blacklist, calling it politically motivated, while human rights groups welcomed the expansion.

The UK government is set to open new refugee resettlement routes for Afghan women and girls as well as Palestinians, according to a Guardian report. The announcement, attributed to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is being made around the Labour Party Conference in 2026. The move would create dedicated legal pathways for two groups facing acute insecurity, and it is drawing attention amid ongoing debate over Britain's asylum and migration policy.

Indonesia has described the question of Palestine as a test of the United Nations' resilience, framing the organisation's handling of the issue as a measure of its strength and credibility. The remarks underscore Jakarta's long-standing support for Palestinian statehood and add to ongoing debate over whether the UN can act effectively on the conflict.

The UK government is set to open new refugee resettlement routes aimed at Afghan women and girls, as well as Palestinians, under a scheme announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The move comes as ministers face continued pressure over Britain's asylum policy and its commitments to people displaced by the fall of Kabul and the situation in Gaza. Details of eligibility and numbers have not yet been fully set out, and the plan is likely to draw debate both from campaigners welcoming the routes and critics of government migration policy.

The Israel Defense Forces has announced a rotation of troops deployed in Syria and the West Bank, timed with the Jewish High Holy Days and amid continuing terror attacks. The reshuffle is intended to keep readiness high during a period when large gatherings and heightened tensions raise security concerns. The move underscores ongoing Israeli military deployments beyond its borders and in Palestinian territory during a sensitive holiday season.

Hundreds of people marched through Milan, Italy, in support of Palestine and housing rights. Demonstrators chanted against forced evictions, war and genocide, and called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The protest linked the Palestinian cause with local housing struggles, a combination that has become common at European pro-Palestine demonstrations.

Two Palestinians were killed and 11 others injured in Gaza, according to a report carried by Israeli news outlet Fana News. The brief report gives no details on the circumstances of the deaths or who was responsible. The incident adds to the ongoing toll of casualties in the Palestinian territory, which continues to see recurring violence and strikes.