Key facts
- Israeli forces were directly involved in settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, providing protection and support, according to a UN inquiry.
- Settler attacks in the West Bank have surged by 130% since 2023.
- Israel plans to build 2,162 new homes in three West Bank settlements.
- Twenty governments, including 18 European nations, Australia, and Japan, oppose new Israeli registration rules for humanitarian organizations.
- France indicated that additional sanctions may be imposed on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
- Italian prosecutors are investigating Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists.
- Allegations of abuse, including rape and beatings, have emerged against flotilla members.
- One person was killed and five injured in a suspected terror attack in central Israel.
- A video reportedly shows Israeli forces using a Palestinian man as a human shield in Hebron al-Fawwar camp.
- The suspected gunman in the central Israel shooting was an Israeli Arab who was killed at the scene.
A United Nations inquiry has concluded that Israeli forces were directly involved in settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, providing protection and support. The report detailed a significant 130% surge in settler attacks since 2023, alongside documented severe abuses by both settlers and Hamas. In parallel, Israel's finance minister announced plans to expand settlements by building 2,162 new homes across three West Bank locations. This expansion is viewed by most countries as illegal under international law and a detriment to peace efforts, drawing condemnation from Palestinians who warn of increased violence.
Further complicating the situation, 20 nations, comprising 18 European countries, Australia, and Japan, have voiced opposition to new Israeli registration requirements for humanitarian organizations. These governments warn that the rules could substantially hinder aid operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Separately, a video has surfaced on social media purportedly showing Israeli soldiers using a detained Palestinian man as a human shield during a raid in the Hebron al-Fawwar camp in the occupied West Bank. France's Foreign Minister has indicated that additional sanctions may be imposed on Israeli settlers in the West Bank in the coming days, citing escalating illegal settlements and settler violence.
In related incidents, one person was killed and five were injured in a shooting in central Israel, which police are investigating as a suspected terror attack. The suspected gunman, an Israeli Arab, was killed at the scene. Italian prosecutors have also opened an investigation into Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding the treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla. The probe includes suspicions of torture and kidnapping of Italian citizens detained last month, following international criticism of Israel's actions after intercepting the aid convoy in international waters. Allegations of abuse, including rape and beatings, have also surfaced against flotilla members, following public taunting by Minister Ben-Gvir.