15 stories for 2026-02-28 · Israel/Palestine
Israel's Supreme Court has issued a temporary freeze on a government ban targeting 37 foreign NGOs working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. The reprieve is temporary, and dozens of aid groups faced potential shutdown under the new Israeli law.
Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least eight people according to reports, including five killed in strikes on two police stations in central and southern Gaza. Hamas condemned the attacks as a disregard for peace efforts. The strikes occurred amid a deteriorating truce agreement.
Recently discovered papers have shed light on the 1948 Nakba, revealing orders to kill Palestinian civilians on sight as part of efforts to 'cleanse' territories of Arabs. The documents provide evidence of systematic targeting of civilian populations during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has accused Israel of showing 'utter disregard' for human rights in Palestinian territories and seeking to impose permanent demographic change in the West Bank and Gaza.
A podcast examines Israel's administrative control over occupied Palestinian territory and the Palestinian Authority's limited capacity to respond to or prevent annexation efforts.
Farmers in Gaza are working to restore their land, much of which was destroyed. Facing a lack of agricultural equipment, they have resorted to using axes and shovels by hand. For these farmers, agriculture represents their identity, livelihood, and food security.
Amnesty International reported that Israel has escalated settlement and annexation procedures in the West Bank since the end of last year, including approval of new settlements and expansion of existing ones, amid increased settler violence.
Volunteers are working to salvage books from the Al-Omari Mosque library in Gaza that remain amid rubble and damage to the structure.
International organizations are departing Gaza because of restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. The organizations cite these constraints as the reason for their withdrawal from the territory.
The Gaza Civil Defense reported that seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. The Israeli military stated the strikes were conducted in response to a breach of a ceasefire agreement.
Israel has escalated military operations within Gaza, with strikes targeting security and armed group personnel in central and southern areas of the enclave. The operations have resulted in deaths and injuries.
An urgent appeal has been made for a substantial increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to Al-Akhbar, Gaza's police force is operating under difficult conditions, with reports indicating armed backing for their operations.
Activists are preparing for an extended presence in Palestine, with plans to sail to Gaza again in April. A UN official has warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe due to water scarcity in the region.
Fatima al-Subleani and Hassan al-Khalf were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the al-Baqa'a refugee camp.