22 stories for 2026-03-21
FIFA announced it will not take action against the Israeli Football Association over the participation of clubs based in illegal settlements in Israeli leagues. Amnesty International's Head of Economic and Social Justice stated that FIFA's refusal to act violates its own rules and international law.
Switzerland has condemned what it describes as extremist settler violence occurring in the West Bank and has called on Israel to take action to address the situation.
Human Rights Watch reports that aid reaching Gaza has declined, exacerbating hunger and health system collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced in destroyed camps and shelters amid absence of basic services.
A report highlights the suffering of Palestinian workers who attempt to cross the West Bank barrier illegally to reach Israel for work. The excerpt notes that over 120,000 Palestinians were barred from working in Israel after October 7, 2023. Facing a two-year conflict and starvation policies, Palestinians have limited economic options beyond illegal border crossings, where some have been killed by Israeli military gunfire.
Despite escalating violence in the West Bank, Jewish settlers and Palestinian activists met during Ramadan to launch a rare solidarity initiative together.
Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Gaza are taking place amid difficult circumstances. The report indicates that festive observances are being overshadowed by challenging conditions in the territory.
The Israeli military announced Friday that it killed the head of the intelligence unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC Basij) and a spokesman for the IRGC.
Muslims in Jerusalem were prevented from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Friday, with the mosque's entrances remaining closed. The restriction dampened what would otherwise be a joyful occasion for the community.
The Israeli military announced it was conducting strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut early Saturday. A military spokesman issued a warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate ahead of the strikes.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon on Friday killed at least 20 people and wounded 57, according to Lebanese authorities. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 1,021 people and wounded 2,641, with 134,616 displaced people registered in shelters. The attacks continued with strikes on southern Beirut.
As Israeli strikes continue on Lebanon, the number of displaced people grows and shelter centers face resource constraints. Lebanese citizens have converted part of a shelter center into a school to provide education for displaced children.
Women and girls in Lebanon are experiencing significant suffering during the war and displacement, with challenges compounded by collapsing services. In southern Lebanon's Nabatieh, displaced residents face difficult humanitarian conditions as shelling continues, with local rescue centers distributing food assistance to families remaining in the city. Displaced families and those in shelters are marking Eid al-Fitr outside their normal circumstances.
Young Lebanese have been forced to grow up before their time as a result of ongoing wars and compounding crises affecting the country.
Israeli military forces have renewed attacks on the Tents and Medicine axes in Lebanon and resumed operations along the Maros al-Ras axis. The military has also opened a new axis in the western sector toward the town of Naqoura.
Hezbollah has reported losing 350 members since the beginning of a new phase of warfare. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has seen shifts in media management, particularly regarding coverage of combatant casualties.
Children in Lebanon are experiencing deep psychological shocks amid escalating conflict and mass displacement. Humanitarian workers are attempting to restore a sense of security and normalcy to affected children's lives.
Human rights defenders in Egypt have faced a long history of targeting by state security apparatus. A recent incident involved a defendant stating before prosecutors that he would not speak without lawyers present, after which the prosecutor ordered lawyers to be brought from prison.
The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on Syrian government-controlled sites overnight in response to attacks targeting Druze civilians in Suwayda. The strikes were described as a response to the attacks against the Druze population.
A rights organization released a report on March 17 documenting various violations of rights and freedoms by state actors. The report, titled "Under the Umbrella of Marginalization," records different categories of human rights violations.
The United Nations has launched a humanitarian response plan for Yemen valued at $2.16 billion. According to reports, 22.3 million people require assistance as malnutrition and food insecurity continue to worsen across the country.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it conducted attacks targeting locations in Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The IRGC claimed to have struck Tel Aviv, Acre, and Haifa Bay in Israel, as well as Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry reported downing 20 drones in its eastern region early Saturday, an area near Iran that houses major oil installations. The ministry did not report casualties or damage. Israel separately detected a new missile launch from Iran targeting it early Saturday morning.