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At least ten displaced Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded, including six in critical condition, after Israeli drones launched two missiles near a school housing refugees in the central Gaza Maghazi refugee camp, health officials reported. The strike occurred amid clashes between residents and an Israeli‑backed militia that had allegedly attempted to abduct people from the school. Witnesses said the militia’s leader later claimed to have killed five Hamas members, a statement that could not be independently verified. According to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the victims were struck east of the camp, where residents were trying to defend their homes. "The residents tried to defend their homes, but the occupation forces targeted them directly," said Ahmed al‑Maghazi to Reuters. The Maghazi camp, once one of the smallest Palestinian refugee enclaves with roughly 30,000 residents, has seen its population more than triple since the war began, according to UNRWA. Despite being designated by the Israeli military as a "safe zone," the area has suffered multiple lethal attacks, including a December 2023 strike that killed over 100 civilians, primarily women and children. Earlier on the same day, a World Health Organization (WHO) staff member was killed and several others injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a WHO vehicle, underscoring the broader risk to humanitarian personnel in the region. The latest incident highlights the fragility of ceasefire arrangements reached in October and raises urgent questions about the protection of civilians in areas purportedly shielded from conflict.

The organiser of the Wireless Festival has reaffirmed that Kanye West, legally known as Ye, will appear on the bill, even as senior UK officials and Jewish organisations demand his exclusion over a series of antisemitic statements and admiration for Adolf Hitler.West’s controversial remarks, including a 2025 song titled “Heil Hitler” and the promotion of a swastika‑bearing T‑shirt, have drawn condemnation from MPs and prompted calls for a government ban. Bridget Phillipson, a senior minister, described his comments as “completely unacceptable and absolutely disgusting,” while Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the booking “deeply concerning.”Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, the promoter behind Wireless, said the artist is “intended to come in and perform” and stressed that the festival will not provide a platform for “extolling any opinion,” only for the songs that are popular on radio and streaming services. He added, “I am a deeply committed anti‑fascist… I lived on a kibbutz attacked on 7 October and support both a Jewish and a Palestinian state.”In a personal appeal, Benn invoked his experience with a family member’s mental illness, urging the public to extend “forgiveness and hope” to West, whom he described as seeking “second chances” in a “divisive world.” He also asserted that West has a legal right to enter the UK, though ministers are reviewing his entry clearance.Jewish leaders remain unconvinced. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, warned that Benn’s comments “will not reassure many within the Jewish community” and highlighted that West has “proclaimed himself a Nazi” while the festival stands to profit from his appearance.Political opposition has also weighed in. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for a ban on West’s entry, urging the government to act “tougher on antisemitism.”Commercial fallout has been swift. Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn their sponsorship, and AB InBev announced it is pulling Budweiser and Beatbox support. PayPal confirmed it will no longer feature in the festival’s promotional materials.West has not performed in the UK since headlining Glastonbury in 2015, and his recent full‑page apology in the Wall Street Journal attributed his inflammatory remarks to bipolar‑1 disorder stemming from a 2002 car‑crash injury. Nonetheless, critics argue that a three‑day stage slot does not constitute a meaningful path to “health and healing.”

The recent conflict between Israel and Iran has highlighted the consequences of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promise of an 'easy' war. When Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December, he came with an appeal and a subtle inducement.Netanyahu had suggested a final benefit to Trump: defeating Iran would allow Israel to wean itself off its massive reliance on US military aid. However, the reality of the conflict has been far from easy, with Iran's resilient regime and the ongoing Middle East war showing no signs of abating.The conflict has also had significant implications for global diplomacy, with Emmanuel Macron reflecting a widespread view that US and Israeli strikes on Iran would not provide a durable solution to Tehran's nuclear program. The war has undermined Nato and potentially emboldened China, Russia, and North Korea.The conflict has also led to a decline in support for Israel globally, with polls showing a decline in support for Israel across the political spectrum in the US, particularly among Democrats and young voters. A Gallup survey released recently showed that Americans are more sympathetic to Palestinians than Israelis for the first time since Gallup began measuring that question in 2001.

Progressive candidate Abdul El‑Sayed’s alliance with left‑wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has ignited a sharp rift within Michigan’s tightly contested three‑way Senate race, pitting establishment favorite Mallory McMorrow against a pro‑Israel coalition supporting Rep. Haley Stevens. McMorrow, backed by the Democratic establishment, the Anti‑Defamation League, the Trump administration, and prominent pro‑Israel figures, has condemned Piker as antisemitic and warned that his involvement could alienate voters still reeling from the recent Temple Israel synagogue attack. In contrast, El‑Sayed and Piker announced a joint rally last week, prompting McMorrow’s camp to label the partnership a political liability. Seven Arab American leaders interviewed by the Guardian argue that the attacks on El‑Sayed and Piker are both strategic missteps and moral blunders that repeat the mistakes that cost the Democrats in Michigan in 2024. Michigan houses the nation’s highest per‑capita Arab American population, anchored by a large Lebanese diaspora. The ongoing Israeli assault on southern Lebanon—displacing over 1 million civilians and destroying villages—has hit the community hard, with many families directly affected. "Arabs get the pressure and Israel gets compassion," said James Zogby of the Democratic National Committee, underscoring the perceived double standard. Arab American leaders contend that the Democratic focus on Israel while sidelining Lebanese and Muslim concerns could erode crucial voter support. Data from the 2024 election illustrate the risk: Kamala Harris lost Michigan by roughly 80,000 votes, with some analysts estimating that her pro‑Israel stance cost her an additional 100,000 votes. A Guardian analysis found a 22,000‑vote swing away from Democrats in the three cities with the largest Arab American and Muslim populations. National polling now shows a dramatic shift among Democratic voters: support for Israel’s war in Gaza has fallen to an all‑time low of 8%, while a majority favor an arms embargo on Israel. Piker, who commands a 3‑million‑strong Twitch audience, consistently voices sympathy for Palestinians and calls for an embargo, positioning himself as a bridge to younger, progressive voters. Despite the controversy, El‑Sayed maintains that winning requires dialogue with all constituencies, even those outside the progressive bubble, noting his recent appearance on Fox News. He warned that every dollar spent on what he calls an "illegal, unjustified war in Iran" diverts resources from schools, healthcare, and infrastructure in Michigan. As the 2028 election cycle looms, Arab American leaders caution that the Democratic Party’s handling of the Israel‑Palestine issue in this swing state could have lasting repercussions, potentially reshaping the party’s fortunes in the Midwest.

Hamas's armed wing has rejected calls for disarmament, stating that discussing the issue before Israel fully implements the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza amounts to an attempt to continue the genocide against Palestinians.In a televised statement, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said that raising the issue of weapons 'in a crude manner' would not be accepted. He emphasized that the disarmament demands are an overt attempt to continue the genocide against Palestinians, something Hamas will not accept under any circumstances.The issue of Hamas relinquishing its weapons is a major obstacle in talks to implement US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, aimed at ending Israel's war on the besieged territory. Since the US- and Qatar-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, more than 705 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.Hamas has told mediators it will not discuss disarmament without guarantees that Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza. Abu Obeida urged mediators to pressure Israel to fulfil its commitments under the first phase of the Trump plan before any discussion of the second phase can take place.Israel's war on Gaza, which began after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured at least 172,000 others. Abu Obeida also addressed Israel's role in the US-Israel war on Iran, condemning it for launching strikes on Iran 'in the midst of the deception of negotiations, with full collusion and conspiracy with the United States'.

Itamar Ben‑Gvir, a senior figure in Israel’s coalition government, presented his latest proposals regarding Palestinians who are currently on death row. The details, reported by Al Jazeera on 5 April 2026, signal a potential shift in Israel’s approach to the handling of capital‑punishment cases involving Palestinian detainees. The minister’s plan, though not fully disclosed, emphasizes a stricter stance that could affect legal proceedings and the broader political climate in the region. Analysts note that such measures may further complicate already fragile relations between Israel and the Palestinian territories. International observers are watching closely, as any change in policy toward prisoners on death row carries significant humanitarian and diplomatic implications.

Gaza City, Gaza – While Easter traditionally celebrates resurrection and renewal, Gaza’s dwindling Christian population spent the holiday in quiet reflection, confronting displacement, scarcity and the trauma of a conflict the United Nations has described as genocide. The enclave is home to fewer than 1,000 Christians, a community already small before the war that has suffered heavy casualties; more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began on 7 October 2023. Inside the remaining churches, prayers and modest services carried profound meaning as families clung to hope for survival and peace. Yet basic necessities—electricity, water and food—remain in short supply, and even traditional Easter items such as eggs are virtually unavailable. Fouad Ayad, a bio‑energy trainer displaced from near al‑Rantisi Children’s Hospital, described searching the markets of Gaza City for eggs without success. “We decorate eggs for the children, and sometimes Muslim children visit us for colourful eggs,” he told Al Jazeera, highlighting the inter‑communal bonds that persist despite the siege. Shortages have also erased the customary communal lunch. “Meat is scarce and extremely expensive,” Ayad lamented, recalling how families once gathered to share meals, colour eggs and visit elderly neighbours of all faiths. The Church of the Holy Family, which Ayad once attended, has been struck multiple times. “Three of my relatives were killed in one attack, and another strike killed more than 20 Christians,” he recounted, illustrating the direct targeting of places of worship. Attendance at Easter services in Gaza’s sole Catholic church has dwindled as many believers have fled the Strip. Yet, as one worshipper put it, “We only performed the prayers, refusing to celebrate because of our martyrs,” affirming their resolve to remain rooted in the land despite the devastation. Israeli restrictions have prevented Christians from traveling to the Old City of East Jerusalem to attend the Holy Sepulchre for the past two years. Recent attempts by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to enter the site were initially blocked, only to be reversed after international outcry. Elias al‑Jelda, a 60‑year‑old Orthodox council member, recounted sheltering in the Church of the Holy Family after his home was destroyed. “I lost friends, neighbours and relatives, many killed while staying close to their homes and faith,” he said, underscoring the personal toll of the conflict. Traditional Easter treats—coloured eggs, kahk, maamoul and Eidiya gifts—are largely absent this year. “There are no eggs anywhere in the Strip,” reported 74‑year‑old Amal al‑Masri, who recalled pre‑war celebrations filled with shared meals and festive sweets. Power outages compound the hardship. “Electricity continues to be a major problem, and the soaring cost of diesel and generator oil makes it worse,” al‑Jelda warned, highlighting the broader infrastructure collapse affecting all Gazans. Despite the bleak circumstances, the remaining Christians affirm their identity and solidarity with the broader Palestinian population. “No matter what your political agenda or religion is, all of us Palestinians are targeted by the occupation,” a worshipper declared, encapsulating the collective sense of victimhood and resilience.

In a stark assessment, journalist Christopher Gunness contends that Israel's recent offensive against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is not an isolated incident but a central element of a larger campaign he characterizes as a genocide of the Palestinian people.Gunness emphasizes that UNRWA, which provides critical education, health, and food assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees, has become a strategic target. By undermining the agency’s operations, Israel, he argues, seeks to erode the humanitarian lifeline that sustains Palestinian communities, thereby intensifying the humanitarian crisis.The analysis links the attack on UNRWA to broader patterns of violence and displacement, suggesting that the move escalates the conflict beyond conventional warfare into actions that could meet the legal definition of genocide under international law. Such allegations carry profound implications for global diplomatic responses and potential accountability mechanisms.While the piece does not present new statistical data, it underscores the symbolic and practical significance of UNRWA’s role, urging the international community to recognize the attack as a pivotal escalation in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.

Disturbing footage has emerged showing an Israeli military dog attacking a Palestinian man inside a mosque. The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage over human rights violations and the conduct of Israeli military forces.The video, obtained from Al Jazeera, provides a harrowing glimpse into the incident, which has not been officially commented on by Israeli authorities. The lack of transparency and accountability in such cases often exacerbates tensions between Israel and Palestine.Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the Israeli military for its treatment of Palestinian civilians, citing numerous instances of excessive force and abuse. This latest incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about military conduct and the need for greater oversight.