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Israeli authorities demolished the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, drawing condemnation from the UN and several countries. Concurrently, the government is pursuing a broader campaign to dismantle the agency's operations, including cutting utilities to its sites and enacting new legislation, which is now facing a legal challenge in the High Court. Domestically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting public pressure, including protests from Israeli Arab communities over violent crime and criticism from figures like conductor Zubin Mehta, who canceled performances. In a separate tragic incident in Jerusalem, two infants died and dozens were hospitalized from suspected gas poisoning at an unlicensed daycare, a case complicated by the High Court blocking autopsies amid protests from some ultra-Orthodox community members. In Tel Aviv, a public clock counting the days since hostages were taken was stopped after the body of hostage Ran Gvili was recovered, while a former hostage, Rom Braslavski, was reportedly assaulted.
Israel continued military operations in Gaza, with strikes reportedly killing civilians including children and journalists, despite a ceasefire. Tight restrictions on humanitarian aid and movement persist, exacerbating a severe crisis, compounded by Israel ordering major aid groups like Doctors Without Borders to cease operations. The military also recovered and buried what it identified as the last Israeli hostage's remains in Gaza. In the West Bank, violence escalated with reports of settler attacks on Palestinian communities and a military report noting a 25% increase in such violence in 2025; Israeli forces also reported killing a 14-year-old boy near Ramallah. The demolition of UNRWA's East Jerusalem headquarters was widely condemned internationally by the UN, the European Union, and countries including Ireland. Concurrently, protests and boycotts emerged globally, including in Malaysia, New York, and Paris, targeting Israel's policies and actions.
3 topics | 156 sources
Israeli forces used bulldozers to demolish the East Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. The UN agency called the demolition an 'unprecedented attack' and said a fire broke out at the site afterward. Foreign ministers from eleven countries, including Japan, the UK, and France, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's actions. The UN chief and the Palestinian Authority also condemned the demolition. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Israel would also cut off water and electricity to remaining UNRWA sites in Israel. Separately, in Jerusalem, two infants died and over 50 others were hospitalized after a suspected gas poisoning incident at an unlicensed daycare. Police detained three caregivers for questioning. The High Court blocked autopsies on the infants after protests by ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups.
Israel retrieved the body of Ran Gvili, who had been held hostage. A public clock in Tel Aviv that had been counting the days of captivity for 843 days was stopped after his body was returned. Netanyahu called the body's return an 'extraordinary achievement' and praised the work of ZAKA volunteers. Meanwhile, Arab citizens in Israel held protests in Tel Aviv, calling for government action to address violent crime in their communities.
The Israeli military, known as the IDF, is involved in two separate developments. Video footage appears to show IDF soldiers escorting settlers who are allegedly taking livestock from Palestinians. Separately, the IDF has denied issuing any new orders for Palestinians to evacuate areas of Gaza. Meanwhile, a father has written about the loss of his daughter, Roni Eshel, who was an IDF soldier.
5 topics | 455 sources
Jan 31 — Jan 30
Israel to reopen Gaza's Rafah border crossing and acknowledges high death tollIsrael announced it will partially reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday, February 1. The crossing has been closed for a long period, with some reports saying almost two years. The opening is described as a limited, largely symbolic move with strict security arrangements. At the same time, the Israeli military reportedly acknowledged a death toll of around 70,000 people in Gaza. This figure aligns with numbers previously reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, which Israel had previously cast doubt on. The civilian-to-combatant ratio within that toll remains unclear. There are disagreements between Israel and Egypt over the details of the Rafah crossing's operation, including the number of people and aid trucks allowed to pass. Israel has stated it wants 'more exits than entries' and is seeking to limit the number of aid trucks entering Gaza. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Gazans, including many sick and injured, are awaiting the crossing's opening as a potential lifeline.
Jan 30
Israel demolishes buildings and plans to close UN schools in the West BankIsraeli authorities have demolished buildings in the West Bank, including structures belonging to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. The agency's director in the West Bank called the demolition a public show of Israel's disregard for international law. Separately, Israel has notified UNRWA that it plans to close two of its facilities in the West Bank: a school and a vocational training center. The agency says the school closure is expected within days.
Jan 16
Israeli military actions and settler violence in the West Bank and GazaThe Israeli military, known as the IDF, was involved in several incidents. Its soldiers shot and killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy near the city of Ramallah, saying he ran toward them while holding a stone. Separately, an IDF report found that violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank increased by 25 percent in 2025. In the Gaza Strip, satellite images show new earthworks near the city of Rafah, in an area the IDF had previously designated for Palestinian housing.
Jan 15
Protests and boycotts target Israel over its actions in PalestineProtests and boycotts are happening in several countries, criticizing Israel's actions in Palestine. In Malaysia, a British politician said Britain is complicit in Israeli crimes. In New York, staff at an Israeli-owned bakery unionized, citing the company's support for what they call a genocide. In Paris, protesters condemned Israel's decision to revoke licenses for aid groups operating in Palestinian areas.
Jan 29
Israeli media cites official accepting Hamas figure of 70,000 war deadIsraeli media reported that an official accepted a Hamas figure of 70,000 war dead. In a separate development, Israel returned Palestinian bodies in what was described as the last exchange between the two sides. A former Israeli captive, who is a rape victim, stated that she felt safer with Hamas than she did in Israel.