Israeli authorities have imposed severe restrictions on Palestinians from the occupied West Bank attempting to travel to Al-Aqsa—Islam's third-holiest site—for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
Additionally, since the beginning of Ramadan on 1 March, hundreds of Israeli settlers have been making daily incursions into the mosque's compound, escalating tensions in the area.
Israeli forces have launched fresh attacks on Gaza, killing at least two children in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, as the total blockade on humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave enters its 13th day.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, UN experts have stated that Israel has committed "genocidal acts" against Palestinians by systematically destroying women's healthcare facilities and employing sexual violence as a war strategy during its ongoing assault on Gaza.
The statement comes amid reports of negotiations over a US proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire by 60 days in exchange for the release of more Israeli captives.
Gaza's Health Ministry reports that at least 48,524 Palestinians have been killed, and 111,955 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza. The Government Media Office in Gaza has updated the death toll to more than 61,700, stating that thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
Israeli forces have been continuing daily attacks on Gaza despite the ceasefire deal, killing scores of people across the Strip, including two children on Thursday alone, Al Jazeera reports.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor says Israeli forces have killed at least 150 Palestinians and wounded 605 others between January 19, when the ceasefire came into effect, and March 10.
That comes up to an average of three people every 24 hours.
“The ongoing killings by the Israeli army are carried out by snipers and drones, including quadcopter aircraft, which target Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The deadly attacks frequently occur when residents attempt to return and inspect their damaged homes near the so-called ‘buffer zone’ imposed by Israel along the Strip’s northern and eastern borders,” it said.
In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the 7 October 2023, attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.
