Palestine weekly wrap: Under cover of ceasefire, Israel increases grip | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Israel Agrees to Ceasefires Amid Ongoing Violence in Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem
Israel has formally accepted ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran; however, significant violence persists. Israeli forces and settlers continue to encroach into Palestinian-administered zones in the West Bank, intensifying operations in Gaza and occupied East Jerusalem.
This week’s events highlight a troubling trend, as military action has surged across multiple fronts, including airstrikes in Lebanon despite an extended ceasefire agreement. Observers suggest these ceasefires are being utilized more as pretexts for territorial consolidation than genuine halts to hostilities. Amid this climate, Palestinians in the West Bank and, for the first time since 2006, parts of Gaza participated in municipal elections on Saturday, although many remain skeptical regarding their potential for real change.
Heavy Strikes in Gaza and Civilian Casualties
In Gaza, airstrikes inflicted significant damage on civilian and police infrastructure, marking some of the heaviest bombardments since the ceasefire was declared in October. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 40 Palestinians had died from April 20 to April 27, including police officers and children. Notable incidents included the deaths of three police officers in a drone strike in Khan Younis on April 21, and five fatalities—three of them children—in an airstrike on a mosque courtyard in Beit Lahiya on April 22.
On Saturday, gunfire from Israeli forces resulted in the death of 15-year-old Ayham al-Omari in Beit Lahiya. Additionally, a pregnant woman and her two children were killed in artillery shelling near Kamal Adwan Hospital. The Popular Committees in Gaza condemned these targeted attacks as threats to civilian safety and governance structures.
Since the ceasefire began on October 11, total casualties in Gaza have reached 817 dead and more than 2,200 injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Election Low Turnout in Gaza
Municipal elections occurred in Gaza, particularly in Deir el-Balah, with a reported turnout of just 23 percent. Election officials attributed this low participation to outdated civil registries reflecting the impact of displacement and violence, as well as a population more focused on survival than governance.
Following the reopening of the Zikim crossing, the United Nations reported a modest increase in aid entering Gaza, although it remains inadequate compared to the region’s humanitarian needs.
Escalating Violence in the West Bank
On April 21, a shooter in military attire opened fire on a school in al-Mughayyir, killing two people, including a teenager. Concurrently, a vehicle associated with Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, fatally struck a 16-year-old boy near Hebron. Violence escalated with the shooting of 15-year-old Youssef Ishtayeh by Israeli forces in Nablus on April 23.
Settler violence has increased, including calls to enter areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. Attacks reported by local activists took place in various locations, including Masafer Yatta and Jalud. Israeli forces imposed curfews in several villages and conducted arrests after incidents of violence by settlers, including an attack in which two vehicles were set ablaze.
OCHA’s latest report indicates there are 925 movement obstacles throughout the West Bank, the highest total in two decades, with 43 percent above the average for that period. This year alone, nine Palestinian communities have faced complete displacement.
Demolitions Accelerate in East Jerusalem
In East Jerusalem, demolitions have significantly increased, particularly in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan. An Israeli NGO, Ir Amim, has reported 17 homes demolished this year compared to 13 in all of 2025. The municipality appears to be moving to demolish all 115 homes slated for a park adjacent to the City of David, operated by a settler organization.
More than 2,000 Palestinians are at risk of displacement, marking one of the largest potential expulsions from East Jerusalem since 1967. Residents of the Rajabi family have received eviction notices for seven apartments in Silwan, with deadlines for vacating set for May 17.
Additionally, an 11-story yeshiva has been approved for construction opposite a mosque in Sheikh Jarrah, further illustrating the impact of municipal policies on Palestinian communities.
Political Developments in Israel
In Israeli political developments, former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced their intention to unite their parties under Bennett’s leadership ahead of anticipated elections in October. This coalition could represent a challenge to current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; however, the partnership underscores a lack of distinction between major political factions on issues of occupation and settlement expansion.
