Early morning attacks in Gaza have left at least 16 Palestinians dead, including five who were seeking aid in central and southern areas, according to medical sources.
At the same time, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, confirmed plans for more than 3,000 new housing units in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank. Critics warn the project would slice the territory in two, crippling any future Palestinian state.
Smotrich said the move would “bury the idea” of Palestinian statehood, framing the construction as a direct answer to international recognition efforts.
International condemnation was swift. Germany’s Foreign Ministry labelled the plan illegal under international law and warned it would extinguish hopes for a negotiated two-state solution. Other critics, including European nations, rights groups, and the United Nations, echoed those concerns.
In Gaza, aid seekers remain under constant threat. This latest toll comes as shortages persist and desperate families queue for relief amid deadly violence.
“These shelters trap the hot air, turning homes into ovens,” one displaced resident said, describing life inside the makeshift camps. “Our situation is very difficult. We can’t tolerate this war and this hot weather any more.”
This story juxtaposes ongoing violence in Gaza with a deliberate political strategy in the West Bank. It raises urgent questions: Can peace endure when one side is laying the bricks that block its possibility?
About the Author
