Deadly violence in Palestine continues to affect holy sites nationwide

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Israeli Authorities Assert Control Over Gaza and West Bank

Over the past week, Israeli authorities have taken steps to assert their control over various territories, including the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. According to reports, at least 18 people have been killed in these areas, with most of the fatalities resulting from Israeli air strikes in Gaza.

In addition to air strikes, settler attacks have also been reported, resulting in the deaths of three individuals in the West Bank. The number of settler attacks has increased in recent weeks, coinciding with the escalation of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran.

Israeli authorities have also restricted worship at Palestinian holy sites, citing concerns about Iranian threats. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound was closed to Muslim worshippers in late February and remains under emergency restrictions until mid-April. On Sunday, Israeli forces prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem to perform Palm Sunday mass.

In response to the global backlash against this decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days. The Board of Peace, led by US President Donald Trump’s appointee, has also proposed a framework for disarming Hamas, which would involve an eight-month timeline.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a surge in Israeli air strikes and artillery fire targeting police forces. Aid workers and UN officials have warned that this campaign risks creating dangerous vacuums in public order and civilian services.

According to reports, at least 705 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the October “ceasefire”. Humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate, with fuel and parts shortages threatening medical services. The Ministry of Health has warned that hospital generators are at risk of being halted due to these shortages.

Violent attacks in the occupied West Bank against Palestinians have also continued, resulting in at least five deaths. These incidents include a drone strike on March 25 that killed two Palestinians and several reported settler attacks in the last week.

Source: Al Jazeera