Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2408, Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

1. Occupation forces compel two brothers to demolish their homes in Silwan**

Israeli occupation authorities forced two Palestinian brothers to demolish their own homes in the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Jerusalem Governorate stated in a press release that the brothers, Nader and Hatem Baydoun, were forced to demolish their homes in the Al-Bustan neighborhood.
According to available data, the two houses cover an area of about 88 square meters, are home to 10 people, and have existed since 1998.

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**2. Two citizens and a foreign solidarity activist injured in settler attacks south of Hebron**
Two citizens and a foreign solidarity activist were injured in a terrorist attack carried out by settlers in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
Activist Osama Makhamera reported that settlers from the Ma’on settlement, built on residents’ land south of Hebron, assaulted the family of Ahmad Barghash Al-Shawahin while they were grazing sheep in the Wadi al-Jawaya area, as well as two foreign activists, resulting in injuries to the brothers Hamza and Saddam Al-Shawahin and a foreign activist.

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**3. Water crisis in Palestine escalates into “water starvation” threatening millions**
The Palestinian Water Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued an urgent international appeal to UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights and women’s rights, along with several international bodies, warning of an unprecedented escalation in the water and sanitation crisis, especially in the Gaza Strip.
The appeal confirmed that the situation has gone beyond a service crisis to become a systematic pattern of water deprivation amounting to “water starvation,” due to occupation policies and the targeting of water infrastructure, constituting a serious violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.

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**4. Injuries and settler assaults in Masafer Yatta and Al-Lubban al-Gharbi**
Three people, including a foreign activist, were injured in a settler attack in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, alongside other assaults on residents’ lands in the village of Al-Lubban al-Gharbi, west of Ramallah.
Local sources reported that settlers from the Ma’on settlement attacked the family of Ahmad Barghash Al-Shawahin while they were grazing sheep in Wadi al-Jawaya, beating family members and foreign activists, injuring the brothers Hamza and Saddam Al-Shawahin and a foreign activist.

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**5. Continued closure of Al-Aqsa: Judaization and attempts to impose “sovereignty” under the cover of war**
Since its occupation in 1967, Al-Aqsa Mosque has not witnessed a closure like today, reflecting a political and ideological direction by the Israeli occupation government and extremist groups to assert “sovereignty” and full control over the mosque, alter the status quo, and impose Judaization measures.
For the 39th consecutive day, occupation authorities continue to close Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevent prayer there under the pretext of security conditions related to the war on Iran, amid a suffocating siege and strict measures imposed on the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.

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**European**

**6. (Video) Spanish Prime Minister displays a gift from a child in Gaza in his office**
“A message in a bottle” so the suffering of Palestinians is not forgotten… Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez showcased items in his office, including a message in a bottle gifted to him by a refugee child from Gaza.

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**7. Irish solidarity launches an online campaign in support of prisoners**
The Irish Campaign for Solidarity with Palestine called for participation in an email campaign to the Irish government, demanding action against the Israeli occupation, including sanctions, divestment, and an arms embargo.
The campaign also stressed the need to prevent the use of Irish airports and airspace by the United States during its ongoing aggression against Iran.

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**8. Activists target the Edinburgh International Festival over ties to the occupation**
Police Scotland reported that venues of the Edinburgh International Festival were targeted with graffiti, paint, and material damage.
Media sources stated that pro-Palestine activists carried out the action in protest of the festival’s relationship with Baillie Gifford, an Edinburgh-based company, due to its links with institutions and investors connected to the Israeli occupation.

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**9. Protest in Paris supporting prisoners and rejecting the death penalty decision**
Activists for Palestinian rights organized a protest in the French capital, Paris, condemning a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons.
The protest depicted the suffering of prisoners, with activists placing nooses around their necks in protest against proposals by Ben Gvir during the law’s approval in the Knesset. Protesters also raised the Palestinian flag and banners condemning the Israeli decision.

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**10. “Arctic Sunrise” ship joins the Global Freedom Flotilla**
The Global Freedom Flotilla announced that Greenpeace International confirmed the ship Arctic Sunrise will participate in the flotilla set to depart on April 12, aiming to break the blockade on Gaza.
More than 70 ships and around 1,000 participants are expected to take part in the second edition of the flotilla, which will depart from Barcelona, stop in Syracuse (Italy) and Ierapetra (Greece), on its way to Gaza.

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**11. Canadian organization condemns labeling Palestine supporters as “antisemitic”**
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemned an opinion article by Konrad Yakabuski in *The Globe and Mail* titled “The NDP has an antisemitism problem,” stating that it defames MP Avi Lewis and his team by portraying them as antisemitic simply for supporting Palestinian rights.
The organization explained that the article conflates political criticism of the occupation with antisemitism without evidence and portrays Palestinian symbols such as flags or the keffiyeh as indicators of antisemitism, which it considers a form of racism aimed at silencing Palestinians.

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**International**

**12. (Video) Torch march in Cuba in support of Palestine**
A large march took place in Havana, Cuba, led by Thiago Ávila, international coordinator of the Global Freedom Flotilla. Participants carried Palestinian flags and torches, chanting for freedom for Palestine.
The march comes as part of international solidarity events marking Land Day and ahead of the flotilla’s departure to Gaza on April 12.

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**13. Massive demonstration in South Korea in support of Palestine**
Activists and supporters organized a large demonstration in Myeong-dong, South Korea, titled “From Palestine to the Middle East: Stop the war of Trump and Netanyahu.”
Participants raised Palestinian, Iranian, and Lebanese flags, along with banners condemning US-Israeli aggression and the Israeli decision to execute Palestinian prisoners.

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**14. Greece signs arms deal with Israeli company Elbit Systems to boost air defenses**
Greece signed an agreement with Israeli company Elbit Systems to purchase a missile system, as part of efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities and expand military cooperation with Israel in recent years.
The Greek Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of the PULS rocket artillery system under a broader modernization program valued at approximately €690 million, including launch platforms, various munitions, and long-term maintenance and technical support.

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**15. OCHA: Gaza needs exceed aid capacity, half a million deprived of water**
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that needs in the Gaza Strip far exceed what aid organizations can provide due to severe restrictions and ongoing obstacles hindering humanitarian work.
The office added that UNICEF and its partners managed to restore access to clean water in southern Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on March 25 reduced the seawater desalination plant’s output to less than 20% of its operational capacity.