Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2338, Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

1. Four martyrs killed by occupation fire east of Gaza

Four citizens were killed and others injured by fire from Israeli occupation forces, amid continued field violations in the Gaza Strip through direct killings, targeting of children, and ground and aerial escalation in various areas, on the 108th day of the ceasefire agreement.
A medical source reported that four citizens were killed and three others injured by occupation fire near Al-Batsh Cemetery in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City. The martyrs are: Mahmoud Ahmad Lulu, Abdul Qader Abu Khader, Abdul Karim Ghabayin, and Yousef Al-Rifi.

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2. The digital platform UpScrolled breaks the siege and confronts the silencing of the Palestinian narrative**

Since the outbreak of Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, the war machine has not been limited to targeting people and infrastructure; its impact has extended to the truth itself in the digital space.
While Palestinians were documenting their suffering with sound and image under bombardment, they faced a parallel war waged by major social media platforms, where “algorithms” turned into tools for executing content, reducing its reach, and imposing forced silence through shadow-banning policies.
This systematic marginalization of the Palestinian voice was not a passing technical flaw, but rather appeared as a clear attempt to isolate the victim from the world’s conscience and strip Palestinians of one of their strongest tools in the modern era.

In the face of this digital bias, an urgent need emerged to create platforms that break the information siege and provide the oppressed with an independent outlet free from capital dominance or censorship agendas.

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**3. Settlers escalate attacks south of Hebron and uproot 500 trees in Yatta**

Settlers escalated their attacks in areas south of Hebron, uprooting 500 trees in the community of Khirbet Wadi Al-Rakhim in the town of Yatta, south of the governorate.
Armed settlers from the “Susiya” settlement, built on citizens’ lands and properties south of Hebron, under the protection of occupation soldiers, uprooted and destroyed 500 olive, fig, almond, and other trees belonging to citizens from the Rumi family in the Al-Farsh area of Khirbet Wadi Al-Rakhim, south of Yatta.

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**4. 20,000 patients, including 4,500 children, await border crossing opening for treatment**

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip said that more than 20,000 Palestinian patients are waiting for permission to travel abroad for treatment, warning that the continued closure of the Rafah crossing directly threatens their lives.
The ministry added that among these patients are 440 cases classified as “life-saving,” while the number of children holding medical referrals for treatment abroad is approximately 4,500.
It explained that Israel’s continued closure of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza to the departure of patients and wounded has worsened their health conditions to critical levels, amid severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies, the suspension of most specialized services, and the destruction of hospital infrastructure.

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**5. 71,662 martyrs: the toll of genocide in Gaza**

The Ministry of Health announced the arrival of two martyrs and nine injured individuals at Gaza Strip hospitals over the past 24 hours, as part of the ongoing toll from the continued Israeli aggression.
In its daily statistical report, the ministry stated that a number of victims remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings and in the streets, as ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them due to repeated bombardment, movement restrictions, and lack of field resources.
According to the statement, since the ceasefire came into effect, the total number of martyrs has reached 488, with 1,350 injured, in addition to the recovery of 714 bodies from under the rubble.
The cumulative toll since the start of the aggression on October 7, 2023, has risen to 71,662 martyrs and 171,428 injured, amid human rights and medical warnings of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe due to continued restrictions on medical teams and the prevention of essential aid.

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**6. Viral hepatitis spreads through displacement tents amid worsening water and health crises**

In the sprawling displacement tents across all cities of the Gaza Strip, viral hepatitis A has surged aggressively, becoming an expected epidemic as the water and healthcare crises deepen simultaneously.
The scarcity of clean water and the close proximity of tents to sewage pools are driving a rapid rise in infections amid widespread exposure, particularly among women, children, and patients with chronic illnesses. This comes in the context of a clear medical incapacity and the absence of testing and vaccinations, placing the lives of thousands of Gazans under increasing daily threat.

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**7. Within 24 hours: occupation demolishes 40 structures in Kafr Aqab north of Jerusalem**

Israeli occupation forces continued their military operation in the town of Kafr Aqab, north of occupied Jerusalem, accompanied by the demolition of structures and infrastructure.
The Jerusalem Governorate said the operation includes widespread demolition and removal of dozens of buildings, facilities, and infrastructure, under the pretext of lack of permits and alleged “security” reasons, as part of ongoing policies of pressure against Palestinian citizens.
It reported that occupation forces demolished 40 structures in Kafr Aqab north of Jerusalem during the past 24 hours.

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**8. Talmudic rituals coinciding with the demolition of commercial facilities**

During the demolition of shops and commercial facilities, settlers and members of the occupation police performed Talmudic rituals in the Qalandiya Airport area north of Jerusalem.

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**9. UNICEF: Israeli attacks on Gaza’s education threaten the future of an entire generation**

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder warned that nearly two and a half years of Israeli attacks on the education sector in Gaza have put an entire generation at risk.
Elder revealed that the organization is working to expand education in the Strip as part of one of the largest emergency education operations in the world.
He noted that about 60% of school-age children in Gaza are currently not receiving in-person education, and that 90% of schools have been severely damaged or completely destroyed.

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**European**

**10. Italy lodges a formal protest after settlers attack two officers in the West Bank**

Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a formal protest note to “Israel” after two officers from the Italian Carabinieri were directly threatened with weapons in the occupied West Bank by settlers during a reconnaissance visit near the city of Ramallah.
The ministry explained that the threat came from an armed man in civilian clothing who aimed his rifle at the officers, reflecting the escalation of settler crimes and the state of lawlessness Palestinians face daily under occupation.
The statement confirmed that the officers adhered to rules of engagement and refrained from responding to the threat before safely returning to the Italian consulate in Jerusalem.
Rome considered the incident extremely serious, prompting a high-level formal protest, highlighting the reality of occupation and settler violence and the risks this reality poses—not only to Palestinians primarily, but also to international diplomatic missions.

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**11. Solidarity protest gathers dozens in Belgium in support of Palestine and Gaza’s children**

The groups “Global March to Gaza” and “Free Palestine” protested in the city of Antwerp during their weekly vigil in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza’s children. Participants affirmed their continued presence in support of a free Palestine and their rejection of the ongoing genocide in the Strip.
Despite restrictions imposed by local authorities—preventing protesters from demonstrating in front of the city hall and allowing them only to gather near the Scheldt River before marching silently toward the municipality under police escort and without flags, banners, or slogans—participants stressed that these measures represent the silencing of voices under the pretext of “allowing protest.”

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**12. Madrid investigates Israeli tourism companies promoting trips to the West Bank**

Spanish authorities announced the opening of an official investigation into Israeli tourism companies participating in the Israeli pavilion at the international tourism fair “FITUR” for promoting travel offers to the occupied Palestinian territories.
This follows Israel’s participation in the exhibition held in Madrid between January 21 and 25.
Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030 stated on Sunday that Article 4 of a royal decree issued in September 2025—regarding urgent measures to confront the genocide in Gaza and support the Palestinian people—explicitly prohibits advertising goods and services originating from occupied territories, confirming a violation of this legal provision.
The ministry added that information indicates some Israeli tourism companies advertised tours inside occupied areas of the West Bank, stressing that legal action will be taken if violations are proven.

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**13. France sentences activist Amira Zaiter to 15 months in prison for supporting Palestine**

A French court sentenced pro-Palestine activist and founder of the organization “From Nice to Gaza,” Amira Zaiter, to 15 months in prison over social media posts, charging her with offenses including “glorifying terrorism,” “glorifying crimes against humanity,” and “hate speech.”
French authorities had detained Zaiter weeks earlier, a move that sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations and activists who viewed the ruling as a direct attack on freedom of expression and the criminalization of solidarity with Palestine—especially since she was among the first to organize pro-Palestine protests in Nice since October 2023.

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**14. Protest in front of the French parliament rejecting the “Yadan” bill criminalizing solidarity**

Pro-Palestine activists organized a protest in front of the French National Assembly (parliament) in Paris, rejecting the Yadan bill, which is being debated and voted on for the first time.
The protest was called and organized by the “Palestine Network in Europe” and the “French-Palestinian Solidarity Association.” Participants raised banners reading “No to the Yadan Law” and “No to criminalizing solidarity with Palestine,” emphasizing that criticizing Israeli policies is neither a crime nor antisemitism.
The Yadan bill is known as a legislative proposal aimed at expanding the definition of “hate speech” by linking certain forms of criticism of Israel or calls to boycott it to accusations of antisemitism—posing a direct threat to freedom of expression and an attempt to criminalize political solidarity with Palestine and prosecute activists and supportive organizations.

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**15. Arrest of activists in London for chanting in support of Palestine and Gaza**

The UK Metropolitan Police announced charges against three pro-Palestinian activists following their participation in a protest last December, during which they chanted slogans containing the word “Intifada.”
Abdullah Al-Anzi (24), Haya Adam (21), and Izzah Zaki (60) were arrested during a protest against the Ministry of Justice in Westminster on December 17. They were charged with using “threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior with intent to stir up racial hatred” and are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 23.
London police and Greater Manchester Police had previously announced they would take firm action against anyone chanting “globalize the intifada” or carrying signs with the phrase, a move solidarity activists say is an attempt to criminalize peaceful political slogans in support of Palestine.

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**International**

**16. Lawsuit against law firm that withdrew job offer from pro-Palestine lawyer**

A federal judge in Chicago ruled that a discrimination lawsuit filed by Muslim lawyer “Jenan Shahadeh” against the American law firm Foley & Lardner may proceed, after the firm withdrew a job offer just hours before her start date due to her pro-Palestine views expressed on social media.
Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said the case involves “substantive issues” that must be decided by a jury, rejecting the firm’s request for summary judgment.
Shahadeh accuses the firm of racial and religious discrimination and of relying on stereotypes against Arabs and Muslims.
The judge noted that other lawyers at the firm had expressed anti-Palestinian views without facing any disciplinary action, reinforcing suspicions of double standards.

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**17. Popular protests in South Korea against the Gaza Peace Council plan**

Several cities in South Korea witnessed mass marches and popular protests against the “Gaza Peace Council” plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, amid widespread public rejection of the Lee Jae-myung government’s participation in this body.
Activists and human rights advocates consider the “Peace Council” nothing more than a colonial body aimed at administering Gaza through foreign powers and disarming the Palestinian resistance, resembling the role of a colonial governor-general during the Japanese era.
Protesters stressed that participation in this body amounts to supporting the colonial occupation of Palestine and participating in genocidal policies practiced against the Palestinian people.
Demonstrators raised slogans condemning the plan, asserting that Netanyahu seeks to join it, and that the South Korean government has continued to strengthen military and economic cooperation with “Israel,” including support for security plans, weapons, economic ties, and academic institutions—despite popular opposition.