Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2339, Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

1. Palestinian Shot Dead by Occupation Forces near the Tunnels Checkpoint on Allegations of a Stabbing Attempt

A young Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces near the Tunnels Checkpoint, west of the city of Bethlehem in the southern occupied West Bank, on allegations that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. Hebrew sources reported that occupation soldiers opened heavy live fire at the young man in the vicinity of the checkpoint, located south of occupied Jerusalem, killing him at the scene.

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**2. UNRWA: 33,000 Palestinians Displaced from the Northern West Bank Living Under Harsh Conditions**

The Media Office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that tens of thousands of refugees displaced from the Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nur Shams camps are currently living through one of the most difficult periods of their lives since the Israeli army launched its “Iron Wall” offensive against cities in the northern West Bank on January 21, 2025.
UNRWA media officer Abeer Ismail explained that 33,000 Palestinians registered with UNRWA were displaced from the three camps after being forcibly expelled from their homes and forced to live in unstable conditions—between rented houses, relatives’ homes, or places lacking even the most basic requirements for safe housing.

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**3. UN Office: Settler Violence Undermines Palestinian Presence in the West Bank**

The United Nations Office for Human Rights warned that Israeli-backed settler violence directly contributes to undermining the Palestinian presence in strategic areas of the West Bank.
The office stated that settlers carried out 10 serious attacks in various parts of the West Bank. It emphasized that the forcible transfer of Palestinians within the West Bank constitutes a war crime and may amount to a crime against humanity under international law.

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**4. Occupation Plans to Establish Military Sites Inside Residential Neighborhoods in Hebron**

The Israeli occupation army intends to establish permanent military positions inside Palestinian neighborhoods in the city of Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank, a move that would further entrench its field presence within residential areas. This follows a large-scale military campaign carried out last week, which resulted only in the seizure of a limited number of weapons.
According to a report published by the Israeli newspaper *Yedioth Ahronoth*, the army used armored personnel carriers during its Hebron operation for the first time since the Second Intifada in 2000, alongside deploying snipers, operating drones, and suspending soldiers’ leave, in an effort to strengthen its security control over the city.

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**5. Prisoners’ Commission: Deliberate Medical Neglect and Grave Violations Against Detainees in Occupation Prisons**

The Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs revealed a dangerous deterioration in health and humanitarian conditions inside occupation prisons, amid an escalation of deliberate medical neglect and the denial of detainees’ most basic rights, in violation of international laws and human rights conventions.
The commission stated that its legal teams carried out a series of field visits to several prisons, closely examining the harsh conditions endured by prisoners and hearing testimonies confirming deliberate delays in medical treatment and the denial of patients’ routine medical examinations and necessary care.

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**6. Warnings in Gaza of Meningitis Outbreak and Severe Shortage of Medicines**

Officials at Gaza’s Ministry of Health warned of a worsening humanitarian and health crisis following the registration of new cases of meningitis, amid a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
Ahmed Al-Farra, director of the Children’s Hospital at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, said that the hospital recorded nine cases over the past two days, including the case of a child, Eileen Asfour, who died after her health condition deteriorated.
Al-Farra warned of the risk of the disease spreading in displacement tents due to severe overcrowding and deteriorating health conditions, which create a fertile environment for epidemics.

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**7. Health Ministry: 5 Martyrs and 6 Injuries Arrived at Gaza Hospitals in 24 Hours**

Gaza’s Ministry of Health stated that a total of four new martyrs, one body recovered, and six injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals over the past 24 hours.
The ministry added that since the ceasefire on October 11, the total number of martyrs has reached 492, with 1,356 injuries, while 715 bodies have been recovered.
It noted that the cumulative number of martyrs since the beginning of the aggression in October 2023 has reached 71,667, with a total of 171,343 injuries.

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**8. 11 Countries Condemn Occupation’s Demolition of UNRWA Headquarters in Jerusalem**

The foreign ministers of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom condemned the demolition carried out by Israeli occupation authorities against the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem on January 20.
The countries stated that this unprecedented act against a UN agency by a UN member state represents an unacceptable step aimed at undermining UNRWA’s ability to operate.
They urged the Israeli occupation government to fulfill its international obligations to ensure the protection and inviolability of UN premises, in accordance with the 1946 UN General Convention and the UN Charter, calling on Israel, as a UN member state, to halt all demolition operations.

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**9. Mural Defies Occupation Threats in the West Bank**

Resistance through art and painting: a Palestinian artist creates a mural expressing rejection of the occupation’s decision to demolish a football field in Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank, located adjacent to the apartheid separation wall.

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**European**

**10. European Calls to Boycott “Medjool” Dates Imported from the Occupation Ahead of Ramadan**

An activist from *Europalestine* appeared in a video calling on Europeans to boycott “Medjool” dates imported from the occupying entity, noting that these dates were grown on stolen Palestinian land. She urged consumers to check labels to determine the origin of the dates and pointed out that several Algerian and Tunisian varieties are available in markets as alternatives to Medjool dates.

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**11. Major National March Planned in Britain for Palestine**

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign called for broad participation in the national march for Palestine, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, in central London. The march will start at 12:00 p.m. from Russell Square and proceed to Whitehall.
The campaign stated that the call comes amid the ongoing genocide committed by “Israel” against the Palestinian people in Gaza. It urged protesters to pressure for an end to Israeli crimes in Gaza, stop the arming of “Israel,” and hold the British government accountable for its role in supporting Israeli aggression.

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**12. Activist Omar Khaled Ends Hunger Strike After Severe Health Deterioration**

Omar Khaled, a 22-year-old British activist affiliated with the Palestine Action movement, ended his hunger and thirst strike at Wormwood Scrubs Prison in London after his health condition deteriorated sharply, amid fears of a heart attack and sudden organ failure.
Khaled, who suffers from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, abstained from food for 17 days and from fluids for two days as part of a collective strike organized with seven other Palestine Action prisoners—the largest of its kind in the UK since 1981.
According to the organization *Prisoners for Palestine*, Khaled underwent careful refeeding after being transferred to intensive care and returned to prison after receiving necessary protein, shakes, and biscuits to avoid complications from the prolonged strike. His hunger strike was described as a victory for Palestine.
The strike ended amid the continuation of Khaled’s demands, including the release of remand prisoners, an end to strict monitoring of correspondence and visits, an investigation into the UK’s involvement in the genocide in Gaza, and the release of surveillance footage of Royal Air Force flights over Gaza. Khaled was detained after targeting a British airbase involved in arming the occupation.

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**13. Italian Proposal Calls for Palestinian Participation in Eurovision 2026**

Three members of the board of directors of the Italian public broadcaster RAI submitted a proposal to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Austrian broadcaster ORF calling for the participation of a Palestinian artist in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in a non-competitive capacity.
According to a letter published by *Corriere della Sera*, the accompanying statement read: “Palestine should be welcomed onto the Eurovision stage if we do not wish to undermine the values of solidarity and brotherhood embodied by music.”
This development follows calls by Italian trade unions to boycott the event, as well as announcements by artists and cultural institutions expressing protest over “Israel’s” participation, including a statement by Sanremo 2026 contestant Levante, who said she would refuse to represent Italy at Eurovision if she won, in protest of Israeli participation.

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**14. Pole Expels Israelis, Angering Tel Aviv**

“This is Poland, not Israel” — a Polish employee expels Israeli travelers, including a rabbi, from Kraków Airport, prompting Hebrew media to attack him, alleging “antisemitism.”

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**15. Pro-Palestine Activists Surround Dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel Rejecting Arms Dealers Supporting Genocide**

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and several activists organized a protest outside the annual arms industry dinner (ADS Dinner) held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London. The protest opposed the gathering of major arms dealers and sponsoring companies allegedly involved in supplying “Israel” with weapons used in the war on Gaza.
Protesters chanted slogans including “Your dinner is stained with Palestinian blood,” calling for an end to support for these companies and the exposure of their links to the occupation. They stressed that attendees should not enjoy luxury meals while violence is exploited for profit.

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**International**

**16. Former FIFA President Calls for Boycott of the 2026 World Cup and the United States**

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter urged football fans worldwide to boycott the United States, which is set to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, calling on fans not to travel there.
In a post, Blatter said: “One piece of advice to fans: stay away from the United States!” echoing previous warnings by former FIFA management committee chairman Mark Pieth, who expressed doubts about hosting the tournament under current conditions.
These calls come amid growing criticism of political and security conditions in the U.S., with Pieth warning that the country is “living in a state of chaos” and pointing to the marginalization of international students supporting Palestine.
With no official guarantees against immigration raids at World Cup stadiums and the U.S. administration boasting of canceling tens of thousands of visas, concerns are mounting over the safety and experience of foreign fans.

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**17. Student Protests in California Against Law Restricting Support for Palestine**

Dozens of students from Berkeley High School demonstrated in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in rejection of censorship imposed on the Palestinian narrative within educational institutions.
Around 50 students participated in a protest held at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park near the school campus, raising slogans calling for freedom for Palestine and chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
During the protest, students and alumni delivered speeches criticizing Assembly Bill AB 715, arguing that it opens the door to restricting the freedom of teachers and students and is used to criminalize any critical discussion of Israeli policies under the pretext of “combating antisemitism.”

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**18. Sumud Flotilla Announces Opening of Volunteer Registration to Break the Siege on Gaza**

The Global Sumud Flotilla announced the opening of registration for participation in its upcoming mission, a new initiative aimed at breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip and supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
In its statement, the flotilla said the call comes at a time of increasing restrictions on solidarity with Palestine while global powers continue to fund the occupation.
The campaign invited people worldwide to join the upcoming mission on land or at sea under the slogan, “Let the world see what the will of the people can do.” It stressed that direct action is the strongest weapon in the face of governmental failure to confront injustice and that justice anywhere requires justice everywhere.
The campaign stated that participation is open to all who have skills and experience that could contribute to breaking the siege, including ship captains, crew members, teachers, doctors, chefs, cleaners, writers, designers, academics, builders, environmental experts, and lawyers. It called on everyone to “bring their skills, hearts, and voices” to take part in this initiative aimed at breaking the blockade and demonstrating that the unity of peoples can dismantle any wall.