Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2423, Date: Friday, April 24, 2026

1. 9 killed, including children, in Israeli violations across Gaza

Israeli forces continue to violate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Three civilians were killed and others injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting a civilian vehicle on Salah al-Din Street near the Maghazi camp in central Gaza.

A young man was also killed and others injured, including the death of Yahya Abu Shalhoub in the Al-Maslakh area south of Khan Younis.

This comes hours after an Israeli strike on the town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, which resulted in 5 deaths, including three children, after targeting a group of civilians.

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**2. Israeli forces demolish agricultural structures and destroy water infrastructure in the West Bank**

Israeli forces continued demolition and bulldozing operations across various parts of the West Bank, targeting agricultural structures and vital infrastructure, causing widespread damage to land and property.

In Beit Jala, west of Bethlehem, Israeli forces demolished a shed at the eastern entrance of Al-Khader town belonging to citizen Ziad Hussein Dar Issa, citing lack of a permit.

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**3. Israeli escalation in the West Bank: child killed in Nablus, demolitions and land bulldozing**

Various areas of the West Bank witnessed a series of field operations by Israeli forces, including live fire, raids, demolitions, land bulldozing, and construction halt notices.

In Nablus, a Palestinian child was killed after being shot by Israeli forces during their withdrawal from the city following a raid that lasted several hours and included field interrogations of civilians.

Israeli forces had stormed Nablus earlier, raided a building in the Rafidia neighborhood, and conducted interrogations before firing live ammunition during their withdrawal.

In Bethlehem, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural room in the village of Al-Walaja belonging to citizen Walid Atta Rabah, citing lack of a permit.

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**4. Human rights report: sexual violence used as a systematic Israeli tool to displace Palestinians**

A recent human rights report revealed a dangerous escalation in the use of sexual violence by Israeli forces as a strategic tool aimed at displacing Palestinians from their lands in the occupied West Bank.

The report confirmed that these practices affected women, children, and men, who were subjected to humiliating physical violations and forced searches under threat of weapons.

Researchers from the West Bank Protection Consortium documented at least 16 conflict-related sexual violence cases over the past three years, noting that the real number is likely higher due to underreporting caused by fear of stigma.

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**5. Israeli approval for construction of a Jewish school in Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem**

Israeli authorities approved a plan to build a large ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious school (yeshiva) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Governorate stated that this approval comes amid regional distractions and ongoing escalation, allowing settlement expansion plans to proceed and further entrench realities on the ground.

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**6. Settlers erect tent in Kisan, east of Bethlehem**

A number of settlers set up a tent on land belonging to the village of Kisan east of Bethlehem.

Local sources reported that the tent was placed in the “Dhahr al-Mazrab” area near residents’ homes, and Israeli flags were raised on it.

Settlers have recently escalated attacks in Kisan, including assaults on homes, attacks on shepherds, and land seizures.

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**7. Video: Palestinian mother bids farewell to her two children killed in Gaza**

“*I will be deprived of these eyes and eyelashes*” — painful moments as a grieving mother says goodbye to her two children killed in an Israeli strike on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

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**European**

**8. Elbit Systems supplies Israeli army with $200 million in aerial munitions**

The Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems announced signing contracts worth approximately $200 million with the Israeli army during the war on Iran to supply advanced aerial munitions.

The company’s CEO, Bezhalel Machlis, stated that these contracts reflect the company’s technological superiority and reaffirm its commitment to supporting the army’s operational capabilities.

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**9. Slovenia to broadcast programs about Palestine instead of Eurovision 2026**

Slovenia announced plans to broadcast special programming about Palestine instead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after withdrawing in protest of Israel’s participation.

The Slovenian public broadcaster said it will air content titled “Palestinian Voices” between May 10 and 20, including films, documentaries, and analytical programs highlighting Palestinian issues.

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**10. 1,000 global artists call for boycott of Eurovision 2026**

More than 1,000 artists, including Macklemore, Massive Attack, and Paloma Faith, signed an open letter calling for a boycott of Eurovision 2026 in Austria.

The campaign, led by cultural and human rights groups, urged the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel’s public broadcaster (KAN), criticizing what they described as “complicit silence” regarding Gaza.

The EBU has defended Israel’s participation despite criticism and accusations of double standards, especially following Russia’s exclusion in 2022.

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**11. UK refuses investigation into influence of pro-Israel lobbying**

The UK government officially refused to open a public inquiry into the influence of pro-Israel groups on British politics, despite a petition signed by over 114,000 citizens.

The rejection came even though the petition met the threshold requiring parliamentary discussion, fueling accusations of government complicity in shielding lobbying networks.

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**12. Video: 10 activists arrested in London for pro-Palestine solidarity**

British police carried out arrests against peaceful demonstrators in the Euston area of London during pro-Palestine events.

Reports indicate the use of excessive force, including dragging and detaining 10 activists, drawing criticism from rights groups over increasing repression of pro-Palestinian voices.

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**13. Israeli incitement campaign targets Italian magazine L’Espresso with 238,000 posts**

A technical investigation by Misbar revealed a coordinated digital incitement campaign targeting the Italian magazine L’Espresso after it published an investigative report linking settler violence to expansionist ideology.

The campaign included over 238,000 posts from 141,000 accounts, allegedly incited by the Israeli ambassador in Italy, accusing the magazine of “Nazism” and “antisemitism.”

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**14. Protest at Ghent University calling for academic boycott**

Around 100 students and academics staged a sit-in at Ghent University in Belgium, protesting ongoing academic partnerships with Israeli institutions.

Protesters demanded a comprehensive academic boycott, revealing that €2.5 million in EU taxpayer funds had been directed through research projects linked to the university toward entities associated with alleged violations.

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**International**

**15. UCLA student council condemns hosting of Israeli soldier**

The UCLA student council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the hosting of a former Israeli soldier on campus, stating the event justified violence against Palestinians and promoted one-sided narratives.

The council said the event created a harmful environment for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students.

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**16. Penélope Cruz breaks Hollywood silence, condemns Gaza violence**

Actress Penélope Cruz criticized international silence regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza, expressing shock at the suffering of Palestinian children.

She questioned: “How can we remain silent, say nothing, write nothing, do nothing?” calling for breaking neutrality.

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**17. NBA player Kyrie Irving shows solidarity with Palestinian children**

American basketball star Kyrie Irving changed his Instagram profile picture to highlight Palestinian children’s suffering in the West Bank.

The image shows a child sitting with a book behind barbed wire after being prevented from reaching school in Masafer Yatta.

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**18. “Shame” chants target Israeli consul in the US during official event**

Criticism of Israel continues globally, including among Jewish communities abroad.

At an event in Silicon Valley, Israeli consul Marco Sermoneta sparked controversy after claiming that criticism of Israel endangers Jews worldwide.

Attendees described his speech as political, while Israeli officials said the event was disrupted by a small group.

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**19. Protests disrupt Israeli consul speech in California**

Protests interrupted a speech by Israeli consul Marco Sermoneta in California, reflecting growing criticism of Israel even within Israeli and Jewish communities abroad.

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**20. South African movement calls to ban coal exports to Israel**

A boycott movement in South Africa called on the government to halt coal exports to Israel, warning they could be used to power military operations in Gaza.

The movement urged investigations and seizure of coal shipments, stating that continued trade may violate South Africa’s legal obligations before the International Court of Justice.