Israel has officially agreed to ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. However, this does not mean de-escalation, reports Todayinfo news agency.
Israeli forces and settlers are pushing deeper into Palestinian-administered areas of the West Bank, civilian zones in Gaza, and occupied East Jerusalem. Strikes in Lebanon intensified this week despite the extension of the ceasefire, suggesting that the truce serves as cover for altering the situation on the ground rather than a genuine pause in hostilities.
Against this backdrop, municipal elections were held in the West Bank and, for the first time since 2006, in parts of Gaza. Many Palestinians doubt these votes will bring change.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 40 Palestinians were killed between April 20 and 27. Among them were three police officers in Khan Younis, three children in a mosque courtyard in Beit Lahiya, and two more police officers in Gaza City.
On Saturday, a pregnant woman with twins and her two young children were killed by artillery shelling near Kamal Adwan Hospital. The Popular Committees in Gaza condemned the targeting of Palestinian police as a direct attack on citizens' security.
Since October 11, 817 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,200 injured in Gaza. The total death toll since October 7, 2023, stands at 72,593. Turnout in municipal elections in Deir el-Balah was only 23%, reflecting the scale of displacement and death.
