In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault and injure Palestinians during raids in Farkha, Bidya, Sa’ir, Yatta, Deir Jarir, and Dahariya. Israeli settlers also raze land near Umm Safa, uprooting around 500 olive trees. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a new settlement outpost near Burin. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting settler violence in Dahariya, arresting 3 Palestinians. Israeli forces also continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 88th day in a row, bulldozing roads in nearby Burqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 82nd day in a row, forcing Palestinian shop owners to close their businesses in Tulkarm City and assaulting several Palestinians. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, killing at least 58 Palestinians. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ayta ash Shaab and Sidon, killing 2 people. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb Sanaa. Houthi forces say they fired a missile at Ben Gurion Airport; no damage is reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/18; AJ 4/19; UNOCHA 4/23)
More than 51,065 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,881 children and 12,749 women, and around 116,505 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 949 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 190 children. More than 8,000 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 408 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,584 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. 92% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023. UNRWA says 420,000 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza since 3/18. (WAFA 4/18)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Damascus for meetings with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa. The 2 discuss strengthening the Palestinian-Syrian relationship, regional developments, and the situation in Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 4/18)
Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem warns that if Israel continues to violate the ceasefire in Lebanon it will see a response. (HA 4/18)
Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer and Mossad director David Barnea meet with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris ahead of Witkoff’s second round of indirect talks with Iran on the Iranian nuclear program in Rome on 4/19. (AX 4/18)