In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian family in Sinjil, injuring a man, setting fire to their property, and setting up an outpost; Israeli forces kill a Palestinian man with tear gas while protecting the settlers during the raid. Israeli settlers also set fire to a shop in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Deir Balut, causing damage. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Idhna. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assault and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Beit Furik. Israeli forces also demolish 2 homes in Ni’lin, a 7-story residential building under construction in Beit Umar, and an agricultural structure in Qalqilya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish an agricultural structure and a mobile home and pour cement in a water well in Deir Razih. Israeli forces also raze olive tree groves near Kafl Haris. Separately, Israeli forces continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 91st day in a row. Jenin mayor Muhammad Jarrar says an estimated 600 housing units have been destroyed and more damaged by Israeli forces during the raids. Israeli forces also continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 85th day in a row. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing at least 29 Palestinians. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/21; HA 4/22; UNOCHA 4/24)
More than 51,240 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,881 children and 12,749 women, and around 116,931 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 951 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, 409 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. More than 1,864 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 3/18. (AJ, WAFA 4/21)
The PA expresses “extreme concern” over Israel’s decision to ban Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ashraf al-Awar from entering the West Bank for 6 months. (WAFA 4/21)
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says “Over the past 50 days, food stocks have run dangerously low. Rations have been cut. Critical medicines, vaccines and medical supplies are all running low. Ambulances have had to scale back life-saving services because there’s almost no fuel to power these ambulances. Cooking gas has disappeared from markets … [and we] have run out of tents to deliver to people who need them.” (AJ 4/21)
The BBC reports that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have proposed a new ceasefire formula that would include a 5-year ceasefire, the release of all Israeli captives and some Palestinian prisoners, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The proposal also includes transferring control of Gaza to a professional committee under the PA. (BBC, HA 4/21; HA 4/22)
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says in an interview that Israel should prioritize taking full control of Gaza and displacing its people rather than securing the release of the captives. (HA, HA, NYT 4/21)
Shin Bet director Ronen Bar says in an affidavit to the Israeli Supreme Court that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired him due to his refusal to spy on Israeli anti-government protesters. (AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU 4/21; AJ, AJ, HA 4/22)
Pope Francis dies at the age of 88. Francis was outspoken against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and communicated daily with members of the Holy Family Church in Gaza since the beginning of the genocide. PA president Mahmoud Abbas mourns Francis in a statement, saying he was a “loyal friend of the Palestinian people.” The Israeli government’s X account posts a condolence message for the passing of Francis before later deleting the post. (AJ, AJ, AX, AX, AX, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 4/21; AJ, AJ, AJ, NYT, REU 4/22; HA 4/24; AP 4/25)
U.S. senator Peter Welch (D-VT) meets with Palestinian Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi at the ICE facility he is being held at. (HA 4/21)