In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid ‘Ayn Bus, assaulting Palestinians. Israeli settlers also uproot 30 olive and almond trees in Khirbet al-Rakiz in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers release their livestock to graze on Palestinian crops in Khirbet al-Halawa in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also set fire to agricultural structures in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces assault and injure 3 Palestinian women and a girl during a raid in Jericho. Israeli forces also continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 104th day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 98th day in a row. Israeli forces also arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Beit Umar, Tulkarm, and Jericho. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, al-Mawasi, Nuseirat refugee camp, Beit Hanun, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 24 Palestinians. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb 3 sites near Sanaa. Houthi forces fire a ballistic missile at Ben-Gurion Airport, lightly injuring 1 person, causing damage to a road and a vehicle, and halting air traffic for several hours. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/4; NYT 5/5; HA, REU 5/6; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 5/7)
More than 52,535 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 18,000 children and 12,749 women, and around 118,491 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 958 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 192 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, 411 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,634 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. The Gaza Media Office says 3,500 children under the age of 5 “face imminent death by starvation” and 70,000 children are being hospitalized due to severe malnutrition. (AJ, AJ, WAFA 5/4)
Palestinian prisoner Mohey al-Din Fahmi Saeed Nijim dies at the Soroka Medical Center after being held at the Naqab Prison. 60-year-old Nijim was held in administrative detention since August 2023. (AJ, WAFA 5/4; UNOCHA 5/7)
Hamas officers reportedly executed alleged looters after several looting incidents this week. (AP 5/3; HA, REU 5/4)
An Israeli military court rejects a legal objection filed by Adalah against the mass demolition of 105 buildings in Tulkarm refugee camp and Nur Shams refugee camp, saying the camps are a “combat zone” and that the demolitions are a “military necessity.” The notices for the demolitions were handed out on 5/1. (X 5/4; UNOCHA 5/7)
The leaders of all UN agencies and NGOs operating in Gaza say in a joint statement that they will not work with Israel on its new plan for aid deliveries, calling it unacceptable. They call the plan dangerous and a contravention of “fundamental humanitarian principles.” Israel has suggested that private companies hand out aid to Palestinians once a week with rations that would be enough to sustain them for 7 days. (AP 5/3; AJ, AX, UNOCHA 5/4; WAFA 5/5; NYT 5/6)
Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir confirms that Israel will call up thousands of reservists and warns the political leaders that “in a plan for a full-scale maneuver, we will not necessarily reach the hostages … keep in mind that we could lose them.” The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves plans to expand military operations in Gaza. It also approves a plan to have private firms distribute aid in Gaza (see above). Haaretz reports that the expanded military operation will include moving the entire population of Gaza to the south of the strip. Kan reports that Zamir told National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Settlement Minister Orit Strook that their opposition to bringing any aid to Gaza was “endangering us all. There is an international law, we are committed to it. We cannot starve the Strip, your statements are dangerous.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 5/4; AJ HA, HA, HA, WAFA 5/5; UNOCHA 5/7)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides. After the meeting, Netanyahu’s office releases a statement claiming that he was ready to sign a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt that would have released half of the captives, but that Qatar did not cooperate in applying pressure on Hamas. (HA 5/4)
Maltese prime minister Robert Abela says Malta will help repair the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship the Conscience so it can continue its journey to Gaza. The ship was hit by 2 drones on 5/2. (AJ, AJ, REU 5/4)
Vatican News says the popemobile used by Pope Francis will be converted into a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza as was his wish. (AJ, NYT, REU 5/4; AP, AX 5/5)