In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attack Palestinian shepherds near Khirbet al-Halawa in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also attack a Palestinian man in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in ‘Askar refugee camp. Israeli forces also continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 66th day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 60th day in a row. Israeli forces also arrest 12 Palestinians during raids in and around Qiffin, Silwad, Jalazone refugee camp, Ramallah, and Ein Samiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun, Rafah, Gaza City, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 25 Palestinians, including Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanou, a World Central Kitchen worker, and a paramedic. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Yohmor and Baraachit, killing 5 people. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Latakia, reportedly hitting an ammunition warehouse. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb Saada and Sanaa, killing 2 people and injuring 2 others. Houthi forces fire 2 ballistic missiles at Israel, both are intercepted. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/27)
More than 50,208 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,881 children and 12,749 women, and around 113,910 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 936 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 186 children. More than 6,500 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 408 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,579 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. At least 730 Palestinians have been killed and 1,367 injured since 3/18. 6 Palestinians are evacuated from Gaza for treatment abroad. The World Food Programme and UNICEF warn of acute hunger and malnutrition among Palestinians in Gaza due to aid being prohibited by Israel from entering since 3/2. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/27)
Physicians for Human Rights Israel says in a new report that 3 Palestinian doctors and a paramedic have died in Israeli detention since 10/7/2023, while nearly 150 other medical workers are being detained and subject to torture and degrading treatment. (AJ 3/27)
Hamas officials meet with Qatari and Egyptian officials in Doha. Egyptian mediators in Doha report that they have received positive indications from Israel regarding a transitional ceasefire deal. Axios reports that the U.S. has proposed a new ceasefire formulation to secure the release of American Israeli captive Edan Alexander. (AX, HA 3/27)
The Knesset passes a bill that places the Judicial Appointments Committee under the control of members of the Knesset and the government, reduces the power of the Supreme Court, and eliminates the role of the Israel Bar Association. The law does not take effect until after the next general elections. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT 3/27; REU 3/28)
Lebanon and Syria sign an agreement establishing border and security demarcations. (AJ, HA 3/28)
The UK and France convene the UN Security Council on 3/28 to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the protection of aid workers. (AJ 3/28)
U.S. president Donald Trump says at an iftar dinner hosted at the White House that he is working to build on the normalization deals he made for Israel during his first term. (AJ, HA 3/28)
U.S. senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announces a Senate investigation into American Muslims for Palestine for its activities on college campuses, claiming that the non-profit has ties to Hamas. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) says he will force 2 votes seeking to block $8.8 billion in arm sales to Israel. The Trump administration withdraws its nomination of Elise Stefanik as the new U.S. ambassador to the UN, citing the risk of Stefanik’s seat in the House of Representatives becoming vacant given the Republican Party’s small majority in the House. (AJ, HA, REU 3/27)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest Iranian University of Alabama student Alireza Doroudi, revoking his student visa as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestine activists. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. may have revoked more than 300 student visas since Trump took office. (HA, NYT 3/27; AJ 3/28)