### Under-reported news from Israel, Palestine, the Middle East and North Africa: August 15, 2025 *These roundups are, and will always be, free. No paywalls. If you find them useful, you can buy me a cup of coffee [here](https://paypal.me/ridaaburass?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US). Thanks!* [Subscribe](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get these roundups (and just these roundups) by email. No spam. **TL;DR**: Dozens are still killed in Gaza daily, including aid-seekers. Starvation deaths rise sharply. In the West Bank, settlers continue to rampage Palestinian communities with impunity, uprooting trees, attacking residents, and destroying property. Palestinians protest intensifies within the Green Line. Tensions rise in Lebanon between Hezbollah and the government. --- ##### Gaza: - 2025-08-11 - Israel [kills five journalists](https://aje.io/iacsb2?update=3882691), including prominent al-Jazeera reporter Anas al-Sharif, in Gaza. - 2025-08-11 - [Israel kills at least 68 Gazans](https://aje.io/iacsb2?update=3882660) over the past 24 hours. - 2025-08-12 - [Israel kills at least 67 Gazans](https://aje.io/wbq7xf?update=3884623) over the past 24 hours. - 2025-08-13 - [South Sudan denies](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-08-13/ty-article/.premium/00000198-a391-d825-a39a-f3dbb06f0000) it is [in talks with Israel](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/south-sudan-reportedly-talks-israel-over-forced-displacement-palestinians) to take in Palestinians from Gaza. #hebrew - 2025-08-13 - [At least 60 Palestinians were killed](https://aje.io/n1ql6w?update=3886236) in Gaza since dawn, including 25 aid-seekers. - 2025-08-13 - At least eight people, including three children, [have starved to death](https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-attacks-kill-123-palestinians-gaza-24-hours?nid=425676&topic=Israel%2527s%2520war%2520on%2520Gaza&fid=547159) across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. - 2025-08-14 - At least 26 Palestinians [were killed in Gaza today](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/8/14/live-israel-kills-at-least-100-in-a-day-8-more-starve-to-death-in-gaza?update=3888792). - 2025-08-14 - According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), "[eight people, including three children, died due to malnutrition and starvation over the past 24 hours](https://www.unocha.org/news/todays-top-news-occupied-palestinian-territory-17)". - 2025-08-15 - [At least 49 Palestinians, including 17 aid seekers, were killed](https://aje.io/9f8o93?update=3890172) across Gaza in 24 hours. ---- ##### West Bank, inc. East Jerusalem: - 2025-08-11 - [Israeli settlers uproot dozens of trees](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160152) near Nablus. - 2025-08-12 - [Israeli military detains](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160179) Palestinian with special needs. - 2025-08-13 - [Off-duty Israeli soldier kills](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-08-13/ty-article/.premium/00000198-a2bc-d294-adb8-babc79620000) 35 year-old Palestinian protester. #hebrew - 2025-08-13 - [An important report](https://www.newarab.com/news/water-crisis-grips-hebron-after-israel-chokes-west-bank-supply) about a severe water shortage crisis in Hebron. Israel has cut Hebron's water supply by 40% since May. - 2025-08-13 - [Israel issues 13 demolition orders](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160229) near Jerusalem. - 2025-08-13 - [Palestinian man injured](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160208) in settler attack on family in the northern Jordan Valley. - 2025-08-14 - Israel finance minister [Bezalel Smotrich announces a plan for settlements in the E1 area](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/smotrich-approve-e1-settlement-plan-buries-palestinian-state), near Jerusalem, at the heart of the West Bank, with the explicit aim of "eliminating the idea of a Palestinian state". Foreign diplomats have long been concerned with E1, since its annexation and settlement would bifurcate the West Bank, making a territoriality-contiguious Palestinian state impossible. [Another source](https://www.newarab.com/news/smotrich-says-new-settlement-ends-hope-palestinian-state). - 2025-08-14 - [Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160248) in the Qalandia checkpoint, near Jerusalem. - 2025-08-14 - [Israeli settlers establish outpost](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160262) near Ramallah. - 2025-08-15 - [Israeli settlers set fire](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160268) to 4 vehicles and a house northwest of Ramallah. - 2025-08-15 - Settlers uproot olive and grape trees [near Nablus](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160274) and [Ramallah](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160275). - 2025-08-15 - [Israeli settlers storm Palestinian village](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/160279) north of Jericho, intimidating residents. ---- ##### '48 Palestinians: - 2025-08-11 - Four main Arab parties [hold new talks](https://www.arab48.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A9/2025/08/11/%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%81%D9%82-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9) around the re-establishment of the [Joint List](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_List). #arabic - 2025-08-13 - [High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Follow-Up_Committee_for_Arab_Citizens_of_Israel) - the '48 Palestinian minority's largest umbrella organization - [approves plan](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/2025/08/13/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-23-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A) for a large demonstration against the war on Gaza, to be held on August 23rd, in Tel Aviv. This is unusual: Palestinian-led demonstrations against the war tend to be held in Arab localities. #arabic - 2025-08-15 - [Small-scale protests in several Palestinian towns](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/08/15/%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9) against the war in Gaza. --- ##### Israel: - 2025-08-11 - The Histadrut - Israel's central trade union - [rejects Israeli hostage families' call](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-08-11/ty-article/.premium/00000198-98cb-d50b-a398-9efb83160000) for a general strike to be held next Sunday (August 18). The families are frustrated with the Israeli government's plan to expand the war in Gaza. #hebrew - As a reminder: hostages' families are, of course, a diverse group, but the Israeli opposition to the war, broadly, is not about ending the genocide. As Ori Goldberg wrote in [a recent analysis](https://newlinesmag.com/argument/the-israeli-left-is-not-going-to-save-gaza/): "The anti-Netanyahu camp condemns the prime minister at weekly mass demonstrations for his refusal to negotiate a ceasefire in return for the release of the hostages, but those same protesters are effectively endorsing the genocide in their daily actions; certainly they have failed to condemn it". - 2025-08-15 - 972mag publishes [an important expose](https://www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-journalists-hamas-hasbara/) about a special Israeli military squad tasked with linking Gaza journalists to Hamas, including questionable claims, to justify the killing of Palestinian reporters. - 2025-08-15 - [A new report suggests](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-arrest-warrant-applications-ready-israel-itamar-ben-gvir-bezalel-smotrich-apartheid-charges) the International Criminal Court is close to issuing arrest warrants against Israeli far-right ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich on apartheid charges. If issued, it would be the first time that the crime of apartheid is charged at an international court. --- ##### MENA + geopolitical: - 2025-08-11 - [Recent reports](https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-forces-escalate-media-crackdown-south-syria) show Israel targeting journalists in the areas it occupied in southern Syria. - 2025-08-12 - Fatah-affiliated Palestinian forces [have received training](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-training-palestinian-forces-govern-post-war-gaza) in Egypt and Jordan to take over the Gaza Strip in the future. - 2025-08-12 - [Eight people were executed in Saudi Arabia today](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-executes-eight-people-single-day) - seven foreign nationals (four Somali and three Ethiopian) accused of smuggling drugs, and one Saudi man who was accused of murder. - 2025-08-12 - [This detailed analysis](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-and-haftar-behind-rsf-capture-sudans-triangle-border-region) describes the involvement of [Haftar-affiliated Libyan forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalifa_Haftar) in Sudan; their actions on behalf of the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces. - 2025-08-13 - Rising tensions between the Lebanese government, Hezbullah and Iran, as Lebanese [president Aoun tells](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611693/middle-east) Iran’s visiting security chief he ‘rejects all interference’. This comes after Iran made public statements against the disarmament of Hezbollah. - 2025-08-15 - Tensions escalate as [Hezbollah accuses the government](https://www.newarab.com/news/hezbollah-accuses-govt-handing-lebanon-israel) of "handing over" the country to Israel. - 2025-08-13 - Joint statement by Turkish and Syrian diplomats [warns Israel of further involvement in Syria](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611692/middle-east). [They also warned](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-blames-israel-for-suwayda-conflict-calls-for-inclusive-future-in-syria-212472) the [YPG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Defense_Units) - Syria's top Kurdish militia, which has been supported by the US - to quickly and integrate into the Syrian army. Turkey is supports the new Syrian government and is actively cementing itself as the its main patron. - 2025-08-13 - Iraq and Iran [sign border security arrangement](https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-iran-sign-border-security-agreement/). Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani reiterated Iraq’s commitment to deeper ties with Iran while condemning Israel. - 2025-08-14 - [Moroccan authorities arrest feminist-atheist activist Ibtissame Lachgar](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/morocco-feminist-activist-ibtissame-lachgar-detained-for-offending-islam/) on charges of "offending the Islamic religion” after posting a picture of herself wearing a t-shirt with the caption "Allah is Lesbian". - 2025-08-14 - [4 million Shia Muslims gather in Iraq](https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/4-million-shiite-muslims-head-to-iraq-for-arbaeen/) for the [Arba'in pilgrimage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arba%27in_pilgrimage) - the the world's second largest public gathering. --- Sign up [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get an email notification when the weekly roundup is posted.