Israeli attackskillthree Palestinians in southern Gaza. Palestiniansdetainedby Israel released back to Gaza. U.S. officialspreparelarge military base in southern Gaza. White Houseweighsusing Israeli-backed gangs to form Gaza police force. Settlers kill Palestinian-American in the West Bank; Israeli policekillPalestinian citizen of Israel. President Donald Trump hosts inaugural Board of Peace meeting. Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie to force a vote on war with Iran. U.S. is holding backchanneltalkswith Castro family confidante. Trumpthreatenspotential Iran strikes from UK bases amid dispute over Diego Garcia. U.S.delaysTaiwan arms package amid pressure from Xi Jinping ahead of Beijing summit. WexnersaysDOJ and FBI never questioned him over Epstein ties. Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over Epstein ties. Mexicoexploresmediating between U.S. and Cuba as aid shipments continue. UN mission finds “hallmarks of genocide” in RSF takeover of El-Fasher. South Korean courtsentencesformer president to life in prison over failed self-coup attempt. U.S.beginsfull military withdrawal from Syria. Rights groupallegesrecord extrajudicial killings by Punjab police unit. Congooffersrebel-held Rubaya coltan mine to U.S. in strategic minerals push. U.S.-brokered Russia–Ukraine talks in Genevaendwithout a breakthrough.
NEW from Drop Site: “This is no dress rehearsal”: U.S.amassesmajor military buildup near Iran as talks proceed. The Israeli governmentran security operationat Epstein-linked Manhattan apartment.
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Casualty counts:Over the past 24 hours, two Palestinians were killed and four were injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza. The total recorded death toll since October 7, 2023 has risen to 72,069 killed, with 171,728 injured. Since October 11, the first full day of the so-called ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 611 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 1,630, while 726 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Israeli attacks kill three Palestinians in southern Gaza:Three Palestinians werekilledby Israeli fire east of Khan Younis on the first day of Ramadan as Israel continued air, artillery, and tank strikes across the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Palestine Online. One person was killed in the Al-Tahlia neighborhood and two in Bani Suheila. Israeli artillery hit eastern Gaza City and homes were demolished in Beit Hanoun. Airstrikes also targeted Khan Younis and Rafah, extending attacks across both northern and southern Gaza.
Palestinians detained by Israel released back to Gaza:Israelreleased13 detainees back to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening via the International Committee of the Red Cross, including one woman and a 15-year-old boy detained during earlier ground incursions. They arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in poor health, with signs of malnutrition and physical abuse, according to medical sources.
U.S. officials prepare ISF military base in Gaza:The Trump administration isplanninga 5,000-person military base in Gaza spanning more than 350 acres to serve as an operating hub for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under the “Board of Peace,” according to contracting records reviewed by The Guardian. The plans outline a phased construction of a fortified base featuring 26 armored watchtowers, a small arms range, bunkers, equipment warehouses, and barbed-wire perimeter defenses, to be built in southern Gaza.
White House weighs using Israeli-backed gangs to form Gaza police force:The White House isconsideringa proposal to recruit anti-Hamas Palestinian gangs—armed by Israel since the onset of the genocide—into a new Gaza police force, The Telegraph reports. Some of these gangs, which include organized crime groups and drug-trafficking clans, have been reported to have been looting aid amid famine conditions and carrying out murders and kidnappings, with members of at least two groups reportedly having fought for or pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
Settlers kill Palestinian-American in the West Bank:Israeli settlers shot and killed Nasrallah Muhammad Jamal Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, in the village of Mukhmas, north of Jerusalem on Wednesday night, according to reports citing the Health Ministry. The Israeli military said soldiers responded to a violent confrontation in the area and attempted to disperse a riot. Several Palestinians were shot and evacuated for medical treatment. Abu Siyam’s mother told the Associated Press that he held American citizenship.
Israeli police kill Palestinian citizen of Israel; additional shootings reported:Israeli border policeshot and killed18-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel Ahmad Mohammad Ashqar during a stop in Kabul in the Galilee on Wednesday, according to The Times of Israel. Police said an officer opened fire after Ashqar, riding a motorcycle, allegedly failed to heed orders to stop; footage showed him crashing into a parked car after being shot. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the officer had his “full backing.” Separately, three other Palestinian citizens of Israel were shot dead on the same day amid a surge in violence affecting Palestinian communities within Israel.
Source: Drop Site News: Drop Site Daily
