Palestine

Palestinian health officials reported that at least five people, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed in separate Israeli strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis on Monday. The incidents occurred despite an existing ceasefire agreement that had reduced the intensity of fighting but had not completely stopped Israeli military operations. Reuters reported that the Israeli military had not immediately commented on the latest casualties. The attacks took place amid continuing disputes between Israel and Hamas over ceasefire implementation, humanitarian access and allegations of violations by both sides.

Israeli authorities announced that commercial goods shipments into the Gaza Strip would gradually resume following a suspension linked to a financial dispute involving Hamas and local merchants. COGAT, the Israeli military agency responsible for coordinating civilian affairs, said merchants had reported that Hamas withdrew demands for payments of 10,000 shekels per truck. COGAT acknowledged that these accounts had not been independently verified. The agency said essential goods would receive priority and financial oversight would be strengthened. Hamas described the disputed payments as voluntary contributions to a fund supporting vulnerable Palestinians.

US officials visited Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian village near Ramallah, following attacks attributed to Israeli settlers against European diplomats and Palestinian olive farmers. Asharq Al-Awsat reported the visit by Riley Barnes, the US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor. The visit constituted a new diplomatic engagement on 18 October, separate from the European Union’s condemnation of the earlier attack. It brought US officials to the affected community amid international concern over settler violence and the protection of Palestinian civilians and visiting delegations.

The United Nations World Food Programme reported that funding shortages had forced it to reduce the number of people receiving assistance in Gaza from 1.6 million to 1.1 million. Acting executive director Carl Skau announced the reduction during a visit to the Palestinian territory. The programme also reported that food rations had been halved, cash assistance reduced for 75,000 families and daily hot meals cut from 250,000 to 150,000. The announcement highlights worsening humanitarian support constraints as winter approaches.

A mass funeral was held in Gaza City for 75 Palestinians whose remains had recently been recovered from the rubble of homes and other buildings destroyed during the war. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced the number of victims, and Al Jazeera reported that most were from Gaza City’s Daraj neighbourhood. The ceremony took place as recovery efforts continued amid widespread destruction. The funeral was a new public event on 18 October, although the deaths and destruction occurred earlier; the report does not establish that all remains were recovered on the day of the funeral.

A seven-year-old Palestinian girl, identified as Misk al-Delou, was killed following an Israeli military attack on Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Her relatives received her body at Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital in Deir al-Balah before the funeral. The report identifies the victim and the reported location but attributes the account to Palestinian reporting; it does not provide an independent investigation establishing the circumstances of the incident. The death represents a new reported civilian casualty on 18 October.

The European Union condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a delegation of European diplomats visiting the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank. The delegation included representatives from France, Belgium and Poland, alongside Catholic Church representatives. According to the report, attackers threatened members of the delegation and damaged a Belgian diplomatic vehicle. French, Belgian and Polish officials called for accountability or explanations. Israel’s foreign minister condemned the violence and said police had opened an investigation. The EU urged Israel to prevent further attacks and respect international law.

UN spokesman deputy Farhan Haq said on Friday 16 October 2026, citing the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), that settler attacks linked to the olive harvest had exceeded 200, compared with 185 for the whole 2025 season. He reported one Palestinian killed, more than 120 injured and over 2,500 olive trees or seedlings damaged. About 80% of incidents occurred in the past two weeks. He also noted continued Israeli restrictions on farmers reaching groves near settlements and behind the 712-kilometre barrier.

According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, on Friday 16 October 2026 settlers and Israeli soldiers attacked farmers in several West Bank governorates. In Nablus, three people were injured in Asira al-Qibliya and soldiers seized the olive crop at al-Lubban al-Sharqiyya after expelling farmers. Settlers also stole olives at Aqraba, overturned a car at Qabalan and took equipment in Wadi Abboud. In Hebron, settlers shot at a resident in Beit Ummar. In Jenin, farmers were driven from Jalboun lands. Reports rely on Palestinian sources.

On Friday 16 October 2026, settlers attacked olive farmers and residents in villages near Ramallah. In Tarmasayia, Palestinian reports say settlers burned three vehicles and beat people, including a US citizen struck on the head with a piece of wood. In Burqa, activist Laith Barakat said four Palestinians were wounded. Red Crescent teams treated injuries in Abu Falah, and Israeli forces fired tear gas at farmers. Attribution rests on local Palestinian sources and municipal officials, and no Israeli statement is cited.

On Friday 16 October 2026, masked settlers attacked American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who works with the Washington Post, in Abu Falah village northeast of Ramallah while she documented attacks on farmers at the start of the olive harvest. She said she was kicked about 50 times and her equipment taken. She was taken to a medical centre in al-Bireh, then a hospital. The village council head said settlers lit fires and armed men fired live rounds. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate demanded accountability. Israeli authorities' account is not given.

In a statement on Friday 16 October 2026, Hamas criticised Board of Peace representative Nickolay Mladenov, accusing him of adopting Israel's narrative on suspending coordination of private-sector goods entering Gaza. Hamas denied Israeli claims that it interferes in the entry mechanisms, imposes taxes or threatens traders. It called the accusations baseless. On Thursday, Mladenov said on X that Israel's COGAT had informed him of the suspension after reports of threats, and said such practices were unacceptable. Neither side's claims have been independently verified.