The top diplomats of Iran and Azerbaijan exchanged views on bilateral ties and regional issues in a phone call on Wednesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, also discussed certain bilateral issues, according to a statement released by the ministry. The two sides highlighted the necessity to expand political ties and exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in energy and transportation sectors, border issues, as well as the implementation of joint agreements and economic projects, the statement said. It added that they also discussed arrangements and necessary coordination for future mutual visits by their countries' high-ranking officials. Israeli fire kills 7 Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank Araghchi stressed that Iran would continue its approach of good neighborliness towards and expanding relations with Azerbaijan in all areas.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli fire killed three Palestinians, including a 58-year-old woman, in the restive city of Jenin on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.  The Israeli military stated that two of those killed were militants engaged in an exchange of fire with troops. A third individual, who allegedly opened fire at Israeli forces, was also killed. Additionally, 10 people were arrested, and two vehicles loaded with weapons were destroyed, the army said.  Israel launched a major military operation in Jenin following the January ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Since then, forces have demolished homes and infrastructure, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee northern parts of the West Bank, AP reports.  More than 1,000 people dead in clashes between Syrian govt forces and Asad loyalists The Gaza Health Ministry reported that four people were killed and 14 wounded by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours. Rescuers also recovered 32 bodies from the rubble.  Among those killed were three brothers targeted by a drone strike in central Gaza on Monday, while a woman was killed in a separate strike in Rafah on Tuesday.  The latest fatalities bring the overall Palestinian death toll to 48,503, with over 110,000 wounded, according to the ministry. It says women and children make up the majority of those killed but does not differentiate between fighters and civilians.  Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 militants but has not provided evidence. 

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory. Hamas called it part of Israel’s “starvation policy.” Israel last week suspended supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war. Israel is pressing the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire. That phase ended last weekend. Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas instead wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace. Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others. The militant group — which has warned that discontinuing supplies would affect the hostages — said Sunday that it wrapped up the latest round of ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators without changes to its position. Israel has said it would send a delegation to Qatar on Monday in an effort to “advance” the negotiations. Israel had warned when it stopped all supplies that water and electricity could be next. The letter from Israel’s energy minister to the Israel Electric Corporation tells it to stop selling power to Gaza. The territory and its infrastructure have been largely devastated, and most facilities, including hospitals, now use generators. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassam said that Israel has ”practically” cut off electricity since the war began and called the latest decision part of Israel’s “starvation policy, in clear disregard for all international laws and norms.” The desalination plant was providing 18,000 cubic meters of water per day for central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area, according to Gisha, an Israeli organization dedicated to protecting Palestinians’ right to freedom of movement. Executive director Tania Hary said that it’s expected to run on generators and produce around 2,500 cubic meters per day, about the amount in an Olympic swimming pool. Advertisement Israel’s restrictions on fuel entering Gaza have a larger impact, Hary said, and water shortages are a looming issue, because fuel is needed for distribution trucks. Israel has faced sharp criticism over suspending supplies. “Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment,” the U.N. human rights office said Friday. The International Criminal Court said there was reason to believe Israel had used “starvation as a method of warfare” when it issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year. The allegation is central to South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. Israel has denied the accusations, saying it has allowed in enough aid and blaming shortages on what it called the United Nations’ inability to distribute it. It also accused Hamas of siphoning off aid. The leader of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, warned Friday that attacks against Israel-linked vessels off Yemen would resume within four days if aid doesn’t resume to Gaza. The Houthis described their earlier attacks as solidarity with Palestinians there. The ceasefire has paused the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The first phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza and hundreds of trucks of aid entered per day until Israel suspended supplies.  

The death toll from two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad and revenge killings that followed has risen to more than 1,000, a war monitoring group said Saturday, making it one of the deadliest acts of violence since Syria’s conflict began 14 years ago. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in addition to 745 civilians killed, mostly in shootings from close distance, 125 government security force members and 148 militants with armed groups affiliated with Assad were killed. It added that electricity and drinking water were cut off in large areas around the city of Latakia. The clashes, which erupted Thursday, marked a major escalation in the challenge to the new government in Damascus, three months after insurgents took authority after removing Assad from power. The government has said that they were responding to attacks from remnants of Assad’s forces and blamed “individual actions” for the rampant violence. Retribution killings between Sunnis and Alawites The revenge killings that started Friday by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect are a major blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the overthrow of the former government. Alawites made up a large part of Assad’s support base for decades. Residents of Alawite villages and towns spoke to The Associated Press about killings during which gunmen shot Alawites, the majority of them men, in the streets or at the gates of their homes. Many homes of Alawites were looted and then set on fire in different areas, two residents of Syria’s coastal region told the AP from their hideouts. They asked that their names not be made public out of fear of being killed by gunmen, adding that thousands of people have fled to nearby mountains for safety. Residents speak of atrocities in one town Residents of Baniyas, one of the towns worst hit by the violence, said bodies were strewn on the streets or left unburied in homes and on the roofs of buildings, and nobody was able to collect them. One resident said that the gunmen prevented residents for hours from removing the bodies of five of their neighbors killed Friday at close range. Clashes in Syria's coastal region kill over 70 as government forces fight Assad loyalists Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident of Baniyas who fled with his family and neighbors hours after the violence broke out Friday, said that at least 20 of his neighbors and colleagues in one neighborhood of Baniyas where Alawites lived, were killed, some of them in their shops, or in their homes. Sheha called the attacks “revenge killings” of the Alawite minority for the crimes committed by Assad's government. Other residents said the gunmen included foreign fighters, and militants from neighboring villages and towns. “It was very very bad. Bodies were on the streets,” as he was fleeing, Sheha said, speaking by phone from nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the city. He said the gunmen were gathering less than 100 meters from his apartment building, firing randomly at homes and residents and in at least one incident he knows of, asked residents for their IDs to check their religion and their sect before killing them. He said the gunmen also burned some homes and stole cars and robbed homes. Death toll has multiplied The Observatory’s chief Rami Abdurrahman said that revenge killings stopped early Saturday. “This was one of the biggest massacres during the Syrian conflict,” Abdurrahman said about the killings of Alawite civilians. The previous figure given by the group was more than 600 dead. No official figures have been released. A funeral was held Saturday afternoon for four Syrian security force members in the northwestern village of Al-Janoudiya after they were killed in the clashes along Syria's coast. Scores of people attended the funeral. Official reports say Syrian forces regaining control Syria’s state news agency quoted an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying that government forces have regained control of much of the areas from Assad loyalists. It added that authorities have closed all roads leading to the coastal region “to prevent violations and gradually restore stability.” On Saturday morning, the bodies of 31 people killed in revenge attacks the day before in the central village of Tuwaym were laid to rest in a mass grave, residents said. Those killed included nine children and four women, the residents said, sending the AP photos of the bodies draped in white cloth as they were lined in the mass grave. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser, who holds one of the two seats allocated to the Alawite sect in parliament, said that people were fleeing from Syria for safety in Lebanon. He said he didn't have exact numbers. Assad loyalists kill at least 13 police officers in ambush on Syrian forces in coastal town Nasser said that many people were sheltering at the Russian air base in Hmeimim, Syria, adding that the international community should protect Alawites who are Syrian citizens loyal to their country. He said that since Assad’s fall, many Alawites were fired from their jobs and some former soldiers who reconciled with the new authorities were killed. Under Assad, Alawites held top posts in the army and security agencies. The new government has blamed his loyalists for attacks against the country’s new security forces over the past several weeks. France expressed “its deep concern” over recent violence in Syria. Paris “condemns in the strongest possible terms atrocities committed against civilians on the basis of religion grounds and against prisoners,” its foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday. France urged Syrian interim authorities to make sure independent investigations “shed full light on these crimes.” The most recent clashes started when government forces tried to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh, and were ambushed by Assad loyalists, according to the Observatory.

The death toll from two days of fighting between security forces and supporters of deposed Syrian president Bashar Assad, followed by retaliatory killings, has exceeded 600, a war monitoring group reported on Saturday. This marks one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence since the Syrian conflict began 14 years ago, reports AP. Assad loyalists kill at least 13 police officers in ambush on Syrian forces in coastal town The clashes, which began on Thursday, signalled a significant escalation in resistance against the new government in Damascus, just three months after insurgents took control and removed Assad from power. The government stated that it was responding to attacks by remnants of Assad's forces and attributed the widespread violence to “individual actions.” Retribution killings between Sunnis and Alawites The retaliatory killings, carried out on Friday by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government against members of Assad’s Alawite minority, represent a severe setback for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the former government's overthrow. Alawites had long been a core part of Assad’s support base. Residents from Alawite villages and towns described to The Associated Press the brutal killings, in which gunmen shot Alawites—primarily men—on the streets or at their doorsteps. Homes belonging to Alawites were ransacked and set ablaze in various areas, according to two residents of Syria’s coastal region, who spoke to the AP from their hideouts. Fearing for their safety, they requested anonymity and added that thousands of people had fled to nearby mountains seeking refuge. Witnesses describe atrocities in Baniyas Residents of Baniyas, one of the hardest-hit towns, reported seeing bodies scattered on the streets and left unburied in homes and on rooftops, with no one able to retrieve them. One resident recounted how gunmen prevented people for hours from collecting the bodies of five neighbours who were killed at close range on Friday. Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old Baniyas resident who fled with his family and neighbours hours after the violence erupted, said that at least 20 of his neighbours and colleagues in one Alawite-populated area of the town were killed—some in their homes, others in their shops. Sheha described the attacks as “revenge killings” targeting the Alawite minority for atrocities committed by Assad's government. Other residents claimed that foreign fighters and militants from nearby villages and towns were among the attackers. “It was horrific. Bodies were lying on the streets,” Sheha said by phone from about 20 kilometres (12 miles) outside the city. He described how gunmen gathered less than 100 metres from his apartment, indiscriminately firing at homes and civilians. In at least one instance he witnessed, gunmen demanded residents’ identification to verify their religion and sect before executing them. He also said homes were set on fire, cars stolen, and properties looted. Charity kitchen offers hope to displaced Palestinians during Ramadan Death toll triples The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 428 Alawites were killed in retaliatory attacks, along with 120 pro-Assad fighters and 89 security personnel. Observatory head Rami Abdurrahman said the revenge killings ceased early on Saturday. “This was one of the largest massacres of the Syrian conflict,” Abdurrahman stated regarding the killing of Alawite civilians. Earlier, the group's estimate had exceeded 200 deaths. No official figures have been released. A funeral took place on Saturday afternoon for four Syrian security force members killed during the clashes along Syria's coast. Large crowds attended the ceremony in the northwestern village of Al-Janoudiya. Official reports: Government forces regaining control Syria’s state news agency quoted a Defence Ministry official saying government forces had regained control of most areas previously held by Assad loyalists. Authorities have reportedly closed all roads leading to the coastal region “to prevent further violations and gradually restore stability.” On Saturday morning, the bodies of 31 people killed in Friday's revenge attacks in the central village of Tuwaym were laid to rest in a mass grave, according to local residents. The victims included nine children and four women. Residents provided the AP with photographs showing bodies wrapped in white cloth, prepared for burial. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser, one of two Alawite representatives in Lebanon’s parliament, said many Syrians were fleeing to Lebanon for safety. However, he did not provide exact figures. Nasser added that many people were seeking refuge at the Russian air base in Hmeimim, Syria, and urged the international community to protect Alawite civilians, whom he described as loyal to their country. He also stated that since Assad’s removal, many Alawites had been dismissed from their jobs, and some former soldiers who had reconciled with the new authorities were killed. During Assad’s rule, Alawites held influential positions in the military and security apparatus. The new government has accused Assad loyalists of carrying out recent attacks on the country’s security forces. The latest clashes reportedly began when government forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near the coastal city of Jableh but were ambushed by Assad loyalists, according to the Observatory.

Gunmen ambushed a Syrian police patrol in a coastal town Thursday, leaving at least 13 security members dead and many others wounded, a monitoring group and a local official said. The attack came as tensions in Syria ’s coastal region between former President Bashar Assad’s minority Alawite sect and members of Islamic groups escalate. Assad was overthrown in early December in an offensive of insurgent groups led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the ambush in the town of Jableh, near the city of Latakia, killed at least 16. It added that security forces killed 28 Assad loyalists as well as three civilians. Rami Abdurrahman, head of the monitoring group, said the gunmen who ambushed the police force are Alawites. He added that on Thursday night, pro-Assad gunmen were in full control of the former president's hometown of Qardaha. “These are the worst clashes since the fall of the regime,” Abdurrahman said. A local official in Damascus told The Associated Press that 13 members of the General Security directorate were killed in the ambush. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release security information to the media. Conflicting casualties figures are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of attacks in Syria’s 13-year conflict that has killed half a million people. The Observatory gave the death toll on both sides, while the official only gave the numbers of policement killed. Syria arrests 3 linked to Tadamon massacre executions The pan Arab Al-Jazeera TV broadcaster said its cameraman Riad al-Hussein was wounded while covering the clashes. State media reported that authorities imposed a 12-hour curfew in the nearby city of Tartus where people were urged to stay at home and avoid any gatherings in public places. The SANA state-news agency reported that large reinforcements were being sent to the coastal region to get the situation under control. The Syrian Observatory said helicopter gunships took part in attacking Alawite gunmen and Jableh and nearby areas. It added that fighters loyal to former Syrian army Gen. Suheil al-Hassan, also known as Tiger, took part in the attacks against security forces. Tensions have been on the rise in Syria with reports of attacks by Sunni militants against Alawites who had led the rule in Syria for more than five decades under the Assad family. These incidents have occurred despite the fact that officially the new authorities have said they are against collective punishment or sectarian vengeance. Sajed al-Deek, a security official, was quoted by local media as saying the situation is under control, adding that Alawites have nothing to do with the gunmen who attacked security forces earlier Thursday. “We call for abstaining from raising sectarian sentiments,” al-Deek said. On Thursday, the state-owned news agency reported that security forces arrested former senior intelligence official Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Hweiji, who was blamed for supervising the 1977 assassination of Lebanese Druze leader Kamal Joumblatt. 15 dead in northern Syria car bomb blast Joumblatt's son and successor, Walid, posted on X when the news broke out: “God is great.”

Inside a makeshift kitchen located in a city office building, volunteers coat chicken slabs with paprika, oil, and salt before arranging them on trays and placing them into an oven. Once cooked, the meat is divided into portions and packed into foam containers, accompanied by generous servings of yellow rice from large steel pots. The unpaid cooks at the Yasser Arafat Charity Kitchen in Tulkarem aim to bring a sense of relief to displaced Palestinians trying to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, reports AP. An Israeli military operation in the West Bank weeks ago has displaced over 40,000 people. Israel claims the raid was intended to combat militancy in the occupied region, which has seen rising violence since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. Hamas rejects Trump's threat, demands lasting truce for hostages The raid has been fatal and devastating, forcing several urban refugee camps—home to descendants of Palestinians who fled wars with Israel decades ago—to be abandoned. The displaced individuals have been informed they cannot return for at least a year. Meanwhile, many lack access to kitchens, are separated from their communities, and are struggling to break their Ramadan fast with what are usually elaborate meals. “The situation is difficult,” said Abdullah Kamil, governor of the Tulkarem area. He mentioned that some find solace in the charity kitchen, which has expanded its usual efforts to provide daily meals for as many as 700 refugees, aiming to “meet the needs of the people, especially during the month of Ramadan.” For Mansour Awfa, 60, the meals provide a bright spot in an otherwise grim time. He fled the Tulkarem refugee camp in early February and is uncertain when he will be able to return. “This is the house where I was raised, where I lived, and where I spent my life,” he reflected about the camp. “I’m not allowed to go there.” Awfa, along with his wife and four children, has been staying in a relative’s city apartment, sleeping on thin mattresses on the floor. Israel pushes alternative ceasefire plan as Gaza deal falters “Where do we go? Where is there to go?” he questioned. “But thanks to God, we are waiting to receive meals and aid from some warm-hearted people.”

Hamas dismissed President Donald Trump's latest threat on Thursday, reaffirming that it will only release the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, reports AP. The group accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to back out of the ceasefire agreement made in January. This agreement involves negotiations for a second phase, which includes releasing the hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas to release all remaining hostages Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua stated that the "best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages" is through negotiations on this second phase, which were supposed to begin in February. However, only limited preparatory talks have occurred so far. On Wednesday, Trump issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas following a meeting with eight former hostages. The White House confirmed that it had held direct talks with Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist group by Israel and Western nations. Trump posted on Truth Social: “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!” Both Israel and Hamas have a history of holding the remains of their enemies for potential exchange in hostage-prisoner deals. Hamas is believed to still hold 24 living hostages from the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. It is also holding the bodies of 34 others killed in the initial attack or in captivity, along with the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war. In the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. That phase ended on Saturday. Israel has backed a new U.S. plan for the second phase, which would see Hamas release half of the remaining hostages immediately, with the rest released when a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. Hamas has rejected the proposal, insisting on sticking with the January agreement. Israel has cut off the supply of food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials to Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians to pressure Hamas into accepting the new terms, threatening “additional consequences” if Hamas does not resume releasing hostages. It remains unclear if the U.S.-Hamas talks made any progress. The Trump administration has expressed full support for Israel’s primary war objectives: the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas, which could be incompatible. The October 7 attack by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages, most of whom have been released through ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more. With the Gaza ceasefire in limbo, Israel tries to impose an alternative plan on Hamas Israel’s military offensive has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. However. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, though without evidence. The ongoing offensive has devastated Gaza, displacing most of its population. Hundreds of thousands of people now live in tents, schools-turned-shelters, or war-damaged buildings, and rely on international aid.

Israel has introduced a new ceasefire proposal this week, distinct from the one agreed upon in January, and is trying to force Hamas to accept it through a siege on Gaza, reports AP. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to this plan as the “Witkoff proposal,” claiming it was drafted by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. However, the White House has not confirmed this, simply stating its support for Israel's actions. Palestinians hope Oscar-winning ‘No Other Land’ brings global support The new plan calls for Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages, which are key to the group's leverage, in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and negotiations towards a long-term peace deal. There is no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a part of the original agreement. Hamas has accused Israel of undermining the current ceasefire deal, which stipulates the return of all hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli pullout from Gaza, and a lasting ceasefire. However, no substantive talks have occurred. On Sunday, Israel halted all humanitarian supplies to Gaza and warned of further consequences if Hamas does not accept the new plan. Meanwhile, Arab leaders are working on an alternative vision for Gaza's future, countering Trump's proposal to relocate its population and turn it into a tourist destination. The original ceasefire agreement, reached in January, outlined a three-phase plan to secure the return of hostages and end the war that began with Hamas’ October 2023 attack. While Phase 1 led to the release of several hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Phase 2 is more complex, as it would require Israel to balance its goal of securing the hostages’ return with the destruction of Hamas. Hamas has stated it will only release the remaining hostages if the war ends, leaving it in control of Gaza. The new plan would require Hamas to release half of the 59 remaining hostages on day one, without any immediate reciprocal actions from Israel. This would weaken Hamas’ position, and the U.S. and Israel have already mentioned new demands, such as the disarmament of Hamas or the exile of its leadership, which were not part of the original agreement. For Netanyahu, this new plan offers a six-week window, crucial for passing a budget and avoiding early elections, which could see him ousted from power. Opposition parties have indicated they will not push for Netanyahu's removal over a deal that returns the hostages, though it would still harm his political standing. Muslims in Middle East observe Ramadan amid political upheaval The U.S. has been silent on the details of the new plan, though Netanyahu claims it has been fully coordinated with the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Trump has given mixed messages, criticizing Hamas’ treatment of the captives while expressing his desire for their immediate release, yet leaving the decision to Israel. Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza’s population to other countries and turn it into a tourist site has been rejected by Palestinians, Arab countries, and human rights experts, who argue that it would violate international law. If implemented, it would likely require resuming the war and intensifying the offensive, which has already caused significant devastation in Gaza. In response, Egypt is finalising a counterproposal, which will be discussed at an Arab summit in Cairo. This plan suggests that Palestinians stay in Gaza, relocate to safe zones, and have Hamas cede power to a transitional authority while the international community strengthens the Palestinian Authority. However, Israel has rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s postwar reconstruction, and it remains uncertain whether Trump would support Egypt’s plan.

Palestinians hope the Oscar victory of "No Other Land" will bring support as they face possible expulsion by Israel, reports AP. Just last week, Israeli troops demolished a Palestinian family’s shed in this remote, hilly part of the West Bank, residents reported. It was the latest instance of destruction targeting a group of hamlets whose population is under threat of displacement. ‘No Other Land’ Wins Oscar for Best Documentary Palestinians in Masafer Yatta celebrated the Oscar win of the documentary No Other Land, which portrays life in the embattled community, hoping it would draw attention to their plight. In al-Tuwaneh, one of the hamlets in Masafer Yatta, Salem Adra said his family stayed up all night to watch the Oscar ceremony. They cheered as his older brother, Basel Adra, co-director of the film, took the stage to accept the award for Best Documentary. “It was such a huge surprise, such joy,” he said. The documentary follows Basel Adra as he risks arrest to document the destruction of Masafer Yatta, located at the southern edge of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He is joined by his co-director, Israeli journalist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham. This joint Palestinian-Israeli production has earned multiple international awards, beginning with the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024. Five years in the making, it has gained even greater significance amid Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza, which has displaced nearly its entire population, alongside increasing raids in the West Bank that have forced tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. However, the film has also sparked controversy in Israel, which remains deeply affected by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war. Salem Adra, who occasionally assisted his brother with filming, expressed hope that the Oscar win would “open the world’s eyes to what’s happening here in Masafer Yatta.” “This is a victory for all of Palestine and for everyone living in Masafer Yatta,” he added. Since the film’s release, he said, threats and pressure against his family have escalated. Their car has been stoned by settlers, and following the film’s recognition at the Berlin International Film Festival, the military repeatedly raided their home. At one point, soldiers detained his father, searched his phone, and questioned him: “Why are you filming?” Masafer Yatta was designated as a live-fire training zone by the Israeli military in the 1980s, leading to an order for the expulsion of its residents, who are mostly Arab Bedouin. Israel argues that they had no permanent structures in the area, while families maintain that they have lived and herded livestock there long before Israel took control of the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. After a two-decade legal battle, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld the expulsion order in 2022. While most of the approximately 1,000 residents remain, troops routinely enter to demolish homes, tents, water tanks, and olive orchards. Many Palestinians fear an imminent full-scale expulsion. The latest demolition occurred last Wednesday when troops tore down a family’s shed in a nearby hamlet. Standing on a rocky ridge above al-Tuwaneh, Salem Adra noted that since October 7, 2023, Jewish settlers, with military backing, have established 10 outposts around the village. Shepherd Raed al-Hamamdeh, 48, guided his goats across the rugged land. He pointed to one such outpost—visible across a small valley—where tents and a trailer displayed the flag of an Israeli military unit. Farmers no longer tend to the valley’s olive grove due to fears of attacks. According to al-Hamamdeh, the military uses drones to drive away herds if they venture too close to the outposts. “Settlers attack us. When we herd sheep, we can’t go far, as you can see. We can only go up to this point,” he said, indicating a boundary. He gestured toward the rubble of a house that, he claimed, settlers had destroyed after forcing out the family and burning their furniture. In Israel, the film has received little media attention, and the coverage it has garnered has been largely negative. When it won Best Documentary in Berlin, Israeli director Abraham faced backlash for an acceptance speech calling for an end to the war in Gaza—without mentioning Hamas’ initial attack and the hostages held in Gaza. Anti-US sentiment bubbling up in the West Bank bolsters demand for a local Coke-alternative During his Oscar acceptance speech, Abraham referenced both events, but this did little to quell criticism in Israel. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar called the win “a sad moment for the world of cinema,” accusing the filmmakers of distorting reality and using “defamation” of Israel to promote their work. Ordinarily, Israeli films nominated for prestigious international awards receive widespread praise at home. However, following the Hamas attack, “everyone is in mourning or in trauma. We can hardly hear any other voice on any other subject,” said Raya Morag, a cinema and trauma expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. On Monday, she noted that it remains uncertain whether the Oscar win will draw more attention to the film in Israel. Still, she added, “it will be impossible for people to ignore the message of the two directors, even if they haven’t seen the film.” During his Oscar speech, Basel Adra called on the world “to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.” He expressed hope that his newborn daughter would “not have to live the same life I am living now… always fearing settler violence, home demolitions, and forced displacement.” On Monday, his brother Salem descended the ridge, accompanied by his 4-year-old son, heading towards their family home. He checked the CCTV cameras installed around the house to monitor for settlers. They were still recording.