August 20, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeAugust 20, 2026Updates53 minutes agoTurkey, Egypt, Qatar condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza, urge compliance with cease-fire obligations⁠Turkey, Egypt ‌and Qatar on Thursday strongly ‌condemned recent Israeli strikes in ⁠Gaza, saying in a joint ⁠statement that Israel must comply with its obligations under a cease-fire agreement and refrain from steps that ‌could escalate tensions.Palestinians attend the funeral of 50 people from three families killed during the war and whose bodies were retrieved from under the rubble recently, in Gaza City, Thursday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ REUTERSPalestinians attend the funeral of 50 people from three families killed during the war and whose bodies were retrieved from under the rubble recently, in Gaza City, Thursday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ REUTERS"The mediating countries ‌underline that the intensification of Israeli attacks undermines regional and international efforts at a critical juncture, as intensive efforts are under way to implement the Comprehensive Plan to End the ⁠Gaza Conflict, including the meeting between the Board of Peace ‌and Israeli officials, ⁠and constructive steps ‌are being taken in the negotiation process," they said.The international community ⁠and Board of Peace must take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with ‌the ceasefire and prevent further escalation, they added.Israeli fire has killed 10 people in Gaza over the past 24 hours and wounded 25 others, the Gaza Health Ministry reported earlier, adding that other casualties remain inaccessible to rescue teams.56 minutes agoBen-Gurion Airport says flights to resume at 3 P.M. after disruption over reported workers' disputeBen-Gurion International Airport on on Thursday. Credit: Moti MilrodBen-Gurion International Airport on on Thursday. Credit: Moti MilrodThe Israel Airports Authority said takeoffs and landings at Ben-Gurion International Airport "will gradually resume starting 3 P.M. in accordance with the revised flight schedule" after an hour-long halt.Passengers "are advised to remain in contact with their airlines and check for updates regarding their flight times and possible schedule changes," the authority's message said.Thursday was expected to be one of the busiest days at Israel's primary international gateway, Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, but disruptions attributed to the Israel Airports Authority's workers' union have left the airport in a near standstill and a state of chaos. Earlier Wednesday, the airport notified airports around the world that it could be forced to close if the crisis was not resolved.Read the full articleIDF says Hamas conducting 'brutal interrogations and torture' at south Gaza hospitalThe IDF and Shin Bet security agency said that Hamas has been conducting "brutal interrogations and torture" at Nasser Hospital in Gaza's southern city of Khan Yunis.Palestinian cancer patients receive treatment in the oncology department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, August. Credit: RAMADAN ABED/ REUTERSPalestinian cancer patients receive treatment in the oncology department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, August. Credit: RAMADAN ABED/ REUTERSAccording to intelligence obtained by the agencies, Hamas' crackdown comes amid "declining support among Gaza residents," with the group fearing "losing its grip on the population," the Israeli agencies' statement said.Hamas is "exploiting" the hospital for a variety of purposes, the agencies' statement added. "Patients and hospital staff are witnessing the permanent presence of Hamas terrorists, some of them masked, in various areas of the hospital compound," the statement said.Huckabee tells Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian Americans' landU.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee looks on during an interview with Reuters in Jerusalem, Thursday. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersU.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee looks on during an interview with Reuters in Jerusalem, Thursday. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersU.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has warned militant Israeli settlers in ‌the occupied West Bank not to steal property owned by Palestinian Americans, describing such behavior as "a violation of God's law".Huckabee, a Baptist minister and longtime ⁠supporter of Israel's settlements, told Reuters in an interview that settlers found to have taken part in a siege of homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, ⁠including one belonging to Palestinian American Loui Ridi, could be punished with U.S. sanctions.Israeli settlers began encircling homes in Qusra on August 9, in what rights groups said was an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land. The case has drawn international condemnation."I think the message is bigger than just even the Trump administration. It's a message of basic civility and civilized behavior," Huckabee told Reuters in Jerusalem. "You don't take something that doesn't belong to you."RECAP: Israel kills 10 in Gaza; Trump threatens 'economic D-Day' against IranHere are Thursday's updates:■ Israel has killed 10 people in Gaza over the past 24 hours and wounded 25 others, the Gaza Health Ministry reported, adding that other casualties remain trapped under rubble and inaccessible to rescue teams.■ Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against deploying Turkish forces in Syria, saying Israel is willing to defend itself. The Turkish Defense Ministry condemned Israel's strike on Syria, saying it will protect its sovereignty and help it develop military capabilities.■ U.S. President Donald Trump declared an "economic D-Day" against Iran, threatening economic consequences against any country that supported Tehran or provided "any type of lifeline to Iran."■ Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi, the spokesperson of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Tehran will use more destructive weapons if hostilities resume in the region.■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Israel's political leadership has not approved the entry of the Board of Peace's International Stabilization Force into the Gaza Strip.■ Palestinians in the southern West Bank's Masafer Yatta region said Israeli settlers broke into their house and set it on fire, with the Israel Police later saying the fire was likely the result of a short circuit.■ After Britain summoned Israel's chargé d'affaires in protest of E1 settlement construction project, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called London's condemnation "absurd," saying it recognized Israel's right to control the area in the Balfour Declaration.■ The global humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen condemned the IDF's decision not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 strike in Deir al‑Balah, in which seven of its employees were killed.Israel killed 10 in Gaza over past 24 hours, others under rubble, medics sayA person stands on the back of an ambulance at a site destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ReutersA person stands on the back of an ambulance at a site destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ReutersIsraeli fire has killed 10 people in Gaza over the past 24 hours and wounded 25 others, the Gaza Health Ministry reported, adding that other casualties remain inaccessible to rescue teams."Some victims remain under rubble and on the roads, with ambulance and civil defense crews still unable to reach them," the ministry said.According to medics, Israel has killed 1,283 people in Gaza since the cease-fire was announced in October, and has wounded 4,248 others. During the cease-fire, rescue teams have recovered the remains of 813 people whose bodies were trapped under rubble.Since the war began in 2023, medics have recovered the bodies of 73,417 people killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza and have treated 174,360 others who were wounded in the attacks, the health ministry added.Turkey condemns Israeli strikes on Syria, vows to help it build militaryThe Turkish Defense Ministry condemned Israel's strike on Syria, saying it will protect its sovereignty and help it develop military capabilities.Abu al-Duhur airbase following strikes, Syria, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSAbu al-Duhur airbase following strikes, Syria, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERS"The perception ⁠that ⁠Israel's military interventions against ‌neighboring ‌countries are ⁠routine and ‌acceptable ⁠must ‌absolutely not ⁠be allowed ‌to ⁠take hold," the ministry said in its statement, urging the international community to "take ‌more ‌concrete and ⁠effective measures ‌against ⁠Israel's ‌actions that ⁠threaten regional ‌peace ⁠and stability."Ankara denied reports that a Turkish military delegation visited Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base before the Israeli attack, saying it will continue its "⁠efforts ⁠and contributions to protect ‌Syria's ‌sovereignty and territorial ⁠integrity." Turkey also said it will "continue to support Syria's efforts to develop its own military capability and infrastructure."Netanyahu: Israel has not approved entry of international force into GazaPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday that Israel's political leadership has not approved the entry of the International Stabilization Force into the Gaza Strip, pushing back against reports as the United States moves ahead with funding for the force."Contrary to reports, the political leadership has not approved the entry of the international force into the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu's office said."Israel has made clear that there will be no reconstruction whatsoever in the Gaza Strip before Hamas is fully disarmed."Read the full articleIsrael rejects U.K. condemnation of E1 settlement project, vows to 'defend its rights'Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected the British condemnation of Israel's settlement construction project in the E1 area of the West Bank, saying London has "formally recognized" Israel's right to control the area."More than a century ago, the Balfour Declaration formally recognized the historic right of the Jewish people to re-establish their national home in the Land of Israel – including in the area in question," Sa'ar wrote, adding that it is "absurd for Britain to lecture the Jewish people."Sa'ar called the British condemnation "deeply unfortunate," adding that Israel "will not be a passive victim of this policy" but rather "defend its rights, its interests and its people."Earlier on Thursday, U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called the Israeli construction tender in E1 an "unacceptable and destructive act" that risks separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem.Read the full articlePalestinians report Israeli settler arson attack in southern West BankIsraeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian family's house in the southern West Bank's Masafer Yatta region, according to local reports.Firefighters put out a fire at a Palestinian house in the southern West Bank in the aftermath of what locals say was a settler arson attack, Thursday.Firefighters put out a fire at a Palestinian house in the southern West Bank in the aftermath of what locals say was a settler arson attack, Thursday.A resident of the house reportedly said the settlers "came while we were sleeping." According to her, the assailants entered through the house's window and told the woman and her husband to leave for the nearby village of Susya."They threw what they had in their hands. They threw it at the wardrobes, and they caught fire immediately. We couldn't put it out."The Israel Police said the fire was the result of a short circuit, denying reports of arson and adding that their investigation is ongoing.In the NewsCould Brazil's Election Force Jews to Choose Between Religion and the Ballot?A 1,600-year-old Village, a Dazzling Mosaic and a New Story of Ancient JudaismTrump Vows 'Economic D-Day' Against Iran as Tehran Cites 'Economic Terrorism'IDF's Meager Gaza Probes Won't Answer the Questions Israelis Don't Want to AskBen-Gurion Airport: Flights Gradually Renewing After Chaotic StandstillRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIShe's the Superstar of the Israeli Left, and She Wants PowerIDF Marks Detained Palestinians With Numbers as Northern West Bank Raids ExpandIsrael Police Say Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter Found in ArgentinaReality Check: As the Election Nears, Haaretz Debunks Israeli Politicians' Biggest LiesThe American Jewish Establishment Is Defending an Israel That No Longer Exists'We're Not Nazis. 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