West Bank: Three Palestinians killed during Israeli settler attack
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West Bank: Three Palestinians killed during Israeli settler attack
Dozens of Israeli settlers set fire to property in the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik. Palestinian foreign ministry said settlers fired at villagers in their homes. Israeli military said forces deployed to the scene found settlers and villagers throwing stones at each other. Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. At least 949 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since 7 October 2023, as Israeli forces have intensified their raids across the territory, according to the UN. The UN has recorded 487 attacks by settlers resulting in casualties or property damage in the first four months of this year, including 122 in April. The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law – a position supported by an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year – although Israel disputes this.
Dozens of Israeli settlers set fire to property in the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik
The Palestinian foreign ministry said settlers fired at villagers in their homes during what it called their “terrorist assault”.
The Israeli military said forces deployed to the scene found settlers and villagers throwing stones at each other. It added that several “terrorists” opened fire and threw stones at the forces, who returned fire and identified hits. They also arrested five Israelis.
Video footage from Kafr Malik , near Ramallah, on Wednesday night showed a car and a home on fire and Palestinians running away as gunfire is heard.
Three Palestinians have been shot dead after dozens of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian authorities say.
The ministry also said Israeli forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching the wounded and obstructed fire crews from entering the village for several hours.
Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem – land Palestinians want, along with Gaza, for a hoped-for future state – in the 1967 Middle East war. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside them.
The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law – a position supported by an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year – although Israel disputes this.
Shortly after the incident in Kafr Malik, there was another attack in the Palestinian community of Dar Fazaa, near the village of Taybeh.
Israeli human rights group BTselem said three people were injured and three cars were torched. It posted CCTV footage showing a group of at least 10 masked men setting one car on fire and throwing stones.
“The settler violence and rampage, under the protection of the occupation army, is a political decision by the Israeli government, implemented by the settlers,” Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh wrote on X.
“The Israeli government’s behaviour and decisions are pushing the region toward an explosion. We call on the international community to urgently intervene to protect our Palestinian people.”
There has been a sharp increase in the number and severity of settler attacks in the West Bank since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
The UN has recorded 487 attacks by settlers resulting in casualties or property damage in the first four months of this year, including 122 in April. At least 181 Palestinians were reportedly injured by settlers in the attacks.
Human rights organisations and witnesses say the Israeli military and police frequently stand by while settlers attack Palestinian towns and villages.
Settlement expansion has also risen sharply, since a right-wing, pro-settler governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in late 2022.
It has so far decided to establish 49 new settlements and begin the legalisation process for seven settler outposts which were built without government authorisation, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now.
Last month, Israeli ministers said 22 new settlements had been approved across the length and width of the West Bank, hailing it as a move that “prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel”.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the town of al-Yamoun, near Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry said.
The Israeli military said “terrorists” threw explosive devices at its forces during an operation in al-Yamoun. Afterwards, they approached while holding additional explosives and the forces responded by opening fire, it added.
The UN says at least 949 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since 7 October 2023, as Israeli forces have intensified their raids across the territory, saying they are trying to stem deadly Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
In January, Israeli forces launched a large-scale operation against Palestinian armed groups in the northern West Bank.
The UN’s human rights chief said in April that the operation had destroyed entire refugee camps and makeshift medical sites, and displaced more than 40,000 Palestinians, who had been told not to return to their homes for a year.
Three Palestinians killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers and troops
Dozens of armed Israeli settlers attacked two Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank. Three Palestinians were killed, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. It was not immediately clear whether it was the Israeli soldiers or settlers who were responsible for the fatal shots. The deadly clash was the latest instance of armed settlers carrying out violent raids against Palestinian villages, often with impunity in the presence of Israeli soldiers. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that its soldiers were dispatched to quell a confrontation between settlers and Palestinians but were attacked by rocks and “fire” from “terrorists’ The incident is under examination, the IDF said, and five Israelis who were arrested were released Thursday morning after being cleared of any suspicion, Israeli media reported. seven others were injured by bullets from settlers and ‘Israeli occupation forces,’ Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah said.
The deadly clash was the latest instance of armed settlers carrying out violent raids against Palestinian villages in the West Bank, often with impunity in the presence of Israeli soldiers or directly with their help. Internal Israeli military data showed that crimes committed by soldiers and settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank during the first two months of 2025 surged 30 percent compared to a year earlier, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported in March, citing Israeli security officials who were concerned by the uptick.
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The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that its soldiers were dispatched to quell a confrontation between settlers and Palestinians but were attacked by rocks and “fire” from “terrorists” inside the village. Troops “opened fire toward the source of fire and the rock-hurlers” and later found that several people were injured and killed, the IDF said, adding that soldiers arrested five Israelis and turned them over to the Israeli police.
Mayor Najeh Daoud of Kafr Malik, one of the villages that was attacked, told The Washington Post that settlers carrying M-16 rifles and molotov cocktails arrived around 7 p.m. local time and burned four cars. When they tried to approach homes to set them ablaze, they were surrounded by local Palestinians, he said. Soon after that, the IDF arrived and fired tear gas to disperse the clashing crowd, Daoud said.
“Then, the soldiers started shooting live ammunition at the residents, who were civilians who came to stop the fire and to defend their village with rocks and sticks,” said Daoud, who disputed the IDF’s claim that Palestinians fired guns at soldiers and accused the IDF soldiers of killing the three people.
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The five Israelis who were arrested were released Thursday morning after being cleared of any suspicion, Israeli media reported, citing the police. A spokesman for the Israeli police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The law enforcement agency, which is led by Israel’s far-right minister of national security and settler leader Itamar Ben Gvir, has jurisdiction over settlers living in the West Bank, while the IDF is responsible for overall public safety in the occupied territory.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah said that apart from the three killed, seven others were injured by bullets from settlers and “Israeli occupation forces,” reported WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency.
Palestinian officials condemned the incident.
“The orgy and violence of settlers under the protection of the occupation army is a political decision by the Israeli government implemented by the settlers,” Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh said.
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Violence has rocked the West Bank since Oct 7. 2023, when Hamas and their Palestinian supporters in Gaza poured into southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 Israeli civilians and taking 251 hostages.
The clash that killed three in Kafr Malik on Wednesday evening came days after residents accused the IDF of fatally shooting Moataz Aamar Hamayel, a 13-year-old boy from the same village. In response to a question about Hamayel’s death, the IDF said that “terrorists” threw stones at passing cars and soldiers, who acted “in accordance with the rules of engagement and responded with fire to remove the imminent threat.” The incident is under examination, the IDF said.
On Tuesday night, settlers also set Palestinian homes on fire in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, according to the Israeli human rights group Standing Together.
West Bank: Israeli forces kill three after settler violence
Settlers attacked the town of Kafr Malik, northeast of Ramallah, on Wednesday. Five Israeli suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack. Palestinian president’s deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, condemned the violence. He warned that Israel’s actions risk further destabilising the region. The latest assault came just hours after the Israeli military shot and killed a Palestinian boy in Jenin. Earlier the same day, Israeli forces also killed an elderly Palestinian woman during a raid on the Shuafat refugee camp.
According to local reports, the settler attack triggered confrontations with Palestinians in the area. Later, an Israeli government statement confirmed that settlers had set fire to Palestinian property, prompting the deployment of police and military units after reports emerged that residents had responded with stone-throwing.
Footage shared on social media showed two vehicles set alight during the unrest. The Israeli military stated that five Israeli suspects were arrested in connection with the attack, though some reports indicated that soldiers had been present while the settlers carried out the assault.
The Palestinian president’s deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, condemned the violence and warned that Israel’s actions risk further destabilising the region.
“The government of Israel, with its behaviour and decisions, is pushing the region to explode,” he wrote in a statement on X, urging the international community to act swiftly to protect Palestinians.
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, condemned what it described as “crimes of the occupation” in Kafr Malik and called for the formation of popular protection committees to resist settler assaults.
It urged Palestinians to “stand up to the occupation and its settler gangs”, warning that the settlers’ crimes “should not go unpunished”.
The latest assault came just hours after the Israeli military shot and killed a Palestinian boy in Jenin. The Palestinian Red Crescent identified the victim as Rayan Tamer Houshiyeh, who, according to the health ministry, was shot in the neck.
Earlier the same day, Israeli forces also killed an elderly Palestinian woman during a raid on the Shuafat refugee camp, located north of Jerusalem. The victim, Zahia Joudeh al-Obeidi, aged 66, died after being shot in the head, while her husband was taken for interrogation, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s sister site.
This string of deadly incidents follows another killing on Monday, when 13-year-old Ammar Hamayel, also from Kafr Malik, was shot dead by Israeli forces.
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, there has been an uptick in Israeli attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank as well as the annexation of land and forced expulsion of citizens from their homes.
Morning Brief: Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds as Trump Pushes Talks and Claims Nuclear Success
Israeli military reported that they set fire to property, prompting the deployment of Israeli forces and police. We bring you what you need to know to start your day. Here’s your SOFREP Morning Brief for Thursday, June 26, 2025. The Israel-Yamun, a town west of Jenin, according to the Palestinian government, is a place of refuge and a haven for people who want to live in peace and safety. We are here to help you live in a world where you can live in the safety of your own home, family, friends, and community. We want to make sure that you have a safe place to live, work, and play where you feel safe and comfortable. Here is a look at how we can help you to live a more peaceful life in the U.S. and the world at the same time by sharing your thoughts and experiences with the rest of the world. We will be sharing our findings with you in a weekly Newsquiz to test your knowledge of our findings.
Israeli troops responded with live fire. An Israeli army officer sustained light injuries. Authorities arrested five Israeli suspects involved in the attack.
The Israeli military reported that settlers set fire to property, prompting the deployment of Israeli forces and police. The situation escalated into stone-throwing, and the military claimed Palestinians opened fire.
The confrontation ended with Israeli forces killing three Palestinians and injuring seven others, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Violence erupted in the West Bank on Wednesday after dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian town of Kafr Malik, northeast of Ramallah.
Good morning! Here’s your SOFREP Morning Brief for Thursday, June 26, 2025. We bring you the latest in global defense and security: Tensions flared in the West Bank as Israeli settler violence left three Palestinians dead. The Israel-Iran ceasefire remains intact but shaky, with Tehran executing more alleged spies and cutting off nuclear oversight. Trump doubled down on his Iran strike claims despite conflicting intel, while NATO leaders rallied around his defense spending push. From drone warfare in the Russia-Ukraine war to deadly protests in Kenya and North Korea’s tourism gamble—here’s what you need to know to start your day.
Good morning! Here’s your SOFREP Morning Brief for Thursday, June 26, 2025. We bring you the latest in global defense and security: Tensions flared in the West Bank as Israeli settler violence left three Palestinians dead. The Israel-Iran ceasefire remains intact but shaky, with Tehran executing more alleged spies and cutting off nuclear oversight. Trump doubled down on his Iran strike claims despite conflicting intel, while NATO leaders rallied around his defense spending push. From drone warfare in the Russia-Ukraine war to deadly protests in Kenya and North Korea’s tourism gamble—here’s what you need to know to start your day.
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Israeli Settler Attack in West Bank Triggers Clash, Israeli Forces Kill Three Palestinians
Violence erupted in the West Bank on Wednesday after dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian town of Kafr Malik, northeast of Ramallah.
The confrontation ended with Israeli forces killing three Palestinians and injuring seven others, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Israeli military reported that settlers set fire to property, prompting the deployment of Israeli forces and police. The situation escalated into stone-throwing, and the military claimed Palestinians opened fire.
Israeli troops responded with live fire. An Israeli army officer sustained light injuries. Authorities arrested five Israeli suspects involved in the attack.
Footage from the scene showed at least two vehicles set ablaze, though Reuters could not independently verify the video. The incident adds to mounting tensions in the West Bank, where violence has sharply increased in recent months.
Three Palestinians were killed and seven others were injured in an attack by illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank village of Kafr Malik pic.twitter.com/k0QK2sph4Q — TRT World (@trtworld) June 26, 2025
Earlier the same day, Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian boy during a raid in Al-Yamun, a town west of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh accused the Israeli government of inciting regional instability and called for urgent international intervention to protect Palestinians.
Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds as Trump Pushes Talks and Claims Nuclear Success
Israel and Iran observed a fragile ceasefire for the second straight day Wednesday following 12 days of war.
US President Donald Trump, who brokered the truce, declared the conflict over and claimed US airstrikes had obliterated Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said US and Iranian officials would hold talks next week, although Tehran has not confirmed any upcoming negotiations.
Iran’s parliament voted to fast-track legislation suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the agency’s failure to condemn the US-Israel attacks. The IAEA and its director Rafael Grossi urged Iran to resume cooperation immediately, warning of lost oversight on sensitive nuclear materials.
Despite mutual blame, both sides hinted at openness to diplomacy. US envoy Steve Witkoff said indirect dialogue with Iran had resumed, and a comprehensive peace deal might be possible. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, emphasized national security and accused Washington of sabotaging diplomacy.
Israel’s Mossad spy agency released a rare video crediting US intelligence and Israeli covert operations for enabling precision strikes deep inside Iran, including on military commanders and nuclear scientists. Israeli and American officials claimed this had rolled back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years.
David Barnea, the Mossad chief, thanks agents, the IDF, and the CIA for the collaboration during the 12-day Operation Rising Lion, which achieved ‘goals that initially seemed imaginary’ against Iran pic.twitter.com/qudlLo4TuB — i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 25, 2025
Iran reported 606 dead and 5,332 wounded. A Washington-based rights group placed the toll higher, with over 1,000 Iranians killed. In Israel, at least 28 people died and more than 1,000 were injured. Tehran also executed six alleged Israeli spies, including three on Wednesday.
Trump Defends Iran Strike as “Devastating,” Dismisses Intelligence Doubts
President Donald Trump rejected early US intelligence assessments that suggested American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities caused only limited damage, insisting instead that the operation delivered a crippling blow.
“This was a devastating attack,” Trump said Wednesday, claiming Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely and fully obliterated.”
At the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump doubled down on his statements, stating that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and military leaders would soon present “irrefutable” proof of the strikes’ effectiveness.
The White House circulated statements from Israeli officials and Iran’s foreign ministry acknowledging significant damage to nuclear sites but stopped short of confirming Trump’s sweeping claims.
President Trump reads Israel assessment on U.S. strikes: “The devastating U.S. strike on Fordow destroyed the site’s critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility totally inoperable.” pic.twitter.com/jgLkRoDUGU — CSPAN (@cspan) June 25, 2025
Despite a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report indicating only a temporary setback for Iran’s program, Trump dismissed it as incomplete and accused the media of undermining military efforts.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported the administration’s position, citing intelligence that key facilities were destroyed and would take years to rebuild.
Trump compared the strike to the atomic bombings that ended World War II, declaring the “12-day war” over. He said negotiations with Iran could resume but were no longer necessary, asserting the Islamic Republic was too damaged to rebuild its program. Iran insists its nuclear activities remain peaceful.
Analysts and former officials like Leon Panetta and Jeffrey Lewis said it was too soon to make definitive assessments, pointing out that conclusions about damage would take weeks to verify. The administration now plans to restrict the flow of classified intelligence to Congress following leaks about the assessment, a move expected to spark backlash from lawmakers.
NEW: A leaked, low-confidence US intelligence assessment found that the US and Israeli strikes caused “moderate to severe” damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, but that they did not “collapse” the facility. The destruction of the centrifuges and equipment inside does not… pic.twitter.com/HSA6xASGkI — Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 25, 2025
Meanwhile, US officials continue investigating whether enriched uranium was moved before the strikes. Trump said it likely wasn’t, citing the difficulty of quickly relocating such material.
Classified briefings for Congress are expected later this week.
Trump’s FY2026 Defense Budget Pushes Missile, Drone Tech; Cuts Ships, Navy Jobs
President Donald Trump’s proposed $892.6 billion defense and national security budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026 prioritizes high-tech missile systems, drones, and troop pay increases, while scaling back procurement of ships, fighter jets, and Navy civilian jobs.
The flat defense budget, unchanged from the current fiscal year, aims to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific and rebuild the US defense industrial base. While the plan includes a 3.8% pay raise for troops, it also slashes spending by retiring costly legacy systems and reducing the Navy’s civilian workforce by 7,286.
Trump’s request trims the number of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets from 68 under the Biden administration’s FY2025 proposal to just 47. It also funds only three new Navy warships, excluding key vessels like Virginia-class submarines, which are expected to be handled in a separate appropriations bill.
The Pentagon continues to prioritize munitions, with expanded funding for long-range precision weapons like the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles, critical for Pacific operations. However, it reduces procurement of the Precision Strike Missile, a replacement for the Army Tactical Missile (ATACMS) used in Ukraine.
Small drone investment also increases, reflecting their battlefield success in Ukraine as affordable and effective tools of modern warfare.
.@SecDef says the Pentagon’s 2026 budget “provides a historic level of funding for military readiness, putting our warfighters and their needs first.” – $25 billion in Golden Dome for America
– $62 billion to modernize and sustain nuclear forces
– $3.5 billion for the F-47
– $6… pic.twitter.com/DJFeRGfLJ1 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 12, 2025
Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense shield, his hallmark initiative, is largely funded through a separate budget request, with an additional $25 billion included in the House-approved “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping $150 billion defense package still pending final passage.
Congressional Republicans have already begun reshaping the budget, with the House Appropriations Committee proposing to raise the F-35 purchase to 69 jets, one more than Biden’s 2025 ask, indicating likely legislative pushback to Trump’s cuts in traditional procurement areas.
NATO Coddles Trump to Preserve Alliance Unity, Avoids Tough Talk on Ukraine and Russia
At this year’s NATO summit in The Hague, alliance leaders bent over backwards to court US President Donald Trump, sidestepping contentious issues like Ukraine and Russia to focus on the themes most likely to resonate with the American leader.
The summit centered on Trump’s demand for increased defense spending, culminating in an agreement to raise NATO’s target to 5% of GDP—well above the long-standing 2% goal.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte openly praised Trump, with NATO leaders echoing his language and slogans, including a suggestion from Lithuania’s president to adopt “Make NATO Great Again” as a motto. Trump, in turn, softened his tone on the alliance, calling it a partnership worth protecting, except for Spain, which he criticized for not committing to the spending hike.
President Trump: “In a very historic milestone this week, the NATO allies committed to dramatically increase their defense spending to that 5% of GDP.” pic.twitter.com/DSdqX9ErR5 — CSPAN (@cspan) June 25, 2025
The summit’s final communiqué was drastically shorter than previous years, deliberately avoiding references to the war in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion, or Ukraine’s path to NATO membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was excluded from the main summit and met separately with Trump.
The charm offensive included royal treatment: Trump stayed at the Dutch king’s palace and dined in opulence with other leaders. The light, stage-managed agenda allowed NATO to avoid rifts but left key strategic questions unresolved, particularly how the alliance will handle long-term Russian aggression if the US shifts posture.
Critics warned the summit papered over growing transatlantic divides, particularly as Trump signals a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow and reduced support for Kyiv. Former NATO officials voiced concern the alliance missed a chance to send a strong message to the Kremlin, and that future disagreements on Russia could test NATO’s cohesion.
Analysts now await the results of Trump’s upcoming defense posture review, which may signal troop reductions in Europe. European officials remain nervous about the pace and scope of any such changes.
EU Leaders to Tackle Russia Sanctions, Trump Tariffs, and Mideast Tensions at Brussels Summit
The heads of the European Union (EU)’s 27 member states will convene Thursday in Brussels to debate tighter sanctions on Russia, strategies to avoid new US tariffs, and how to influence growing conflicts in the Middle East.
Fresh off the NATO summit, where they agreed to ramp up defense spending and minimize rifts with US President Donald Trump, EU leaders now face internal divisions on energy, trade, and foreign policy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join the summit via videoconference, following his meeting with Trump. While NATO appeared to downgrade Ukraine’s priority this week, the EU remains focused on countering Russian aggression and is weighing an 18th sanctions package, including a contested oil price cap.
Trump’s threats of punitive tariffs, especially toward Spain, have triggered alarm in Brussels. France’s President Emmanuel Macron openly criticized the US president for waging a trade war against allies.
27 leaders gather in Brussels today to discuss economic and security challenges. But the biggest question is: Does the EU have what it takes to go at it alone as the US continues to turn away from Europe? Follow our live blog for every twist and turn: https://t.co/m61ZIa1nqC pic.twitter.com/N8ihcXmZNA — POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) June 26, 2025
Middle East instability and Iran’s nuclear ambitions are also high on the EU’s agenda. Leaders are seeking to restart diplomatic engagement with Tehran, while remaining split on how to respond to Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Defense and security will dominate the summit’s final statement, which will guide the EU’s strategic posture for the next four months and reflect growing political shifts across the continent.
Russian Air Defenses Down Waves of Drones Targeting Moscow and Border Regions
Russian air defense forces shot down two drones targeting Moscow early Thursday, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Authorities temporarily suspended operations at Vnukovo International Airport, and other airports along the Volga River also implemented restrictions.
The attack was part of a broader drone offensive. Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev said over 40 drones were downed in his border region throughout the day.
Ukrainian strike drones approached the capital of Russia, Moscow, tonight. Russian air defenses activated in the area. Explosions reported in the towns of Dedovsk and Zelenograd, Moscow Oblast. pic.twitter.com/5qhjYYLhfb — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) June 25, 2025
In Bryansk, local officials confirmed seven more drones were intercepted.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that 18 drones were destroyed over a three-hour period across multiple central and southern regions earlier in the evening. Authorities are investigating drone debris for further intelligence.
Deadly Protests Erupt Across Kenya Over Police Brutality and Governance Failures
At least eight people died and over 80 were hospitalized during nationwide protests in Kenya on Wednesday, as citizens rallied against police brutality, corruption, and poor governance.
Human rights groups reported more than 400 injuries and over 60 arrests in demonstrations that swept through 23 of Kenya’s 47 counties.
The protests marked the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations that left 60 dead and 20 still missing. In Nairobi, police blockaded access to Parliament and the president’s office with razor wire, clashing violently with protesters using tear gas, batons, and live rounds.
Thousands participated in coordinated protests across major cities, including Mombasa and Kisumu, calling for President William Ruto’s resignation. Tensions escalated further following the recent death of a detained blogger and the close-range shooting of a protester.
Thousands have taken to the streets in Kenya to mark a year since antigovernment protests culminated in the storming of Parliament, despite fears of violence from state-backed gangs and police. — in pictures https://t.co/oSEmzGYp7p pic.twitter.com/gR8v3fYmno — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 25, 2025
Despite President Ruto’s appeal for calm, protesters remained defiant. Demonstrators used social media to organize and commemorate last year’s victims, while local media published names and faces of the deceased under the banner “A luta Continua.”
Authorities banned live broadcast of the events, prompting backlash from rights organizations. Analysts warned that the government’s hardline stance is fueling youth frustration. Although Ruto previously dissolved his Cabinet and withdrew a controversial tax bill, many ministers were reappointed and new taxes were introduced later—intensifying public outrage.
North Korea Opens Coastal Tourist Zone, Aims to Revive Tourism Industry
North Korea will officially open the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone next Tuesday, marking what leader Kim Jong Un called “the proud first step” in launching a new era for the regime’s tourism sector.
State media described the site, located on the country’s east coast, as a showcase project capable of accommodating nearly 20,000 domestic tourists, offering beaches, sports facilities, restaurants, and recreational amenities.
Kim presided over a high-profile ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week, hailing the project as “one of the greatest successes this year,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The Wonsan-Kalma zone has long been a centerpiece in Kim’s strategy to boost North Korea’s struggling economy through tourism development.
Despite the launch, KCNA did not say when the country will reopen to foreign tourists. North Korea’s borders remain largely closed since COVID-19 restrictions began in 2020. While Pyongyang has resumed limited tourism with Russia since February 2024, it has yet to restart Chinese group tours, which previously accounted for over 90% of all visitors.
Earlier this year, a small number of international tourists were briefly allowed entry, but foreign travel agencies confirmed in March that tours were once again paused.
North Korea plans to expand tourism infrastructure elsewhere in the country, according to KCNA, but remains cautious about lifting broader travel restrictions.
Sources: News Agencies
Israeli troops kill three Palestinians after settlers attack West Bank town
More than 100 settlers took part in the attack in Kafr Malik, according to the Yesh Din rights group. Settlers also threw stones at residents and at their houses, Palestinian media reported. Five Israelis were detained and handed over to the police for participating in the attacks. 616 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between January 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025, including 605 by Israeli forces, says OCHA. The UK sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses” of Palestinians through their support of settler violence, OCHA says. The Israeli army confirmed its troops returned fire “at the source of the gunfire and the stone throwers”, the group said. It happened in the presence of Israeli soldiers, and it has emerged there are several injured and dead, it added. The attacks in the occupied West Bank have been taking place almost daily with little action from Israeli authorities and security forces.
More than 100 settlers took part in the attack in Kafr Malik, according to the Yesh Din rights group. It happened in the presence of Israeli soldiers, the group added.
Footage from the attack showed several homes and cars being set on fire. Settlers also threw stones at residents and at their houses, Palestinian media reported.
The Israeli army confirmed its troops had opened fire, saying they were shooting back at Palestinian gunmen.
The soldiers returned fire “at the source of the gunfire and the stone throwers”, the army said. “Hits were identified, and it has emerged there are several injured and dead,” it added.
Five Israelis were detained and handed over to the police for participating in the attack.
Hussein Al Sheikh, deputy to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the attack.
“The government of Israel, with its behaviour and decisions, is pushing the region to explode,” he said in a post on X. “We call on the international community to intervene urgently to protect our Palestinian people.”
Earlier in the day, masked Israeli settlers set a car on fire near Ramallah. Wafa news agency also reported that settlers threw stones at Palestinians in Asira Al Qibliya.
Settlers attacks in the occupied West Bank have been taking place almost daily with little action from Israeli authorities and security forces, despite growing western condemnation and sanctions.
Earlier this month, the UK sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting “extremist violence and serious abuses” of Palestinians through their support of settler violence.
Violence against Palestinians in West Bank by Israeli troops and settlers has increased sharply since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government took office in December 2022, and particularly since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the latest report by UN humanitarian organisation OCHA, 616 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between January 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025, including 605 by Israeli forces.
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Key facilities Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Pharaoh’s curse British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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RESULT Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10′), Cheryshev (23′ og), Cavani (90′)
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36′) Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
The Buckingham Murders Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu Director: Hansal Mehta Rating: 4 / 5
MEDIEVIL%20(1998) %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results 2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer). 3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel. 3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel. 4pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m; Winner: Atrash, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez. 4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi. 5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay %3Cp%3EFly%20with%20Etihad%20Airways%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20JFK.%20There’s%2011%20flights%20a%20week%20and%20economy%20fares%20start%20at%20around%20Dh5%2C000.%3Cbr%3EStay%20at%20The%20Mark%20Hotel%20on%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20Upper%20East%20Side.%20Overnight%20stays%20start%20from%20%241395%20per%20night.%3Cbr%3EVisit%20NYC%20Go%2C%20the%20official%20destination%20resource%20for%20New%20York%20City%20for%20all%20the%20latest%20events%2C%20activites%20and%20openings.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong Rating: 3/5
UAE squad Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Brief scoreline: Wolves 3 Neves 28′, Doherty 37′, Jota 45′ 2 Arsenal 1 Papastathopoulos 80′
Jetour T1 specs Engine: 2-litre turbocharged Power: 254hp Torque: 390Nm Price: From Dh126,000 Available: Now