Palestine News Today: Raja Shehadeh's Diaries Find a Home in Edinburgh
31 August 2026. Your daily round-up of the most important news about Palestine, compiled from international and regional sources. Today: Palestinian writer Raja Shehadeh's diaries are archived in Edinburgh, Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa, two are reported killed in Nablus, and a damaged ambulance becomes a 'dream bus'. Below, each story in brief, with links to the reporting it is based on.
Raja Shehadeh's Diaries Archived in Edinburgh
Leading Palestinian writer and lawyer Raja Shehadeh, 75, spoke to Al Jazeera in Edinburgh, where his daily diaries of life under occupation are being archived.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Ben-Gvir Storms Al-Aqsa
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with settlers under the protection of Israeli forces, violating the decades-old status quo.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera
Five Killed in Gaza City
At least five Palestinians were killed in two Israeli attacks in Gaza City as Israel escalates strikes despite the ceasefire.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera
Two Reported Killed in Nablus Raid
Two Palestinians were reported killed as Israeli forces raided Nablus.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Burin's Farmers Rebuild
Settlers destroyed greenhouses and crops in Burin, but the village's farmers insist on rebuilding.
Sources: Al Jazeera
A 'Dream Bus' for Gaza's Children
The Palestine Red Crescent turned a damaged ambulance into a 'Dream Bus' for children in Gaza.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Outposts Expand as Homes Are Demolished
Israeli forces demolished Palestinian homes in Nablus while settlers cleared land for a new outpost near Hebron, a pairing that campaigners say shows how demolition and settlement expansion work together.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Greece Signs $3.5bn Defence Deal With Israel
Greece signed a $3.5bn agreement with Israel for its first multi-layered air defence network by 2029. Analysts link the deal to regional tensions and say it deepens European military ties with Israel despite the war.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Journalists Attacked in the West Bank
Al Jazeera's Jerusalem Daily reported settler attacks targeting Palestinians and an NBC crew in the occupied West Bank, part of a rise in violence against reporters.
Sources: Al Jazeera
The Background
Almost a year on from the October 2025 ceasefire, life in Gaza remains defined by destruction, ongoing strikes and the shortages of fuel, machinery and medical supplies that make recovery impossible. According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 73,900 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023 and over 174,000 wounded. At least 1,381 people have been killed since the ceasefire came into force.
Sources: Al Jazeera, OCHA
The UN has recorded settler attacks affecting 275 Palestinian communities in the West Bank this year, close to the record set in 2025 and far above the levels seen a decade ago. Over 4,300 Palestinians have been displaced in the West Bank this year, more than a third of them by demolitions carried out because families lacked permits to build on their own land. Aid agencies say the scale of destruction leaves few safe options: over 90 per cent of Gaza is in ruins, and for lack of anywhere else, families are sheltering in damaged buildings.
Sources: OCHA
Humanitarian access remains the central obstacle. Aid groups say the machinery, fuel and spare parts needed to clear rubble and repair water and power networks are still restricted, while a two-million-strong population depends on supplies that arrive irregularly. International law continues to run alongside events on the ground. The International Court of Justice found the occupation unlawful in July 2024, and its case on genocide, brought by South Africa, remains before the court.
Sources: OCHA
Palestine News is published every day on Free Palestine Store. Each item summarises reporting from the named outlets in our own words; follow the source links for full coverage.
