Israeli forced evictions
In occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, Israeli forces have attacked Palestinians protesting against the regime’s eviction plan in Jerusalem al-Quds. The protesters were holding a sit-in outside an Israeli court which was hearing an appeal filed by two Palestinian families facing eviction from the Silwan neighborhood. Israeli forces reportedly arrested three protesters after beating them up. An Israeli court ruled in 2020 to forcibly evict seven Palestinian families in Silwan to pave the way for further settlement construction. The ruling is seen as part of the regime’s land grab policy. In recent weeks, tensions have been running high in the occupied West Bank over Israel’s eviction plans in several neighborhoods, including Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah.
WHO Europe warning
The World Health Organization has warned that Europe is "by no means out of danger" in the battle against Covid-19. In a press briefing, Hans Kluge called on Europeans to adhere to health guidelines despite a decline in new coronavirus cases and deaths in recent weeks. He also urged people to travel responsibly in the summer. Kluge warned that vaccination rates in the continent are still not enough to prevent another wave of Covid-19. According to the WHO, only 30 percent of Europeans have received their first dose of vaccines. Over the past two months, 36 European countries have started to ease their coronavirus restrictions.
Famine in Ethiopia
A UN-led analysis estimates that about 350,000 people in Ethiopia's conflict-torn Tigray region are in famine conditions. The analysis found millions more across Tigray required urgent food and agricultural support. The Ethiopian government has, however, rejected a declaration of famine as incorrect. Ethiopian officials say there is no food shortage, accusing anti-government militias of attacking aid convoys. Earlier, the UN World Food Program warned that more than 90 percent of people in Tigray are in need of emergency aid. Since November, the northern Ethiopian region has witnessed fighting between government forces and those loyal to regional leaders. The violence has killed thousands and forced many others to flee their homes and take shelter in neighboring countries.