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International Tensions Rise as Violence Erupts in Gaza and West Bank; Iran Deal Hopeful
Tensions flared across the Middle East and Europe this weekend, marked by escalating violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, condemnation from Islamic countries, and the release of an Iranian protester. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the death toll from a New Year's Day bar fire climbed to 41.
In the Israeli-Palestinian territories, violence intensified. Israeli occupation authorities issued expulsion orders to a Bedouin community east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera. This action occurred amid a surge in settler violence targeting educational institutions in the Jordan Valley and residential homes in Qalqilya, further restricting living space for Palestinians. Al Jazeera reported that these measures are part of an intensified campaign of forced displacement across the occupied West Bank.
Concurrently, a group of eight Islamic countries condemned Israel for "repeated violations" of the Gaza ceasefire, Sky News reported. The condemnation followed Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 30 people in Gaza over the weekend. Adding to the criticism, Israel's Diaspora Ministry announced plans to ban the medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, according to Sky News. An Israeli air strike hit Khan Younis in Gaza on Saturday.
In Iran, Erfan Soltani, a protester who had been detained during protests on January 8, was released on bail, Sky News reported. Soltani's family had been informed that he faced a potential death sentence. Sky News noted that US President Donald Trump had previously warned he would take "strong action" if any protesters were executed.
Amidst these tensions, President Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal with Iran. This followed remarks by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who warned of a "regional conflict" if the US attacked. Asked by reporters for his response to Khamenei's remarks, Trump seemed unfazed, asking: "Why wouldn't he say that? Of course, he could say that. We have the big powerful ships heading in Iran's direction."
Separately, in Switzerland, the number of fatalities from a fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Day rose to 41, Sky News reported. An 18-year-old Swiss national died from injuries sustained in the blaze, according to the Swiss public prosecutor. The fire, which occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day, also injured more than 100 others. The Swiss public prosecutor did not provide any further information about the victim or the status of an ongoing investigation into the blaze.
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