As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.
Israel allows settlers to enter northern West Bank
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has authorized settlers to enter parts of the northern West Bank that they had previously been barred.
The Israelis previously had settlements in this area that were evacuated and then demolished in 2005. Settlements in the area will still need government approval, but this authorization will make it easier for settlers to establish outposts.
Smoke billows from burning tires amid clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces conducting a raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, May 22, 2024.
Zain Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images
A Palestinian demonstrator carries a mock rocket and the Hamas militant group flag during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin, May 22, 2024.
Majdi Mohammed/AP
"Just as I have acted in all my positions in the governments of Israel - I will continue to develop the settlements in Judea and Samaria, to strengthen the security elements and the security of the citizens - in roads and settlements," Gallant said in a statement.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
May 22, 2024, 10:08 AM EDT
White House reacts to countries recognizing Palestinian state
The White House responded to Ireland, Norway and Spain recognizing Palestine, saying President Joe Biden supports a two-state solution, but said he thinks a Palestinian state should be realized after negotiations and "not through unilateral recognition."
With the additions of Ireland, Norway and Spain, some 143 countries now recognize the state of Palestine, according to the U.N.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
May 22, 2024, 6:09 AM EDT
3 European countries to recognize Palestinian state
Ireland, Norway and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state.
"Ireland today recognises Palestine as a nation among nations with all the rights and responsibilities that entails," Simon Harris, the country's Taoiseach, or prime minister, said in a statement.
Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris speaks to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday May 22, 2024.
Damien Storan/AP
The recognition by the Norwegian Government is an effort to "keep alive" the possibility of a "political solution" that might end the war in Gaza, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement.
"Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Støre said.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store prepares to announce during a press conference that Norway recognises Palestine as an independent state from 28 May, in Oslo, on May 22, 2024.
Erik Flaaris Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, who said he'd been instructed to immediately recall Israel's ambassador's to Ireland and Norway "for consultations."
"Today's decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays," Katz said. "After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state."
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivers a speech to announce that Spain will recognise Palestine as a state on May 28, at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid on May 22, 2024.
Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images
Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said his country will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28.
"Time has come to move from words into action," he said on social media. "Peace, justice and coherence are the basis of our historic decision."
-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey, Joe Simonetti and Guy Davies
May 21, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
Kamal Adwan Hospital suffers damage after hit 4 times: WHO
Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza was reportedly hit four times Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization.
The attacks damaged the intensive care unit, reception, administration and the roof, the organization said. Efforts are underway to evacuate 20 health staff and 13 patients who remain inside, according to WHO.
"We appeal once again for [the] protection of all patients and health workers. We urge for a ceasefire and safe, sustained humanitarian access," WHO said in a statement.
Over the past few weeks, intense hostilities have reportedly occurred in the vicinity of the hospital and resulted in an increased influx of injured patients to the already overstretched facility.
Kamal Adwan is the largest partially functional hospital in northern Gaza, and the only one providing hemodialysis services.
