Spotlight on Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (April 14 – 28, 2026)
IDF forces continued operations to locate terrorist operatives and destroy weapons and terrorist infrastructure within the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip. Operatives who violated the ceasefire and planned terrorist attacks were eliminated, including those involved in the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre; Direct talks were held between Hamas representatives and representatives of the American administration for the first time since the ceasefire. The Board of Peace high commissioner, Nikolai Mladenov, said an agreement could be reached for disarming Hamas, but warned that swift understandings were required to maintain momentum; Hamas rejected statements by the IDF and the American vice president regarding an increase in aid to the Strip, and alleged that Israel still restricted the entry of food, medicine and fuel; A slate affiliated with Fatah won the local elections in Deir al-Balah, the first time since 2006. Hamas police and hundreds of Hamas government officials were involved in organizing and securing the voting; Clashes took place between Hamas security forces and opposing militias; There were two stabbing attacks in Judea and Samaria; no casualties were reported. Israeli security forces located a cache of explosive devices in a school in the Hebron area; Settler terrorism continued in Judea and Samaria.
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