Palestine News Today: Historic Palestinian Vote Surge Upends Israeli Election as Gaza Deaths Persist
28 October 2026. Palestinian citizens of Israel turned out at record levels in Tuesday's election, propelling Joint List and Ra'am to unprecedented gains that leave neither Netanyahu nor his rivals able to form a government. At the same time, a UN inquiry documented genocide in Gaza and war crimes in the West Bank, Israeli strikes kept killing Palestinians despite a supposed ceasefire, and a detained Palestinian activist said the movement for Palestinian rights is reshaping American politics.
Detained Columbia activist says US politics shifting on Palestine
Al Jazeera reports that Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested and detained by US immigration agents, returned to Columbia University to discuss his memoir. Khalil said Palestinian activism has helped reshape the political conversation in the United States. His case has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech and the treatment of pro-Palestinian voices on American campuses.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Palestinian-led parties post record gains in Israeli vote
Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers, with turnout estimated around 80 percent according to Al Jazeera, pushing Joint List and Ra'am to their strongest-ever showing in the Knesset. The Guardian and Middle East Eye report that both Netanyahu's bloc and the rival Eisenkot-led opposition fell short of the 61 seats needed for a majority, leaving Palestinian-led parties holding the balance of power. Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said voters had delivered a clear verdict against what he called a government of bloodshed, while Ra'am's Mansour Abbas accused Netanyahu of inciting against Arab parties during the campaign.
Sources: Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye
Far-right minister threatens to deny Arab celebrations
According to Middle East Eye, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his party would not allow Palestinian citizens of Israel to celebrate their election gains, after exit polls showed a surge for Arab-led parties. His remarks came the same night Amnesty International UK condemned the Israeli election itself as apartheid at the ballot box, according to Middle East Monitor.
Sources: Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor
UN inquiry documents genocide in Gaza, war crimes in West Bank
A UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry found that Israel committed genocide in Gaza and war crimes in the occupied West Bank, Democracy Now! reports. Separately, the commission documented more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 2023, with over 10,000 injured, according to Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor. A UN rapporteur also said impunity prevails for the killing of journalists in Gaza, describing attacks on media as intentional and calling on domestic courts worldwide to pursue accountability under universal jurisdiction.
Sources: Democracy Now!, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor, Anadolu Agency
Israeli strikes keep killing Palestinians despite ceasefire
Anadolu Agency reports that Israeli attacks killed two Palestinians and wounded five others in Gaza, while a six-year-old girl and a man also died from wounds sustained in earlier strikes. In the West Bank, Middle East Monitor reports Israeli forces continued a large-scale offensive in Hebron's Farsh al-Hawa area for a fourth consecutive day, displacing thousands of residents.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor
Gaza resident describes a year of ruin since ceasefire began
Writing for The Guardian, a Gaza resident described daily life a year after the ceasefire, including long queues for water and the loss of basic privacy and normal routines. Middle East Monitor separately published an analysis questioning whose interests the ceasefire truly serves, citing a home destroyed by an Israeli strike as a family prepared for a wedding.
Sources: The Guardian, Middle East Monitor
Fake charities exploit Palestinians who fled Gaza to Egypt
Mondoweiss reports that Palestinian refugees who fled Gaza for Egypt are being targeted by fake charities and brokers who exploit their desperation. The outlet notes these refugees receive little aid and are legally barred from working, leaving them vulnerable to scams.
Sources: Mondoweiss
Gaza women filmmakers bring war stories to the screen
Al Jazeera reports that a new academy launched by Gaza's women filmmakers is turning their experiences of war, loss and survival into cinema. The initiative was showcased at a Gaza film festival highlighting women's resilience.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Scottish lawmakers detained, global delegation barred from West Bank
Middle East Monitor reports that two Scottish politicians said Israeli authorities detained them for eight hours and blocked their entry. Separately, Israeli authorities barred an international delegation of 23 lawmakers, politicians and academics from attending a conference at Birzeit University in the West Bank.
Sources: Middle East Monitor, Middle East Monitor
Musicians rally fans behind Free Palestine tour launch
Middle East Monitor reports that Irish artists Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga joined US rapper Macklemore at the sold-out Dublin opening of his Free Palestine tour, drawing attention to global solidarity with Palestinians.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
Palestine News is published every day on Free Palestine Store. Each item recaps reporting from the named outlets in our own words; follow the source links for full coverage.
