Israeli forces fire on funeral procession in Al-Mughayyir near Ramallah. Photo: WAFA News Agency
Funeral processions have become a frequent scene in the occupied territory amid an unprecedented wave of terror attacks waged by illegal Israeli settlers and the IOF.
At least five Palestinians were killed, including two children and a woman, in different parts of the occupied West Bank in the past two days.
Aws al-Nassan (14), and Jihad Abu Na’im (32), were shot dead in a terror attack carried out by illegal Israeli settlers on a boys school in Al-Mughayyir village, in the central West Bank governorate of Ramallah and al-Bireh on Tuesday, April 21.
Israeli violence against the people of the village did not stop there, as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas on mourners taking part in the funeral procession of Al-Nassan and Abu Na’im the next day.
Tuesday also saw the tragic death of Mohammad al-Jaabari (16), who was run over by a car of an Israeli colonist, while he was riding a bike on his way to school in the southern governorate of Hebron.
Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the vehicle, which hit Al-Jaabari, belonged to the security convoy of Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
However, Haaretz (another Israeli newspaper) said it was informed by a security source that the car was en route to provide personal protection and security for settlements minister Orit Strook.
Either way, for many, the incident reflects the systematic targeting of Palestinian civilians by Israeli far-right government officials, such as Ben-Gvir and Strook, who are known for their racism and incitement of violence against Palestinians.
A fourth fatality was reported in the northern governorate of Jenin on Tuesday after Palestinian woman Rajaa Oweis (45) succumbed to injuries she sustained during an IOF raid on Jenin refugee camp two and a half years ago.
On Wednesday, April 22, Odeh Awawdeh (29) was killed in Israeli gunfire after a group of settlers attacked the village of Deir Debwan, east of Ramallah.
Israel killed 1,156 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023
Al Jazeera reported on Monday, April 20, that 1,151 Palestinians have been killed in onslaughts in the West Bank carried out by the IOF and illegal Israeli settlers since October 2023. This means that the death toll has risen to 1,156, following the assaults launched on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Nabatieh, Lebanon on November 15, 2025. [Ramiz Dallah – Anadolu Agency]
Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Saturday denied any involvement in an incident that killed a French soldier and injured three others serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it “denies any involvement in the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh area in the Bint Jbeil district.”
The group urged caution, stressing the need “to avoid rushing to conclusions and accusations” before the circumstances of the incident are fully clarified.
Hezbollah also emphasized the importance of continued coordination between local residents, UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, particularly under what it described as sensitive conditions.
It further expressed surprise at what it called premature accusations, saying some parties were quick to assign blame “while remaining silent during Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said one French soldier was killed and three others wounded in the attack targeting UNIFIL troops.
“Sergeant Major Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban was killed this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL,” Macron said in a post on the US social media platform X.
“Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,” he added.
UNIFIL said it has launched an investigation after one of its positions “came under small-arms fire from non-state actors” in the southern village of Ghanduriyah.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
The US president is set to visit Beijing in mid-May. EPA/Yonhap
The Trump administration’s decision to carry out a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has raised tensions in the Persian Gulf to new and more perilous levels. The move was announced by the US president, Donald Trump, after negotiations over a ceasefire with Iran broke down on April 11, partly due to Iran wanting to retain control of the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil transits.
The blockade is designed to neutralise Iran’s efforts to close the strait to shipping it deems unfriendly to Tehran and implement a toll system for other vessels transiting the strait.
The US blockade can be seen as the latest attempt by the Trump administration to project strength. But it also throws down a challenge to Beijing. China has been the main purchaser of Iranian oil in recent years and is one of the few nations whose shipping can enter the strait unchallenged.
It appeared very likely that this status would be tested on April 14 when the Rich Starry, a Chinese owned and operated tanker under US sanction for transporting Iranian oil, transited the strait unchallenged by the US warships in the region.
But it has since been reported that the vessel turned back in the Gulf of Oman and headed back to the Strait of Hormuz. The US now claims that six vessels that attempted to transit the strait were turned around.
The Rich Starry’s willingness to avert a potential Sino-American clash, suggests that Beijing is still unwilling to challenge Washington’s red lines, particularly so close to a state visit by the US president next month, a trip postponed from March 31 as a result of the conflict in Iran. China has called the US blockade a “dangerous and irresponsible act”.
But what appears to be a deliberate decision not to challenge the blockade may be interpreted as another instance of Chinese weakness, which will probably embolden Washington to take more active measures against China’s tanker fleets.
However, the US seizure of any Chinese shipping could certainly provoke a more dangerous outcome, with the prospect of increased tensions or even conflict with Beijing. Should the US seize a Chinese vessel, Beijing could see this as an act of war on Washington’s part, if it chooses to interpret such an incident as an American effort to strangle the Chinese economy.
While an armed clash between the US and China in the Persian Gulf is unlikely, it is possible that Beijing may deploy its fleet stationed in Djibouti to the region. China’s base in Djibouti is home to its 48th escort group which has previously performed anti-piracy operations in the region as well as escort duties for Chinese-owned ships in the region. This which raises the question over whether Washington would be willing to fire on Chinese warships to enforce its blockade.
China’s challenge to the US
China’s response to an American blockade may be more indirect in nature. One form this could take is the provision of Chinese weapons systems to Iran.
China’s Beidou satellite navigation system has already played a significant role in guiding Iran’s existing stockpile of missiles against American and Israeli targets. Further Chinese military assistance, especially in the form of missiles and drones, can help Beijing retaliate indirectly through Iran.
The New York Times recently reported intelligence sources alleging that China may have shipped shoulder-launched missiles to Iran – but this was strenuously denied by Beijing.
On the other hand, a potential Chinese retaliation may not even take place in the Middle East. Instead, it is possible that Beijing may target American assets and interests in the Asia Pacific.
This comes at a time where several American allies in the region have become increasingly vulnerable, with some missiles system being deployed to the Middle East from South Korea. Coupled with fuel shortages as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the region is potentially even more exposed to China’s moves should Beijing choose to act.
The US is reportedly turning vessels around in the Golf Oman, where they emerge from the Strait of Hormuz. Wikimedia Commons
While Beijing prefers a more stable Middle East and global economy, having been one of the key beneficiaries of globalisation, there are several opportunities for China’s wider goals. One of the biggest is the status of the Renminbi. It has become prominent in the oil trade in the Persian Gulf, with Iran primarily dealing with transactions in the currency. This is in line with the emergence of the petroyuan in the 21 century to challenge the dominance of the petrodollar.
Alongside China’s position as a supplier of aviation fuel in the Asia Pacific, the conflict has entrenched and strengthened China’s role in the global economy.
In addition, the potential shortage of petroleum can open the door for wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), with Chinese firms such as BYD being potential beneficiaries of a future EV boom. This echoes the popularity of Japanese cars during the Opec crisis of the 1970s, due to their comparatively high fuel efficiency in contrast to American and European models.
As a result, a prolonged Middle East oil crisis may see firms such as BYD become household names, furthering the influence of “Brand China”.
Alongside these, the crisis may further China’s push to present itself as a more stable partner in contrast to Washington’s more chaotic approach. This has gained traction due to the perceived unpredictability of the Trump administration over the past 15 months.
China already has a comparatively favourable global image when compared to the US. A wider conflict with Iran will probably take this further. As a result, the path of the Rich Starry may chart the course of the Sino-American competition and the world that this competition will shape.
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France is transitioning government desktops to Linux, with each ministry required to formalize its implementation plan by autumn 2026.
France has incorporated Linux desktops into its national digital-sovereignty strategy. DINUM, France’s Interministerial Digital Directorate, announced a transition from Windows to Linux workstations.
According to an official government press release, this change is part of a broader initiative to reduce reliance on non-European digital technologies (source, in French).
…
And as you can see, this is a big deal. It is not a leak, rumor, or unofficial plan. It is a formal declaration from one of Europe’s largest governments, explicitly designating Linux as the replacement for Windows workstations as part of a broader interministerial strategy.
dizzy: Onaquietday.org is brought to you on Linux. dizzy uses Debian Linux on laptops that are over a decade old, your Android phone is Linux, the boxes that connect to broadband are overwhelmingly Linux, Onaquietday’s hosting and most machines on the internet are running Linux.
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United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during the press conference held by The United States President Donald Trump in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington DC, United States. [Celal Güneş – Anadolu Agency ]
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that Iran’s “motivation” to maintain the ceasefire is “very high,” while warning that US forces remain “maximally postured” to resume war if Tehran rejects a deal, Anadolu reports.
“Our forces are maximally postured to restart combat operations, should this new Iranian regime choose poorly and not agree to a deal,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing.
He urged Iran to “choose wisely,” warning its military leadership that Washington is closely “watching” their actions.
Hegseth said Iran’s command and control capabilities are “highly degraded,” limiting its ability to coordinate operations, but noted that its “motivation to want to stay in the ceasefire is very high.”
“They understand that a violation of that ceasefire means a commencement,” he continued.
“We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence, even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before,” said Hegseth. “As you expose yourself with your movement to our watchful eye, we are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry.”
“We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button,” he added.
Hegseth also said the US Navy controls traffic in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, enforcing a blockade with “less than 10%” of America’s naval power.
Separately, Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine said the blockade applies to all vessels heading to or from Iranian ports, regardless of nationality, but stressed it does not constitute a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz itself.
The remarks came as the US and Iran have been holding negotiations to extend a two-week ceasefire announced last week, which is set to expire on April 22.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the US-Israeli war against Iran began Feb. 28, and a US naval blockade announced Monday, after Washington said talks last weekend failed to yield a deal.
About 20% of global oil supply passes through the strait daily, and heightened insecurity has driven up oil prices as well as shipping and insurance costs.
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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
