Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved here.
March 31, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war
By Joshua Berlinger, Antoinette Radford and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN
Updated 12:04 AM ET, Mon April 1, 2024
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New Palestinian government sworn in
From CNN staff
A new Palestinian government has been sworn in amid intense international pressure for the Palestinian Authority to reform.
The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, was officially sworn in on Sunday before President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Mustafa had been appointed earlier this month to replace former Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, who resigned in February along with his government.
Following the ceremony, Abbas chaired a meeting of the new government, during which he said:
“Work is underway with Arab and international parties to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza," he said at the meeting, according to WAFA.
“Our political goal is to achieve freedom, independence and liberation from the occupation, and we are working with concerned Arab and international parties to obtain full membership in the United Nations,” Abbas said.
Abbas emphasized the need for "far-reaching institutional reforms to enhance performance and provide better services to the Palestinian people everywhere."
He added that the new government will need to focus on humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza and the revitalization of the Palestinian economy, according to WAFA.
The PA faces intense pressure from the US to reform and improve its governance in the West Bank. It has long been seen as corrupt by US politicians and Palestinians themselves.
Some background: The PA held administrative control over Gaza until 2007. Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections in the occupied territories and thereafter expelled the Palestinian Authority from Gaza. Hamas has ruled the enclave since, while the PA governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Family members of hostages attend massive protest calling for Netanyahu to resign
From Tamar Michaelis, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Benjamin Brown
Some of the anti-government protesters who took to the streets of Jerusalem on Sunday, calling for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign, were family members of the hostages being held in Gaza.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, the current opposition leader, called on the Israeli government to pay attention to the ongoing demonstrations and the protesters' demands.
"Present here in the crowd are families of hostages. They stood outside the Kirya (the Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv), screamed their souls out, and nobody heard. They waved signs and no one saw. The Israeli government is ignoring their existence," Lapid said while at the rally outside the Knesset in Jerusalem.
Danny Elgarat, brother of one of the hostages, Itzhak Elgarat, also called on Netanyahu to leave his position.
"Bibi, this is the end to the shady deals, the end to corruption," Elgarat said, using a nickname by which the prime minister is widely known in Israel. "Bibi, this is the end to playing games with us. 177 days! Bibi — this is the end!"
Thousands more protesters gathered outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, carrying flags and banners.
"Bring everyone home now. Without returning the hostages, Israel doesn't have a justification to exist," one of banners reads.
The Israel Police said in a statement that "a number of pyrotechnic items, including smoke flares, were set off near the demonstrators" and that one person was arrested on suspicion of being involved.
Meeting with Netanyahu: Separately, the family of an Israeli female soldier held hostage in Gaza said “no good news” came out of their meeting with Netanyahu on Sunday.
“After six months, we hoped and expected to get some good news as the negotiations progressed,” the father of 19-year-old captured soldier Naama Levy said in an interview with Israel's Army Radio. “We received no such news. On the contrary, we are disturbed that negotiations are progressing slowly.”
This post has been updated with remarks from the family of another hostage.
Deadly strike reported outside Gaza hospital as Israeli raid continues at another. Here's the latest
From CNN staff
At least two people were killed Sunday by an Israeli drone strike on tents outside the Al-Aqsa medical complex in central Gaza, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Thousands of displaced people are sheltering on the hospital grounds, along with several journalist teams working from tents in the area. Al-Aqsa is the only remaining functional medical facility in the central city of Deir al-Balah.
Videos of the aftermath, shared by journalists, show panic as people ran for cover and to aid the injured.
The Israeli military claimed in a statement that one of its aircraft struck an "operational Islamic Jihad command center and terrorists that operated from the courtyard" of the hospital. It did not provide evidence to support this claim.
Meanwhile, in the north, a raid on Al-Shifa Hospital — Gaza's largest medical facility — entered its 14th day Sunday. Israel claims it has killed more than 200 militants at the facility, while Palestinians inside Al-Shifa and around it have reported civilian casualties and arrests, as well as large-scale destruction. The health ministry in Gaza says Israel is not allowing patients and medical staff to evacuate, trapping them without basic resources.
Here are more of the day's latest headlines:
- Anti-government protests in Israel: Protesters called for the release of hostages held in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's removal outside the country's parliament Sunday. The protests marked the second day of mass anti-government demonstrations this weekend. Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Caesarea, Raanana and Herzliya on Saturday. At least 16 people were arrested, according to Israeli police.
- Netanyahu speaks before surgery: In comments to media before undergoing surgery for a hernia Sunday night, Netanyahu rejected the calls for early elections, saying it would weaken the war effort. He also reiterated his commitment to invading the southern city of Rafah, saying it was necessary to defeat Hamas. Netanyahu insisted any delay of a military operation in Rafah had nothing to do with US pressure or the month of Ramadan, saying such an operation takes time to plan. Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem later confirmed the prime minister's surgery was successful.
- Talks in Cairo: Negotiations over an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal resumed in Cairo, according to Egyptian state-run media. The talks had reached a stalemate in recent days, a source told CNN on Wednesday. The resumed negotiations take place against the backdrop of massive protests in cities across the world over the weekend, where marchers demonstrated solidarity with the people of Gaza and showed their support for a ceasefire in the strip.
- Aid airdrops: The Jordanian Armed Forces made 10 airdrops of humanitarian relief into northern Gaza on Sunday, according to a statement. Jordan said it has carried out 65 aid airdrops on Gaza since November 6 and 119 airdrops in cooperation with other countries. Airdrops are among the faster — but less effective — methods countries are using to try to address the hunger crisis in Gaza while Israel maintains a tight siege on ground deliveries.
- World Food Programme: WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said in an interview with CBS on Sunday that the organization needs “full, unfettered access, and right now we don’t have that” in Gaza. She said the aid WFP does get into the enclave is "nothing — it really is." She called on the Israeli government to make it clear where and when more food can be distributed.
This post has been updated to reflect Netanyahu's surgery was completed without incident.
Christians in Gaza observe Easter Sunday with prayers for peace instead of traditional joyous celebration
From Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman in Jerusalem and Sarah El Sirgany in London
Easter-observing Christians in Gaza participated in Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City on Sunday with prayers for peace and hopes that those displaced by war will be able to return to their homes.
“This is a very different holiday from before. We are all in the same boat suffering from the war. This holiday was reduced to prayers and rituals,” Sister Nabila Saleh said. About a dozen worshippers from the small community of fewer than 1,000 Christians in Gaza took part in the service Sunday, after holding a vigil in darkness at the church on Saturday night.
“Before, we would have joyous celebrations after prayers. There would be fireworks. We would exchange greetings and distribute chocolate and gifts for the kids. Not this year. We are in completely different circumstances. We live through the same horrors of war,” Saleh added.
The missing loved ones, either killed or displaced, loomed over the traditional Holy Week celebrations.
“This holiday that always had the scent of spring flowers is now mixed with the smell of blood and destruction,” Mousa Ayad, one of the attendees, said.
“This holiday used to be for children to be happy, eat and get new clothes. Now they are crying over their lost lives and security. This is the state of our people during this holiday,” he added.
Netanyahu rejects calls for early elections, saying only Hamas would benefit from them
From CNN's Benjamin Brown, Tamar Michaelis and Mohammed Tawfeeq
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for early elections again on Sunday, saying they would only hurt the country's war effort.
"The calls to hold elections now, in the height of the war, a step away from victory, will paralyze Israel for at least six months — I assess, eight months," Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem.
The prime minister also claimed elections would derail ongoing hostage negotiations.
Some context: On Sunday, protesters gathered outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to call for Netanyahu's resignation and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
It marks the second day of mass anti-government protest this weekend, and just the latest demonstration in recent weeks. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Caesarea, Raanana and Herzliya on Saturday.
Opposition leader and former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a media appearance Sunday that early elections during wartime were not ideal, but critical.
"We realized that with this government we won't fix the budget, we won't bring the hostages back, and especially won't win the war — because neither the world nor the Israeli people would back us," Lapid told Israel's Channel 12.
Israel says it killed "significant" Hezbollah anti-tank commander in Lebanon airstrike
From CNN's Benjamin Brown and Charbel Mallo
The Israeli military said it killed a "significant" commander, responsible for "dozens of anti-tank missile attacks against Israeli civilians, communities and security forces" in a Hezbollah anti-tank unit in an airstrike in Lebanon Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces said Ismail Al-Zin was killed in a strike on a vehicle near the town of Kounine in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah acknowledged Al-Zin's death in a statement Sunday, without giving his title or saying how he died.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported a drone strike Sunday on a car near Kounine. An Israeli drone had launched a guided missile at the car, NNA said.
Sunday's announcement came after "numerous" rockets were launched toward Israel from southern Lebanon, according to the IDF. The Israeli military said it had intercepted several of the launches. The IDF said it later struck Hezbollah's military infrastructure and launch posts.
Remember: Hezbollah is a powerful Iran-backed paramilitary group that has been exchanging fire with the IDF across the border between southern Lebanon and northern Israel at an increased rate since the October 7 attacks.
More anti-government protests held in Israel as Netanyahu heads in for medical procedure
From CNN's Tamar Michaelis, Jessie Gretener, Benjamin Brown and Mohammed Tawfeeq
Protesters gathered in Israel again Sunday to call for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation, as the Israeli leader held a news conference and prepared for a medical procedure.
Netanyahu's office earlier announced that he was diagnosed with a hernia on Saturday evening and would be undergoing surgery under full anesthesia tonight. Yariv Levin, who serves as the country's deputy prime minister and justice minister, will step up as prime minister during the procedure.
Netanyahu addressed media before heading in for the surgery Sunday evening local time.
What Netanyahu said: During the news conference, the prime minister said Israeli forces have killed more than 200 people he described as militants in Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital. The Israeli military has made similar claims about its ongoing raid at the medical facility. He also reiterated his commitment to invading the southern city of Rafah, saying it was necessary to defeat Hamas.
Netanyahu vowed to return to work "very quickly" after his procedure.
Ongoing protests: As the prime minister spoke, another major protest was underway outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza and the resignation of Netanyahu. Sunday's protests mark the second day of mass anti-government protest this weekend. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Caesarea, Raanana and Herzliya on Saturday. At least 16 people were arrested, according to Israeli police.
In anticipation of Sunday’s protests, a police spokesperson said hundreds of officers and border guard members would be deployed.
This post has been updated with comments from Netanyahu's news conference.
At least 2 killed by Israeli strike near Al-Aqsa medical facility, hospital spokesperson says
From Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder in Jerusalem, Lauren Izso in Tel Aviv and Sarah El Sirgany
An Israeli drone strike on tents surrounding the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza killed at least two people and wounded more than a dozen others Sunday, a hospital spokesperson told CNN.
Thousands of displaced people are sheltering on the hospital grounds, along with several journalist teams working from tents in the area. Al-Aqsa is the only remaining functional medical facility in the central city of Deir al-Balah.
Videos of the aftermath, shared by journalists, show panic as people ran for cover under flying debris, while others rushed toward the smoldering tents to aid the injured and put out small fires.
IDF statement: The Israeli military claimed in a statement that one of its aircraft struck an "operational Islamic Jihad command center and terrorists that operated from the courtyard" of the hospital. The Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency did not provide evidence to support this claim.
The IDF said the operation was planned for "minimizing harm to uninvolved civilians" and to avoid damaging the main hospital building.
Firsthand accounts: Journalist Usama Al-Kahlout told CNN the strike was "direct targeting of the journalists’ tents," which are surrounded by the tents of displaced people at the hospital’s emergency entrance.
"We were sitting here safely. Suddenly, dust filled the air. I looked around and I saw that our neighbor’s tent was hit. Those displaced people have nothing to do with anyone — one is a teacher and the other is a doctor that are not related to anything," Hamza al-Kurd, who is sheltering in the area with his family, told CNN.
Video shot by a CNN stringer shows the destruction to some of the journalists' tents and equipment. In the footage, people are seen inspecting the damaged tarp tents and going through the blood-stained wreckage to salvage what’s left of their belongings.