The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they unfold.
London police: 450 arrested since start of pro-Palestinian protests, 193 of them for antisemitic offenses
With tens of thousands expected to attend a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel march in London later today, the Metropolitan Police says the cost of policing the protests has now reached approximately £38.5 million (approximately $48 million).
The London police force has struggled to manage tensions sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, with Jewish residents saying they feel threatened by repeated pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel marches through the streets of the UK capital.
In addition, the police force says 450 arrests have been made since the marches began, with 193 of them detained for antisemitic offenses.
The majority of those offenses involved placards, chanting or expressions of hate speech, police say.
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist tells British media that the force aims to police the events “without fear or favor,” and notes that they “been a particular cause of fear and uncertainty in Jewish communities.”
However the senior officer says the protests have not reached the threshold where they would be determined to carry a risk of “serious public disorder.”
At the same time as today’s pro-Palestinian march, a separate demonstration arranged by the pro-Israel Enough is Enough group will take place nearby. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said that it cancelled its planned walk at the same time amid safety concerns.
Though the pro-Palestinian marches have been largely peaceful, a British counterterrorism official said last month the protests have made the streets of London “a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.”
Demonstrations have also featured people glorifying Hamas, and antisemitic incidents and chants.
British Jews say they have been subject to verbal abuse by some pro-Palestinian supporters since October 7, and there have been recorded incidents of physical violence as well.
Ship attacked by missiles off Yemen coast
A ship was damaged when it was targeted twice with multiple missiles off Yemen’s coast, in the latest attack on international shipping in the Red Sea to be claimed by Houthi rebels.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations security agency says the attack took place southwest of the Yemeni port of Mokha.
In the first attack, the ship “experienced an explosion in close proximity to the vessel which was felt by the crew on board,” UKMTO says on social media platform X.
“The second attack on the vessel consisted of what is believed to be two missiles, which resulted in damage.”
Hours earlier, the British maritime security firm Ambrey also reported an attack off the port of Mokha.
Airstrikes reported in south Gaza; exchanges of fire in north West Bank
There are reports tonight of airstrikes in southern Gaza, particularly in the Khan Younis and Rafah areas. Palestinians report people killed and wounded.
In the West Bank, there are reports of military raids in the Jenin and Tulkarem areas, with exchanges of fire between IDF troops and gunmen.
In Jenin, terrorists are embroiled in a gunfight with the IDF at a checkpoint pic.twitter.com/sefuI6aCUM
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) April 26, 2024
Hamas says it has received, will study Israel’s latest response in truce negotiations
Hamas has received Israel’s official response to its latest truce proposal and will study it before submitting its reply, the group’s deputy Gaza chief says in a statement.
“Hamas has received today the official response of the Zionist occupation to the proposal presented to the Egyptian and the Qatari mediators on April 13,” Khalil Al-Hayya, who is currently based in Qatar, says in a statement published by the group.
After more than six months of war with Israel in Gaza, the negotiations remain deadlocked, with Hamas sticking to its demands that any agreement must end the war.