The Day Israel Awaited the Green Light to Strike Iran

On April 23, Palestinian editors focused on Israeli threats to strike Iran, with Defense Minister Katz stating Israel awaits US approval to 'wipe out the Khamenei lineage' and 'return Iran to the Stone Age.' This came amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran began collecting transit fees. Meanwhile, violence continued in Gaza and the West Bank: a drone strike in Beit Lahia killed five, including three children; journalist Amal Khalil was assassinated in southern Lebanon; and settler attacks in the West Bank raised the death toll to 16 since the year began. In the afternoon, Israel approved a Jewish school in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, drawing condemnation. Local election campaigning ended at midnight, with Fatah internal divisions marring the Hebron municipal race.