Israeli Actions, Media Scrutiny, Political Resignations, and International Demonstrations

In the village of al Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, a Palestinian man was observed seeking shelter on his balcony during an Israeli forces raid. Since imposing a siege on the village on August 21, troops have reportedly stormed numerous homes, causing property damage, assaulting residents, and arresting several young men.

Several former and current Reuters journalists have voiced concerns regarding what they perceive as a pro-Israel bias in the agency's reporting on Gaza. A report by Declassified UK details an internal review conducted by Reuters staff, analyzing nearly 500 stories from the initial five weeks of Israel's war on Gaza. The review's findings indicated a clear leaning towards Israeli perspectives and casualties, despite the significantly higher losses suffered by Palestinians.

Journalists have criticized Reuters for avoiding the term "Palestine," downplaying expert warnings of genocide, and employing euphemisms like "war" or "campaign" instead of accurately describing events. Some employees resigned in protest, while others accused management of cultivating an editorial culture that "dehumanizes Palestinians" and protects Israel from accountability.

On August 22, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned after his caretaker government failed to agree on further sanctions against Israel concerning its war on Gaza and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Veldkamp had advocated for stronger measures, including trade restrictions and broader EU actions, but stated he was "insufficiently able to take meaningful additional steps to increase pressure on Israel." His resignation followed earlier actions that banned two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the Netherlands and occurred amidst growing calls across Europe for stricter accountability regarding Israel's ongoing war on Gaza.

US President Donald Trump stated that hostages would be "safer, in many ways," if Israel "went in" to Gaza, during a conversation with journalists in the Oval Office in Washington DC on August 22.

On August 22, a significant fire erupted at an automotive supply company in southeast Louisiana. Officials reported no injuries, but the explosion led to the evacuation of nearby residents and an elementary school.

On August 23, dozens of boats participated in a "Salute to Gaza" parade along the Istanbul Strait, organized by the Open Rafah movement. The flotilla displayed a large watermelon banner, advocating for the opening of the Rafah crossing and supporting Palestinians under blockade.