Morning recap

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

Here are the latest updates from Israel's war on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank:

• Fourteen countries, including Britain, Canada, Denmark and France, have condemned Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning the decision is illegal and threatens regional stability.

• In a joint statement, the countries said Israel’s actions “violate international law” and risk derailing the fragile Gaza ceasefire, as mediators attempt to push talks towards a second phase.

• The signatories warned that settlement expansion undermines “long-term peace and security across the region”, coming as Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed almost 71,000 Palestinians.

• Israeli occupation forces assaulted a young man in the town of Kafr al-Balad, east of Tulkarm, on Wednesday evening, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

• Local sources told Wafa that Israeli forces stormed the town, deployed across streets and alleys, stopped residents, detained several people and severely beat one young man.

• Settler violence was also reported near Hebron, where settlers threw stones at a house on the outskirts of the West Bank village of Sa'ir, Palestinian sources said.

• The attack injured a toddler, who reportedly suffered head wounds after a stone smashed through a window of the house.

• Reports said settlers also attempted to set a vehicle on fire during the incident.

• Belgium has formally joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, adding to mounting legal pressure over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.