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Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right security minister, has authorized personal firearm permits for residents of 18 illegal West Bank settlements as part of a policy aimed at enhancing self-defense and personal security. This initiative follows a significant increase in gun permits issued, with over 240,000 settlers obtaining permits compared to around 8,000 annually in previous years.

The new list includes settlements across various regions of the West Bank. Ben-Gvir's policy, initiated in late 2023, comes amid rising violence against Palestinians, with over 1,100 reported fatalities and numerous injuries since October 2023.

Separately, FIFA and UEFA intervened to suspend the demolition of a football pitch in the Aida refugee camp, which serves over 250 children. The pitch's demolition was originally scheduled after Israeli authorities deemed it illegal, despite international law deeming the occupation illegal.