内容摘要：According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 54,056 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, which humanitarian aid groups and United Nations experts have

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 54,056 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, which humanitarian aid groups and United Nations experts have

almost 4,000 Palestinianshave been killed, hundreds of them children. In addition, a siege, imposed upon the decimated

has pushed what remains of its pre-war population of more than two million to the point of famine, international agencies, including the United Nations, have warned.At the same time as Israel’s war on Gaza has intensified, so too have its actions in the West Bank. Under the guise of another military operation, the Israeli army has occupied and levelled large parts of the occupied territorydisplacing a reported 40,000

of its inhabitants as it establishes its own military network there.On Thursday, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz, alongside Smotrich, who as finance minister enjoys significant control over the West Bank, announced the establishment of a further 22 Israeli settlements, all in defiance of international law.

Smotrich’s announcement came as a surprise to few. The far-right minister – himself a settler on Palestinian land – has previously been clear about his intention to see the West Bank annexed,

even ordering preparations to do so in advance of US President Donald Trump’s inaugurationAn estimated 1.8 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which begins on June 4.

The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims from all over the world and a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many.In this visual explainer, we cover 10 frequently asked questions about the Hajj, providing insights into its significance, rituals and preparations.

1. What is the Hajj?The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and it is the fifth and final pillar of Islam, along with declaration of faith (shahada), five daily prayers, obligatory charity (