Day: April 7, 2025

Israel has dramatically expanded its footprint in the Gaza Strip since relaunching its war against Hamas last month. It now controls more than 50% of the territory and is squeezing Palestinians into shrinking wedges of land. Soldiers interviewed by AP and a rights group say the military has razed Palestinian homes, farmland and infrastructure since the early days of the war in order to expand a buffer zone around Gaza. That zone has recently doubled in size. Israel has depicted its tightening grip as a temporary necessity to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages it took during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war. But rights groups say the land it holds could be used for wielding long-term control.

Global stock markets extended a severe plunge Monday, fueled by fears that U.S. tariffs would lead to a global economic slowdown. European and Asian shares saw dramatic losses, the leading U.S. index flirted with bear market territory in pre-market trading, and oil prices sagged.