On 2025-05-26, an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians, primarily children and women. Separately, a strike on a residential house in northern Gaza killed at least 19 Palestinians, all from the same family.

On 2025-05-26, Spain urged the world to consider sanctions on Israel and hosted foreign ministers from 20 European and Arab nations in Madrid to push for a two-state solution. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that Madrid is hosting 20 countries and international organizations with the goal of stopping the war in Gaza and breaking the blockade of humanitarian assistance.

The Israeli military reported on 2025-05-26 that its air force attacked more than 200 targets in the Gaza Strip in the past two days. The military claimed these targets included terrorists, weapons depots, and tunnel shafts.

Published on 2025-05-26, Russia announced it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv, marking the last phase of a swap agreed during talks in Istanbul on May 16. Russia and Ukraine completed a three-day exchange of 1,000 prisoners each, which is the largest such swap since the war began three years ago.

On 2025-05-26, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched a record number of drones against Ukraine overnight, deploying 298 drones and 69 missiles, of which 266 drones and 45 missiles were downed. Ukrainian officials reported that the death toll from Russia's aerial attack on Ukraine rose to 13, with at least 60 people wounded, including three children.

On 2025-05-25, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s governing party won 82.68 percent of votes cast for seats in the National Assembly in parliamentary and regional elections, which were boycotted by the opposition. The turnout was roughly 42 percent.

Reported on 2025-05-26, United States President Donald Trump has recently revoked permission for oil giant Chevron to continue pumping Venezuelan crude and revoked deportation protection from 350,000 Venezuelan migrants in the US in 2025.

Joseph Neumeyer had an initial court appearance before a federal judge in Brooklyn on Sunday, 2025-05-25, and his criminal complaint was unsealed on the same day. US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on 2025-05-25 that the Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.

On 2025-05-26, Israeli army vehicles were stationed near the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, and al-Awda Hospital was surrounded. A fire also erupted in the medicine warehouse of al-Awda Hospital.

Since dawn on 2025-05-26, Israeli forces have arrested at least 11 Palestinians during raids carried out across the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office. Arrests occurred in Tubas, Ramallah, el-Bireh, and Hebron.

On 2025-05-26, Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with other politicians, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to celebrate “Jerusalem Day” and the occupation of the Palestinian territory. Ben-Gvir stated he prayed for victory in the war and the return of hostages.

On 2025-05-26, Rachel Cummings, humanitarian director with Save the Children, described the situation in central Gaza as “desperate and dire” after more than 11 weeks of a total aid blockade. She noted that children are searching for food and water daily.

On 2025-05-26, Rachel Cummings, humanitarian director at Save the Children, stated that local and international humanitarian organisations are not engaging with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). She added that they need to be allowed to deliver services and supplies to populations in need across Gaza.

Published on 2025-05-25, a report notes that despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim a week prior to allow limited aid into Gaza, the United Nations and aid groups have criticized the amount as insufficient, describing it as a "drop in the ocean" or a "smokescreen." While Israel has allowed approximately 100 trucks carrying aid into Gaza since Wednesday, aid organizations state that the needs require 500-600 trucks daily.

Published on 2025-05-25, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa expressed hope that the Israeli government would stop "famine" and "genocide" in Gaza. Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Florian Hahn warned about the "unbearable" humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic solution, emphasizing it as a main priority of German foreign policy.

Published on 2025-05-25, it was announced that a high-level UN conference on the two-state solution, which France and Saudi Arabia will host in New York, will be held on 2025-06-17. The aim is to create momentum for the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

On 2025-05-25, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul to discuss boosting cooperation, especially in defence, energy, and transportation. Erdogan emphasized increasing solidarity in education, intelligence sharing, and technological support to combat "terrorism".

On 2025-05-26, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that its troops had taken control of the village of Romanivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

On 2025-05-26, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that Russian air defenses intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 13 over the Moscow and Tver regions.

Published on 2025-05-26, following Moscow's largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump described Vladimir Putin as “absolutely crazy” and warned that any attempt at a total takeover of Ukraine would “lead to the downfall of Russia”. On the same day, Trump also criticised Zelenskyy, accusing him of “doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does and that everything out of his mouth causes problems”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged international leaders to increase the pressure on Russia, stating that the silence encourages Putin and that additional sanctions would help. Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul stated that Russia’s latest wave of attacks on Ukraine should be answered with additional Western sanctions, which would get Putin to the negotiating table.

On 2025-05-25, tens of thousands of people marched in Warsaw to support opposing candidates in the Polish presidential run-off to be held next weekend. As of 2025-05-25, polls project Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki tied at 47 percent each before the June 1 run-off election.

According to a report published on 2025-05-26, Joshua Coleman argues that rising individualism may also drive estrangement. Surveys show that adult children often say that they feel happier and less stressed out as a result of cutting ties, though many struggle, especially during holidays.