Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about the war in Gaza and the long history between Israel and Palestine at a forum Saturday night at The Big Red Church.

The free event, which begins with a social at 5:30 p.m. will run until 8 p.m.

It will feature speakers from:

— American Indian Movement-West

— Jewish Voice for Peace and JVP Action

— Palestinian community members

— Veterans for Peace

— Poet/playwright Aideed Medina

There will be music from the Generaciones Music Project.

The Big Red Church is at 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd. in the Fresno High neighborhood between Clinton and McKinley avenues.

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Palestinian Death Toll Surpasses 40,000

The Palestinian Health Ministry says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023 with Hamas’ attack on Israel.

On Thursday, the U.N. World Health Organization said that it has reached an agreement with Israel for limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children after a baby contracted the first confirmed case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory.

The vaccination campaign will start Sunday in central Gaza, with a “humanitarian pause” lasting from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. for three days, The pause can be extended by an additional day if needed, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories.

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