Loading...
Loading...
A new Palestinian committee linked to the Palestinian Authority is preparing to enter Gaza to take over administration and restore basic services, an effort Hamas officials have rejected. Separately, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for direct elections for the Palestine Liberation Organization's parliament, the Palestinian National Council, scheduled for November, in a move seen as an attempt to revitalize its leadership. Concurrently, the newly formed international Board of Peace for Gaza held its inaugural summit.
These developments unfolded against a backdrop of significant Israeli policy moves. The Israeli cabinet approved a new process for registering land in the West Bank, a step widely criticized as facilitating 'de-facto annexation.' Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also stated that a future Israeli administration should 'encourage migration' of Palestinians from the West Bank.
The Israeli government's approval of measures to expand control over the West Bank, including registering land as 'state property,' drew widespread international condemnation. Over 80 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, issued a joint statement condemning the moves as unlawful, with the European Union, United Kingdom, United Nations, and United States also calling for reversal. A White House official stated Trump does not support Israel annexing the West Bank. In a related development, the US embassy began offering consular services at temporary locations in two Israeli settlements, a first for the occupied territory.
On Gaza, Donald Trump launched the 'Board of Peace' initiative, which held its first meeting with pledges of aid and troops. The key Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened after a nearly two-year closure, with the EU sending a monitoring mission. Meanwhile, Hamas leaders rejected any disarmament while Israeli occupation continues. Senior Israeli officials made statements on Gaza's future, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating there would be no reconstruction before demilitarization and Finance Minister Smotrich advocating for Israeli occupation and settlements. The United Arab Emirates publicly denied reports it was in talks to assume civilian control over Gaza.
5 topics | 39 sources
A new Palestinian committee is preparing to enter Gaza to take over administration and restore basic services. The committee, which is seen as being linked to the Palestinian Authority, has adopted a logo that includes the PA's emblem, a move that has been rejected by Hamas officials. The effort is part of broader international discussions about Gaza's future, which include calls for Hamas to disarm and for the West Bank and Gaza to remain unified.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for elections for the Palestine Liberation Organization's parliament, known as the Palestinian National Council. This would be the first time members of the PLO's highest decision-making body are chosen by a direct vote. The elections are scheduled for November. The PLO is internationally recognized as the representative of the Palestinian people, and this move is seen as an attempt to revitalize its leadership structure.
The UN Security Council held a session focused on the future of Gaza and the West Bank, with discussions centering on a two-state solution. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the council there can be no peace in Gaza without justice. Separately, the African Union called for Palestine to be granted full United Nations membership status. The UN also defended one of its human rights experts who focuses on Palestinian rights after the expert faced criticism from European countries.
21 topics | 1228 sources
Feb 28 — Feb 7
Netanyahu meets with Trump in Washington to discuss Iran and GazaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The main topics were the ongoing U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and the situation in Gaza. Netanyahu expressed skepticism about a potential deal with Iran, while Trump said he had insisted diplomacy continue. Trump also commented on Israeli domestic politics, saying President Isaac Herzog should be 'ashamed' for not yet granting Netanyahu a pardon related to the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial. Herzog responded by stating Israel is a sovereign state and no decision had been made. Netanyahu's office denied he had asked Trump to pressure Herzog. Netanyahu also signed Israel onto a U.S.-led initiative called the 'Board of Peace,' which is focused on Gaza reconstruction. He stated that Israel and the U.S. agree Gaza should not be rebuilt before it is disarmed. Hamas officials rejected Netanyahu's calls for disarmament and a regional alliance.
Feb 24 — Feb 10
Israel approves new West Bank land registration rules, drawing international condemnation as step toward annexationThe Israeli cabinet approved a new process for registering land in the occupied West Bank as 'state property' for the first time since 1967. The move, which makes it easier to claim land, has been criticized by international bodies as a step toward 'de-facto annexation.' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's call for Palestinian migration accompanied the decision, which has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Feb 27
Israel's post-war plans for Gaza and West Bank settlements draw international reactionsThe United Nations said Israel is aiming for a 'permanent demographic change' in the West Bank and Gaza. A senior Israeli official, Bezalel Smotrich, said Israel would occupy Gaza and establish Jewish settlements there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no reconstruction of Gaza before its demilitarization. In response, activists announced a 'Freedom and Sumud Flotilla' to challenge the Gaza blockade, and the U.S. said it would offer consular services at an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
Feb 26
Modi visits Israeli-occupied territories while India strengthens ties with IsraelIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited occupied territories to deepen ties with Israel. The visit occurred despite violence in Gaza and reports of assaults on Indian workers in Israel. Modi received honors from both Israel and Palestine, with some reports suggesting the warming India-Israel relationship comes at Palestine's expense.