A state of disappointment and frustration is escalating within the Israeli military establishment, in light of the continuous inability to find an effective defensive system to counter the explosive drones launched by Hezbollah. Hebrew press reports confirmed that these drones have become a constant and deadly nuisance for the occupation army forces deployed in the northern sector and southern Lebanon, claiming the lives of soldiers almost daily without an organized response.

Media sources explained that the absence of technical solutions from the army leadership has pushed soldiers in the field to improvise and search for primitive means to save their lives. These attempts included collecting financial donations to purchase protective nets, using football goal nets provided by local authorities, in addition to using banana farm nets donated by farmers in border areas.

Reserve Major 'T' recounted his bitter experience after a three-month service tour, during which he had to work intensively to raise funds to secure these nets for the soldiers. He pointed out that discovering the ability of ordinary football nets to stop drones was the only available solution for forces who feel abandoned by the military leadership in the face of a sophisticated aerial threat.

The Israeli officer revealed that he was misled by a senior army official who claimed there was a huge stock of up to 200,000 meters of nets in military warehouses. Despite promises to secure this equipment immediately upon contact, the reality on the ground proved these claims false, as no official supplies reached the forces, who still rely on personal initiatives and donations.

'T' strongly criticized the political and security leadership's preoccupation with secondary issues such as the military service evasion law, instead of holding emergency sessions to discuss the drone threat that has existed for five years. He described the current situation as a dismal failure, demanding the necessity of finding real solutions instead of leaving soldiers to face death with primitive means that are not commensurate with the technical threat posed by Hezbollah.

For his part, Reserve Lieutenant Colonel 'Sh', who serves in an armored unit inside Lebanese territory, confirmed that drones have become the most dominant and influential element in daily military operations. He explained that forces are forced to hide in fortified places and wait for long periods until the aerial threat subsides, which hinders field movements and imposes a state of partial paralysis on unit activity.

Officer 'Sh' added that he contacted local farmers to obtain abandoned banana farm nets to use as physical barriers against suicide drones. Despite his repeated demands to the army to provide concrete blocks to secure these nets, he received no response or support, expressing his anger at the disregard for urgent field demands aimed at protecting the lives of soldiers on the front lines.

In contrast, the spokesperson for the occupation army tried to defend the military establishment's position, claiming that more than 230,000 square meters of protective nets had been provided to various units. He indicated in his statements that there were plans to purchase an additional 280,000 meters for later distribution, but these figures starkly contradict the testimonies of officers and soldiers who confirm their continued reliance on sports nets and farm nets.

For me, this is failure itself. Find a solution. The situation is truly frustrating, and this threat has existed for five years.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, announced her official withdrawal from participating in the activities of the 'Hay Festival' International. This stance came in protest against the existing partnership between the festival organizers and the American company 'Airbnb', which specializes in digital property rentals.

Albanese affirmed that her decision stems from the principle of rejecting normalization with entities that profit from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. She clarified that the sponsoring company directly contributes to supporting an economic system that perpetuates the occupation, annexation, and forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands.

Albanese was not alone in this stance, as Professor Eyal Weizman, a prominent architect and thinker, also announced his withdrawal from the festival in solidarity with these principles. Weizman holds the position of Professor of Spatial Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London, and is known for his academic activism against occupation policies.

It is worth noting that the 'Hay Festival' literary festival is currently being held in the town of 'Hay-on-Wye' in Wales, United Kingdom, and continues until the end of May. The festival is classified as one of the most important cultural and literary forums worldwide, which gives the withdrawal of human rights figures from it a wide international resonance.

The UN Rapporteur emphasized in a post on the 'X' platform that human values cannot be fragmented or made conditional on specific circumstances. She stated that silence in the face of violations should not be the price for comfort or cultural prestige, considering the withdrawal a cry against the continued support for settlements.

Official festival data shows that 'Airbnb' is associated with the event as a strategic partner and official sponsor, which has angered human rights defenders. The company faces continuous international criticism for listing properties located within settlements built on usurped Palestinian lands.

This stance coincides with the escalating pace of settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the current Israeli government took office in late 2022. Reports indicate an unprecedented expansion of settlement outposts, which the United Nations considers a clear violation of international law.

Statistics indicate the presence of approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers distributed among hundreds of settlements and pastoral outposts throughout the West Bank. Among these, about a quarter of a million settlers reside in occupied East Jerusalem, complicating the prospects for establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.

Settlement expansion has been accompanied by an escalation on the ground by the occupation army and settlers, including widespread demolition operations of Palestinian structures and livelihoods. These measures, according to observers, aim to impose a new reality that paves the way for the official annexation of the West Bank to Israeli sovereignty.

In a related context, a report by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission revealed that the occupation carried out dozens of demolition operations last month alone. These operations affected inhabited homes and agricultural facilities in the governorates of Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, leading to the displacement of dozens of families.

Palestinians view these moves, including the cancellation of Jordanian legislation and allowing settlers to own land in areas 'A' and 'B', as 'creeping annexation'. These steps are considered a complete undermining of international agreements and UN resolutions that stipulate the illegality of demographic changes in the occupied territories.

The withdrawal of Albanese and Weizman highlights the moral responsibility of international cultural institutions in choosing their partners. It also strengthens international boycott campaigns targeting companies involved in supporting the infrastructure of the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.

Values cannot be conditional, and silence cannot be the price of comfort.

The US Central Command announced a series of airstrikes targeting missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in the southern region of Iran. Military sources confirmed that these operations are part of self-defense and protection of US forces from imminent threats, putting previous security understandings at risk.

These strikes coincided with the arrival of senior Iranian negotiators in the Qatari capital, Doha, to participate in a new round of talks aimed at ending the months-long conflict. Observers believe that this field escalation could undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the state of tension that has gripped the region and affected the stability of the global economy.

Inside Iran, official sources reported hearing violent explosions near the strategic coastal city of Bandar Abbas just before midnight local time. Despite local authorities confirming that the situation in the city had returned to normal, investigation committees began inspecting the targeted sites to assess the extent of the damage resulting from the US shelling.

This military development threatens the fragile ceasefire that began on April 8th between Washington and Tehran. These strikes come at a very sensitive time, as international powers seek to consolidate de-escalation and prevent the region from sliding into a comprehensive and open confrontation that could disrupt global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

For his part, US President Donald Trump entered the crisis with firm stances via social media platforms, demanding that Tehran hand over its enriched uranium stockpile. Trump proposed transferring this 'nuclear dust' to the United States for destruction or disposal on-site under strict international supervision to ensure it is not used in the future.

Trump's demands were not limited to the nuclear file but extended to the political and diplomatic aspects in the Arab region. He urged major Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, to join the 'Abraham Accords' and normalize their relations with Israel as a prerequisite for the success of any peace agreement with the Islamic Republic.

In a related context, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that reaching an agreement with Iran is still possible despite the recent military operations. Rubio indicated during his visit to India that the ongoing negotiations in Qatar will determine the future path, emphasizing that Washington seeks a 'good' deal or no deal at all.

On the Lebanese front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his army's intention to intensify military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu vowed to crush the military capabilities of the party, confirming that he had asked the army command to accelerate the pace of attacks and not slow them down under any circumstances.

Recent hours witnessed a widespread Israeli escalation, including more than 85 airstrikes targeting the cities of Tyre and Nabatieh and many towns in southern and eastern Lebanon. These raids led to a new wave of displacement from the southern suburbs of Beirut, amid reports of the destruction of dozens of Hezbollah's infrastructure within one day.

For its part, Tehran insists that any final agreement with the United States must include an immediate and comprehensive cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The Iranian leadership considers the stability of the Lebanese front an integral part of the regional 'understanding' currently being negotiated in Doha through Pakistani mediation.

In Doha, the high-level Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. The participation of the Central Bank Governor aims to resolve the issue of frozen Iranian funds abroad, which is one of the basic pillars in the proposed draft memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

Global markets reacted quickly to these developments, with oil prices showing significant fluctuations in recent trading. West Texas Intermediate crude fell by more than 5% to levels of $91, while Brent crude recorded a slight increase, reflecting concerns about the possibility of closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

In response to the continuous Israeli violations of the ceasefire, Hezbollah announced the execution of missile attacks targeting barracks and military sites in northern Israel. The party confirmed in a statement that these operations come in response to the recent Israeli escalation that affected civilians and infrastructure in various Lebanese regions.

In conclusion, the regional scene remains suspended between the muzzles of cannons and negotiation tables, as diplomacy races against time to contain the US-Iranian escalation. International capitals await the results of the Doha talks and whether they will succeed in defusing the major explosion in light of the strict conditions imposed by the White House and the ongoing military operations.

US forces conducted defensive strikes in southern Iran today to protect our forces from threats posed by Iranian forces.

Hebrew media sources have revealed new shifts in the field strategy of the Israeli occupation army in southern Lebanon, as the army has begun to reduce the size of its forces deployed in the region. This step comes amidst escalating threats resulting from Hezbollah's use of explosive drones and guided missiles that have directly targeted troop gatherings.

Reports clarified that the army command decided to concentrate the remaining forces in strategic, dominant positions and centers designated for sweeping operations and destroying military infrastructure. This measure aims to reduce vulnerable friction points exploited by Hezbollah fighters to carry out precise attacks using indirect projectiles and aerial suicide weapons.

In a related context, the head of Israeli Military Intelligence (AMAN), Major General Shlomi Binder, is leading what has been described as a 'war of minds' against the party. This war includes daily intelligence assessments aimed at reorienting limited resources towards qualitative paths, including tracking drone launch cells and disrupting logistical supply lines.

Through these operations, Israeli intelligence seeks to build a broad target bank that includes Hezbollah's leadership figures, in preparation for carrying out focused assassinations. This plan relies on precise monitoring of the movements of field and political leaders when suitable operational opportunities arise that ensure accurate hits.

Security sources indicated that current trends within the General Staff lean towards resuming ground incursions deep into Lebanese territory. Field commanders believe that maintaining continuous movement and constant maneuvering is the only way to reduce human and material losses resulting from the advanced aerial threats possessed by the party.

For his part, a reserve officer in military intelligence affirmed that intensive Israeli activity by land and air aims to push Hezbollah fighters northward, away from the border. The officer claimed that the party is forced to deplete its human reserves in Beirut and the Beqaa Valley to compensate for the losses it incurs on the front lines of the confrontation.

On the political front, sources revealed close coordination and continuous dialogue between the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah's leadership to manage the current battle. It appears that the Secretary-General of the party, Sheikh Naim Qassem, is heavily relying on Iranian support and international diplomatic pressure to reach a ceasefire.

The main obstacle in the ongoing negotiations with Washington is Tehran's insistence on linking the Lebanese arena to any comprehensive regional agreement. This is something Israel categorically rejects, as it insists on separating the fronts and ensuring special security arrangements in southern Lebanon to prevent the return of military threats to its northern borders.

Currently, the Israeli army adheres to the directives of the political level, which stipulate working in a limited manner and focusing on sweeping areas previously controlled. These operations include searching hideouts and tunnels and destroying missile platforms discovered in recent weeks in border villages.

However, there is a consensus among military commanders that remaining in a static defensive posture exposes forces to serious risks from mortar fire and attack aircraft. Therefore, pressure is being exerted to expand the scope of ground operations to lift immunity from the party's strongholds in deeper areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut.

The upcoming military decisions are closely linked to the results of indirect negotiations with Iran, as the security establishment is considering two difficult options. Either a gradual withdrawal if an agreement guaranteeing security is reached, or an expansion of the ground offensive to include new geographical areas not yet reached by forces.

The general atmosphere within decision-making circles in Tel Aviv indicates that the army is closer than ever to resuming large-scale offensive operations. This trend coincides with intensified airstrikes targeting command and control centers and strategic weapons depots belonging to the party across Lebanese territory.

Israeli intelligence faces a significant challenge in tracking the 'new modes of operation' devised by Hezbollah fighters to circumvent aerial surveillance. This confrontation requires continuous updating of technical and human resources used in information gathering, especially given the multiple open fronts that are draining Israeli resources.

The field situation in southern Lebanon remains prone to further escalation in the absence of a clear political horizon to end the ongoing confrontation. The 'war of minds' between the two sides continues as a crucial element in determining the course of the battle, with each side seeking to impose its field equations before reaching any final settlement.

The Israeli army is closer to resuming the incursion in parallel with carrying out intensive military strikes if the political path fails.

The Palestinian Prisoner's Club issued strong warnings about a rapid and dangerous wave of 'scabies' disease sweeping through prisoner sections in Israeli occupation prisons, confirming that the prison service deliberately uses the disease as a tool of physical and psychological torture. The club clarified in a statement that the Israeli system adopts medical crimes as a systematic policy of slow killing, which has led to the death of 89 prisoners since the start of the current aggression, with infectious diseases and medical negligence being among the primary causes of their deaths.

Recent legal visits by lawyers revealed shocking levels of health deterioration within the detention centers, where rooms have turned into infested environments lacking the most basic human living conditions. This deterioration is due to severe overcrowding and a lack of general hygiene, in addition to depriving prisoners of natural ventilation and sunlight, and forcing them to wear wet clothes for long periods, which has contributed to turning prisons into hotbeds for the spread of skin epidemics.

Field data indicates that the infection is spreading terrifyingly, with at least three infected individuals in an advanced stage of the disease recorded in every room housing eight prisoners. The widest outbreak is concentrated in 'Ofer', 'Megiddo', 'Naqab', and 'Jalameh' prisons, which are experiencing the highest levels of overcrowding and violations, amid a complete absence of any preventive or therapeutic measures by the prison administration, which merely monitors without real medical intervention.

The statement described the symptoms suffered by the prisoners as very severe, with boils, ulcers, and acute inflammations appearing on their bodies, causing intense itching that prevents them from sleeping or resting. Human rights sources confirmed that a number of prisoners have completely lost the ability to move for more than five months as a result of the worsening skin infections reaching critical stages, amid their deliberate deprivation of essential medicines and medical supplies.

In a step aimed at obscuring the extent of the health catastrophe, the prison administration canceled all lawyers' visits to infected prisoners, which hinders the documentation of cases and the communication of their suffering to the world. Accordingly, the Prisoner's Club issued urgent appeals to the World Health Organization and relevant international institutions, demanding immediate intervention to save the lives of prisoners and hold the occupation authorities accountable for their ongoing medical crimes against detainees.

The occupation relies on medical crimes as a policy of slow killing, with 89 prisoners and detainees whose identities have been announced since the start of the war having died as a result of these policies.

The pace of extermination and forced displacement in the Gaza Strip is escalating through a series of daily airstrikes and systematic targeting of displacement shelters, resulting in the martyrdom of approximately 900 people since the last ceasefire agreement. These massacres coincide with a catastrophic deterioration in the healthcare system and a severe shortage of medical supplies, putting the lives of thousands of wounded and sick people at risk amidst a suffocating siege.

Field sources reported that the Israeli occupation army has taken control of about 60% of the Strip's area, where it is carrying out extensive demolition operations of residential blocks on both sides of the 'Yellow Line'. This military geographical expansion raises fundamental questions about the true objectives of this escalation, and whether Tel Aviv seeks to swallow what remains of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Mohannad Mustafa, an expert in Israeli affairs, believes that Benjamin Netanyahu's government, through this escalation, seeks to implement a comprehensive military operation aimed at fully occupying the Strip. Mustafa explained that Netanyahu is deliberately working to obstruct the basic provisions of the agreements, including hindering the entry of humanitarian aid and preventing the formation of a national committee to manage Gaza's affairs.

The recent military movements are linked to Netanyahu's troubled political situation, as he faces crucial elections next mid-September without achieving tangible accomplishments. Observers believe that failure to resolve the Gaza issue will have catastrophic consequences for his political future, pushing him to exploit the Palestinian front as a propaganda tool to restore his declining popularity among Israeli voters.

In contrast, Kenneth Katzman, a researcher in strategic studies, presents a different view, considering that the common goal between Tel Aviv and Washington is not permanent occupation, but rather the dismantling of the resistance's military capabilities. Katzman points to international arrangements led by UN parties to deploy an international force and an administrative committee immediately after the current regional confrontation with Iran ends.

For his part, political analyst Iyad Al-Qara refuted the Israeli and American narrative regarding the resistance's weapons, describing it as merely a pretext to evade international obligations. Al-Qara affirmed that Palestinian factions showed great flexibility in the Cairo negotiations, expressing their readiness to discuss all issues through the proposed administrative committee, provided there are genuine international guarantees.

Al-Qara explained that Netanyahu is exploiting the American administration's preoccupation with other regional issues to launch a 'mini-war' based on assassinations, reduced aid, and the evacuation of residential blocks. This policy comes as part of an attempt to impose a new demographic and geographical reality away from the eyes of the international community, exploiting the global inability to impose binding resolutions on the occupation.

A huge human block estimated at 2.2 million people is currently present in the remaining 40% of the Strip's area, which portends an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Experts confirm that any attempt at a full invasion will collide with strategic obstacles, including increasing international pressure and the exhaustion of the Israeli army on multiple fronts between southern Lebanon and the West Bank.

Field data indicate that the occupation, despite its control over large areas, has failed over two and a half years of the war of extermination to achieve its strategic goals of eliminating the resistance. This war has so far resulted in more than 70,000 martyrs, yet Palestinian factions are still able to manage the battle and confront infiltration attempts on various axes.

On the international level, striking shifts have begun to appear in the positions of European countries that were considered allies of the occupation, such as Britain and Italy, which have begun to review their military support. This decline in international cover, coinciding with the reserve forces crisis within Israeli society, may put an end to Netanyahu's ambitions for full military expansion within the Gaza Strip.

The world can no longer tolerate a new extermination against 2.2 million people crowded into the remaining 40% of the Strip's area.

New York City is preparing to organize its annual Israel Solidarity March on Fifth Avenue, a tradition that began about 62 years ago as the city's largest demonstration of sympathy. However, the 2026 edition is witnessing a dramatic shift with Mayor Zohran Mamdani's official announcement of his boycott of the event, marking the first time in history that the city's mayor will be absent from this Zionist march.

The organizers of the march expressed clear concern about the expected decline in participant numbers this year compared to previous years, and tried to justify this reluctance by the rise of anti-Semitism. But political readings indicate that the real reason lies in the inability of many, including large segments of the Jewish community, to salute a state steeped in the blood of civilians.

This march comes at a time when Israel is facing accusations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, where statistics indicate that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed. Continuing to organize solidarity celebrations amidst this widespread destruction reflects a state of moral blindness among traditional Zionist institutions that ignore the tragedy of millions of displaced people.

An Israeli ministerial delegation, including figures from the far-right, among them ministers belonging to the Ben-Gvir and Smotrich parties known for their racist stances, is scheduled to participate in the march. These ministers openly compete to make statements calling for the erasure of Gaza and its transformation into Jewish settlements, making participation in the march a blessing for these genocidal tendencies.

Human rights sources have questioned the moral utility of saluting a state that has caused tens of thousands of children to become disabled and orphaned, in addition to destroying southern Lebanon and displacing its residents. Israel in 2026 is no longer the state that can be celebrated in the streets of New York, but has become, in the eyes of large segments of the world, a pariah and rogue state.

The boycott announced by Mamdani, as a human rights advocate, represents a strong slap to the propaganda that tries to beautify the image of the occupation in the United States. It is illogical to raise Israeli flags in Manhattan while 2.3 million people live in tents for the third consecutive year without the most basic necessities of life, such as water or electricity.

The holding of this march under the current circumstances is a blatant disregard for international law and the moral values that Western democracies claim to protect. Instead of solidarity with the military force that continues bombing and destruction, a city like New York should have organized solidarity marches with the oppressed and victims in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Ultimately, it seems that the waters of the Hudson River are no longer able to wash away the innocent blood shed in the Middle East, and American awareness is beginning to change significantly towards the Palestinian issue. The mayor's absence from the official platform of the march is a clear indication that the era of automatic flattery of Israel has begun to wane, even in its historically most supportive cities.

Your salute to these ministers will be a salute to explicit and public genocide, and everyone with a living conscience must boycott this event now.

Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud Hassan Abu Teir is considered an exceptional model in the history of the Palestinian national movement, having spent nearly 44 years of his life behind the bars of Israeli occupation prisons. Abu Teir was born in the village of Umm Tuba in occupied Jerusalem in 1951, and grew up in a resistant family that offered martyrs and prisoners, which shaped his militant personality from an early age.

The journey of suffering and heroism for Sheikh Abu Teir began with his first arrest in 1974, followed by a series of arrests that consumed more than half of his life. Despite the long years of captivity, he remained steadfast in his principles, as he was released in the last stop of his prison journey on May 21, 2026, to return once again to the arena of national action.

Abu Teir received his primary education in UNRWA schools in Jerusalem and obtained his high school diploma from Al-Aqsa Sharia School, before moving on to university studies in Jordan and Beirut. Despite his preoccupation with academic achievement in Sharia and Arabic language specializations, the call of resistance was stronger, which prompted him to engage early in military work.

In his early days, Abu Teir joined the ranks of the Fatah National Liberation Movement under the nom de guerre 'Tariq bin Ziyad', and received intensive military training in resistance camps in Lebanon and Syria. This early experience laid the first foundations for his career as a field commander capable of forming resistance cells and confronting the occupation's schemes in occupied Jerusalem.

His prison years witnessed a profound intellectual transformation in Abu Teir's journey, as he moved to the Islamic current and contributed to the establishment of the Islamic Group inside Ramla Prison in the mid-1970s. From inside his cell, he led many demanding strikes and confronted the repressive practices of the prison administration with steadfastness, meeting Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1984.

With the emergence of the Hamas movement, Abu Teir joined its military wing, the 'Al-Qassam Brigades', and worked alongside prominent leaders such as the martyr Saleh Al-Arouri and the Awadallah brothers. He was known at that stage as 'Omar Al-Mukhtar' or 'Sayyidi Omar', a title that accompanied him for a long time, expressing respect and appreciation for his leadership and spiritual status among his comrades.

Abu Teir's journey was not limited to military work, but extended to include political and parliamentary work, as he won membership in the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006. Abu Teir represented the city of Jerusalem within the Change and Reform Bloc, which made him a direct target for the occupation, which sought to remove elected Jerusalemite symbols through repeated arrests.

In 2010, the occupation authorities took an unjust decision to deport Sheikh Abu Teir and a number of his fellow Jerusalemite deputies to the city of Ramallah in the West Bank. Despite the years of forced deportation, Abu Teir refused to compromise his sacred identity or replace it with Palestinian Authority identity cards, insisting on his inherent right to return to his birthplace.

Sheikh Abu Teir firmly believes that resistance is the only effective way to liberate historical Palestine and ensure the return of refugees to their homes. He strongly criticizes political agreements that he believes aim to liquidate the cause, always calling for the necessity of reforming the Palestine Liberation Organization and involving all active forces in it.

Abu Teir faced continuous restrictions, including being banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, as well as a continuous travel ban since 1985. This year witnessed his release as part of the famous 'Ahmed Jibril' prisoner exchange deal, in which he was responsible for overseeing the list of released prisoners thanks to his experience and shrewdness.

Sheikh Abu Teir documented his rich experience in a massive book titled 'Sayyidi Omar', in which he reviewed, over 600 pages, pivotal stations in the history of Palestinian resistance and his bitter and inspiring memories in prisons. The book was published by Al-Zaytouna Center in Beirut, becoming an important reference for future generations on prison literature and the history of the prisoner movement.

Those close to him and his fellow prisoners describe him as 'Mandela of Palestine', in reference to his legendary steadfastness that did not waver despite the passage of decades and changing political circumstances. His comrades confirm that Abu Teir could have lived in prosperity away from persecution, but he chose the path of sacrifice and altruism in defense of the constants of the Palestinian people.

Sheikh Mohammed Abu Teir remains a living symbol of Jerusalemite steadfastness, as he continues from his voluntary exile in Ramallah to defend his just cause. His journey, which spanned more than seven decades, summarizes the story of a people who refuse to be broken and insist on achieving their freedom, no matter the sacrifices and the length of years of captivity and deportation.

Resistance is the most important factor for restoring historical Palestine, and the Palestinian people are capable of steadfastness until they achieve their freedom.

The diplomatic tension between the Israeli occupation and the European Union is escalating following the interception of international relief fleets heading to the Gaza Strip. Instead of achieving the deterrence goals sought by extremist ministers, the scene of activists' arrests turned into an international platform that revealed the extent of humanitarian suffering in the besieged Strip.

Sources reported that occupation forces arrested a group of humanitarian activists who sought to break the starvation blockade imposed on Gaza. These volunteers, representing several countries, confirmed through their movement that the Palestinian cause remains a compass for the global conscience rejecting colonial policies.

In a significant development, Irish President Catherine Connolly officially announced the arrest of her sister, Dr. Margaret Connolly, a human rights activist. The Irish presidency described the incident as an 'illegal abduction' that took place in international waters, putting the occupation in a legal and moral predicament before the international community.

The Irish President expressed her pride in her sister's humanitarian stance, while observers warned that this step would deepen Tel Aviv's international isolation. This incident is expected to lead to an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with Ireland, which already takes critical positions towards the occupation's practices.

Coinciding with these events, extremist minister Itamar Ben Gvir continued his provocations by storming the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque accompanied by groups of settlers. Ben Gvir raised the occupation flag inside the courtyards under heavy protection, in a move Palestinian sources considered an attempt to ignite the situation and change the existing historical status quo.

These developments come as Palestinians commemorate the seventy-eighth anniversary of the Nakba, recalling the roots of the conflict that has continued for decades. Despite attempts by powers supporting the occupation to marginalize the issue, relief fleets have proven that international solidarity is still alive and active.

Analysts believe that the occupation relies on the weapon of starvation as a political tool against the residents of Gaza, betting on continued American cover. However, the entry of prominent professional and political figures into the relief confrontation has begun to tighten the noose on these policies and embarrass silent European capitals.

Historically, the occupation entity was no stranger to international isolation, as these events remind us of Yasser Arafat's historic speech before the United Nations in 1974. Since then, the methods of popular and international resistance have evolved to include politically and morally besieging the occupation in all forums.

Ben Gvir's extremist behaviors, from distributing weapons to settlers to abusing prisoners, have contributed to shaping a firm international stance against the current government. These actions, which contradict international humanitarian law, have made even the occupation's allies express their displeasure at the lack of political prudence among Tel Aviv's leaders.

In the occupation prisons, the 'empty stomachs' weapon stands out as one of the most prominent tools of struggle mastered by Palestinians to confront administrative detention. Freedom Flotilla activists have drawn inspiration from this spirit of struggle to confront the naval blockade, emphasizing that hunger can turn into an effective weapon against the jailer.

The relief ship project represents a direct threat to the Israeli blockade strategy, and therefore naval forces rush to abuse activists and confiscate ships. This repeated clash puts the global conscience to a real test about the seriousness of saving civilians from imminent famine.

The volunteers who joined the fleets proved that humanitarian work can turn into a resistant political act that breaks the barrier of fear. These activists recorded their names in the annals of heroism, affirming their loyalty to the people of Gaza who face the war machine and blockade alone.

The future of Irish-Israeli relations remains subject to the repercussions of the arrest of the President's sister, which may open the door to stricter European measures. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether human conscience will triumph over policies of brute force and biased political protection.

The arrest of the sister of a European head of state represents a fundamental shift in the nature of the clash between the occupation and international solidarity movements.

* The emergence of informal channels due to Israel's tightening of monetary movement control, which led to a large cash flow through parallel means. * It is realistic not to rely on the return of clearance in the immediate term, and what is required is "zeroing out clearance" and alleviating burdens on citizens. * In the absence of clearance funds and salary delays, it is not enough to ask people to be patient; rather, policies that directly alleviate daily burdens must be adopted. * What is needed are well-thought-out political and economic measures and the development of more equitable tax tools. * We need to adopt a stricter supply policy, and government consumer institutions can be established. * We are facing a long confrontation that requires building comprehensive economic and social immunity consistent with reality. * Gaza cannot wait for comprehensive reconstruction to begin life; what is needed is to operate the economy from the bottom up. * It is important to create a widespread production state that transforms agriculture and industry into real tools for resilience. Ramallah - Special Interview "Al-Quds" - The financial crisis, primarily the shekel surplus, is deepening amidst complex economic transformations and the severe financial crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority. This necessitates, according to businessman and economic analyst Dr. Samir Hulileh, a comprehensive reformulation of economic policies to align with the new social reality.

Hulileh emphasizes in a special interview with "Al-Quds" that the financial crisis has become linked to strategic choices affecting the structure of the Palestinian economy itself, amidst the absence of a unified vision for the Palestinian National Authority that defines how to deal with the crisis and its limits, especially the shekel surplus crisis and mechanisms for controlling it in a way that aligns with national interest and alleviates the accumulated pressures on the financial system and banks.

Hulileh stresses that avoiding a deeper financial crisis requires moving from crisis management to producing effective economic policies capable of enhancing local revenues and reducing reliance on external sources, in addition to adopting well-considered interventions in basic commodity prices and taxes. The following is the text of the interview:

Sources of the Shekel Surplus * First, what are the causes of the shekel surplus crisis in the Palestinian market?

The shekel surplus raises real questions, especially with the decline in the number of Palestinian workers inside Israel, who historically were among the main sources of shekel inflow into the Palestinian market, in addition to the large spending by Palestinians from inside Israel during their visits to the West Bank.

According to a study prepared in 2019, Palestinians from inside Israel spent between 9 to 10 billion shekels annually in the West Bank, while Palestinian workers brought in about 15 billion shekels in cash, totaling approximately 25 billion shekels annually. This figure was almost equivalent to the volume of Palestinian imports from Israel, which are paid in shekels.

At that time, the shekel surplus was estimated at about 18 billion shekels annually, and a mechanism was adopted to transfer about 1.5 billion shekels monthly to the Israeli Central Bank.

Causes of the Shekel Crisis Worsening * But why has the crisis worsened today despite the decline of some traditional channels?

After the Corona pandemic, the Palestinian and Israeli economies witnessed a remarkable recovery, especially between 2021 and 2023, with the shekel-related cash cycle rising from about 35 billion shekels to current estimates ranging between 40 and 45 billion annually, an unjustified increase by traditional standards.

Therefore, new and informal channels for shekel flow emerged, amidst Israel's tightening of control over monetary movement within its borders, in contrast to the weak ability to control it in the Palestinian territories, which led to a large cash flow through parallel means.

Huge Price Differences * What are the most prominent of these informal channels you are talking about?

There are huge price differences between the Palestinian and Israeli markets, most notably cigarettes, where the price difference sometimes reaches 50%, which created widespread smuggling and selling operations that generate large quantities of shekels in cash.

The same applies to the meat file, where the Palestinian quota exempt from duties, amounting to five thousand tons annually, is exploited for resale inside Israel at double prices, instead of being directed to reduce local prices.

The repercussions of the war, both on Gaza and the tension with Iran, also contributed to an unofficial Israeli demand for dollars and gold through Palestinian money changers, which led to an increase in dollar exchange rates outside official channels.

In addition, real estate purchases and shopping in West Bank cities confirm the existence of a wide informal economic movement that has become the main driver of the accumulation of shekel surplus in Palestinian banks.

What is happening has created a black market that is constantly expanding and requires special policies from the concerned authorities to contain and address it.

What is Required from Palestinians to Deal with the Crisis * What policies are required from Palestinians to deal with the shekel surplus crisis?

The main question does not fall solely on the shoulders of the Monetary Authority, but on the official economic bodies, primarily the Ministry of Economy, to determine Palestinian economic policy: Are we interested in the continuation of all forms of shekel flow, or are there activities that should be controlled or limited?

Some paths may create a consumer market and revitalize the local economy, especially with the importance of Palestinians from inside Israel as a major economic incubator for the West Bank, given their higher income level and purchasing power compared to Palestinian citizens, which reflects on stimulating the markets of cities such as Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya, especially after the decline in employment inside Israel, the contraction of the economic cycle, and the disappearance of the Gaza market, which constituted about 35 to 40% of West Bank sales.

Practical Mechanisms to Control the Shekel Surplus * What are the practical mechanisms through which the shekel surplus can be controlled?

The beginning is to understand the paths through which the shekel flows, then make a clear economic decision about whether these flows serve the Palestinian interest or not.

If it is decided to maintain them, means of dealing with the surplus should be considered instead of merely complaining.

The most realistic solution, as happened in 2019, is to seek the assistance of a neutral international body agreed upon by the Monetary Authority and the Israeli Central Bank to examine the sources of the shekel surplus and determine its actual size, while raising the ceiling of annual quantities received by Israel to match current economic changes.

Alternatives in Case of Israeli Refusal * And what are the alternatives if Israel refuses to cooperate?

Then the Authority will be forced to adopt internal policies that reduce reliance on the shekel, such as adopting preferential exchange rates for salaries and taxes in dinars or dollars, in coordination with Jordan, with the aim of gradually strengthening the presence of other currencies in the Palestinian market.

Repercussions of the Shekel Surplus Crisis * What are the most prominent economic and social repercussions of the shekel surplus on society?

The direct and greatest impact falls on the banking sector, as banks bear the primary burden due to the accumulation of large shekel deposits that are not matched by sufficient demand within the Palestinian market.

It is true that part of the banking facilities consists of debit current accounts, but it remains limited compared to the volume of accumulated liquidity.

Banks also face additional challenges related to financing imports from Israel, most of which are paid in shekels, at a time when banks rely on transfers and transactions with international financial institutions that use the shekel within a complex system of guarantees and banking policies.

The citizen is not the primary victim currently, as the main problem affects banks whose vaults are filled with a cash surplus of limited utility and return.

However, the continuation of the crisis without solutions may expand its repercussions in the future, especially with the escalation of Israeli policies and the possibility of targeting the Palestinian banking relationship with Israeli banks, which may complicate the entire financial scene.

More Realistic Solutions * What are the proposed solutions to overcome the crisis?

There are measures such as reducing reliance on cash and promoting electronic payments, but they are not enough to clear the existing surplus.

The most realistic solution is international intervention through a neutral party, preferably American and acceptable to both sides, to assess the volume and sources of the shekel, then raise the ceiling of quantities that Israel recovers annually to match the actual increase in cash circulation, in addition to more effective Palestinian and international action to pressure for a sustainable solution.

Practical Solutions Amidst the Clearance and Salary Crisis * Amidst the clearance and salary crisis, are there still practical solutions that can enhance citizens' resilience, or is only more patience required?

In my opinion, there are many practical solutions, but the real challenge lies in the government's ability to take responsibility for implementing them.

What is happening is not a purely financial or economic crisis, but a clear political attack led by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with the aim of weakening the Palestinian Authority and perhaps overthrowing it. Therefore, the confrontation requires a comprehensive political decision that goes beyond the capacity of the technocratic government alone.

What is required, in my estimation, is a unified political stance involving the presidency, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and national forces, because crisis management requires will and calculated confrontation.

Steps Under the Ceiling of Indirect Confrontation * What is the nature of the steps that can be taken without reaching a direct confrontation?

The discussion is not about a major escalation or a breach of agreements, but about well-thought-out political and economic measures within the existing framework, including the Paris Protocol, to prove that Palestinians have tools of influence, and that the Israeli side is not the only one controlling the economic arena.

The problem, in my estimation, is not only related to Israel's strength or policies, but also to the state of Palestinian weakness and inability that allowed the situation to be exposed to this extent.

Not Relying on the Clearance File * And how do you view the issue of clearance funds in the coming period?

It is realistic not to rely too much on the return of clearance in the immediate term; the current Israeli government, according to indicators, will continue the same approach in the coming months, and therefore the crisis must be dealt with on the basis of the absence of these revenues, and any potential breakthrough should be considered an exception, not a rule, and therefore "zeroing out clearance" is what is required.

Alleviating Burdens by Zeroing Out Clearance * You propose the concept of "zeroing out clearance for Israel," what do you mean by that?

Zeroing out clearance for Israel means reformulating Palestinian economic policy to suit the social and economic state of emergency we are experiencing.

When about 70% of the population lives below the income level necessary to cover the minimum family living expenses, the priority becomes the social agenda, not any other consideration.

In the absence of clearance funds and salary delays, it is not enough to ask people to be patient; rather, policies that directly alleviate daily burdens must be adopted, and direct efforts must be made, within the scope of the Paris Protocol, to zero out the withheld clearance funds by reducing taxes.

The beginning is with taxes imposed on basic commodities. For example, the tax on gas cylinders can be significantly reduced in the coming months, so that their price drops from about 85 shekels to about 40 or 45 shekels, because the largest part of their current price consists of taxes that used to go to enhance clearance, and they no longer reach the Palestinian treasury.

The same applies to diesel, especially since transportation consumes about 18% of Palestinian family spending due to the absence of public transport and citizens' reliance on diesel-powered vehicles.

Here, the tax can be reduced to the minimum, which will significantly lower the price and give families greater resilience.

Extent of Impact on the Palestinian Government * But wouldn't that lead to a financial loss for the government?

What is happening is an emergency measure, and this is not an actual loss for the Palestinian treasury as much as it is deductions that were originally going to Israel as part of the withheld clearance funds, and if things return to normal, these policies can be reconsidered.

Therefore, reducing taxes on basic commodities today is a social and economic gain for the Palestinian citizen, not a financial drain on the government.

Measures to Reduce Reliance on Israel * Are there other measures to reduce financial reliance on Israel?

Yes, among them is temporarily stopping the import of new cars and allowing the import of vehicles one year old, so that customs duties are paid inside Palestine instead of Israeli ports, which saves hundreds of millions of shekels annually.

Customs duties on luxury cars and luxury goods must also be restructured, and the tax burden on the financially capable must be increased, in addition to reviewing corporate tax and value-added tax to match the rise in poverty and unemployment.

However, the success of these policies requires a unified political decision starting from the Palestinian leadership and translated into a single economic discourse in the face of Israeli pressures.

Financial Resilience Amidst the Current Crisis * Can financial resilience be considered an essential part of national resilience amidst the current crisis?

Certainly, financial resilience has become an integral part of national resilience, as it is not possible to build comprehensive economic and social immunity realistically in the face of Israel, which continuously uses political, economic, security, and settlement pressure tools, while the Palestinian side remains in a waiting position.

Betting on a change in Israeli governments or upcoming elections alone is not enough, because the policies imposed in recent years, especially by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have created a new reality within the West Bank, both at the level of the Israeli civil administration and the Israeli security institutions associated with the settlements.

Therefore, what is required is not to violate existing agreements, but to use the available tools within them, especially the margins provided by the Paris Protocol that can be invested by Palestinians.

Integrated Economic Vision * And what is the required international role to confront these pressures?

We need an integrated economic vision built in partnership between the private sector and civil society, and conveyed to the United States and its decision-making centers, whether at the level of Congress or the American administration.

If it is not possible to receive official representatives from the Authority, economic and civil delegations can explain the serious repercussions of Israeli policies and demand more effective American and European intervention, and legal and documentary preparations must also be made for any potential path before international courts in the future.

Emergency Budget Resilience * How can the emergency budget remain resilient amidst the escalating financial deficit?

What is required is to enhance local revenues through different methods, not by increasing the burden on the citizen, but by restructuring the tax system.

Reliance on consumption taxes and customs related to Israel can be reduced, and in return, more equitable local tax tools can be developed. The problem is that the Palestinian economy relies mainly on value-added tax and customs, while income tax remains very limited compared to other countries, as a result of adopting a low tax model that does not keep pace with the current crisis, and the original intention is to activate income tax.

Reformulating Palestinian Economic Policy * How can economic policy be reformulated to adapt to the current crisis and enhance citizens' resilience?

We are forced to reconsider Palestinian economic policy to suit the current circumstances, and the Ministry of Finance and the government have the technical capacity to search for alternatives if a clear political decision is available.

What is required are specialized workshops that re-adjust the economic system without violating existing agreements, and in a way that strengthens the Palestinian budget and limits Israel's financial benefit.

Even if the salary crisis continues and employees continue to receive half their salaries, reducing basic costs such as transportation and energy can significantly alleviate their living burden.

Practical Policies to Alleviate Living Burdens * What practical policies can be adopted to alleviate living burdens?

What is required is to adopt a stricter supply policy towards basic commodities, similar to the experiences of countries like Jordan and Egypt.

The issue is not only the availability of goods, but their prices and mechanisms for controlling them. It is unacceptable that the prices of bread or meat in Palestine are much higher than in neighboring countries despite similar import sources and the absence of customs duties on some products. Balanced pricing policies can be imposed, so that markets and bakeries are obliged to provide basic items at low prices for poor segments, in exchange for different profit margins on other goods. * Who should lead this process?

In the absence of a Ministry of Supply, the Ministry of National Economy, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, must lead a policy of control and pricing of basic materials, with the aim of protecting the most vulnerable groups, including those affected by the widespread economic crisis. * What is your assessment of the effectiveness of indicative price lists in controlling markets?

Unfortunately, even these lists have become ineffective, as actual market prices are often lower than the indicative prices themselves, rendering them without real impact. What is required is not flexibility in application, but clear firmness, so that a price ceiling is set for basic commodities, and if prices exceed this limit, intervention is direct, including the option of state intervention in distribution if necessary, because the issue has become linked to national and livelihood security.

Direct State Role in the Market * Do you propose a direct state role in the market?

Yes, consumer institutions or even government bakeries can be established, or a direct support system through coupons for basic materials, so that citizens receive bread, rice, or other basic commodities at clear subsidized prices, as the idea is for citizens to feel real protection, not superficial measures.

Authority's Handling of the Crisis * How do you evaluate the Authority's current approach to dealing with the crisis?

There is clear hesitation, as if the solutions are temporary, but the crisis is prolonged, and we cannot wait any longer, especially since the new Israeli policies are ongoing and do not seem likely to change soon. Even in the international context, there are no guarantees to amend the laws imposed on us.

Economic and Social Immunity * What is the general framework for the solution?

We are facing a long-term confrontation that requires building economic and social immunity, by reducing basic costs such as fuel, and converting available resources to strengthen 40% of the locally based economy instead of relying on the declining 60% external economy. The goal is to protect society from poverty and build an integrated social and economic program for resilience.

What is Needed to Revitalize Gaza's Economy * How do you evaluate the performance of the economy in Gaza? And what is needed to revitalize it?

Throughout the years of war in Gaza, we lived in a state of perpetual waiting: American intervention, UN action, or international initiatives, as if we had abandoned our responsibility to build internal solutions.

This waiting weakened us instead of protecting us, while we should have worked to gradually build elements of local "economic immunity," away from continuous Israeli obstruction and the postponement of all political solutions. * What are the most prominent elements of this proposed economic immunity?

The elements of this proposed economic immunity in the Gaza Strip begin with meeting basic needs. It should have been initiated early on to repair damaged bakeries and distribute flour to them to ensure the provision of free or low-cost bread for people. Indeed, about 45 bakeries have been rehabilitated through international efforts, but this effort must turn into a comprehensive policy that includes food industries, cattle and sheep farms, and even the re-operation of agricultural wells to gradually restore agricultural production.

Dealing with the Rubble File * What about managing the physical effects of the war, such as rubble?

The rubble file is a clear example of the absence of initiative. A national project was launched to recycle rubble and convert it into building materials or bricks for paving roads in previous wars, especially since it does not require complex technologies as much as it requires simple labor and field management, and it constitutes an economic lever and employment for thousands of young people. However, in this war, it did not turn into a widespread project, and the waiting policy of donor countries in this regard was sufficient, despite the success of limited experiences at this stage.

Other Possible Solutions * Are there other examples of possible solutions?

Yes, there are current experiences such as projects to rehabilitate damaged homes, where hundreds of housing units have been renovated at a relatively low cost, enabling hundreds of families to leave tents with funding and supervision from the Palestinian Housing Council.

As for the solid waste file, which has accumulated in hundreds of thousands of tons in Gaza, and despite the fact that 55-60% of solid waste can be converted into organic fertilizer to improve soil and employ hundreds of young people, without the need for complex technology, this project has not been started immediately by official bodies or local authorities, and has become a project awaiting international funding and the reconstruction file. * What is the main message of this approach?

The message is that Gaza cannot wait for comprehensive reconstruction to begin life; what is needed is to restore life by operating the economy from the bottom up: agriculture, small industries, waste management, and the restoration of damaged infrastructure.

There are available resources and funding from institutions and organizations, but the most important thing is to activate a local will that makes people produce, live, and rebuild their lives despite the harsh conditions. We are not talking about reconstruction; we are talking about restoring life only, and this is not impossible.

Agriculture as the Safety Valve of Economic Immunity * How can the agricultural sector contribute to strengthening economic resilience?

Agriculture is a fundamental sector in strengthening community resilience and the safety valve for economic immunity, but in many cases, it has become a source of pressure on the consumer due to exports to Israeli markets and rising prices domestically. Globally, agriculture is considered a "refuge for the poor" because it provides additional income, not basic income, as is the case for some employees who have been able to earn between one thousand and two thousand shekels monthly from their additional work in agriculture in addition to their salaries.

What is required is to significantly expand local production instead of focusing on exports to Israel, with a clear policy from the Ministry of Agriculture to regulate imports and exports in a way that primarily serves the local market.

It is not possible to prevent selling at higher prices, but local supply can be increased so that internal self-sufficiency becomes the basis.

There are great untapped potentials, such as hydroponics and other means that allow high production in small areas and with very low water costs, even in homes. * How can the agricultural sector be practically activated?

This is done by encouraging people to engage in home and cooperative farming, and providing simple technical and financial support. Each group of employees or families can invest in small plots of land to generate additional income, and there are successful cooperative models that can be built upon. The goal is to create a widespread production state that makes society less dependent on the market, and transforms agriculture into a real tool for resilience instead of remaining a limited or seasonal activity.

Media sources reported that the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs deleted a joint official statement condemning the opening of a 'Somaliland' embassy in occupied Jerusalem. This step came just hours after the statement was published on all the ministry's digital platforms, including its official website and its account on the 'X' platform, without providing official explanations for the sudden deletion.

The deleted statement was issued with the consensus of the foreign ministers of 15 Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Palestine. These countries, in the draft statement, expressed their strongest condemnation of the step taken by the Somali region, describing it as a departure from international consensus and an infringement on the rights of the Palestinian people in their occupied capital.

The signatory countries of the statement, before its deletion, stressed that the opening of any diplomatic representation in Jerusalem constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Sources confirmed that the collective position was based on rejecting any measures aimed at legitimizing internationally unrecognized entities within the holy city, considering it an infringement on the existing historical status quo.

In the same context, the statement reiterated that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory since 1967, based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 478. The countries participating in the statement clarified that such diplomatic moves undermine the chances of a just and comprehensive peace and ignore international references that prohibit the transfer of diplomatic missions to the occupied city.

It is worth noting that Mohamed Haji, who serves as the ambassador of the 'Somaliland' region to the Israeli occupation authorities, announced on May 19th his region's intention to open an embassy in Jerusalem. This step is the first of its kind for the region, which seeks international recognition, as it chose the city of Jerusalem to be the headquarters for its first diplomatic representation worldwide.

This step represents a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem and a violation of international legitimacy resolutions.

Medical sources reported the martyrdom of a Palestinian and the injury of two others early Monday morning, following a series of airstrikes and artillery shelling carried out by Israeli occupation forces on various areas in the Gaza Strip. One of the raids targeted a home belonging to the Al-Bashiti family in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Strip, resulting in injuries, one of which was described as serious. The injured were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

In Khan Yunis city, south of the Strip, Nasser Hospital announced the martyrdom of young Ahmed Samir Farahat, who succumbed to his wounds sustained days earlier due to an Israeli shelling that targeted him in the western area of the city. These developments come amid ongoing field aggressions targeting civilians in various governorates despite existing understandings.

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced the casualty toll over the past twenty-four hours, confirming that 6 martyrs and 8 injured individuals arrived at hospitals. The ministry clarified that among the martyrs were cases affected by previous wounds, noting that there are other victims still under the rubble and in rugged areas that ambulance crews find difficult to reach.

On the ground, Israeli artillery launched intense shelling targeting the eastern areas of Khan Yunis city, coinciding with heavy gunfire from vehicles stationed behind what is known as the 'Yellow Line'. This line is a field strip separating areas of army withdrawal and areas where it is still present in the eastern part of the Strip, as defined by ceasefire understandings.

The aggressions were not limited to the southern and central areas; artillery shelling also extended to the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City, in addition to targeting the eastern and northern outskirts of Beit Lahia town. These shells caused panic among residents who are trying to return to check on their properties in those border areas.

At sea, Israeli warships continued to pursue Palestinian fishermen, firing their machine guns and shells towards boats off the coast of Gaza City. Although no injuries were reported among fishermen during this attack, the continuous pursuits prevent them from carrying out their work and securing their daily livelihood amidst the suffocating blockade.

For its part, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of a serious deterioration in health conditions within the Strip. The agency confirmed that the severe shortage of fuel, pesticides, and medicines significantly hinders efforts to respond to the crisis of spreading skin infections resulting from the proliferation of rodents and insects among displaced persons' tents.

UNRWA stressed the urgent need for unrestricted flow of medical and environmental supplies to save thousands suffering from skin diseases. It explained that the overcrowding of displaced persons in shelters, coupled with the absence of hygiene and sterilization tools, creates a fertile environment for the spread of epidemics that now threaten the lives of children and the elderly in particular.

In a related context, the Government Media Office revealed shocking figures regarding the movement of aid and travelers through the Rafah crossing last week. The office clarified that the percentage of travelers did not exceed 28% of the targeted number, as only 403 people were allowed to leave out of 2400 cases that urgently needed to travel for treatment or humanitarian reasons.

Regarding relief supplies, only 2287 trucks entered the Strip during the same period, representing a deficit exceeding 70% compared to the actual needs, estimated at more than 4200 trucks per week. This severe shortage deepens the humanitarian crisis and increases rates of hunger and malnutrition among the besieged population.

The Ministry of Health's data indicates that continuous Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement signed on October 10, 2025, have so far resulted in the martyrdom of 890 Palestinians and the injury of 2677 others. These figures confirm the fragility of Israeli commitment to signed agreements and the continued targeting of civilians by various means.

The Gaza Strip is experiencing widespread destruction affecting about 90% of civilian infrastructure as a result of the war of extermination that began in October 2023. The United Nations estimates the cost of rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli military machine at about 70 billion dollars, amid an almost complete disruption of vital facilities and basic services in all governorates.

International organizations from Geneva continue to issue urgent appeals to the international community to intervene and stop the comprehensive humanitarian collapse in Gaza. These organizations demand the opening of all crossings and ensuring unimpeded access for aid, warning that the continuation of the current situation will lead to an uncontainable catastrophe in the near future.

There is an urgent need for an unrestricted flow of environmental health supplies and medical supplies into Gaza to combat the spread of skin infections.

Palestinian medical sources announced early Monday that a young man succumbed to his wounds and other citizens were injured, due to renewed artillery shelling and gunfire by Israeli occupation forces in various areas of the Gaza Strip. These field developments come amid a state of severe tension, as these attacks constitute a direct violation of international understandings and the ceasefire agreement reached in October of last year.

Regarding the details of the targeting operations, medical teams confirmed the martyrdom of young Ahmed Samir Farhat, who had been seriously injured two days earlier as a result of a raid targeting the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, an area crowded with thousands of displaced people who sought refuge there in search of safety. In the central Gaza Strip, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital received two injured people who fell as a result of direct artillery shelling targeting a house belonging to the Al-Bashiti family located behind the Grand Mosque in Al-Maghazi refugee camp.

In addition, the eastern areas of Khan Yunis city witnessed a field escalation represented by intermittent gunfire from military vehicles stationed on the border, coinciding with artillery shelling focused on Sheikh Nasser neighborhood. Eyewitnesses reported that shells fell in the vicinity of citizens' homes, causing panic among residents and leading to material damage to properties, amid warnings of the expansion of shelling to include other neighborhoods.

Observers believe that this military escalation threatens to collapse the fragile stability that has recently prevailed in the Strip, as occupation forces continue their field operations despite international warnings. Local sources continue to monitor ongoing violations targeting civilians in border areas and displacement camps, which raises the death toll and further complicates the already deteriorating humanitarian conditions in various governorates of Gaza.

Young Ahmed Samir Farhat was martyred after succumbing to severe wounds he sustained as a result of a previous shelling that targeted the Al-Mawasi area, which is crowded with displaced people.

The political arena in the occupied Palestinian interior is witnessing intensive efforts to unify the ranks of Arab parties ahead of the upcoming general elections next fall. These moves aim to re-form the Joint List with its four components to confront the rise of the far-right and increase the political influence of Palestinians, who constitute one-fifth of the population.

Informed sources reported that intensive meetings were held between the leaders of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, the National Democratic Assembly, the Arab Movement for Change, and the United Arab List (Ra'am). These forces are seeking to overcome previous differences that led to the disintegration of the Joint List, amidst a collective awareness of the seriousness of the current stage.

In contrast, media reports revealed a state of concern prevailing in the corridors of the occupation government, as Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to obstruct this unity by all means. Sources stated that circles close to the Prime Minister are studying legal and security avenues aimed at declaring the United Arab List (Ra'am) a banned organization before the election date.

Israeli allegations against Ra'am, headed by Mansour Abbas, are based on humanitarian activities and donations transferred to the Gaza Strip during the ongoing war of extermination. Observers believe that this step comes within Netanyahu's attempts to reduce Arab representation and ensure the superiority of his right-wing camp in the next Knesset.

Recent opinion polls indicate that the fragmentation of Arab votes may prevent them from passing the electoral threshold, giving far-right parties like Smotrich's party a greater chance to remain. While unity in one list would raise the number of Arab seats to about 15, making them the kingmakers in any future government formation.

For his part, the leader of the opposition 'Democrats' party, Yair Golan, launched a scathing attack on Netanyahu, describing attempts to ban Arab parties as political hypocrisy. Golan stressed that Netanyahu, who accuses 'Ra'am' of terrorism today, is the same one who previously begged Mansour Abbas to support him in forming a government to save his political future.

Golan considered these moves a blatant assault on democratic rules and an attempt to strip Arab citizens of their political legitimacy. He added that Netanyahu feels his political end is near, especially in light of his prosecution before the International Criminal Court on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

On the ground, the three Arab parties (Hadash, Balad, Ta'al) announced in a joint statement their readiness to sign a 'technical list' agreement with Ra'am. The statement affirmed that the goal is to raise the voting percentage and bring down the fascist right-wing project that threatens the Palestinian presence in the interior and the diaspora.

The United Arab List (Ra'am) welcomed this approach, considering that the multi-party technical list model preserves each party's specificity and political discourse while ensuring that votes are not lost. Ra'am indicated that this agreement represents a real step towards success and overcoming the stumbling blocks of previous elections that weakened Arab representation.

MP Ahmad Tibi affirmed that the positive reactions among the parties reflect respect for the specificity of each party without imposing a single approach on everyone. Tibi stressed that unity is the optimal response to the continuous threats of striking down Arab parties and outlawing them by the far-right government.

These developments come at a time when the occupation state is suffering from successive internal crises due to the ongoing wars on Gaza and Lebanon. These wars have caused massive destruction to the infrastructure in the Strip, with the United Nations estimating reconstruction costs at about $70 billion amid the continued suffocating blockade.

Despite fragile ceasefire agreements, occupation forces continue daily shelling operations and restrict the entry of essential humanitarian aid. These aggressions have resulted in thousands of martyrs and wounded, most of them women and children, increasing international and legal pressure on the occupation leaders.

Political analysts believe that the upcoming elections, expected in September or October, will be crucial in determining the course of the internal conflict in Israel. Either Netanyahu succeeds in fortifying himself through far-right alliances, or the opposition, supported by a strong Arab bloc, succeeds in ending his political era.

The biggest bet remains on the awareness of the Palestinian voter in the occupied interior and their ability to overcome frustration and participate heavily in the ballot boxes. Increasing Arab representation does not only mean influencing the identity of the government but also constitutes a first line of defense against the policies of displacement and racial discrimination pursued by religious Zionism.

Netanyahu fully realizes that he is on the verge of losing the elections, and in a desperate attempt to maintain his rule, he seeks to exclude the United Arab List (Ra'am), with whom he previously negotiated.

News is escalating about the imminent conclusion of initial understandings between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending the conflict that has ravaged the Middle East and disrupted global energy markets. In this context, US President Donald Trump issued decisive statements, emphasizing that the anticipated agreement must be highly effective, stressing that he would not accept half-solutions in this thorny issue.

For its part, Tehran expressed cautious optimism through its Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baqaei, who indicated tangible progress in the course of talks. However, Baqaei clarified that reaching a final formula still requires intensive diplomatic effort to overcome remaining obstacles between the two parties, affirming that the current priority is to halt military operations.

Leaked information suggests that the Iranian side is drafting a memorandum of understanding consisting of 14 basic clauses, primarily focused on ending what Tehran described as the 'imposed war'. It is proposed that this draft be followed by a period of one to two months for discussing precise technical details before signing a final and comprehensive agreement.

The nuclear file remains the cornerstone of existing disputes, as Iran insists on separating it from the initial understanding related to a ceasefire, considering that it requires an independent negotiation path. In contrast, international press reports quoted American officials stating that Washington is pressing for an explicit Iranian commitment to dispose of its highly enriched uranium stockpile as a fundamental condition for moving forward.

Israel entered the crisis forcefully, with its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu making a phone call to Trump to coordinate on Israeli security demands. Netanyahu affirmed that he reached an agreement with the US administration on the necessity for any agreement to include the complete dismantling of Iranian enrichment facilities and the removal of nuclear materials from its territory to ensure regional security.

As for international navigation, the Strait of Hormuz stands out as one of the most complex negotiation points, as Tehran refuses to relinquish its military control imposed during the war. The United States and its regional allies demand a return to the freedom of navigation protocols that prevailed before the outbreak of confrontations last February, to ensure the flow of oil supplies.

Iranian media sources indicate that Tehran insists on managing the strategic waterway, considering that the field situation has changed and cannot return to pre-war conditions. In contrast, Trump believes that opening the strait to global trade is one of the main gains that the agreement must achieve to alleviate pressure on global economies.

On the economic front, Iran sets a prerequisite for the release of its frozen financial assets in foreign banks as a gesture of goodwill from Washington. Reports confirm that Iranian negotiators refuse to sign any document unless a portion of these funds is released in the first phase of implementing the understanding, with a mechanism to ensure continued flows.

Iranian demands also include a temporary lifting of sanctions imposed on the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors throughout the detailed negotiation period. This step aims to revive the ailing Iranian economy and provide a suitable environment for completing political discussions without suffocating economic pressures, which is still under discussion in the White House corridors.

Regarding the Lebanese arena, Tehran insists that any ceasefire must include all ignited regional fronts, including military operations in Lebanon. Sources reported that the draft understanding stipulates a simultaneous cessation of hostilities, which requires an Israeli commitment to halt its airstrikes and ground operations against Hezbollah.

Despite these efforts, Israel continues its intensive military operations in southern Lebanon, affirming its targeting of Hezbollah's infrastructure. Netanyahu stated that Israel reserves its full right to defend itself against any border threats, noting that Trump understands this position despite diplomatic efforts made for de-escalation.

The border areas in Lebanon are witnessing widespread destruction due to ongoing Israeli operations, further complicating the humanitarian and political scene. Iran, for its part, affirms its continued support for its allies in the region, considering that Lebanon's stability is an integral part of any comprehensive regional settlement that Washington seeks to achieve under Trump's administration.

Observers believe that the coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of this understanding, especially with internal pressures in both countries towards making substantial concessions. While Trump seeks a quick diplomatic victory, the Iranian leadership faces the challenge of balancing the lifting of sanctions with maintaining its nuclear and regional gains.

In conclusion, anticipation remains the master of the situation in international decision-making capitals, as the success or failure of these talks will draw a new roadmap for the Middle East. Either diplomacy succeeds in defusing the major explosion, or the region returns to the square of military escalation, whose repercussions could affect the entire global economy.

An agreement with Tehran will either be great and worthwhile, or there will be no agreement at all.

Responsible sources in Tehran revealed a firm Iranian stance rejecting proposals aimed at linking the file of frozen financial assets abroad to the progress in the enriched nuclear materials file. The sources clarified that the Iranian side insists on the necessity of releasing a portion of these funds as a gesture of goodwill and an initial step preceding any official announcement of potential understandings between the negotiating parties.

In a related context, the sources indicated that Tehran has not, at this moment, made any technical or detailed commitments regarding its nuclear program during this stage of the talks. This position reflects an Iranian desire to separate the economic and legal path of the detained funds from the political and technical path of the nuclear file, which is overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Regarding the negotiation track with Washington, the sources confirmed that the two parties have not yet reached a final formula for understanding, noting the existence of fundamental points of contention that are still pending in some clauses. The sources stressed that any future progress depends primarily on responding to Iranian demands related to financial and sovereign guarantees.

Iran does not accept linking the issue of releasing its frozen assets to the issue of enriched nuclear materials.

The effects of the heinous crime committed by extremist settlers in the town of As-Samu' south of Hebron are still vivid in the minds of the residents. An incendiary substance thrown inside farmer Khalil Abu Ghannam's barn caused 75 goats to be burned to death. This incident, documented by surveillance cameras, was not just a fleeting assault, but reflects a policy of intimidation aimed at striking the backbone of the Palestinian rural economy.

The town of As-Samu', home to about 26,000 people, relies primarily on agriculture and livestock farming as its sole source of income. Experts believe that targeting animals ranks second in terms of danger after land confiscation, as it leads to forced economic and social transformations that push farmers towards displacement and the loss of their means of steadfastness.

Local sources reported that the material losses resulting from the burning of Abu Ghannam's barn exceeded 200,000 shekels, as part of what is known as the 'price tag' policy. The settlers were not content with the crime; they also issued direct threats to the farmer by phone, asserting that future attacks would be more violent and destructive to his property.

In a related context, Khirbet al-Tawil, southeast of Nablus, witnessed another type of assault, where groups of settlers used four-wheel-drive vehicles to deliberately run over flocks of sheep. Activists documented settlers driving their vehicles through the flock, resulting in the death and injury of several sheep under the vehicle wheels.

In recent times, livestock theft has transformed from individual incidents into an organized phenomenon enjoying full protection from the Israeli occupation army. Human rights reports, including data from the 'B'Tselem' organization, confirm that these operations occur in plain sight and broad daylight, and farmers' complaints are often ignored by the Israeli police.

Data from the human rights organization 'Al-Baydar' indicates shocking figures, with settlers stealing more than 12,000 head of livestock last year. With the beginning of 2026, the upward trend continued, recording the theft of approximately 1,500 additional head, threatening the collapse of the livestock sector in Bedouin and rural communities.

Abbas Melhem, head of the Farmers' Associations Union, affirmed that what is happening is a 'systematic torment' operation aimed at uprooting the farmer from his land. He explained that depriving a farmer of his animals means destroying his second source of livelihood, turning his life into hell and stripping him of the means to survive in areas targeted by settlement.

Melhem revealed a sharp decline in the number of livestock in Palestine, which decreased from 1.75 million sheep to only about 480,000 head. This decline, estimated at about 72%, represents a direct threat to Palestinian food security, especially in the meat and dairy sectors, which previously achieved self-sufficiency.

Settler groups exploit the vacuum left by displaced Palestinian farmers to begin their own livestock farming operations, using stolen or government-supported purchased animals. Observers warn that the continuation of this approach may force Palestinians in the future to buy their sacrificial animals from settlers who have seized their pastures and animals.

The current right-wing government implements a policy of silent annexation by entrusting field tasks to armed settlers who practice 'law enforcement' in a gang-like manner. These groups often enjoy authority that exceeds that of the army in the field, facilitating silent ethnic cleansing operations in 'Area C' classified areas.

The techniques used by settlers to displace farming families vary, from night attacks aimed at intimidation to sabotaging irrigation networks and stealing fodder. These repeated assaults make it impossible to continue in the livestock farming profession in the absence of international and local protection.

The settlements of 'Asa'el' and 'Shama' are among the most prominent hotspots from which attacks are launched against the residents of As-Samu' town and neighboring villages. The geographical proximity to these settlement blocs poses a constant danger to farmers who find themselves trapped between the hammer of settler attacks and the anvil of military restrictions.

Activists believe that documenting these crimes on video is no longer sufficient to deter settlers who appear with uncovered faces without fear of prosecution. The occupation's legal system provides full cover for thieves, and victims are often informed that their stolen property 'does not belong to them' when attempting to legally reclaim it.

Targeting livestock represents a new chapter in the conflict over land, as the occupation seeks to empty pastoral areas of their original owners. The Palestinian farmer remains alone in confronting a destructive machine that targets all aspects of his life, from olive trees to flocks of sheep.

Targeting livestock resources is like cutting off the Palestinian farmer's second hand after targeting the land.

Australian activists participating in the "Global Freedom Flotilla" to break the siege on the Gaza Strip revealed that they were subjected to a series of serious violations during their detention by the Israeli occupation authorities. These activists, in testimonies given to international media, confirmed that they faced physical violence and systematic sexual assaults aimed at intimidating them and deterring them from their humanitarian activities.

Activist Violet Coco recounted harsh details about her detention conditions, noting that the occupation forces used various methods of physical and psychological torture against the flotilla participants. Coco explained that she was taken to dark, isolated rooms, where she was severely beaten and repeatedly sexually harassed by Israeli interrogators and soldiers.

The violations did not stop at direct assault but extended to include deliberate medical neglect against activists suffering from chronic diseases. Testimonies indicated that the occupation authorities deprived a number of detainees of essential insulin doses and blood pressure medications, putting their lives at real risk during their detention.

For her part, activist Gemma O'Toole expressed her deep shock at the humiliating treatment she received, confirming that she suffers from severe psychological effects as a result of what she witnessed and experienced behind bars. O'Toole mentioned that comprehending the extent of the violence and sexual assaults that the activists were subjected to will take a long time to overcome its painful psychological repercussions.

In a related context, activist Soraya MacEwan spoke about her bitter experience during 80 hours of detention, describing it as full of intimidation and physical assault. MacEwan noted that Israeli soldiers repeatedly beat him inside the detention rooms, while chanting the Israeli national anthem in a scene reflecting the sadism of dealing with international solidarity activists.

MacEwan explained that what he went through made him feel the suffering of thousands of Palestinians whom Israel detains in similar or worse conditions without any legal justification. He pointed out that occupation prisons hold hundreds of children and civilians who face the same abuse that international activists were subjected to, but away from the eyes of cameras and international scrutiny.

The details of the incident date back to May 18, when the Israeli occupation navy attacked the "Freedom Flotilla" boats in the Mediterranean Sea. The flotilla included about 50 boats carrying 428 activists representing 44 countries around the world, in a symbolic and practical attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged residents of the Gaza Strip.

Despite the peaceful and humanitarian nature of the mission, the occupation forces treated it as a military operation, arresting all participants and confiscating the boats and the aid they carried. The flotilla's primary goal was to highlight the unjust Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007, which has caused a complete paralysis of all aspects of life.

These testimonies come at a time when about 2.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living in catastrophic and unprecedented living and health conditions. These conditions have worsened as a result of the ongoing Israeli war, which has led to the death and injury of tens of thousands, the vast majority of whom are women and children, amid a complete international silence.

Australian activists affirm that these assaults will not prevent them from continuing their support for the Palestinian cause, stressing the need to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against international solidarity activists and the Palestinian people alike. These new testimonies put additional pressure on the international community to investigate the occupation's practices within detention and interrogation centers.

I was taken to a dark room, where I was repeatedly beaten and harassed, and my colleagues were deprived of essential medicines such as insulin.

Israeli occupation forces committed a new massacre against displaced persons in the Gaza Strip, where a child and a woman were martyred and about 20 others were injured with varying degrees of severity, as a result of an aerial bombardment that targeted shelter tents in the Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis city. Field sources reported that two helicopter aircraft launched their missiles towards 'Ghayth' camp, which is crowded with thousands of families displaced from their homes, causing a state of panic and widespread destruction in the area.

Medical teams confirmed the arrival of the bodies of the martyred child Menna Allah Abu Labda, six years old, and citizen Hanan Mahmoud (31 years old) at the hospital, in addition to dozens of injuries, most of whom were women and children. Eyewitnesses described the bombing as direct and targeting an area that was supposed to be 'safe' according to previous classifications, where the displaced persons' tents were torn apart and their simple belongings were scattered under the rubble.

In a related context, medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis announced the martyrdom of a young Palestinian who succumbed to serious injuries he sustained days ago as a result of an Israeli bombing that targeted him in the western area of the city. Medical staff at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also recorded the martyrdom of another Palestinian who had been injured in a raid targeting a police site north of the Strip two days ago, raising the death toll in recent hours.

The attacks did not stop there, as warplanes launched a raid at dawn today targeting a house belonging to the Al-Bashiti family in Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in two injuries among citizens. These rapid field developments come amid the continued systematic Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2025.

Official data issued by the Ministry of Health in Gaza indicates that the pace of Israeli attacks since the agreement came into force has led to the martyrdom of 904 Palestinians and the injury of 2713 others until Monday. These figures reflect the extent of the ongoing violations of the fragile truce, as the occupation army continues to target residential areas and shelter centers in various governorates of the Strip without international deterrence.

This escalation comes two years after the comprehensive genocide war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023, which left a heavy legacy of death and destruction. According to documented statistics, the number of martyrs has exceeded 72,000, while the number of injured has surpassed 172,000, in one of the most horrific humanitarian disasters witnessed in the current century.

Regarding infrastructure, the war caused the destruction of nearly 90% of civilian facilities and vital installations in the Strip, making life there almost impossible. Reports issued by the United Nations estimated the cost of rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli war machine at about 70 billion dollars, amid a complete disruption of basic services such as water, electricity, and sanitation.

In the current situation, Israel imposes its military control over more than half of the Gaza Strip, including strategic areas and main separation axes. In contrast, Palestinian control is limited to a narrow, densely populated coastal strip, where hundreds of thousands of displaced persons suffer harsh living conditions awaiting a political solution to end their ongoing suffering.

The Israeli airstrike on the camp, which houses displaced families, resulted in the martyrdom of the child Menna Allah Abu Labda and Ms. Hanan Mahmoud.

By: Said Arikat

May 25, 2026

News analysis

Washington, D.C-Republican Senator Lindsey Graham appeared almost beside himself after President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States was nearing a deal with Iran to end the war, prompting Graham to launch into a frantic defense of Israel and an aggressive push to force Arab and Muslim countries into the Abraham Accords as compensation for what hardline pro-Israel circles increasingly view as an unacceptable diplomatic compromise.

Graham has long ceased behaving like an American senator concerned primarily with the needs of his constituents. Instead, he increasingly resembles an unofficial spokesman for Israel and, more specifically, for the political agenda of Benjamin Netanyahu. His latest comments praising Trump for allegedly pressuring Arab and Muslim countries into the Abraham Accords are not merely detached from reality. They expose the intellectual bankruptcy of a political class that still believes the Middle East can be bullied, bribed, and manipulated into accepting permanent Israeli domination while Palestinians are erased from history.

Graham’s statement drips with the arrogance that has defined decades of failed American policy in the region. He praises the possibility that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and even Pakistan might normalize relations with Israel, describing it as “beyond transformative” and claiming it would effectively end the Arab-Israeli conflict. He then openly threatens countries reluctant to comply, warning of “severe repercussions” if they refuse Washington’s demands.

The language is revealing. This is not diplomacy. It is imperial entitlement masquerading as peace-making.

For Graham, sovereign nations are expected to align themselves with Israeli strategic interests or face punishment from Washington. Their domestic public opinion, political realities, moral concerns, and historical commitments are treated as irrelevant obstacles to American-Israeli geopolitical ambitions. The senator speaks as though the Middle East were still an American protectorate where regimes can be ordered into submission by politicians in Washington.

But the world Graham imagines no longer exists.

His comments expose a profound inability to grasp how dramatically the political landscape has changed since the launch of the Abraham Accords. Those agreements were always less about peace than about restructuring the region around Israeli supremacy. They aimed to normalize Israel’s occupation, marginalize the Palestinian struggle, and integrate Arab states into a US-led security architecture designed largely around Israeli interests and confrontation with Iran.

The underlying assumption was simple: Palestinians could be abandoned without consequence.

That fantasy has now collided with reality.

The destruction of Gaza has shattered the illusion that the Palestinian issue can simply be buried under trade agreements, intelligence cooperation, and arms deals. Across the Arab and Muslim worlds, public anger toward Israel has exploded to levels unseen in decades. Millions watched entire neighborhoods flattened, civilians massacred, children starved, and humanitarian catastrophe unfold in real time. In that environment, Graham’s insistence that normalization with Israel represents the path to regional peace sounds not only detached, but grotesque.

He speaks of Israel as though it were an admired regional anchor bringing stability and progress to the Middle East. Increasingly, however, Israel is viewed globally as a deeply isolated state whose conduct has generated outrage across much of the world. International human rights organizations, legal scholars, UN officials, student movements, and growing sectors of global public opinion now openly accuse Israel of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, and systematic violations of international law.

Whether Graham accepts this reality is irrelevant. The perception exists, and it is growing.

Yet Graham continues speaking in the language of the 1990s and early 2000s, when American politicians could still present unconditional support for Israel as morally uncomplicated and politically cost-free. He appears incapable of understanding that younger generations around the world — including many Americans — increasingly reject that framework altogether.

Even more striking is Graham’s fantasy that forcing Arab states into normalization would “end the Arab-Israeli conflict.” This reflects either astonishing ignorance or deliberate denial. The conflict was never merely about diplomatic recognition between governments. Its core has always been the dispossession of Palestinians, military occupation, denial of statehood, and systematic inequality. No agreement signed by Gulf monarchies can erase Palestinian national identity or extinguish demands for freedom and justice.

Indeed, the Abraham Accords themselves arguably helped intensify regional cynicism by confirming what many Palestinians already believed: that parts of the Arab political elite were prepared to sacrifice Palestine for strategic and economic gain. Graham’s vision demands precisely that outcome — total regional acceptance of Israeli hegemony while Palestinians remain stateless, fragmented, and politically crushed.

What makes his comments especially jarring is the near-total absence of moral reflection. There is no acknowledgment of Palestinian suffering, no recognition of the devastation in Gaza, no concern for civilian deaths, displacement, or collective trauma. Palestinians appear in Graham’s worldview only as an obstacle to be bypassed in pursuit of a larger strategic order favorable to Israel and Washington.

That moral emptiness increasingly defines much of the American political establishment’s discourse on the Middle East.

There is also something profoundly revealing about Graham himself. He represents South Carolina, a state struggling with entrenched poverty, weak healthcare outcomes, educational deficiencies, and deep economic inequality. Yet Graham devotes extraordinary political energy to defending Israel, visiting it constantly, and promoting its regional ambitions while many of his own constituents continue facing chronic hardship.

Critics therefore increasingly view him not as a senator advancing American national interests, but as part of a Washington political culture whose loyalty to Israeli priorities often appears stronger than its commitment to addressing America’s own crises.

Most importantly, Graham fundamentally misunderstands the emerging global order. He still believes Washington can dictate political outcomes across the Middle East through pressure and intimidation. But countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar now operate in a far more multipolar environment, balancing ties with the United States alongside expanding relations with China, Russia, and other rising powers. The era when American senators could casually threaten entire regions into obedience is fading.

Graham’s statement ultimately reads less like strategic analysis than ideological desperation — the desperate insistence that a collapsing regional project can still be salvaged through coercion and bravado.

But history is moving in the opposite direction.

The Palestinian issue has not disappeared. Israel’s legitimacy crisis is deepening. Global opinion is shifting. American dominance is weakening. And millions across the world increasingly reject the notion that peace can be built upon permanent occupation, inequality, and the political erasure of an entire people.

That is what Lindsey Graham fails to understand. His worldview belongs to a fading era — one sustained by military power, diplomatic intimidation, and unquestioning allegiance to Israel, but increasingly detached from both regional reality and global moral sentiment.

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, reiterated the party's adherence to its weaponry as a fundamental element in the Lebanese deterrence equation, calling on the Lebanese government to review its policies regarding confining arms to the state. Qassem considered that the executive authority is required to stand by the people in confronting existential threats, instead of adopting options that weaken national power elements and leave the country exposed to aggressions.

Qassem pointed out in a televised speech on the occasion of the Resistance and Liberation anniversary that official Lebanese concessions have been unjustified during the past period. He noted that these concessions reached the point of attempting to criminalize the resistance, which the party sees as a reflection of internal and external pressures aimed at changing Lebanon's security and defense doctrine at a sensitive time.

Regarding international pressures, the Secretary-General stressed that American sanctions will not succeed in weakening the party's structure or deterring it from its strategic choices. He affirmed that the escalating calls for disarmament are merely an attempt to strip the country of its defensive capabilities, describing this path as a prelude to acts of genocide that Lebanon might face amidst continuous Israeli ambitions and escalating regional tensions.

Qassem linked any discussion about the defense strategy and the future of weaponry to first stopping the comprehensive aggression on Lebanese territories. He clarified that the top priority currently is the liberation of prisoners and ensuring the dignified return of displaced persons to their villages and cities, indicating that talks about internal security arrangements cannot take place under fire or political pressures directed from abroad.

Qassem described the project of exclusive weaponry at the present time as directly serving the Israeli agenda, considering that weakening the resistance is a strategic goal for the occupation. He sharply criticized the performance of the Lebanese authorities, asserting that if the government is incapable of protecting national sovereignty and securing the country, then its departure becomes a national necessity to make way for stronger options.

On the ground, the Secretary-General vowed that the resistance's drone weaponry would continue to pursue Israeli occupation soldiers in all locations. He affirmed that documenting these operations through aerial photography is what forces the Israeli side to acknowledge its heavy losses, which it tries to cover up by targeting civilians and safe homes in the steadfast southern villages.

On the political front, Qassem announced the party's absolute rejection of any form of direct negotiations with Israel, considering them a free gain for the enemy. He clarified that any negotiation path must preserve Lebanon's full rights without making concessions that affect sovereignty or grant the occupation legitimacy it does not deserve, especially in light of its continued aggression in the region.

On an internal matter related to economic pressures, Qassem defended the Al-Qard Al-Hasan institution, affirming that it is a legal institution licensed by the Lebanese state. He revealed that the institution provided its services to about 300,000 subscribers last year through a gold collateral system, which helped a wide segment of citizens cope with the suffocating living crises the country is experiencing.

The Secretary-General stressed that the sacrifices made by the people and the resistance will not be in vain, affirming that the extent of destruction and killing will not break the party's will. He said that the battlefield is the decider, and that the coming days will prove the resistance's ability to steadfastness and achieve what he described as the third liberation, despite all the military and political challenges surrounding the Lebanese arena.

Qassem concluded his speech by expressing hope that regional understandings, specifically between the United States and Iran, would lead to an end to the state of war in the Middle East. He emphasized the necessity for any major settlement to include the protection of Lebanon and the guarantee of its stability, announcing the party's commitment to rebuilding all that the occupation destroyed and ensuring the return of residents to their homes immediately after the aggression ceases.

Disarmament practically means stripping Lebanon of its defensive capability, which is a prelude to genocide amidst continued Israeli aggressions.

Recent testimonies from volunteers and activists who participated in the 'Freedom Flotilla' initiatives heading to the Gaza Strip have revealed shocking details about the torture, physical, and sexual abuses they endured inside Israeli detention centers. These accounts come at a time when international demands are escalating for accountability from the occupation authorities for their crimes committed against unarmed solidarity activists who sought to break the siege imposed on the Strip.

Activists who participated in these sea voyages confirmed that the abuse they faced reflects a small part of the daily suffering endured by Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons. Despite the flotillas' failure to reach Gaza's shores, they succeeded in conveying a vivid picture to the world of the brutality of Israeli treatment of dissenting voices against its siege policies, especially towards foreign activists.

In the details of the testimonies, media sources reported accounts from French activists Yasmine Scola and Adrien Berthel, who described the various forms of violence they were subjected to from the moment their ships were intercepted. The activists pointed to clear racial discrimination in treatment, where individuals of non-European descent were subjected to more severe and brutal acts of abuse and physical violence than others.

For her part, Australian activist Juliet Lamont recounted a bitter experience during which she was tightly bound with plastic ties and severely beaten by occupation soldiers. Lamont explained that the soldiers poured water under her for nearly an hour to make her believe she was drowning, confirming that she and 12 other activists were subjected to sexual assaults she described as horrific and systematic during their detention.

The testimonies were not limited to direct physical violence but also included inhumane detention conditions in Ashdod port and 'Ktzi'ot' prison, as confirmed by Brazilian activist Thiago Avila. Italian doctor Javier Thundry, who was among the participating medical teams, described Israeli detention centers as reminiscent of the Nazi 'Gestapo' methods of intimidating and torturing detainees.

Dr. Thundry explained that the health and psychological condition of some detainees was severely deteriorated, to the extent that their colleagues could not confirm whether some of them were still alive. These testimonies reinforce previous reports by German journalist Analytica, who documented that female activists were subjected to rape after refusing to undergo forced and humiliating naked searches.

In the context of legal action, the 'International Freedom Flotilla Coalition' announced the immediate commencement of an independent and comprehensive documentation process for all recorded testimonies. This process includes conducting thorough medical and psychological examinations of the affected individuals, with the aim of preparing a comprehensive legal file to be submitted to international courts and judicial bodies to prosecute Israeli officials for these crimes.

Available data indicates that the scale of Israeli targeting of solidarity activists was extensive, with approximately 1500 activists participating in a series of flotillas, including the ship 'Madeleine' and a flotilla comprising 40 other ships. The vast majority of these participants were subjected to arbitrary arrest or physical and psychological abuse during their attempts to reach Gaza before and after 2023.

On the diplomatic front, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced that it had received 422 activists who were detained as part of the last flotilla, while reports still indicate complex cases of detainees holding dual nationalities. Human rights organizations are pressuring Western governments to take firm stances that go beyond traditional statements of concern and condemnation regarding what their citizens are subjected to.

In conclusion, the 'European Union for Freedom' stressed that what the international activists endured, despite its cruelty, cannot be compared to the scale of crimes committed against thousands of Palestinian prisoners. The Union called on the international community to consider these testimonies as additional evidence of the necessity to end the siege and stop the systematic violations practiced by Israel away from international oversight.

The Israeli detention center resembles the Gestapo era, and some detainees were in extremely difficult health and psychological conditions.

In the heart of the devastated Tel al-Hawa neighborhood west of Gaza City, children's voices echo the national anthem from inside dilapidated tents, declaring the continuation of the battle for awareness and education despite the surrounding rubble. The 'Al-Awda' field school has become a model for this resilience, housing over 1600 students crowded into nine plastic tents, each no larger than twenty square meters.

This school was established at the peak of the war in April 2024 and suffered the hardships of forced displacement twice; first from Rafah and then from the central part of the Strip, before settling in Gaza. Each time, the teaching staff dismantled the tents and carried them on their shoulders, preferring to save simple educational materials over personal belongings to ensure the continuity of teaching.

Students in these field schools endure harsh conditions, sitting on sand shoulder-to-shoulder under the scorching sun, intensified by the plastic covers. Teachers confirm that severe overcrowding sometimes leads to suffocation, in addition to the distraction of children burdened with arduous tasks such as fetching water and collecting firewood after school hours.

Officially, the Ministry of Education has adopted an alternative emergency plan that includes 'remedial promotion' to address the deep educational gap left by the war. These intensive courses aim to enable students to move between grade levels after undergoing assessments that determine their academic achievement level in the absence of stable formal education.

Official data indicates the presence of about 820 field schools and educational points distributed throughout the Strip, accommodating nearly 400,000 students from various stages. These efforts overlap between schools supervised by the Ministry, those managed by UNICEF, and learning centers affiliated with UNRWA that operate unofficially.

The extent of losses in the education sector appears catastrophic, with statistics indicating the martyrdom of over 19,000 male and female students, and the injury of more than 28,000 others since the beginning of the aggression. The educational system also lost 801 of its teaching staff, creating a significant void in the educational and academic expertise needed to manage the crisis.

The damage was not limited to lives but systematically targeted infrastructure, with 179 government schools and 105 UNRWA schools suffering total or partial destruction. This targeting has made returning to traditional school buildings impossible in the foreseeable future, prompting families to seek costly and exhausting educational alternatives.

Higher education in Gaza faced a similar fate, as 95% of university campuses were damaged, and 195 university buildings were completely out of service. International organizations such as UNESCO estimate that restarting a minimum level of university education requires urgent funding exceeding 110 million dollars to repair what the war machine destroyed.

Economically, education has become an additional burden on families suffering from extreme poverty, as the prices of simple stationery have risen to unprecedented levels. Testimonies from parents confirm that the price of a single notebook has reached about two dollars, an amount beyond the means of families struggling to secure basic livelihoods in the absence of income.

Educational sources speak of the phenomenon of 'cognitive genocide' practiced by the occupation through targeting academic institutions and killing scholars and researchers. International law specialists believe that this behavior goes beyond material destruction to an attempt to dismantle national identity and deprive future generations of their fundamental right to knowledge and development.

Psychologically, children in Gaza face complex traumas resulting from loss and repeated displacement, which has severely affected their mental abilities and concentration. Psychologists point out that the absence of a safe school environment has driven many children into the streets, exposing them to behaviors charged with tension and suppressed violence due to continuous pressure.

Despite this bleakness, students insist on their dreams; the child Kinan, who spent months in water queues, dreams of becoming a lawyer to defend the rights of his people. And Karim, who sees his school tent as the first step towards his dream of becoming a doctor, reflecting a solid will that defies systematic attempts at ignorance.

Popular education experiences that emerged during the First Intifada are returning to the forefront in Gaza today, where education transforms from a mere institutional service into an act of sovereign resistance. These community initiatives aim to preserve collective consciousness and protect it from collapse, emphasizing that books and pens are tools no less important than any other means of resilience.

The reality of education in the Gaza Strip remains suspended between the rubble of schools and the aspirations of a generation that refuses to surrender to ignorance, amidst international calls for urgent intervention to save what remains. The continuation of the educational process under fire represents a clear message of defiance, but it requires real support to rebuild what the war destroyed and ensure children's right to a safe future.

The displaced rushed to save what remained of their household furniture, but the school administration only thought of saving what keeps education alive.

Fifteen Arab and Islamic countries have expressed their categorical and unified rejection of the separatist 'Somaliland' region's intention to open a representative office, acting as an embassy, with the Israeli occupation authorities in the occupied city of Jerusalem. In a joint statement, these countries considered this move a blatant departure from international consensus and a challenge to United Nations resolutions concerning the legal status of the Holy City.

The list of countries that signed the statement included Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, in addition to Mauritania, which later joined the list. These countries affirmed that the move led by the separatist region lacks any legal or political legitimacy given its lack of international recognition.

Sources reported that the foreign ministers of the 15 countries condemned in the strongest terms this 'alleged' step, pointing out that it directly affects the historical rights of the Palestinian people. The statement emphasized that any attempts to grant legitimacy to unrecognized entities through the gateway of occupied Jerusalem are doomed to fail and will not change the reality of the city.

The ministers affirmed in their statement that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory according to the 1967 borders, and no entity has the right to change its character or legal status. They clarified that all unilateral measures taken by the occupation authorities or any other parties to establish a new reality in the city are null and void and have no binding legal effect.

The statement was not limited to the issue of Jerusalem; the 15 countries reiterated their full and absolute support for the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia over all its national territory. The signatories rejected any unilateral measures that would undermine Somalia's sovereignty or threaten its territorial integrity, in a clear reference to rejecting the region's separatist moves.

The 'Somaliland' region had announced on May 19 its intention to establish an embassy in occupied Jerusalem, a step that was immediately welcomed by the occupation government. Mohamed Haji, who presents himself as the region's ambassador to Israel, stated that this step comes within the framework of strengthening mutual strategic cooperation between the two parties, which sparked widespread anger in Arab and Islamic circles.

It is worth noting that the Israeli occupation authorities had announced their official recognition of the 'Somaliland' region as an independent state in December 2025, a move observers considered an attempt to destabilize the Horn of Africa region. This recognition was met with strong rejection at the time by the Somali government in Mogadishu, which considers the region an integral part of its territory.

The 'Somaliland' region has operated as an administratively and security-independent entity since its unilateral declaration of secession in 1991, but it has not received any official international recognition throughout the past decades. Its recent attempts to approach Israel and open an embassy in Jerusalem are part of its efforts to gain diplomatic recognition in exchange for compromising on the constants related to the Palestinian issue.

The Islamic and Arab countries warned of the repercussions of this step on security and stability in the region, stressing that adherence to international law is the only way to resolve disputes. The statement called on the international community to confront these transgressions aimed at undermining the two-state solution and circumventing international legitimacy resolutions that guarantee the rights of Palestinians in their capital, Jerusalem.

In conclusion, the signatory countries emphasized the necessity of respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, considering that alliances built at the expense of peoples' rights and national sovereignty will only lead to further tension. Sources confirmed that coordination will continue between these countries to confront any similar moves that may aim to undermine the historical status of Jerusalem or the unity of Somali territories.

Opening an embassy for the internationally unrecognized region is an illegal step that represents a blatant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.

Washington's Message

Washington – Said Arikat – 24/5/2026

News Analysis

Once again, Lebanon finds itself hostage to regional and international understandings crafted far from the will of its people, after President Trump announced that an agreement with Iran was on the horizon, potentially opening the door to de-escalation across several fronts in the Middle East, including Lebanon. However, Lebanon's long experience with foreign interventions makes many view these promises with suspicion, especially since the United States and Israel have historically not treated Lebanon as an independent, sovereign state, but rather as a pressure point and a field for settling scores that serves their strategic interests in the region.

The recent war clearly revealed the extent of this external exploitation of Lebanon. After Hezbollah fired towards Israel in solidarity with Tehran, the country turned into an open confrontation zone, with southern villages and Lebanese civilians paying the price, while international powers continued to manage the conflict according to their own calculations. The widespread Israeli shelling did not only target the party's military infrastructure but also civilian infrastructure and the livelihoods of residents, in a clear attempt to plunge Lebanon further into chaos and collapse, thereby preventing the establishment of a strong state capable of asserting its independent national decision.

Despite talks of a ceasefire brokered by Washington last April, Israel continued its attacks inside Lebanese territory on an almost daily basis, relying on full American political and military cover. This reality confirmed that Washington does not treat Lebanon as an independent partner, but rather as a security file exclusively linked to Israel's security. Therefore, the American administration did not exert any real pressure to compel Israel to respect the truce, but rather left the door open for continued strikes and military attrition.

According to what the New York Times reported from Iranian officials, the potential agreement between Washington and Tehran may include a cessation of fighting on various fronts, including Lebanon. But these leaks do not dispel fears, because previous experiences have proven that any American-Iranian understanding is often used to manage crises, not to resolve them, while Lebanon remains the weakest link left to its fate amidst international tug-of-war.

Israeli policy towards Lebanon has never been based on seeking genuine peace, but rather on keeping the country weak, divided, and incapable of building a strong, independent state. From repeated invasions to the ongoing occupation of parts of the South, Israel has treated Lebanon as an arena that should be politically and sectarianly dismantled so that it does not become a source of Arab strength on its northern border. The United States, instead of playing the role of an impartial mediator, provided full cover for this strategy through open military, political, and diplomatic support. Therefore, American talk of stability seems contradictory to the actual policies that have continuously and intentionally contributed over the years to deepening Lebanese division and weakening central state institutions.

In this context, recent statements by the Israeli government appear highly significant, as it stressed that it would not relinquish its "freedom of action" inside Lebanon even if a broader regional agreement were reached. This practically means that Israel wants to impose a permanent equation that allows it to intervene militarily whenever it wishes, without any actual respect for Lebanese sovereignty or international law.

Despite the losses suffered by Hezbollah, the party still represents a fundamental force in the Lebanese and regional equation, whether Lebanese agree or disagree with it politically. But the real danger lies in the continued internal division over how to confront the Israeli project, as Tel Aviv always benefits from Lebanese divisions to justify its interventions and expand its security and military influence.

The current Lebanese reality compels all political forces, including Hezbollah and its opponents, to realize that continued internal division serves Israel first and foremost. A divided state and warring factions give Tel Aviv a permanent opportunity to intervene and impose new realities on the ground, especially in the South and border areas. Therefore, any serious national project must start from dialogue among the Lebanese themselves, not from relying on foreign capitals. Moreover, confronting Israeli ambitions does not necessarily mean adopting a completely unified political vision, but rather agreeing on a national minimum that protects Lebanese sovereignty and prevents the country from becoming an open arena for future continuous and dangerous regional wars and international conflicts.

Lebanese fears are increasing with the continued Israeli occupation of a border strip inside Lebanese territory, where Israeli forces maintain positions extending several miles into the South. This military presence does not appear temporary in the eyes of many Lebanese, but rather part of a long-term strategy aimed at imposing new realities on the ground and linking any future withdrawal to political and security conditions that primarily serve Israeli interests.

Lebanon today stands at a fateful moment that transcends a mere temporary ceasefire or a fleeting regional understanding. The real battle concerns preserving the country's unity and preventing its transformation into conflicting spheres of influence that serve external projects. If Israel seeks to impose a new border and security reality by force, then the most effective Lebanese response must be to build a unified national stance that rejects both occupation and division. Moreover, Hezbollah's responsibility, as a major force, is not limited to military confrontation only, but also includes engaging in an inclusive national project that reassures the rest of the Lebanese and restores the state and its institutions as the ultimate authority for everyone without actual exception.

Amidst economic collapse, mass emigration, and declining Lebanese trust in their institutions, the need to redefine national priorities away from sharp alignments seems more urgent. Lebanon will not be able to confront Israeli and American pressures if it remains mired in internal divisions and narrow sectarian calculations. Furthermore, any real stability will not be achieved through international understandings alone, but through the consensus of the Lebanese on a project for a just and strong state capable of protecting its borders and its independent political decision. Without that, Lebanon will remain exposed to repeated cycles of wars and fragile truces, while external powers continue to use its crises to achieve their strategic interests at the expense of the Lebanese people and the future of the entire region.

The Government Communication Center issued a report highlighting the most important developmental and reform interventions implemented by the Palestinian government during the past week (2026/05/17 – 2026/05/23), which are as follows:⭕ Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, discussed in his office in Ramallah with the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union, the results of the updated damage and needs assessment report in the Gaza Strip, and ways to enhance humanitarian and developmental interventions, affirming the government's readiness to work with partners to ensure the implementation of recovery and reconstruction programs. He also discussed with the International Finance Corporation the expansion of support for the Palestinian private sector and renewable energy projects, and with another German official delegation the political, economic, and humanitarian developments, warning of the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, and calling for intensified international efforts to relieve the Palestinian people.⭕ The Ministry of Public Works and Housing continued to implement its interventions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; a tender was issued for the construction of the Baqa Al-Sharqiya Basic Boys' School in Tulkarm Governorate, funded by the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development Bank, in addition to awarding a tender for the finishing of the Beit Dajan Secondary Girls' School building in Beit Dajan village, Nablus Governorate, funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, managed by the Islamic Development Bank as manager of the Al-Aqsa Fund, along with opening a tender for the rehabilitation of the arrivals hall at the Jericho rest stop, funded by the World Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the Abdul Aal Land Shelter Center was implemented, covering an area of 3800 square meters to shelter 41 families in the North and Gaza governorates, and the implementation of the Nasr Land Shelter Center in Jabalia began with a capacity of 135 shelter units over an area of approximately 11.5 dunams, with work underway to replace worn-out tents with "RHU" units in the Shaath Land Shelter Center as part of a plan to improve shelter conditions. Damage assessment work also continued, in addition to collecting, transporting, and processing more than 343 thousand tons of rubble within projects funded by the United Nations Development Programme, the Japanese Fund, and the Norwegian Fund, bringing the total processed rubble in partnership with various entities to more than 680 thousand tons.⭕ The Ministry of Education and Higher Education began expansion work at Deir Abu Da'if Secondary Girls' School in Jenin by adding 4 classrooms, administrative and service rooms worth $500,000, and began maintenance and rehabilitation work at two schools in Hebron (Al-Aqsa Basic Girls' and Abdul Hay Shahin Basic Boys') worth $300,000, in addition to awarding a tender for the finishing of Beit Dajan Secondary Girls' School in Nablus worth $800,000. Regarding educational programs, the Minister met with his British counterpart and organized a virtual visit to Yasser Amro Girls' School in Old Hebron. The Ministry also launched a number of initiatives including the "We Read and Liberate" competition, a training program for standard operating procedures in partnership with the National School of Administration, the "STEM" Palestine 2026 Olympiad, and a cybersecurity program for communication coordinators, in addition to signing the annual plan for the education sector with UNICEF 2026–2027, launching the "TIMSS 2027" application in 25 schools, and concluding the National Innovation and Robotics Competition at Palestine Polytechnic University. In the field of higher education, the Ministry announced scholarships in Italy, Malta, and Malaysia, nominated students for advanced medicine in Jordan 2026–2027, concluded the Minister's participation in the Global Education Forum in London, held workshops on the National Qualifications Framework to enhance the alignment of education with the labor market, implemented first aid and psychological support training in Nablus, and launched the "Human Rights and Gender" initiative in partnership with An-Najah University to promote a safe digital university environment.⭕ The Ministry of Social Development implemented a comprehensive package of field interventions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in partnership with local and international institutions, where 3,016 families in the West Bank benefited from food and non-food parcels and shopping vouchers worth 341,260 shekels, while the Jericho and Al-Aghwar Directorate distributed 178 food parcels worth 44,500 shekels to displaced and affected families. In Gaza, 15,693 beneficiaries received food aid including supplements, meals, parcels, 7,000 loaves of bread, and 100 cups of water, in addition to 2,960 beneficiaries of non-food aid including hygiene parcels, mattresses, school bags, and clothing vouchers. In the field of social protection, 148 interventions were implemented for women's protection in the West Bank, while 5,877 beneficiaries in Gaza benefited from psychological support services, consultations, and follow-up on violence cases. In child and juvenile protection, 215 interventions for children and 68 for juveniles were implemented in the West Bank, with awareness workshops held in Nablus on bullying and the dangers of drugs, in addition to 80 children in Gaza benefiting from protection interventions. In the orphan file, 1,505 orphans in the West Bank and 766 in Gaza benefited from food parcels, diapers, recreational activities, and data updates. Also, 70 interventions were implemented for people with disabilities in the West Bank and one intervention in Gaza, in addition to a meeting in Nablus to discuss the rights of children with "Down syndrome" and enhance the services provided to them. For the elderly, 78 interventions were implemented in the West Bank and two in Gaza, while 189 new and renewed health insurance services were provided. Also, 53 interventions were implemented in the nurseries file, including a workshop in Bethlehem in cooperation with the Civil Defense to enhance emergency preparedness, in addition to 27 interventions in the field of economic empowerment, along with community and supportive interventions for charities in the West Bank and Gaza to enhance social protection for vulnerable groups.⭕ The Ministry of Agriculture continues to implement a package of field and developmental interventions in partnership with local and international institutions, in parallel with efforts with the Civil Defense to enhance field readiness with a joint plan to protect agricultural lands and forests from fires during the summer. The Minister conducted a field tour in Bethlehem and Hebron governorates, which included a direct meeting with farmers affected by occupation attacks and the distribution of olive seedlings as part of the emergency response program. In northern Ramallah, the Ministry distributed 90 bales of straw (450 kg per bale) to affected livestock breeders, in addition to visiting the displaced community in Al-Ma'arajat "Arab Al-Malihat". The Ministry, in partnership with FAO and the European Union, implemented a training program for female livestock breeders that included 4 activities in Tulkarm, Hebron, Halhul, and Jinsafut with the participation of 73 women, in addition to training in Bazzariya with the participation of 15 female farmers. In Jerusalem, grape farms in Beit Anan, Biddu, Beit Ijza, and Beit Duqqu were rehabilitated as part of a project targeting 47 farmers over an area of 130 dunams, while in Salfit, training was conducted on the manufacture of oil ointments and soap with the participation of 15 female farmers, in addition to evaluating 27 olive presses, and similar training in Deir Jarir, Ramallah. The Ministry also supported "Montana" company in Deir Al-Ghusun with a molokhia production line worth 55 thousand shekels in partnership with Agricultural Relief and Oxfam and with support from (DGD), as part of a project to empower women and youth in the agricultural value chain. In Gaza, under the supervision of the Higher Agricultural Emergency Committee, Agricultural Relief implemented a project to rehabilitate and operate agricultural wells and install water lines in Sheikh Ajlin funded by Oxfam for 60 farmers.⭕ The Water Authority announced the completion of solving the sewage problem in the Hamad City area resulting from significant damage to the main water pipeline, funded by the German government and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The Water Authority also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arab American University to enhance innovation and scientific research in the water and sanitation sectors, by directing university studies to address national challenges, developing university laboratories to become specialized centers for water testing, in addition to implementing training and qualification programs for technical and research staff. In the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with Doctors Without Borders, 15 desalination plants with a total capacity of 2538 cubic meters per day were installed and operated, to serve displaced persons' camps and a number of health facilities, with continued coordination to establish additional stations in the most needy areas.⭕ The Minister of Interior chaired the meeting of the Supreme Council for Civil Defense to discuss national readiness to face summer challenges and enhance coordination among partner entities, emphasizing the importance of teamwork to protect citizens and their property in exceptional circumstances that include natural hazards and attacks on national assets, which requires a comprehensive vision based on readiness and effective response. In the context of field work, security and civil agencies carried out extensive tasks, including the police arresting 1149 wanted individuals, including 7 dangerous ones, executing 2598 judicial warrants, and 55 anti-drug missions, in addition to following up on 244 criminal incidents. The Civil Defense carried out 339 firefighting missions and 93 rescue missions, issued 512 permits for establishments, inspected and licensed 251 elevators, and carried out 870 public safety tours. The Customs Police initiated 58 cases of tax and customs evasion and market monitoring, and destroyed 19.47 tons of unfit and non-compliant goods.⭕ The Ministry of National Economy carried out 87 inspection tours, resulting in the seizure of half a ton and the destruction of 120 tons of damaged products, and the referral of an offender to the public prosecution for price manipulation, in addition to issuing 25 pledges and legal notices, handling 20 consumer protection complaints, and withdrawing 32 samples for laboratory testing. The steering committee for the "Turathi" center for empowering women and youth discussed the progress of project implementation and its operational and sustainability phases, while the Ministry and the Monetary Authority held a specialized course on e-commerce and electronic payment. The Ministry registered 75 companies and provided 886 services in the field of companies, in addition to registering 43 new traders and providing 44 services in the commercial register, issuing 281 import licenses and 15 foreign trade transaction cards, in addition to issuing 38 certificates of origin and completing 49 commercial transactions with Turkey, registering 13 trademarks, and providing 92 services in the field of intellectual property.⭕ The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates met with representatives of Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada, Spain, and Germany accredited to the State of Palestine to discuss the results and implications of the "Defending Democracy" meeting. The Ministry condemned the interception and hijacking of the "Global Resilience Fleet" ships, considering it a war crime that warrants immediate legal sanctions and a unified international stance. It also condemned the occupation's approval of seizing UNRWA headquarters and Palestinian properties in Jerusalem and converting them into military installations, considering this a serious violation and a colonial escalation that threatens the international legal system and entrenches ethnic cleansing. The Ministry issued a press statement on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Nakba titled: "The Nakba is an ongoing tragedy, and genocide is one of its forms."⭕ The Minister of Jerusalem Affairs discussed with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States at the League of Arab States headquarters in Cairo the latest developments in the city of Jerusalem and ways to enhance Arab action to confront the escalating and continuous Israeli measures. The Ministry also participated in a specialized workshop on the legal consequences of the (E1) plan and the targeting of Khan al-Ahmar and mechanisms to confront it, affirming its continued efforts to support Palestinian Bedouin communities and document Israeli violations. In this context, the Undersecretary of the Ministry participated in the handover ceremony for the new village council in Jaba' and the new municipal council in Al-Ram, emphasizing the Ministry's priority to support local authorities in Jerusalem Governorate.⭕ The Ministry of Labor launched modern vocational training programs in Aida Camp, Bethlehem, in the fields of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and technologies, as part of an effort to link training with labor market needs. The Minister of Labor visited the "SOS" Children's Village in Bethlehem to learn about the services provided to children without care and discuss enhancing cooperation in the areas of protection, training, and employment. In support of employment, the Palestinian Employment Fund implemented 378 employment contracts under the "Path to Economic Resilience" project, conducted job interviews in various sectors, in addition to implementing temporary employment projects, solid waste management, and enhancing social cohesion programs, and completing training and initiatives to support graduates in education, health, industry, and entrepreneurship. Inspection teams also carried out 63 visits, benefiting 825 workers, handling 15 complaints, providing 20 legal consultations, and taking action against violating establishments, while occupational safety and health activities targeted 5 establishments and 40 workers, with high compliance with prevention standards and requirements, and achieving accreditation fees of 750 dinars.⭕ The Ministry of Transport and Communications launched the "Your Safety Matters to Us" initiative and the School Bus Safety Guide, and implemented awareness activities in partnership with the KOICA Alumni Association and with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), aiming to enhance traffic safety culture and reduce accidents. The Ministry participated in meetings with transport companies and the private sector to develop public transport services and improve systems and procedures, in addition to supporting digital transformation by launching new electronic services in cooperation with the Palestinian Standards Institution, while continuing to implement specialized training programs in traffic safety management and qualifying driving instructors, and conducting field tours to learn about citizens' needs and enhance direct communication with them. The Ministry also handled 28 complaints submitted by citizens, while traffic departments recorded 594 initial vehicle registrations, 15 engineering equipment transactions, 1656 vehicle ownership transfers, 455 operating licenses, 33 transport company transactions, 665 new driver licenses, 26 special numbers, and 928 vehicle plates last week, in addition to 16541 vehicle movements, 10873 driver movements, 1366 practical tests, 1308 theoretical tests, and 1248 renewal or re-operation transactions for outstanding payments, and 1066 driver license renewals for outstanding payments.⭕ The Energy and Natural Resources Authority launched a joint national initiative to support farmers and enhance sustainability in the agricultural sector by providing them with mobile solar energy systems equipped with storage, and connecting agricultural directorates with integrated energy systems, contributing to reducing operating burdens, lowering electricity bills, integrating renewable energy into vital agricultural wells and facilities, and enhancing farmers' resilience and sustainable agricultural development. The Energy Authority also participated in the conclusion of environmental and health awareness programs with Ramallah Municipality for the year 2025–2026, which included activities and lectures on rationalizing energy consumption and renewable energy, enhancing environmental culture among students, and honoring schools and environmental activists, thus promoting concepts of sustainability and social responsibility. Solar energy projects with a capacity of approximately 500 kW peak were implemented in a number of government buildings, producing more than 196 thousand kWh annually and contributing to reducing electricity bills, in addition to preparing to install a 450 kW system at Jericho Government Hospital to enhance energy stability in the health sector, along with reviewing the "Revolving Fund" and "Shamsi" programs to expand solar energy and support the transition towards sustainable energy and energy independence.⭕ The General Authority for Civil Affairs coordinated the maintenance and repair of electricity and water networks in Salfit, Bethlehem, and Hebron governorates, and followed up on the extension of water lines to the villages west of Dura, in addition to coordinating the harvesting of agricultural lands adjacent to settlements. In Hebron Governorate, the Authority followed up on the detention of the director of Amnizal school and two teachers until their release, and also coordinated the entry of telecommunications company crews into the closed area of Hebron city to carry out service work. In Qalqilya Governorate, the Authority, after following up with the Israeli side, succeeded in reopening the Jayyus – Nabi Ilyas gate, which had been closed for a month, in addition to implementing a series of coordinations to support farmers behind the wall, including the entry of equipment, machinery, water lines, sheep, and workers for the maintenance of agricultural lands and greenhouses.⭕ The Minister of Health conducted field tours in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus governorates, which included meeting with governors and visiting government hospitals to follow up on the health situation and urgent needs and enhance the continuity of medical services. On the international level, the Minister warned during a seminar in Geneva on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly of the comprehensive collapse of the Palestinian health system due to the targeting of health facilities in the Gaza Strip and the challenges in the West Bank and Jerusalem, calling for urgent and sustainable support, strengthening UNRWA's role, and protecting medical teams. Support for Palestine also topped the resolutions of the Council of Arab Health Ministers in Geneva. The Ministry participated in the Cosmetic Dentistry in the Age of Artificial Intelligence conference, emphasizing the importance of employing modern technologies in diagnosis and treatment, and implemented advanced training for dealing with mass casualties in Hebron, Beit Jala, and Jericho hospitals with support from the World Health Organization, in addition to continuing its daily awareness campaigns to enhance health awareness and prevention among citizens.⭕ The Minister of Local Government, during his participation in the 13th World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, affirmed Palestine's commitment to implementing the global urban agenda despite the occupation's violations and depriving Palestinians of the right to housing. He also discussed with the Minister of Urban Planning in Azerbaijan enhancing cooperation in urban planning and sustainable development. In the context of developing local services, the project to establish a public services center in the town of Kober in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate was completed at a cost of 44,000 euros, while the Ministry's teams and local government directorates continue to follow up on handover procedures in a number of local authorities in the northern governorates, according to legal procedures after approving the results of local elections, in preparation for completing the process in the remaining local authorities in the coming days.⭕ The Ministry of Women's Affairs completed the first phase of the Culture and Creative Industries project within the societal transformation axis, by implementing training workshops and capacity building targeting 36 government cadres from partner institutions to enhance gender concepts, societal change, and the employment of culture and creative industries in comprehensive development and supporting the Palestinian narrative. The Ministry also held meetings with the Palestinian NGO Network (NDC), Oxfam, and the Environmental Quality Authority to mobilize resources for implementing the cross-sectoral gender strategy and developing gender-sensitive environmental interventions, in addition to preparing economic empowerment interventions in cooperation with Spanish Development Cooperation. The Minister discussed with the Sawasiya program mechanisms to strengthen the women's protection system, develop national legislation and policies, and support the National Observatory for Monitoring Violence Against Women and responding to the needs of women and girls in light of the aggression.⭕ The Minister of Culture, along with the Minister of Tourism and Palestine's representative to UNESCO, visited the towns of Sebastia and Sinjil, emphasizing the importance of internationalizing the issue of Sebastia, preserving the Palestinian narrative, and supporting the residents in confronting settler attacks. The Minister of Culture also participated in commemorating the 40th anniversary of the late Khawla Amayreh, opened an art exhibition for artist Youssef Katlo in Dura, in addition to opening a conference on prisoner literature and launching a book by educational supervisor Mohammed Al-Sharawneh, discussed cultural media cooperation with the Palestinian Network for Media Development, and visited plastic artist Suleiman Mansour to check on his health. The Ministry organized various cultural and awareness activities, including workshops and activities on the Nakba and the Palestinian narrative in Salfit, events during Reading Week in Qalqilya, awareness activities on vocational training in Bethlehem, commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Nakba in Tubas and the Northern Jordan Valley, in addition to sponsoring the Palestinian Cultural Day in Al-Samou, participating in community and educational initiatives in Hebron, and launching the novel "Mined Paradises" as part of the "Culture for All" project.⭕ The Environmental Quality Authority teams carried out 24 inspection tours of industrial establishments, followed up on 5 environmental complaints, including one related to an illegal landfill, and granted 8 approvals for industrial and agricultural projects and one approval for a cellular broadcasting station, and issued 5 permits for importing chemical materials. In the framework of developing environmental work, the head of the Environmental Quality Authority, Eng. Zaghloul Samhan, discussed with general managers and branch offices the latest developments in digital transformation, international environmental cooperation, and enhancing work in the field of biodiversity. A specialized workshop was held within the European twinning program to develop mechanisms for granting environmental approvals, monitoring, and inspecting projects. The Authority also affirmed, in a statement on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, that protecting biodiversity and natural resources in Palestine represents a national priority in the face of systematic targeting of the Palestinian environment.⭕ The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities carried out more than 29 field tours targeting 41 heritage and tourist sites, monitored 10 attacks on cultural heritage sites, in addition to inspecting 40 confiscated archaeological pieces. It also received 163 building permit applications, of which 112 permits were completed, with a completion rate of nearly 90%. In the framework of protecting historical sites, the Minister affirmed during a visit to Sebastia the continuation of efforts to include it on the UNESCO World Heritage List, while the Ministry opened the "Journey in Memory" exhibition in Al-Bireh and carried out activities to restore and protect the Al-Burj Castle site in Hebron. It also organized programs and routes for domestic tourism in various governorates, and Hebron received more than 73 tourist buses from Palestinians from inside during one day, in parallel with intensifying supervisory tours of tourist facilities and archaeological sites.

The academic and cultural circles in Egypt and the Arab world lost the great linguist and thinker Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Professor of Linguistics at Menoufia University and an expert at the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo. The deceased is considered a model of the organic intellectual who never separated himself from the issues of his nation, but remained steadfast in the sanctuary of knowledge, defending the Arabic language.

Dr. Fahmy held prominent cultural positions, most notably his work as a cultural advisor to the National Library and Archives, through which he realized the value of manuscripts and documents in preserving collective memory. The deceased left a clear mark in every institution he worked for, transforming routine academic work into a renaissance project for building awareness.

His philosophy was embodied in considering the Arabic language a matter of national security par excellence, and not merely a tool for artistic or literary communication. He believed that cultural and linguistic defeat always precedes military and economic defeats, which led him to dedicate his research to linking linguistic structure with the value and social context of the nation.

Dr. Khaled Fahmy stood as an impenetrable barrier against attempts at cultural Westernization that aimed to marginalize the Arabic language in educational curricula and public life. He repeatedly warned that replacing the Arabic tongue with foreign languages in the early stages of upbringing leads to distorting the awareness of generations and separating them from their historical roots.

He believed that true renaissance cannot be achieved except by localizing knowledge, which made him one of the biggest supporters of the translation and Arabization movement. He stressed that a nation that does not produce its knowledge in its own language remains dependent on others, and loses its ability for independent creativity and civilizational competition.

Fahmy's passing caused a widespread shock in intellectual circles, as social media platforms and cultural magazines were filled with heartfelt eulogies from his colleagues and students. Many described him as a 'scholar of the frontiers' who did not retreat to ivory towers, but remained close to the pulse of the street and the concerns of young researchers.

The deceased was distinguished by an exceptional ability to simplify complex linguistic knowledge and make it accessible to new generations without compromising its depth. The Academy of the Arabic Language and intellectual institutions mourned him as a unique bridge connecting authentic Arab heritage with the requirements of modernity and modern methodologies.

Dr. Khaled Fahmy left a huge scientific legacy exceeding sixty books, addressing issues of investigation, linguistics, and the creation of civilizational awareness. He always emphasized that heritage investigation is not an intellectual luxury, but rather a summoning of the elements of strength and authenticity necessary to establish the renaissance of the present and the future.

On a human level, the deceased was known for his great humility and his profound appreciation for his students, whom he treated as friends and aspiring scholars. He never withheld his time or his personal library from any researcher, believing that the zakat of knowledge lies in giving and spreading it without bureaucratic restrictions.

Dr. Fahmy expressed his scientific and intellectual opinion with all politeness and courage, rising above trivialities and positions that might restrict his freedom. His career was characterized by ethical integrity and steadfastness to principles, which made him an ethical and scientific authority respected by various intellectual currents.

In one of his central statements, the deceased considered the creation of awareness to be the 'greatest jihad' in the modern era to confront attempts at falsification. He believed that a nation that squanders its book, language, and history, is voluntarily handing over the keys to its fortress to its enemies with little resistance.

His students, in their farewell, indicated that he lived a free and honorable life and died with dignity and respect, without selling his knowledge or chivalry for worldly gain. He instilled in an entire generation the spirit of pride and honor in belonging to the Islamic and Arab identity, fighting silently for the issues of his nation.

The absence of this encyclopedic scholar places a grave responsibility on researchers to continue his project of protecting cultural frontiers. The ideas he planted need continuous nurturing to grow and face the challenges of globalization and cultural erosion that threaten Arab societies.

In conclusion, Dr. Khaled Fahmy's project remains alive in his books and his students who learned from him that knowledge is a mission and a continuous struggle. Although his passing is a tremendous loss, the impact he left will remain a beacon guiding generations aspiring to restore civilizational and linguistic sovereignty.

Arabic is not merely a vessel for vocabulary; it is a system of thought, a worldview, and a protective wall that shields the nation from dissolution.

The interruption or reduction of salaries does not only reveal a financial crisis, but also one of the most severe psychosocial crises in the Palestinian context, because it affects a segment that constitutes one of the pillars of stability within Palestinian society: the civil servant.Reduced and delayed salaries have become a chronic condition, not a temporary exception; employees have been receiving varying percentages of their salaries for years. In January 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced the disbursement of only 2000 shekels to each employee, indicating a escalating deterioration. The news of salary disbursement dates has turned into "breaking news" that society follows with daily anxiety, which in itself is a profound symbolic indication of the depth of the crisis.Bandura, in his theory of self-efficacy, believes that for a person to maintain balanced mental health, they need a deep sense that their efforts produce tangible results, and that the energy and time they expend have real value in the world around them. An employee who goes to work daily, then ultimately does not find enough to cover their family's needs, experiences a gradual breakdown of this efficacy.It is not merely a financial hardship; rather, it is a systematic dismantling of the "effort = result" equation that forms the backbone of human motivation. When this experience is repeated month after month and year after year, the employee moves from transient frustration to what is known as "learned professional helplessness," a state in which they stop emotional investment in their work and lose the essential motivation to perform their tasks, because the mind has built a firm conviction that effort will not be fruitful.On the family level, salary interruption constitutes an earthquake that threatens internal balance, as the impact of salary interruption extends beyond the individual to strike the family at its core. Salary is not just income; it is a daily guarantee of parents' sense of their ability to protect, provide for, and support. In Palestinian culture, it is also a symbol associated with social status and a regulating factor for the parental role in the family. Low income is not just an absence of income; it is a systematic dismantling of professional identity and the social role of a person. When a person stands unable to feed their children, a gradual erosion of their sense of competence, ability, and dignity occurs deep within them. What complicates matters further are the figures on informal employment, which is synonymous with fragility and fluctuation that deprives a person of a sense of stability and planning for the future. How can a person dream if they don't know if they will work tomorrow? How can they raise their children with optimism in a future besieged by occupation, fences, checkpoints, doubt, and uncertainty?When the father or mother returns from the ministry, school, or hospital with reduced or no salaries, a series of psychological transformations begin within the family space, where tensions escalate between spouses over the distribution of scarce resources, the margin of tolerance and understanding erodes, and the sense of threat magnifies. Research on economic pressures and their impact on family dynamics has shown that chronic financial stress doubles the rates of marital conflicts, lowers the quality of emotional communication, and weakens effective parental involvement in raising children.As for children, who are the most affected, they read the scene accurately, because they are not passive recipients; they observe anxiety, helplessness, and brokenness in their parents' faces. Studies indicate that children who witness severe financial stress in their families develop higher levels of anxiety, suffer from a decline in academic achievement, and develop a less confident and competent self-image. What increases the risks is that the child does not possess the cognitive tools to process what they see, and because what is formed in early childhood forms the basis for future personality, one of the deepest effects may be what is known as "attachment disorder"; when a parent is psychologically shattered before their child's eyes, the basic attachment system suffers a wound that may leave its marks throughout life. A child who does not find a safe haven, and whose role model collapses before them when they see them helpless, may develop disturbed attachment strategies that reflect on their social relationships, their trust in others, and their ability to build healthy bonds later. The family is the first circle of psychological protection for the individual in any society, and it is the first reservoir of belonging and security. In the current Palestinian context, the family structure is subjected to accumulating pressures that almost negate its primary function of protection.The impact does not stop at the individual and their family, but extends to the societal impact, where civil servants and their families constitute a broad social segment that connects vital sectors of society: the teacher, university professor, doctor, engineer, and security officer. When this segment is afflicted with chronic frustration and its motivation declines, the quality of public services declines with it in a cumulative manner that is difficult to measure in the short term but burdens society in the long term.Salary interruption also leads to the erosion of institutional trust, as a discourse of despair seeps from institutions and spreads throughout the social fabric, feeding what is known as "learned helplessness at the collective level." The feeling that the system cannot, and that individual effort will not make a difference, is one of the most dangerous collective psychological states and the most harmful to paths of recovery and change in societies.The current Palestinian context poses a deep psychological problem: how do we continue to adopt a cohesive identity in a reality that threatens the continuity of existence itself?Erikson refers to "identity diffusion" as a state that arises when a person fails to build consistent links between their past, present, and future. In the Palestinian context, and under an extended colonial reality, the citizen experiences a kind of this diffusion: their past is displaced, their present is restricted, and their future is suspended on checkpoints, promises, and settlements in which they have no will.However, the picture is not without another important dimension, which is Palestinian steadfastness, documented by studies as an exceptional psychosocial phenomenon formed in the face of a long reality of oppression and displacement. Research on collective identity has observed how Palestinians develop "social resilience" as a collective defense system, based on daily interaction and adherence to land and memory, to produce an identity resistant to erasure, removal, and displacement.Steadfastness does not mean the absence of pain; it is the ability to continue despite pain, and it does not mean absolute mental health; many who appear steadfast carry unhealed wounds deep within them. It is important for us to distinguish between positive steadfastness (based on meaning, connection, and belonging) and defensive steadfastness (based on emotional repression and denial). It is also necessary to point to "future alienation," which is formed when a person loses their ability to imagine their future, and when they lose one of the most important psychological pillars, which is hope.Steadfastness in the Palestinian context is the product of an integrated system, reflecting the depth of belonging to the land and place, the strength of family and community ties, faith in justice, religious faith that gives meaning to suffering, and collective memory that connects the present to a long history of challenges, struggle, and survival.The degree of steadfastness is formed based on factors that can be built and strengthened, the most important of which are: the ability to satisfy biological and psychological needs, the existence of a social support network, a sense of individual and collective efficacy, and the possession of narratives capable of absorbing and overcoming suffering. In the Palestinian case, these factors constitute real fuel that prevents complete collapse in the face of pressures described by international reports as "unprecedented."Trauma psychologists believe that recovery is possible, but it requires time, safety, and resources. A person does not recover in the midst of a fire; rather, when the fire is extinguished. What distinguishes the Palestinian wound is that its fires have not yet been extinguished, and what happens under it of steadfastness, cohesion, and continuity is, in itself, a testament to an unbreakable character.Steadfastness does not mean the absence of pain, nor does it mean the absence of the need for healing, but it is a description of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that requires serious and urgent responses, local, regional, and international, to save a people suffering under occupation and siege for decades, but its current siege may be the most dangerous and impactful on the individual, society, and the cause.

Less talk, without gradual ascent or sequence in tasks and responsibilities, Trump ascended to power, even settling on the throne of the great nation, unburdened by any historical legacy or institutional progression, while files, some apparent and others hidden, were closed, and obstacles were removed to pave the way for his ambiguous escalation, driven by a tendency to dismantle the international legal system, and replace laws, charters, and human rights that governed the world for decades with chaos.His actions contradict his words, and his deadlines reflect his hesitation. If he talks about diplomacy, know that stealth aircraft are flying over their targets, and aircraft carriers are plowing the sea, preparing to load their cannons for a new campaign of destruction in the vast Persian plateau.The coming hours are crucial, holding breaths in anticipation of where the fickle man will go in the skies of global crises. If mediators fail to avert the specter of war by reaching a declaration of intent that saves his face, he will be faced with a forced choice to direct limited strikes at selected Iranian sites, without anticipating the repercussions that may get out of control in a region suffering from excessive fluidity.

Field sources reported the arrival of a new Emirati humanitarian aid convoy in the Gaza Strip, consisting of 15 large trucks loaded with over 195 tons of essential food parcels. This step comes as part of Operation 'Gallant Knight 3,' which aims to enhance urgent humanitarian response, and as a continuation of the 'Hamid Air Bridge' initiative dedicated to supporting Palestinian families affected by the current situation.

These relief efforts were carried out in implementation of the directives of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, reflecting the UAE's continuous commitment to supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. Humanitarian teams are working to ensure a regular flow of supplies through the crossings, as this support embodies the state's established humanitarian approach in providing aid and assistance during major crises and disasters facing the region.

Over the past two months, the campaign has successfully shipped over 600 tons of food and medical aid to the Egyptian city of Al-Arish, in preparation for its entry into the Strip. A specialized team of Emirati volunteers and officials in Al-Arish is responsible for receiving air and land shipments, then sorting and preparing them in advanced logistical centers to ensure they reach their beneficiaries in Gaza in the best possible condition to meet urgent needs.

The 'Hamid Air Bridge' operation witnessed integration between several Emirati charitable organizations, including the Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charitable Foundation and the International Charity Organization, in addition to the UAE Red Crescent and the Al-Ihsan and Al-Ittihad associations. These institutional efforts have combined to mobilize resources and prepare relief convoys, enhancing the efficiency of comprehensive humanitarian operations that also include medical and developmental initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the population in the Gaza Strip.

This campaign reaffirms the steadfast position of the United Arab Emirates in supporting the Palestinian people, and embodies its authentic humanitarian approach in aiding those affected.