Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a decision for the immediate evacuation of the Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin community located east of occupied Jerusalem. This announcement came at a sensitive political time, as the far-right minister affirmed that this measure falls within his direct legal powers, vowing that this step is only the beginning of a new phase of field policies.

Media sources revealed that Smotrich seeks, through this decision, to impose a new reality in the West Bank, indicating that he is leading a massive settlement plan. This plan includes the establishment of more than 100 new settlements and about 160 agricultural outposts, in addition to legalizing existing outposts and expanding the road network that serves settlers at the expense of Palestinian lands.

Observers link the timing of this decision to the international legal pressures Smotrich has been facing recently. Reports indicated that the minister received an official notification that the International Criminal Court in The Hague had received a request to issue an arrest warrant against him, which might push him to escalate measures on the ground to escape political and legal crises.

The Khan al-Ahmar community, inhabited by the Jahalin tribe, is a geographically crucial stronghold in the land conflict. The community is located in a strategic area separating the northern and southern West Bank, surrounded by a settlement belt that includes the settlements of 'Ma'ale Adumim' and 'Kfar Adumim,' making its control a vital objective for the occupation.

Through the demolition of the community, the occupation authorities seek to complete the 'E1' settlement project, which aims to completely isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings. This plan directly threatens the possibility of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state, as the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar will tear apart the West Bank and turn it into isolated cantons.

The Khan al-Ahmar issue has witnessed widespread international tensions since 2018, when the Israeli government first attempted to carry out the demolition. However, intense international pressure, especially from the US administration and the European Union, forced successive governments to freeze the decision for fear of diplomatic and legal repercussions in international forums.

The United Nations has warned on previous occasions that any forced displacement of Khan al-Ahmar residents could amount to a 'war crime.' These warnings are based on international law, which prohibits the occupying power from forcibly transferring civilian populations from their lands, which puts the Israeli government in direct confrontation with the international community.

On the Palestinian side, there was a state of anger and warning of an explosion of field conditions as a result of this escalatory decision. National and legal activists considered targeting Khan al-Ahmar as targeting the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem as a whole, calling for intensified popular steadfastness in the community to confront the expected demolition mechanisms at any moment.

Political analysts believe that Smotrich is exploiting the internal turmoil in Israel and the debate about early elections to boost his popularity among the far-right. By pushing settlement and displacement issues, the minister is trying to establish himself as a leader of the settlement movement capable of implementing ideological promises despite international and local opposition.

Field data indicate that Bedouin communities around Jerusalem suffer from continuous tightening, including building prohibitions and the demolition of educational and health facilities. This systematic tightening aims to push residents to leave 'voluntarily' after the impossibility of livelihoods, which the occupation has failed to achieve so far in the face of the steadfastness of the people of Khan al-Ahmar.

The implementation of the immediate evacuation decision will lead to the displacement of more than 200 people, most of them children and women, who already live in harsh conditions. The area lacks basic infrastructure due to Israeli restrictions, yet residents insist on staying on their land, to which they resorted after their first displacement in 1948.

On the economic front, Smotrich claimed in his statements that he succeeded in maintaining the stability of the Israeli economy despite the multi-front war. However, his opponents believe that his extremist policies in the West Bank increase the financial and security burdens on the state and lead to further international isolation that will negatively affect investments and the economy.

In conclusion, the fate of Khan al-Ahmar remains suspended between the insistence of the far-right on demolition and the Palestinian and international ability to curb this trend. The coming days will be decisive in determining the direction of the conflict in this strategic area, amid real fears that the decision will lead to a new wave of comprehensive escalation in the occupied territories.

This is just the beginning; we are leading policies to entrench the settlement project through construction, road paving, and the organization of agricultural outposts.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on a surprise official visit, less than two days after concluding his previous visit. Official sources reported that these shuttle movements reflect a state of diplomatic alert in Islamabad to deal with the rapidly evolving developments in the Iranian file.

Official circles in Tehran or Islamabad did not precisely disclose the Pakistani minister's agenda, but diplomatic sources indicated deep Pakistani concern about the possibility of resuming military operations. Through this visit, Pakistan seeks to solidify open channels of dialogue and prevent any breakdown in the current diplomatic process.

These movements come within the framework of mediation led by Pakistan and widely supported by China and regional and Gulf powers, aiming to pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement. Observers believe that Islamabad is trying to play the role of a bridge between Tehran and Washington to avoid war scenarios that could destabilize the entire region.

During his first visit, which lasted from Saturday to Monday, Naqvi held a series of high-level meetings, including with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He also held discussions with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led his country's delegation in previous negotiation rounds with the American side in Pakistan.

These diplomatic movements coincided with Tehran's announcement of submitting its official response to the latest American proposals regarding the nuclear file and regional issues. In contrast, US President Donald Trump expressed his objection to those proposals, which increased the pace of tension and the need for mediators to intervene.

In a related context, the Iranian President sent reassuring messages to neighboring countries, emphasizing that his country's foreign policy is based on the principle of good neighborliness and regional cooperation. These messages come at a sensitive time when Iran is trying to neutralize regional fronts in the event of any direct confrontation with international powers.

In statements coinciding with the Pakistani minister's presence in Tehran, the US President revealed that he was about to make a decision to attack Iranian targets. Trump explained that he backed down from this military option at the last minute in response to mediations led by active Gulf states in the region.

Pakistani-Iranian discussions also covered sensitive security files related to securing the long shared border between the two countries, which extends for hundreds of kilometers. Tehran fears that Washington might exploit some separatist groups on the border to destabilize internal security, which Iran describes as terrorist movements.

On the economic front, Pakistan has played a vital role in alleviating the burden of the US naval blockade imposed on Iranian exports and imports. Islamabad has opened land trade corridors to facilitate the movement of goods, which has strengthened the robustness of bilateral relations in the face of continuous external pressures.

In Islamabad, the government maintains official silence regarding the details of the mission led by Naqvi, preferring to work away from the spotlight to ensure the success of the mediation. Pakistan aims through this move to provide a safe exit for both the Iranian and American sides, ensuring they save face and preventing a slide towards confrontation.

For his part, former Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran Asif Durrani affirmed that the visit holds exceptional importance in conveying mutual messages between Washington and Tehran. Durrani clarified that his country's role focuses on facilitating discussions and bridging divergent viewpoints, rather than exerting pressure on either party.

Pakistani diplomacy is making redoubled efforts to maintain the extension of the undeclared ceasefire and to try to reach a permanent political settlement. Islamabad realizes that any outbreak of war in its western neighbor would have catastrophic repercussions on its national security and its already struggling economy.

Islamabad has redoubled its efforts to find a solution to the conflict, as it believes that reigniting the war would be a disaster for everyone.

Dozens of extremist settlers stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque this Wednesday morning, under heavy protection from the Israeli occupation police. These incursions come amidst intensive calls from alleged Temple groups to carry out large-scale incursions tomorrow, Thursday, in what is known as a 'compensatory incursion' coinciding with the upcoming Jewish holidays.

Sources in the Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Jerusalem reported that about 176 settlers violated the mosque during the morning period, carrying out provocative tours in its precincts. Among the intruders was the head of the National Security Committee in the Knesset, Zvika Fogel, a member of the far-right 'Jewish Power' party, reflecting the official political cover for these violations.

The sources documented Fogel taking souvenir photos in front of the mosque's landmarks accompanied by Rabbi Elisha Wolfsohn, head of the 'Temple Mount Religious School'. Wolfsohn is considered one of the most incitement-prone figures who regularly storm Al-Aqsa and give daily Talmudic lessons within its courtyards, with the aim of entrenching Jewish presence in the place.

For his part, Jerusalem affairs researcher Ziad Abhais warned of the danger of the coming days, especially with the advent of the so-called Jewish 'Feast of Weeks' next Friday. Abhais explained that settlers are planning a compensatory incursion tomorrow, Thursday, given that the mosque is not open for incursions on Fridays and Saturdays, which increases the pace of mobilization.

Abhais pointed to hidden intentions to try to impose 'sacrifice' rituals inside Al-Aqsa, whether plant or animal, by smuggling freshly slaughtered meat. These attempts come in the context of extremist groups' efforts to transform the mosque into a spiritual 'temple' by performing full Talmudic rituals in its courtyards.

The 'Feast of Weeks' or 'Shavuot' is known in the Jewish narrative as the holiday of the giving of the Torah and the beginning of the harvest season, historically linked to the idea of returning to the land. This holiday has gained increasing importance for the Zionist project, as it is linked to agricultural settlements and the reinforcement of the Talmudic narrative about the city of Jerusalem.

Statistics issued by the Endowments Department indicate a worrying escalation in the number of intruders during this holiday over the past four years. In 2025, the mosque recorded 985 settler incursions, the highest number compared to 668 settlers in 2024, and 354 in 2023, showing a dangerous upward trend.

Last year, settlers succeeded in smuggling parts of an animal sacrifice and scattering them near the Dome of the Chain, in an attempt to simulate 'altar' rituals. Surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses also observed settlers scattering bread dipped in wine and pouring water in the same area, as part of provocative Talmudic rituals.

Observers believe that linking the 'Feast of Weeks' with the idea of sacrifice aims to emphasize the full sovereignty of the occupation over Al-Aqsa Mosque and change its Islamic identity. Jerusalemite researchers warned that these practices are not merely religious rituals, but political tools for replacement and spatial and temporal control over the mosque.

In a related context, the International Jerusalem Foundation affirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque is going through a critical stage that directly threatens its architectural and historical identity. The Foundation said in a statement that the occupation seeks to end the historical Jordanian role in managing the mosque, and impose an actual police administration that controls all details of entry and exit.

The Foundation explained that the absence of real deterrence encourages Temple groups to go further in gradual Judaization steps, exploiting unprecedented government support. It considered that the equation of popular 'ribat' (steadfastness) remains the only obstacle to the implementation of Israeli plans aimed at radically changing the status quo.

The Foundation sent warning messages to the Jordanian authorities, indicating that their Hashemite guardianship over the holy sites is threatened with actual removal and termination on the ground. It called for the adoption of new strategic options based on popular support in Jerusalem, Amman, and the Arab and Islamic worlds to confront this encroachment.

'Shavuot' is considered the third occasion targeted by Temple organizations during this May, after 'Second Passover' and 'Jerusalem Unification Day'. On both occasions, the mosque witnessed massive compensatory incursions accompanied by the raising of Israeli flags and public prayers in blatant defiance of Muslim sentiments.

A state of extreme tension prevails in occupied Jerusalem, where occupation forces impose strict restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers to secure settler routes. Palestinian calls continue to travel to Al-Aqsa and remain steadfast there tomorrow, Thursday, to confront attempts to desecrate it and thwart plans to introduce sacrifices.

Al-Aqsa Mosque stands on the threshold of moving towards direct liquidation steps of its identity and architecture, and is on the verge of ending the historical Jordanian role in it.

Tensions are escalating in the Gaza Strip with continued Israeli airstrikes targeting homes and residential areas, deepening the humanitarian suffering of residents facing harsh conditions. Palestinian citizens affirmed that the phrase 'genocide continues' is no longer just a slogan, but a daily reality embodied in repeated displacements and loss of safety under continuous bombardment.

Field sources and activists documented horrific moments on Tuesday evening of shelling that targeted a home in the Bureij camp in the central Strip, where thick clouds of smoke covered the sky immediately after the raid. This targeting led to widespread destruction of surrounding properties, causing panic among families who were trying to rebuild their lives after months of devastation.

In Gaza City, a massive fire broke out early Wednesday in the Al-Nasser neighborhood west of the city following an airstrike that targeted a residential building, necessitating the urgent intervention of civil defense crews. Rescue teams made strenuous efforts to control the flames and extract victims from under the rubble, amid a severe shortage of capabilities and equipment needed to deal with such disasters.

These field developments coincide with heavy gunfire heard in areas south of Khan Yunis and the Al-Tuffah neighborhood east of the Strip, indicating a widespread military escalation. Observers considered these movements clear violations of the ceasefire agreement, which was supposed to be in effect since October 10, 2025, putting the agreement on the verge of collapse.

Local sources reported that the occupation army has returned over the past forty-eight hours to the 'scorched earth' policy by evacuating entire residential blocks before destroying them. Israeli forces use high-explosive bombs that wipe out entire neighborhoods, turning populated areas into rubble within minutes, without regard for the presence of civilians.

Journalist Mohammed Haniyeh indicated that the occupation is gradually escalating its war through systematic assassinations and forced evacuation orders affecting thousands of families. He explained that the bombing of a single house now leads to the destruction of an entire neighborhood, deepening the wounds of Palestinians who have been suffering from the ravages of war for more than two and a half years without a real cessation of aggression.

For his part, preacher Jihad Helles stated that hundreds of families found themselves forced to flee in the darkness of night from the north and south of the Strip to escape shells and rockets. Helles described the reality in Gaza as beyond description, where tragedies pursue residents at every corner, and the journey to find safety turns into a continuous, unending nightmare.

In a related context, activist Adham Abu Salima affirmed that Gaza's dawn is now stained with the color of blood and destruction, as the aggression targets innocents in the middle of the night in a deliberate terrorizing manner. He added that this renewed escalation reflects a determination to continue tormenting defenseless civilians, at a time when the world is preoccupied with other issues far from the tragedy of the besieged Strip.

On social media platforms, Gazans' pages have turned into arenas for documenting daily crimes, with hashtags confirming that 'the genocide has not ended.' Bloggers express their anger at the international silence regarding the gradual escalation that is destroying people and stone, considering that the absence of deterrence encourages the occupation to persist in its violations.

Residents of the Bureij camp spoke of harsh details of evacuation operations in 'Block 7,' where they were forced to leave their homes under direct threat before the entire residential block was wiped out. These scenes were repeated in several areas, forcing families to resort to the streets or overcrowded shelters that lack the basic necessities for a dignified life.

Reports indicate that sudden targeting has now extended to markets and coastal areas that residents thought were relatively safe, creating a state of constant tension. The danger is not limited to direct shelling but also extends to famine and diseases that are ravaging children and the elderly amid a suffocating siege that prevents the entry of essential aid.

For the third consecutive day, the occupation continues to issue night evacuation orders, a tactic aimed at psychologically and physically exhausting the population and increasing the pace of internal displacement. Activists believe that this policy aims to empty strategic areas in the Strip and turn them into buffer zones, deepening the humanitarian crisis and making a return to normal life impossible.

In conclusion, the scene in the Gaza Strip remains open to further escalation in the absence of any political horizon for a real and comprehensive cessation of aggression. Gazans appeal to the international community and human rights organizations to intervene immediately to stop the bloodshed and protect civilians from the war machine that does not differentiate between a home, a hospital, or a school, affirming their steadfastness despite all attempts at extermination.

No matter how much we tell you about Gaza's unending wounds and tragedies, we will not be able to describe the bitter reality we live.

Human Rights Watch reported that the humanitarian system, upon which the lives of residents in the Gaza Strip depend, continues to face existential threats, more than six months after the ceasefire agreement concluded in October 2025. These warnings coincide with international preparations for a Security Council briefing on the implementation of the conflict resolution plan, amidst human rights skepticism about the effectiveness of these diplomatic moves in the face of the bitter reality on the ground.

Adam Coogle, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division at the organization, explained that the lived reality in Gaza completely contradicts political reports, as Palestinians continue to suffer from the burden of hunger and systematic deprivation of basic medical care. Coogle pointed out that the continued targeting of civilians proves that the war machine has not actually stopped claiming lives, making talk of stabilizing the situation mere baseless claims.

Regarding the crossings, the organization documented the Israeli authorities' closure of all access points to the Strip at the end of February 2026, coinciding with a regional military escalation, which led to a sharp collapse in the flow of supplies. The average number of trucks entering weekly decreased from 4200 trucks to only about 590 trucks, representing a huge deficit in the basic needs of the population for food, medicine, and commercial goods.

Concerning the health situation, reports issued by the World Health Organization revealed that only 19 out of 37 hospitals are partially operational, while the rest of the facilities are completely out of service. These hospitals suffer from a shortage of about 46% of essential medicines, in addition to strict restrictions imposed by the occupation on the entry of generators and spare parts necessary to operate vital medical equipment.

Medical statistics indicate that more than 43,000 Palestinians have sustained injuries resulting in permanent disabilities, with children accounting for a quarter of this huge number of victims. More than 50,000 people need long-term medical rehabilitation programs, at a time when Israeli forces deliberately disrupt rehabilitation facilities and prevent access to necessary supplies for treating the injured and those with special needs.

In the displacement camps, international sources warned of an environmental and health catastrophe due to the spread of rodents and insects and the outbreak of skin infections and infectious diseases among the displaced. Sewage pumping stations in areas such as Khan Younis have completely stopped working, leading to streets being flooded with untreated waste, while water facilities rely on dilapidated generators and recycled oil.

On the ground, Israeli military attacks continued to claim lives, with the Ministry of Health recording the deaths of at least 856 Palestinians and the injury of thousands of others since the supposed truce began. Aid workers were also not spared from targeting, with 593 workers killed since October 2023, including eight who died in recent months, prompting international organizations to suspend their services in some areas to ensure the safety of their teams.

Human Rights Watch concluded its report by emphasizing that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to ensure access to food, water, and medical services for civilians without restrictions. The organization called on the international community to pressure for the lifting of the ban on UNRWA and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, stressing that the use of starvation as a weapon of war amounts to genocide crimes that must be held accountable.

Palestinians in Gaza are still hungry and deprived of medical care, and civilians are still being killed, and this is the reality of life no matter what is said in the Security Council.

The Palestinian Forum in Britain organized an exceptional honoring event for a number of Nakba witnesses and survivors of the massacres committed by Zionist gangs during 1948. The ceremony was held under the patronage of MP Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the Labour Party and current parliamentary leader of 'Your Party', with a remarkable presence of political figures and human rights activists.

The ceremony witnessed wide participation, including independent MPs Ayoub Khan and Iqbal Mohammed, in addition to representatives from the Green Party in London and Birmingham councils. Representatives from British organizations in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, were also present at the event, alongside the families of the honorees and members of the Palestinian community in the United Kingdom.

Adnan Hamidan, head of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, affirmed in his opening speech that honoring these witnesses is a symbolic recognition of their steadfastness and continuous sacrifices for decades. Hamidan pointed out that listening to and documenting the narratives of survivors is a fundamental pillar in preserving national identity and protecting Palestinian history from attempts of obliteration and falsification.

This ceremony coincided with the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, in which Palestinians recall the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands from their homes in 1948. Historical data indicates that the occupation displaced about 957,000 Palestinians out of 1.4 million people who lived in more than 1,300 towns and villages that were subjected to destruction and displacement.

Participants in the ceremony reviewed the extent of the tragedy left by the Nakba, where Zionist forces committed more than 70 bloody massacres that led to the martyrdom of more than 15,000 people. These events ended with the establishment of Israel on an area exceeding 85% of historical Palestine, turning the majority of the Palestinian people into refugees in the diaspora.

The event included a special honoring of Ben Jamal, CEO of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), in recognition of his long efforts in supporting Palestinian rights. Ben Jamal announced during the ceremony his stepping down from his leadership position to dedicate himself to family circumstances and caring for his sick wife, amidst widespread praise for his role in promoting the boycott and solidarity movement.

The list of honored figures included a selection of academics and activists, among them Dr. Ghada Karmi, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Haj Ali, Khalil Al-Nourisi, and Huda Al-Turk. The honoring also included Fawaz Sadeq Al-Muzaini, Walid Mousa Al-Samhan, Mahmoud Al-Agha, and Souad Al-Khatib, while Attallah Saeed and Michel Abdel Massih were honored in absentia due to their health conditions.

Artistic segments added a heritage character to the ceremony, as artists Osaid Maher and Islam Shaaban presented a bouquet of national songs that evoke nostalgia for home and return. They were accompanied by Hussein Atwi on musical instruments, while actress Sarah Al-Agha praised the documentary film produced by the forum to document live testimonies from the heart of the Nakba events.

The ceremony hall was adorned with symbols of Palestinian identity, from olive branches and thyme to the Keffiyeh and embroidered dresses representing various Palestinian cities. The seating tables bore the names of destroyed villages such as Al-Qastal, Tantura, and Lubya, in a symbolic message confirming that Palestinian memory is still alive and passed down from the generation of witnesses to the generation of youth in the diaspora.

This honoring represents the least that can be done for these figures, and it is essential to document their memories as an integral part of Palestinian memory.

The Finance Minister in the Israeli occupation government, Bezalel Smotrich, announced today, Tuesday, that he has officially signed an order for the immediate evacuation of the Bedouin gathering of 'Khan al-Ahmar' located east of occupied Jerusalem. Sources reported that Smotrich considered this decision an integral part of his ministerial powers, issuing direct threats to those he described as 'enemies' that this step is merely a prelude to broader measures in the West Bank.

In statements reported by Hebrew media, the far-right minister boasted about his government's achievements in settlement expansion, pointing to the establishment of more than 100 new settlements and 160 agricultural outposts during the past period. Smotrich claimed that these moves aim to preserve more than a million dunams of what he described as 'state lands,' emphasizing that work is underway to pave roads and regulate construction to make the settlement project an irreversible reality.

Economically, Smotrich claimed success in maintaining the stability of the Israeli economy despite fighting a 'multi-front war' which he described as unprecedented since 1948. These statements come at a time when the settlement offensive on Palestinian lands is intensifying, as the occupation seeks to impose full control over areas classified as 'C' and empty them of their original inhabitants through demolition orders and forced evictions.

Khan al-Ahmar village is a strategic Bedouin gathering located on the highway connecting Jerusalem and Jericho. The village has been struggling since 2009 to remain in the face of repeated Israeli attempts at displacement. The occupation justifies demolition decisions by the absence of legal building permits, a pretext it systematically uses to reject any planning schemes for Palestinians in these vital areas.

For its part, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) quickly condemned this decision, describing it as a 'new crime' committed by the fascist Zionist government against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The movement affirmed in a press statement that this dangerous development falls within the occupation's plans aimed at geographically dividing the West Bank and isolating occupied Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings to assert full control over it.

1. The movement called on the international community and the United Nations to take urgent action and break the silence regarding these blatant violations of international laws. It stressed the importance of holding occupation leaders accountable for their disregard for UN resolutions, warning that the continuation of these policies will lead to further escalation in the region given the Palestinian people's insistence on holding onto their land and historical rights.

It is worth noting that the United Nations had previously issued strong warnings, considering that any forced evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar residents could amount to a 'war crime.' Bedouin communities in that area are subjected to daily attacks by extremist settlers with direct protection from occupation forces, with the aim of pushing residents to voluntary departure and expanding settlements surrounding Jerusalem.

This is just the beginning; we have established more than 100 new settlements and 160 agricultural outposts that make the settlement project irreversible.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, presented the first periodic report of the 'Peace Council' tasked with monitoring the implementation of UN Resolution 2803. This report tracks the progress made in the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The report, covering six months of diplomatic and field work, included direct accusations against Hamas and Palestinian resistance factions. The document considered the factions' refusal to lay down their arms as the biggest obstacle to transitioning to permanent civilian rule in the Strip.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that the report praised the resilience of the ceasefire despite daily violations described as serious. The Council commended the role of mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, in addition to the American leadership, in maintaining the fragile calm over the past months.

The report revealed the final completion of the Israeli hostage file, with the last living hostage recovered in October of last year. It also noted the Israeli side's receipt of the last remains of detainees in January 2026, completely closing this thorny file.

In contrast, the Israeli occupation authorities fulfilled their commitments by releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from their jails. The list included 250 prisoners with high sentences, in addition to about 1700 Palestinians who were arrested from Gaza after the events of October 7th.

The report presented a detailed 15-point roadmap agreed upon in previous meetings in Cairo. This roadmap aims to complete the implementation of the comprehensive peace plan under the supervision of High Representative Nikolay Mladenov and international mediators.

The plan stipulates the establishment of the 'National Chamber for the Transitional Authority' to be the sole legitimate body responsible for security and civilian governance. The proposal requires Hamas to permanently cease all military, administrative, or police activities within the borders of the Gaza Strip.

The report emphasized the principle of 'one authority, one law, and one weapon' as a fundamental rule for the next phase. It calls on all armed factions to refrain from direct or indirect interference in the administration of the Strip's public affairs to ensure the success of the transitional period.

The security commitments in the report include complete and verified disarmament and the dismantling of all military infrastructure. This step is to be followed by a phased arms disposal process agreed upon with the Israeli side and international parties.

The Peace Council proposed deploying an international stabilization force to act as a support barrier and secure humanitarian aid distribution operations. Occupation forces will gradually withdraw to the perimeter of the Strip, provided that international verification of tangible progress in the disarmament file is achieved.

On the economic front, the report announced the availability of international financial pledges totaling $17 billion allocated for reconstruction. These operations will begin under the authority of a specialized national committee in areas declared free of armed manifestations and military depots.

The report called on the UN Security Council to take firm measures to pressure Palestinian factions to accept the roadmap. It urged member states to use their influence to ensure unhindered access for the international arms monitoring body to all areas of Gaza.

For its part, Hamas quickly denied the report's contents, describing it as a suspicious attempt to confuse matters. The movement affirmed that the occupation is the real party obstructing the agreement by refusing the clauses related to its legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards the population.

The movement stressed that it does not cling to the administration of Gaza and has repeatedly expressed its readiness to hand over administrative tasks to a national committee. It considered that focusing solely on disarmament and ignoring the rights of the Palestinian people aims to impose occupation conditions under a UN cover.

The main obstacle to full implementation remains Hamas's refusal to accept documented disarmament, relinquish coercive control, and allow a genuine civilian transition in Gaza.

International press reports have revealed intriguing details about the objectives of the recent war, indicating that the United States and "Israel" devised a secret plan aimed at bringing former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad back to power. This move followed intense airstrikes targeting senior officials in Tehran, with US President Donald Trump hinting at his desire to see new leadership from within the Iranian system take the reins.

According to informed sources, the plan formulated by Israeli intelligence agencies involved coordination with Ahmadinejad, who was previously known for his hardline stances, with the aim of exploiting his escalating differences with the ruling faction in Iran. However, this strategy faced a major obstacle in its early hours when Ahmadinejad's home in Tehran was subjected to an Israeli raid described as intended to "free him" from the imposed guard, which led to his injury and disappearance.

US officials reported that Ahmadinejad, who miraculously survived, became highly skeptical of the feasibility of the Israeli plot to change the regime after being injured. Since then, news of the former president has completely ceased, amidst mystery surrounding his health status and current whereabouts, which has sparked a wave of speculation and rumors across social media platforms inside and outside Iran.

Choosing Ahmadinejad for this role raises deep questions, given his long history of hostility towards the West and his previous calls to wipe "Israel" off the map, as well as his record of suppressing opposition. Sources suggest that betting on him came as a result of a shift in his stance in recent years, where he accused the regime of corruption and attempted to rebel against the restrictions imposed on him, making him a potential element for inciting internal unrest in the eyes of Tel Aviv and Washington.

For her part, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly clarified that the military operation known as "Epic Fury" primarily focused on neutralizing Iranian missile and nuclear threats. Kelly affirmed that US forces succeeded in destroying ballistic missile production facilities, noting that diplomatic efforts are now focused on drafting a final agreement that will completely end Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

In contrast, a spokesman for the Israeli Mossad refused to comment on reports related to contact with Ahmadinejad or details of the operation targeting his home. Reports confirm that the Israeli plot consisted of several stages, starting with political assassinations and ending with the collapse of the Iranian state's administrative structure, but the resilience of Iranian institutions revealed an intelligence misjudgment of the regime's ability to absorb initial shocks.

Observers believe that these leaks reflect the magnitude of the political stakes that accompanied the military operations, as Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump sought to reshape the political map in the Middle East through a radical change in Tehran. With the continued mystery surrounding Ahmadinejad's fate, the question remains about the realism of these plans in light of internal Iranian complexities and the intertwining of regional and international interests.

The plan developed by the Israelis and discussed with Ahmadinejad faltered after he was injured in a raid aimed at freeing him from house arrest.

By: Said Arikat

May 20, 2026

News analysis

Washington, D.C- By any serious historical or moral measure, the claim that the United Arab Emirates merely maintains “state-to-state” relations with Israel collapses under scrutiny. Diplomacy is never morally neutral. It never has been. States are judged not only by whom they recognize, but by what systems of domination they choose to normalize, legitimize, and sustain through engagement.

Had governments in the late 1980s embraced full normalization with apartheid South Africa while insisting they were simply practicing pragmatic diplomacy, they would not be remembered as neutral actors. They would be remembered as enablers of a system defined by racial hierarchy, territorial fragmentation, and institutionalized dispossession. The anti-apartheid struggle was never about symbolism. It was about whether the international community would tolerate a political order built on permanent legal and structural inequality.

It is worth noting that during apartheid South Africa, the UAE itself had no formal relations with the regime—reflecting a once widely shared international consensus that systems of institutionalized domination were incompatible with normal diplomacy.

That consensus is now deeply eroded in the case of Israel’s rule over Palestinians.

A broad body of human rights organizations and legal scholars—including B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International—have concluded that Israel operates a system of institutionalized domination over Palestinians that meets the legal definition of apartheid. B’Tselem describes it as “a regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.” While governments contest terminology, they do not contest the underlying documented record: dual legal systems, territorial fragmentation, discriminatory governance structures, and entrenched structural inequality.

This is not abstraction. It is architecture.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinian life is shaped by checkpoints, roadblocks, restricted roads, military zones, and a separation barrier that cuts deeply into territory and fragments communities into disconnected enclaves. Movement is tightly controlled and often unpredictably restricted. Access to hospitals, schools, farmland, workplaces, and family networks is governed by a dense system of permits, closures, and military discretion.

Alongside this physical fragmentation is a legal duality that human rights organizations consistently identify as central to the system. Israeli settlers live under Israeli civil law, with full rights and political representation. Palestinians live under military law, are tried in military courts, face administrative detention without charge in many cases, and are subject to sweeping restrictions on movement, construction, protest, and civil life. Two populations in the same territory are governed by two entirely different legal regimes based on identity.

In parallel, settler violence in the West Bank has been repeatedly documented by Israeli and international human rights organizations and journalists. Reports describe intimidation, attacks on villages, destruction of homes and property, and sustained assaults on farmland and livelihoods. These incidents frequently occur in environments where accountability is limited and enforcement inconsistent, reinforcing concerns about impunity and the erosion of legal protections.

Nowhere has scrutiny intensified more sharply than in the context of detention practices.

Since the escalation of the Gaza war, the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Israeli organizations such as B’Tselem have documented serious allegations of abuse in Israeli detention facilities. These reports describe patterns of ill-treatment, humiliation, physical violence, and credible allegations of sexual violence in detention contexts.

A 2024 United Nations report concluded that thousands of Palestinian detainees were subjected to treatment consistent with torture and called for independent investigations and accountability mechanisms. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have similarly raised concerns about systemic abuse and the absence of effective oversight.

Journalistic reporting has reinforced these findings. Nicholas Kristof, writing in The New York Times (May 18), cited testimonies from former detainees describing severe abuse, including allegations of sexual violence, and called for urgent independent investigation. His reporting reflects a broader pattern across international journalism: sustained allegations emerging from multiple credible sources that demand scrutiny rather than dismissal.

High-profile cases have further intensified concern. In one widely reported incident, Israeli soldiers were arrested in connection with allegations of sexual assault against a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman facility. The case triggered internal military proceedings and public controversy. According to BBC reporting, Israeli military authorities later dropped charges, citing evidentiary and procedural difficulties—a decision widely criticized by human rights organizations as emblematic of persistent accountability failures in detention-related cases.

These cases are not isolated proof of doctrine, but part of a broader, well-documented pattern of allegations, investigations, and unresolved accountability that has drawn sustained international attention.

In Gaza, the scale of destruction since October 2023 has fundamentally altered global perception. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Hospitals, schools, universities, bakeries, water systems, and refugee shelters have been severely damaged or destroyed. Humanitarian agencies warn of catastrophic conditions: mass displacement, famine risk, and the collapse of basic infrastructure under prolonged siege and sustained military operations.

Some genocide scholars and legal experts have warned that the situation may meet the threshold of genocide under international law, while others stress that only judicial determination can establish legal classification. What is beyond dispute is the scale of civilian suffering and infrastructural collapse.

Against this backdrop, normalization acquires a more precise meaning: not transformation, but accommodation.

The UAE’s decision to establish formal relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords was presented as a breakthrough for regional stability and pragmatic diplomacy. Its proponents argued it would generate leverage and moderation. Yet despite expanded diplomatic, economic, and security ties, the underlying realities—occupation, settlement expansion, displacement, blockade, and recurring cycles of violence—have not fundamentally changed.

Normalization has not altered the structure. It has stabilized it.

This exposes the central flaw in reducing diplomacy to “state-to-state relations.” Such a framework abstracts political engagement from human consequence. It treats deeply unequal systems of power as neutral administrative arrangements rather than lived systems of coercion, fragmentation, and control over an entire population.

History offers a clear warning. During apartheid South Africa, many states justified continued engagement in the name of pragmatism and influence. In hindsight, those positions are widely regarded as having prolonged an unjust system by granting it legitimacy and delaying accountability.

The same moral question now returns under conditions of far greater visibility.

None of this negates Jewish historical suffering or the enduring reality of antisemitism, both of which remain serious and must be confronted unequivocally. But historical trauma cannot function as permanent exemption from accountability. History repeatedly shows that societies shaped by persecution can, when empowered, reproduce systems of domination over others.

The tragedy of normalization is that it was marketed as a pathway to peace, yet increasingly functions as a mechanism that stabilizes diplomatic relations while leaving intact the structures that produce inequality, fragmentation, and recurring violence.

True peace cannot be built on unequal rights, fragmented geography, permanent military control, and institutionalized racism. Nor can diplomacy detached from accountability produce genuine stability. It can only defer reckoning.

Ultimately, the question is not whether states have the sovereign right to engage with Israel. The question is whether such engagement, under present conditions, amounts to normalization of a system that a growing body of international legal experts and human rights organizations increasingly describe as apartheid, and which remains under sustained allegations of grave violations requiring independent judicial scrutiny.

History will not judge this moment on diplomatic language or strategic convenience.

It will judge whether the world saw a system of domination unfolding in real time—and chose normalization anyway.

Organizers of the global Freedom Flotilla announced that their boats were directly attacked by Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday, with sources confirming that fire was opened on at least two boats as they attempted to advance towards the Gaza Strip. Despite live broadcast footage documenting the shootings, the occupation authorities quickly denied using live ammunition, claiming they only used non-lethal warning measures.

Reports from the flotilla's command stated that the Israeli navy managed to intercept all 50 participating boats in international waters. This operation resulted in the detention of 428 participants from over 40 countries worldwide, in a move aimed at preventing the humanitarian aid carried by the activists from reaching the besieged residents of the Strip.

For its part, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in an official statement that it would not tolerate any attempt to violate what it described as the 'legal naval blockade' on Gaza. Sources clarified that the measures taken against the boats came after a series of warnings directed at the participants to retreat, asserting that no injuries occurred among the protesters during the takeover operation.

In international reactions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan strongly condemned the violent Israeli intervention to obstruct the flotilla's path, describing its participants as 'travelers of hope.' Erdoğan called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and act immediately to confront Israeli practices that disregard international laws and prevent aid from reaching civilians.

According to data issued by the organizers, among the detainees are 78 Turkish citizens, in addition to activists and human rights defenders of European, Asian, and American nationalities. This journey is the third attempt by the flotilla, which set sail from southern Turkey last Thursday, after two previous attempts were thwarted at sea by Israeli naval forces.

In a related context, Washington entered the crisis with the US Treasury Department announcing financial sanctions against four individuals linked to the flotilla's organization. The US administration claimed that these individuals have ties to the Hamas movement, which activists considered an attempt to politicize humanitarian work and justify Israeli attacks on peaceful activists.

Palestinian cause supporters responded to these accusations by asserting that there is a deliberate confusion by Tel Aviv and Washington between defending human rights and supporting Palestinian factions. They pointed out that the flotilla's goal is to break the illegal blockade and highlight the escalating humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip, away from any political agendas.

These developments come at a time when international relief agencies confirm that the quantities of supplies entering Gaza are still below the minimum required for survival. Despite previous understandings to increase the flow of aid, the reality on the ground indicates the continued strict restrictions imposed by Israel on all crossings and entry points leading to the Strip.

More than two million Palestinians in Gaza live in catastrophic conditions, with most displaced from their destroyed homes to temporary tents lacking the most basic necessities of life. These tents are spread over rubble and along roadsides, amid a severe shortage of food, medicine, and potable water, making the arrival of blockade-breaking convoys an urgent necessity.

Despite increasing international pressure, Israel continues its categorical denial of a policy of starving the population or withholding aid, claiming it facilitates the passage of relief convoys. However, testimonies from UN organizations and the reality on the ground refute these claims, as aid remains hostage to Israeli political and military decisions that hinder its regular arrival.

In conclusion, the interception of the Freedom Flotilla represents a new chapter in the confrontation between international activists and the occupation authorities at sea. Human rights circles are awaiting the fate of the 428 detainees, amid calls for consular and embassy intervention to ensure their safety and secure their release after their boats were confiscated and they were prevented from completing their humanitarian mission.

We will not allow any violation of the legal naval blockade imposed on Gaza.

US Vice President J.D. Vance stated during a press conference at the White House that ongoing negotiations with Tehran are showing tangible progress. Vance clarified that the US administration continues intensive work to reach a final formula, emphasizing that the primary goal is to ensure Iran does not possess any nuclear weapons.

The Vice President affirmed that the United States considers the option of resuming military operations as a ready alternative should the diplomatic path falter. He indicated that US forces are on high alert, confirming that President Donald Trump possesses the capability and will to proceed with this path if an acceptable agreement is not reached.

These statements come just hours after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of imminent military strikes against Iranian targets. Trump revealed that he had given the Iranian leadership a deadline of two to three days to prove its seriousness in negotiations before making a final decision on military escalation.

The US President clarified via his 'Truth Social' platform that the decision to postpone the attack came in response to direct requests from leaders of Gulf countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He noted that these leaders expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties and spares the region a wider conflict.

Sources reported that Trump issued clear instructions to the US military to prepare for a comprehensive and large-scale attack at any moment. The President confirmed that he was only an hour away from giving the execution order before deciding to give diplomacy a final chance based on regional mediations.

In the same context, media sources quoted Trump as saying that regional leaders believe Tehran has begun to act more rationally in recent hours. However, Trump reiterated his warnings that the United States might be forced to deliver a very strong blow if these talks do not yield tangible results by the end of the week.

On the other hand, the Iranian response was firm, delivered by Army spokesman Mohammad Akrami Nia, who vowed unprecedented responses. Akrami Nia warned that any American-Israeli aggression would be met with the opening of new fronts and the use of military tools not previously employed in the confrontation.

The region has been in a state of extreme tension since the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in mid-April. This blockade has paralyzed navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is the lifeline for global energy supplies, after Tehran responded by closing it to uncoordinated vessels.

International fears prevail regarding the collapse of the fragile truce that began on April 8, which temporarily halted a violent round of direct fighting. Observers believe that the next few days will be crucial in determining the fate of stability in the Middle East, either through agreement or a return to war.

It is worth noting that direct military conflict between Washington and Tel Aviv on one side, and Tehran on the other, erupted in late February. These confrontations resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, in addition to severe material losses to infrastructure and vital facilities for the warring parties.

Reports indicate that current negotiations are taking place through multiple mediations aimed at ending the mutual blockade and opening international waterways. Washington demands strict security guarantees regarding Iran's nuclear program and regional military activity as a prerequisite for lifting sanctions and the blockade.

Amid this anticipation, US bases in the region remain on constant alert, awaiting the outcome of the 'three-day' deadline. Global capitals are closely monitoring the results of these diplomatic moves, fearing a military explosion that could lead to an unprecedented global energy crisis.

Iran must accept that it cannot possess nuclear weapons, and we are fully prepared to resume the military campaign if necessary.

Criticism has escalated against the international 'Peace Council,' tasked with overseeing the implementation of US President Donald Trump's plan in the Gaza Strip, amid accusations that it has become a political tool serving the objectives of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Observers noted that the Council has narrowed the current crisis to the issue of disarming the resistance, ignoring Israel's stalled commitments.

In its latest report submitted to the UN Security Council, the Peace Council considered Hamas's refusal to disarm as the primary obstacle to implementing the comprehensive plan. The report emphasized that reconstruction efforts in the devastated Strip would not begin before the disarmament process is completed and an international force is deployed to assume security tasks in the region.

Hamas, for its part, was quick to deny these allegations, describing the report as fully adopting the occupation's narrative and aiming to confuse matters. The movement affirmed that the report ignores continuous Israeli violations since the ceasefire came into effect in January 2025, including the expansion of land occupation and non-compliance with the humanitarian protocol.

Mahmoud Mardawi, a leader in the movement, clarified in press statements that the resistance had not agreed at any stage to immediate disarmament, but rather accepted Article 20, which sets a horizon for confining weapons to the independent Palestinian state in the future. He added that the priority now must be to implement the humanitarian commitments that Israel is evading.

Mardawi pointed out that the occupation still refuses to allow necessary medical equipment and the rehabilitation of hospitals and vital roads, despite these being an integral part of the first phase of the agreement. He accused the head of the Peace Council, Nikolay Mladenov, of being unable to compel Netanyahu to adhere to what was agreed upon, while the occupation army continues its killing and starvation operations.

For his part, political analyst Ahmed Al-Tannani described the report as the 'most dangerous misleading operation' for the international community regarding the reality in Gaza. Al-Tannani believed that the Council is trying to reframe the international discussion to focus solely on disarming Palestinians, while ignoring the continued siege and military aggression.

In contrast, researchers at the American Council on Foreign Policy believe that Hamas is primarily responsible for the agreement's failure. They claim that the movement reneged on supposed commitments to dismantle its military structure and leave the Strip, considering that the resistance's weapons pose a threat even to international technocrat committees.

Al-Tannani responded to these claims by emphasizing that the resistance fulfilled its essential commitments, foremost among them the handover of all Israeli prisoners within 72 hours of the agreement's start. He clarified that Israel was the one that obstructed the entry of the international technocrat committee by preventing it from accessing the Strip to carry out its administrative and humanitarian tasks.

Field reports indicate that Israel exploited the period of relative calm to expand its military control within the Strip by up to 8%. According to experts, Netanyahu's admission of controlling about 60% of Gaza's area constitutes a blatant violation of the withdrawal provisions stipulated in the first phase of the peace plan.

Dr. Mahmoud Yazbak, an expert in Israeli affairs, believes that the timing of the report's release after Mladenov's meeting with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv raises questions about the Council's independence. Yazbak pointed out that Mladenov did not bother to meet with the Palestinian side before formulating his conclusions, which appeared blatantly biased.

Yazbak criticized the international report's disregard for the weapons provided by the occupation authorities to armed militias within the Strip with the aim of inciting chaos. He considered that the international community's silence on these practices gives Netanyahu the green light to continue his 'scorched earth' strategy and keep Gaza a destroyed and uninhabitable society.

Data indicates that Israel still fully controls the crossings and regulates the movement of individuals and goods, making any talk of a 'Palestinian Authority' or 'technocrat committees' mere ink on paper. Observers believe that this situation is coordinated with the American administration, which provides political cover for these transgressions.

With Netanyahu's explicit threat to resume comprehensive military operations unless his new conditions are met, the entire Trump plan is at stake. Current Israeli demands exceed what was previously signed and aim to impose a permanent security reality that legitimizes the occupation's presence deep within the Strip.

The situation in Gaza remains suspended between the hammer of international pressure for disarmament and the anvil of Israeli intransigence on the humanitarian file. In light of this clear international bias, the Palestinian resistance finds itself facing difficult choices to preserve the constants of the cause and prevent the liquidation of national rights under the guise of peace.

The resistance will not commit to any agreement in which the occupation dictates what it wants without fulfilling its humanitarian and field obligations.

The US Treasury Department issued a decision to include a number of human rights and religious organizations and active figures on the international sanctions list. The list included the 'Palestinian Scholars Association' and the 'Samidoun' organization for the defense of prisoners, in addition to prominent activists in the 'Fleet of Steadfastness' seeking to break the siege on the Gaza Strip, allegedly due to these entities' association with activities related to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The US State Department clarified in an official statement that these designations come within a strategy targeting three main categories that facilitate the funding and field activities of Palestinian movements. The department claimed that the targets include organizers of naval fleets, members of international networks supporting the resistance, and coordinators who act as political and organizational fronts for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Among the most prominent names included in the sanctions is Mohammed Al-Khatib, the European coordinator of the 'Samidoun' network and a resident of Belgium, who previously faced attempts by Belgian authorities to withdraw his refugee status. 'Samidoun' defines itself as an international network aimed at supporting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons, but Washington accuses it of operating as an organizational and financial cover for politically prohibited activities in the US.

US sanctions also targeted Marwan Abu Ras, head of the Palestinian Scholars Association, in a move aimed at religious institutions and scholars associated with the Palestinian interior. The US administration believes that these institutions play a role in providing moral and logistical support for resistance programs, which Washington describes as a 'malign program' that hides behind humanitarian and social pretexts.

In a related context, activist Saif Abu Kashk, spokesman for the Fleet of Steadfastness, was added to the blacklist shortly after his detention by Israeli authorities off the coast of Greece. Abu Kashk was deported to Barcelona, Spain, after his arrest, where US and Israeli circles accuse him of direct coordination with Palestinian entities to break the naval restrictions imposed on Gaza.

For his part, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that attempts to operate naval fleets towards the Gaza Strip represent a challenge to the diplomatic efforts led by the US administration to achieve what he described as 'lasting peace'. Bessent affirmed that his department will continue to pursue and dismantle all global financial support networks used by Hamas in various countries around the world to ensure the drying up of its funding sources.

These sanctions entail strict legal and financial measures, including the freezing of all assets and properties belonging to the individuals and organizations mentioned within the jurisdiction of the United States. This decision also prohibits all American companies and financial institutions, or those dealing in dollars, from entering into any commercial or financial transactions with those listed.

The measure taken today highlights how Hamas exploits community organizations and religious institutions to advance its agenda.

By: Said Arikat

May 19, 2026

News analysis

Washington, D.C-The grim irony could hardly be more complete. While Israel wages a devastating regional war under the banner of “security” and “self-defense,” Gaza continues to disappear map square by map square, neighborhood by neighborhood, family by family. At the very moment Washington claims to be pursuing “peace” through the Trump administration’s so-called “Board of Peace,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly boasts that Israel now controls 60 percent of Gaza — up from roughly 53 percent when the October 2025 ceasefire agreement supposedly came into force.

This is not the language of de-escalation. It is the language of conquest.

Netanyahu’s admission strips away months of diplomatic theater and exposes what Palestinians, humanitarian organizations, and many international observers have warned all along: the ceasefire was never genuinely intended to end the occupation or halt the destruction of Gaza. Instead, it appears to have functioned as a mechanism for consolidating territorial gains while maintaining military pressure under shifting pretexts.

The ceasefire terms were explicit. Israeli forces were not supposed to re-enter areas from which they had withdrawn, provided Hamas fulfilled its obligations. By virtually every public account, Hamas released the living Israeli hostages and returned the bodies in its possession while cooperating in efforts to recover additional remains. Yet Israel not only maintained daily military operations inside Gaza but expanded its territorial footprint dramatically.

That expansion alone constitutes a devastating political confession. Netanyahu has effectively acknowledged that Israel violated the agreement while facing almost no meaningful consequences from Washington or its Western allies. Instead of condemnation, Israel continues to receive military, diplomatic, and political cover from the United States — the very country that claims to supervise the ceasefire through its self-styled “Board of Peace.”

The name itself now reads less like diplomacy and more like Orwellian satire.

There is little “peace” about a process under which more than 870 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the truce was meant to begin, humanitarian aid remains heavily restricted, and entire sections of Gaza are absorbed into expanding Israeli military control. Peace cannot coexist with forced displacement, siege, starvation, and permanent occupation. What is unfolding increasingly resembles a systematic campaign to render Gaza unlivable while normalizing the gradual erasure of Palestinian territorial existence.

The war with Iran has only accelerated this dynamic.

As global attention shifts toward missiles, regional escalation, and fears of wider war, Gaza recedes from the headlines — precisely the political environment Netanyahu’s government appears to have desired. The confrontation with Iran provides Israel with strategic distraction, diplomatic insulation, and renewed Western sympathy. Under the fog of regional conflict, the slow-motion annexation of Gaza proceeds with diminished scrutiny.

This is not incidental. It is strategic.

For years, Netanyahu and the Israeli far right have openly spoken about reshaping Gaza permanently, encouraging “voluntary migration,” and preventing any pathway toward Palestinian sovereignty. What is now occurring on the ground aligns disturbingly well with those ambitions. The steady territorial expansion, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the suffocating blockade, and the refusal to articulate any viable postwar political framework all point toward a policy aimed not at coexistence but demographic and geographic transformation.

Ethnic cleansing does not always arrive in one dramatic moment. Sometimes it unfolds incrementally — through siege, displacement, deprivation, and relentless military pressure designed to make life impossible for the targeted population.

The United States bears enormous responsibility for enabling this trajectory.

President Donald Trump entered office promising stability and “peace through strength.” In February, his administration helped establish the “Board of Peace,” ostensibly to oversee implementation of the ceasefire and facilitate negotiations. Yet the board’s conduct has exposed the profound dishonesty embedded in Washington’s approach.

Rather than holding Israel accountable for territorial expansion and repeated violations, the Board has reportedly focused blame on Hamas’s refusal to disarm — despite the fact that disarmament was never a binding prerequisite in the original agreement. The issue was explicitly deferred to future negotiations tied to broader political arrangements, including discussions surrounding Palestinian statehood.

This distinction matters enormously.

By retroactively redefining the ceasefire terms to prioritize Hamas’s disarmament above all else, Washington effectively handed Israel a permanent justification for delaying implementation while continuing military operations. The result is a diplomatic shell game: Israel violates the agreement materially on the ground while the United States shifts attention toward conditions that were never formally required in the first phase.

In doing so, Washington has abandoned even the pretense of acting as an honest broker.

The broader implications are catastrophic. International law becomes meaningless when agreements are selectively interpreted according to geopolitical convenience. Ceasefires lose credibility when one side can seize additional territory during implementation without penalty. Human rights language becomes hollow when civilian suffering is subordinated to strategic alliances.

Perhaps most damaging of all is the moral collapse revealed by this process. The same Western governments that invoke international law in other global conflicts appear unwilling to apply those principles consistently when Israel is involved. Entire legal frameworks concerning occupation, collective punishment, civilian protection, and territorial acquisition through force seem suspended in Gaza.

This double standard is not lost on the rest of the world.

Across the Global South, the Gaza catastrophe has become a defining symbol of Western hypocrisy — a place where declarations about democracy and human rights collide with the reality of unconditional military and diplomatic support for a devastating occupation. The credibility of the United States as a defender of international norms is eroding rapidly, not because of hostile propaganda, but because of its own actions.

Meanwhile, Palestinians continue paying the price in blood.

Behind every statistic lies a human reality: families buried beneath rubble, children growing up amid starvation and displacement, hospitals operating without adequate supplies, entire communities erased from the map. The normalization of this suffering represents one of the great moral failures of our era.

And yet the political language surrounding Gaza remains astonishingly sanitized. Israeli territorial expansion is framed as “security control.” Forced displacement becomes “evacuation.” Starvation policies are discussed as “aid disputes.” A devastating military occupation is repackaged as conflict management.

But words cannot indefinitely conceal reality.

Netanyahu’s own admission has shattered the illusion. Gaza is not moving toward peace. It is being fragmented, occupied, and transformed under cover of war. And the United States, despite its rhetoric about diplomacy and stability, is not restraining this process — it is facilitating it.

History will remember that distinction clearly.

Arab Palestinian Investment Company (APIC) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. APIC Chairman and CEO Tarek Aggad announced that the company achieved total revenues of USD 324.7 million, marking an 11% increase compared to the corresponding period of last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 38.7% and reached USD 16.9 million, while profit from operations grew by 41% to reach USD 14.1 million. Net profit attributable to APIC shareholders reached USD 900,000 in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a net loss of USD 320,000 recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.

Total assets stood at USD 1,028.2 million, marking a 2.7% increase to 2025’s year-end. While total liabilities reached USD 761.3 million, up by 3.8%. Net equity attributable to APIC shareholders amounted USD 229 million, maintaining relative stability with a marginal decrease of 0.1% compared to year-end 2025.

Aggad expressed his satisfaction with the group’s notable improvement in first-quarter results of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year, despite the continued local and regional challenges facing its subsidiaries, most notably the persistent economic recession resulting from the Israeli occupation’s withholding of Palestinian Authority funds. Consequently, the Palestinian government was unable to pay the full salaries of its employees or to fulfill its financial obligations to the private sector, which in turn adversely affected the performance of the group’s companies. He added that the Palestinian Authority’s direct and indirect delayed debts to APIC subsidiaries reached unprecedented levels and amounted to approximately USD 158 million, with an average annual financing cost of around USD 7.5 million. In addition to the ongoing external headwinds in Turkey resulting from the application of International Accounting Standard #29, where the company incurred non-cash losses of approximately USD 2.5 million in the first quarter of 2026.

APIC is a public shareholding investment company listed on the Palestine Exchange (PEX: APIC). It holds diversified investments across the manufacturing, trade, distribution and service sectors in Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Turkey through its group of subsidiaries: Siniora Food Industries Company; Unipal General Trading Company; Palestine Automobile Company; Medical Supplies and Services Company; National Aluminum and Profiles Company (NAPCO); Reema Hygienic Paper Company; Sky Advertising and Promotion Company; Arab Leasing Company and Arab Palestinian Storage and Cooling Company. The company also peruses investment and geographic diversification beyond Palestine and across regional and global markets through its investment arm APIC Capital, which manages a portfolio combining direct stakes in private and publicly listed companies alongside investments in a select group of leading private equity and venture capital funds. APIC employs over 3400 staff through its subsidiaries. For more information, visit https://apic.ps/

For the first time in many years, I believe that peace between Israelis and Palestinians may be much closer than most people imagine. Not because Hamas has changed, nor because the occupation has ended, but because the strategic landscape in the Middle East has fundamentally shifted.

Israel may be just one election away from peace.

After October 7th, and after the hostage crisis, the war in Gaza, and the massive settlement expansion and ethnic cleansing underway in the West Bank, this statement seems like a fantasy to many Israelis and Palestinians. Most Israelis no longer believe that Palestinians are true partners for peace, and most Palestinians no longer believe that Israel intends to end the occupation or allow for a real Palestinian independence. Yet, behind the shock and despair, the foundations for a regional political settlement are more mature today than they have been at any time since the Oslo years.

The contours of peace have long been known: two states based on the 1967 borders with an agreed-upon land swap, security arrangements that guarantee Israel's security and Palestine's sovereignty, Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and regional guarantees. We do not suffer from a lack of diplomatic knowledge, but from a lack of political courage.

The Middle East of 2026 is not the Middle East of the past. Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Morocco all have strategic interests in regional integration, economic development, and security cooperation. There is a growing recognition that the reconstruction of Gaza and the stabilization of the region cannot be achieved without a political horizon for the Palestinians.

Military force alone cannot resolve this conflict. Israel can destroy Hamas's military infrastructure and fully occupy Gaza, but it cannot destroy the Palestinian national movement and the aspirations of an entire people for freedom, just as Palestinians could not destroy Israel through terrorism and violence. Every new war ends with the same unresolved political questions.

Precisely for this reason, the upcoming Israeli elections hold exceptional importance.

Under a different Israeli government, things that seem impossible today could suddenly become politically possible: a serious regional initiative with Saudi participation, international support for Gaza's reconstruction, the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, and a gradual path to full normalization between Israel and the entire Arab world.

At the heart of this possibility stands President Donald Trump.

Many readers may find this surprising coming from someone who has spent decades advocating for a negotiated two-state solution. But Trump may be in a unique position to achieve what previous American presidents could not.

Every American president since Jimmy Carter has treated Palestinian-Israeli peace as a diplomatic process. Trump, however, treats it as a regional strategic deal. Unlike previous presidents, Trump has credibility with the Israeli right, and no Israeli prime minister can portray him as anti-Israel or weak on security issues.

Trump also understands that this conflict cannot be resolved in isolation from the broader Middle East. Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco are not just observers, but essential partners in reconstruction, regional security arrangements, and integrating Israel into a broader regional framework.

This is not a revival of the Oslo Accords.

Oslo tried to build peace by gradually creating trust between Israelis and Palestinians alone. But Oslo did not fail because peace was impossible, but because its opponents on both sides systematically worked to undermine it.

On the Palestinian side, Hamas and other rejectionist groups carried out suicide bombings specifically aimed at destroying Israeli support for the peace process. On the Israeli side, Benjamin Netanyahu and most of the Israeli right consistently worked to weaken Oslo from its early days. Netanyahu built a large part of his political career on opposing the agreements and convincing Israelis that any regional settlement would bring terrorism and danger.

After the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Hamas's terrorism and the opposition of the Israeli right fed each other. Every bombing carried out by Hamas strengthened the Israeli right politically, and every settlement expansion strengthened Palestinian rejectionists. Thus, extremists on both sides became partners in destroying trust.

The tragedy is that Oslo actually proved that Israelis and Palestinians are capable of direct negotiation, mutual recognition, security coordination, and building foundations for coexistence. What Oslo lacked was not the possibility, but the leadership capable of protecting the process from its enemies.

What may emerge today is, to a large extent, the opposite of Oslo: a top-down regional framework, driven by shared strategic interests between the United States, Arab states, Israel, and pragmatic Palestinians. In this framework, normalization with Saudi Arabia, the reconstruction of Gaza, security guarantees, and the establishment of a Palestinian state become interconnected parts of a larger agreement.

But none of this will happen unless Israeli politicians begin to prepare Israeli public opinion for peace during the upcoming election campaign.

Israeli politics has long been dominated by a discourse of fear, and the illusion that military force alone can guarantee the future. Politicians competed over who seemed tougher, and who could convince Israelis that “there is no partner,” and therefore no alternative to perpetual conflict.

Responsible leadership must begin by telling Israelis the truth: Israel cannot remain forever a democratic, Jewish, secure, and prosperous state while continuing to permanently control millions of Palestinians deprived of their national rights.

Conversely, Palestinian leaders bear a similar historical responsibility.

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza must clearly demonstrate to Israeli public opinion that they are ready to end armed struggle and pursue a lasting political settlement with Israel. Israelis need to hear Palestinian leaders clearly state that there will be no permanent armed militias alongside a Palestinian state, no continuous calls for the destruction of Israel, and no glorification of terrorism.

This is especially important after October 7th. No Israeli government can move towards peace unless Israelis are convinced that Palestinians are also ready to move towards coexistence.

The Arab world also has a fundamental role, unprecedented at any previous stage.

For decades, Israelis were taught that peace with Palestinians would only bring insecurity and isolation. Today, Arab states can prove the opposite: that resolving the conflict can open the door to Israel's full integration into the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia plays the central role in this transformation.

If Saudi Arabia publicly commits to normalization with Israel within the framework of a serious political process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, most Israelis will immediately understand that peace is no longer just an end to the conflict with Palestinians, but Israel's transformation into a legitimate and welcome partner in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Imagine Israel economically and diplomatically integrated with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Morocco. Imagine regional infrastructure projects, energy partnerships, tourism, technological cooperation, and joint security arrangements against extremism and Iran.

Arab states can help Israelis understand that peace is not a concession that leads to weakness, but a gateway to regional legitimacy, prosperity, security, and normalization on a scale Israel has never known before.

None of this guarantees success. Hamas still exists, Israeli extremists still reject a Palestinian state, and Palestinian politics remains divided. But despite everything, there is no military solution to this conflict, and there never has been.

There is only one future in this land: two states living in cooperation, security coordination, economic partnership, and mutual recognition — or endless war.

Israelis and Palestinians have long known the features of peace. The real question is: Will Israelis elect leaders willing to move towards it? Will Palestinian leaders prepare their people for coexistence? And will the Arab world and the United States help make this future politically possible?

The distance between war and peace in the Middle East may not be measured in years, but in just one election.

British journalist and broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti reported that the Jewish community in the United Kingdom is going through a pivotal phase of existential anxiety. He explained in press statements that internal discussions are no longer limited to assessing the situation, but have moved to the stage of practical planning for emigration and searching for alternative destinations that provide safety.

Sacerdoti painted a bleak picture of the current reality, noting that a feeling of instability now dominates large segments of British Jews. He considered that the escalation of what he described as manifestations of hostility has led many to seriously and unprecedentedly reconsider their future within the country.

The journalist strongly criticized the way community issues are handled in the public sphere, emphasizing that any talk about the attacks they are subjected to is immediately diverted towards the conflict in Gaza. Sacerdoti believes that this deliberate linkage puts individuals in a constant defensive position regarding Israel's policies before allowing them to express their personal concerns.

He touched upon the behind-the-scenes of his participation in British television programs, describing the atmosphere as hostile and charged. He claimed that he was subjected to constant interruptions and direct accusations of responsibility for the events in Gaza, which he considered a departure from the supposed context of discussion about the security of British citizens.

Sacerdoti pointed to the stabbing incident in the Golders Green neighborhood of North London as evidence of the deteriorating field security situation. He explained that targeting individuals from the community in broad daylight reinforces the conviction among many that current protection measures are no longer sufficient to deter attacks.

He also noted a series of vandalism incidents targeting vital institutions, including attempts to set fire to community centers. He mentioned that ambulances belonging to Jewish relief organizations were also attacked, causing a wave of panic among workers and volunteers.

Sacerdoti directed harsh criticism at the British media, describing the performance of some as biased and misleading in covering Middle East events and their local repercussions. He considered that the way news is presented contributes to fueling public sentiment against the Jewish community by adopting inaccurate narratives, as he described it.

He specifically mentioned the BBC, considering it one of the most objective-lacking sources when dealing with the Israeli issue. He claimed that media coverage often ignores important contexts, leading to a distortion of the mental image among both global and local viewers.

He cited media stances that sparked widespread controversy, such as the confrontation with commentator Marina Fogle regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He explained that focusing on specific clips and garnering millions of views reflects a desire for sensationalism at the expense of serious discussion about minority security.

The journalist believes that the problem also lies in hosting commentators who lack a deep knowledge background of the conflict, turning media platforms into arenas for bidding. He stressed that this approach contributes to the absence of facts and their replacement with emotional opinions that increase the severity of societal division.

Regarding the future of the community, Sacerdoti expressed his deep pessimism about the possibility of restoring a normal sense of life in Britain. He indicated that he now advises those close to him of the necessity of having an 'alternative plan' that includes moving businesses and jobs outside British borders if necessary.

He confirmed that social and religious events for Jews in Britain are now frequently discussing 'the date of departure'. He added that this feeling of departure is no longer just a fleeting idea, but has turned into a daily obsession that affects investment, education, and child-rearing decisions.

He stressed that the current generation differs from previous generations in having wider options to resort to other places they consider safer. He considered that the existence of an alternative 'haven' makes the decision to leave easier to implement than it was in past decades that witnessed similar crises.

Sacerdoti concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Britain may not be the ideal place to raise new Jewish generations under the current circumstances. He called on the British authorities to review their policies towards protecting minorities and ensuring the separation of international political discussion from the civil rights of citizens at home.

The discussion is no longer about whether to leave, but has become a practical search for how and where to go.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chinese capital, Beijing, to begin a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening joint coordination on escalating international crises. This move comes at a time when the global arena is witnessing major transformations, as both sides seek to establish a united front to confront current geopolitical challenges.

Before the official talks began, President Putin stated that the ties between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedented historical level of strength and solidity. These statements were met with official welcome from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which affirmed that the partnership between the two countries is currently experiencing its peak prosperity in political and strategic fields.

Putin is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to discuss thorny regional and international issues, topped by the American-Israeli war on Iran. The summit will explore ways to contain military escalation in the region and prevent the situation from sliding into a comprehensive confrontation that could affect the stability of global energy supplies.

Also, the Russian-Ukrainian war stands out as a main item on the agenda, especially with the increasing international diplomatic activity aimed at finding a formula to stop the fighting. Through this visit, Moscow seeks to ensure Beijing's support for its political vision in any future negotiations related to European security and power balances.

On the economic front, sources reported that discussions will delve deeply into strengthening partnership in the energy and natural gas sector. Both sides are focusing on accelerating the pace of work on the 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline project, which aims to increase the flow of Russian oil and gas to energy-hungry Chinese markets.

Putin's visit gains double importance as it comes just days after US President Donald Trump's departure from the Chinese capital. Observers believe that the timing of the visit reflects Beijing's growing political weight as a center for managing major global balances and mediating in the most complex international disputes.

Despite the diplomatic efforts made by the US President during his recent visit, informed sources indicated his failure to achieve tangible breakthroughs on the Ukraine and Iran files. This failure gives the Russian-Chinese summit additional momentum to shape the features of the next phase away from the unilateral American vision.

The relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedented level of coordination and strategic cooperation.

US President Donald Trump revealed his decision to postpone a military operation that was scheduled against Iranian targets on Tuesday, indicating that this temporary retreat came at the request of leaders of Gulf countries. Trump clarified that Washington still maintains a high state of combat readiness to carry out a large-scale attack if diplomatic efforts aimed at containing Tehran's nuclear ambitions fail.

Trump indicated via his 'Truth Social' platform that leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates contacted him to request a suspension of military action, expressing their belief that a real opportunity still exists to reach a political settlement. The US President stressed that any future agreement must be firm and definitively ensure that Iran is stripped of the ability to possess nuclear weapons.

On the diplomatic front, Tehran confirmed that it had submitted its response to a new American proposal aimed at ending the current state of tension and ending the war. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baqaei, stated that diplomatic channels with Washington remain open and operate regularly through the Pakistani mediator who conveys messages between the two parties.

In its current negotiations, the Iranian government insists on the necessity of fully lifting the economic sanctions imposed on it, in addition to demanding the release of all frozen financial assets abroad. Tehran also insists on including a clause for financial compensation for the damages inflicted on its infrastructure and economy as a result of recent military operations as a basic condition for a solution.

For its part, media sources reported that the continued massive American military buildup in the Gulf region reflects Washington's seriousness in using force if necessary. Observers believe that Trump faces time pressures, as he cannot keep forces on high alert for long periods without achieving tangible results, especially with internal political deadlines approaching.

Reports indicate that the US Department of Defense 'the Pentagon' requested an additional budget estimated at about $25 billion to cover the costs of military operations and deployments for only six weeks. This exorbitant economic cost increases pressure on the US administration to make a decisive decision, either to reach a quick agreement or to proceed with the military option to avoid financial drain.

Analysts warned that the failure of the negotiation path could push the US President towards 'crazy' and unprecedented options in dealing with the Iranian file. Among these proposed scenarios are imposing complete military control over the Strait of Hormuz to cut off the global energy lifeline, or resorting to the use of limited tactical nuclear strikes to disable fortified facilities.

The bank of potential targets in the event of a comprehensive confrontation also includes targeting vital energy infrastructure and desalination plants, which could lead to a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in the region. Experts believe that these threats fall within Trump's 'maximum pressure' strategy to extract major concessions from the Iranian leadership at the last minute.

The dilemma of the nuclear program, specifically the fate of enriched uranium quantities, remains the most prominent sticking point in the ongoing negotiations between the two parties. While Washington demands strict guarantees and international inspection mechanisms that are not open to interpretation, Tehran seeks legal guarantees that prevent the United States from withdrawing from any future agreement, as happened previously.

Ultimately, Trump seeks to achieve a political breakthrough that allows him to declare a 'historic victory' to his voters without sliding into a long-term regional war that could drain his country's resources. However, the specter of military confrontation looms over the region as long as the two parties have not signed a document ending one of the most complex international crises in modern times.

The United States remains ready to launch a comprehensive and large-scale attack at any moment if an agreement is not reached that ensures Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.

Informed sources reported that an official document issued by the "Peace Council" in Gaza explicitly acknowledged the stalled implementation of the roadmap provisions for the Strip. The sources explained that the UN Security Council received a detailed list of obstacles preventing tangible progress, noting that the challenges extend beyond logistical aspects to the core of thorny political and security issues.

The issue of Hamas's weapons topped the list of obstacles that led to the freezing of political tracks, as the Council and international bodies refuse to move forward without resolving this issue. The document also pointed to severe difficulties in the mechanisms for empowering the "National Council" to carry out its duties, in addition to acute crises in humanitarian aid files and securing the necessary funding for reconstruction.

The report submitted to the Security Council confirmed a huge gap between the financial promises made by the international community and what has actually been spent on the ground. This funding shortfall has exacerbated living crises, as humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip are still described as "enormous" and disproportionate to the current flow of aid.

Regarding the field situation, the Peace Council revealed daily violations of the ceasefire agreement signed last October, describing some of these breaches as serious. These admissions come amid continued Israeli attacks targeting various areas of the Strip, threatening the collapse of fragile understandings reached previously.

It is worth noting that the "Peace Council" was launched last January in Davos, Switzerland, on the initiative of the US administration, and led by Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov. Since its establishment, the Council has faced widespread criticism from Palestinian factions who accused it of bias towards the Israeli vision and attempting to impose security arrangements under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Leading sources in the factions indicated that Mladenov exerted direct political pressure with the aim of passing a new roadmap that serves the interests of the occupation. These forces consider linking reconstruction to disarming the resistance as a form of political blackmail that is categorically rejected by the popular and political base in the Gaza Strip.

For its part, media reports observed a stark contradiction between American perceptions for ending the war and the realities imposed by Benjamin Netanyahu's government on the ground. This disparity became clear after Mladenov's meetings with Netanyahu, where the focus was on impossible conditions related to disarmament in exchange for allowing the start of major reconstruction operations.

The American plan, which promised to inject about $10 billion over a decade, faces a real dilemma in the absence of effective pressure tools on the occupation authorities. Israel continues to restrict the entry of essential materials and use the reconstruction file as a political and security pressure tool, leading to a near-complete paralysis in the implementation of international promises.

On the humanitarian front, the Ministry of Health in Gaza continues to record tragic casualty figures despite the ceasefire agreement being in effect since October 10, 2025. Continuous Israeli violations have resulted in the martyrdom of 877 Palestinians and the injury of more than 2,600 others, a clear indication of the occupation's non-compliance with the calm.

These developments come two years after the genocidal war launched by Israel with widespread American support, which left 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the Strip destroyed. The death toll since October 2023 has exceeded 72,000 martyrs, while thousands of injured still suffer from a severe shortage of medicines and healthy food.

Observers believe that the Peace Council's acknowledgment of the stalled roadmap reflects the failure of the international approach that attempts to bypass fundamental Palestinian rights. The gap between commitments and the reality on the ground is widening, putting the credibility of international institutions and political initiatives at stake in the face of continued aggression and siege.

In conclusion, the reconstruction file of Gaza remains hostage to political tug-of-war and security conditions imposed by the occupation and its allies, while civilians pay the highest price. With continued grave violations of the ceasefire, the possibility of renewed escalation remains unless the mechanism by which the humanitarian and political crisis in the Strip is managed is changed.

There is a large gap between the Peace Council's commitments in Gaza and the actual disbursement of funds, and humanitarian needs remain enormous despite the flow of aid.

The Israeli Knesset's approval in its first reading of the draft law to establish what is called the 'Judea and Samaria Antiquities Authority' comes as a new escalatory step within the policies of creeping colonial annexation in the occupied West Bank. This null legislation aims to employ archaeology and heritage as a political tool to impose absolute Israeli sovereignty, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions that prohibit altering the features of occupied territories.

The new law grants this authority broad powers, including seizure, excavation, and imposing full control not only in areas classified as (C) but also extending to include areas (B), which represents a direct assault on Palestinian sovereign rights. This move seeks to establish an integrated colonial reality aimed at displacing Palestinians and transforming their cities and villages into isolated enclaves besieged by alleged archaeological sites and settlements.

Data indicates that the Israeli Antiquities Authority plays a pivotal role in falsifying Palestinian culture and heritage by imbuing historical sites with an artificial Jewish character and disseminating this misleading narrative in international forums and European capitals. This falsification is carried out under the direct guidance of Zionist pressure groups to ensure the removal of Palestine's name from approved historical maps and its replacement with an occupation narrative that serves the settlement project.

These practices are not limited to the theft of land but extend to a war on memory and national identity, where excavations are exploited to justify settlement expansion and erase Arab, Islamic, and Christian landmarks. Observers warn that the continuation of this approach will lead to the liquidation of the Palestinian cause from its historical and legal dimensions, necessitating a firm national and international response to confront this Israeli aggression.

In light of this acceleration in ethnic cleansing and annexation policies, it has become imperative for the international community and the International Criminal Court to act to stop these crimes and hold the occupation authorities accountable for their continuous violations. Condemnation statements are no longer sufficient in the face of a reality imposed by force on the ground, which requires effective measures to protect Palestinian heritage as a universal human legacy under systematic targeting.

Granting this authority powers of excavation and control over areas (B) and (C) constitutes a direct assault on the sovereign rights of the Palestinian people and a plan to falsify history.

In a new field escalation, the Israeli occupation army did not wait for the siege-breaking ships to approach its territorial waters. Instead, it set up a military ambush in the open sea, about 350 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip. The operation took place off the Cypriot coast, where warships began to surround the ships of the Global Steadfastness Flotilla, which operates in coordination with the Freedom Flotilla coming from the European continent.

Researchers in Israeli affairs described this operation as 'organized piracy' taking place in international waters, where military force was used to forcibly divert the ships from their original humanitarian destination towards the military port of Ashdod. This step reflects Israel's state of alert towards any international civilian movement seeking to highlight the suffering of the residents of the besieged Strip.

Media sources reported that occupation forces arrested about 100 participants who were on board the flotilla coming from Turkey, with expectations that full control over all ships would take many hours. The prolonged nature of the operation is due to the geographical distance between the flotilla's boats, which makes it difficult for the attacking naval units to simultaneously control them.

On the political level, sources stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently holding a meeting to assess the situation with security establishment leaders. This direct attention from the highest echelons of power reflects the extent of Israeli concern about the political and diplomatic repercussions that could result from these ships reaching Gaza's shores.

The force that carried out the attack was not just routine naval patrols; rather, the General Staff assigned the mission to 'Shayetet 13,' Israel's elite naval commando unit. This trained force was directed to confront 500 civilian activists who possess nothing but their political will and their moral stances rejecting the continuation of the war of extermination and siege.

For their part, the organizers of the Steadfastness Flotilla issued an urgent statement demanding a safe passage for their mission, which they described as legal and peaceful. The organizers affirmed that their goal is to deliver essential humanitarian aid, emphasizing that their interception in international waters represents a blatant violation of applicable international laws and norms.

From the heart of the confrontation aboard the ship 'Tadamon,' activist Ihab Latif spoke about the difficult moments experienced by the solidarity activists as the warships approached. He explained that the Israeli ships performed dangerous maneuvers around them, causing huge waves in an attempt to terrorize the crews, but they insisted on continuing to sail at the maximum possible speed.

Latif, who has extensive experience in attempts to break the siege, affirmed that the true value of this journey lies in the cohesion between 45 different nationalities. He considered that this international diversity contributes to exposing the siege and bringing the Gaza issue back to the forefront of global awareness, stressing that other ships are still sailing from Europe to ensure the continuation of popular momentum.

Analysts believe that the early interception of the ships aims to achieve a 'victory in the war of consciousness,' as Israel fears breaking the Strip's media isolation. The arrival of these activists means exposing the falsity of the Israeli narrative to the peoples of the world to whom they belong, which represents a threat to the propaganda system that tries to justify ongoing crimes.

The interception is also linked to Israel's attempts to legitimize the siege through international and capitalist frameworks, away from direct military overtones, in order to escape international legal prosecution. Therefore, intercepting the ships away from cameras and Gaza's shores is an attempt to stifle the voice and prevent the flotilla from turning into a maritime sit-in that imposes a new humanitarian reality that is difficult to control.

The arrival of a civilian flotilla comprising international nationalities to carry out humanitarian work means undermining Israeli claims and proves that the siege is still an act of occupation rejected by the global conscience.

Washington – Said Arikat – 19/5/2026

News Analysis

US President Donald Trump's decision to postpone a military strike against Iran was not merely a fleeting tactical move, but an indicator of unprecedented complexity surrounding the open confrontation in the Middle East. The US administration, which had hinted at the option of an all-out war for weeks, suddenly found itself facing a more complex equation: how to pressure Tehran without being drawn into a wide regional war that could disrupt the global economy and directly impact the American domestic scene?

The decision to postpone came after Trump spoke of a “new proposal” from Iran, and following clear Gulf pressures exerted by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to prevent a strike that Washington was preparing for. But the importance of this step lies not only in postponing the war, but in the implicit recognition that the cost of confrontation has become higher than all parties can bear.

The Middle East today is not what it was two decades ago. Any direct clash with Iran no longer means just a swift air campaign, but the possibility of a multi-front regional explosion, extending from the Strait of Hormuz to southern Lebanon, the Red Sea, Iraq, and Syria. For this reason, it seems that Washington has shifted from a strategy of “military decisive action” to a policy of “escalation management,” meaning keeping the threat of war alive without fully going to war.

Despite Trump's escalatory rhetoric, the US administration's behavior reveals deep caution. The White House realizes that any prolonged disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz would lead to a sharp rise in oil prices, which would directly affect the American voter who is already suffering from inflation and rising living costs. Moreover, the American military establishment does not seem enthusiastic about fighting a new long war in the region, especially after the costly experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Long Truce Without a Real Agreement

The most likely scenario is the continuation of a state of “no war, no peace” in the coming months. Indirect negotiations may continue through regional and international mediators, with an exchange of de-escalation and escalation messages simultaneously. This path allows all parties to buy time: Trump avoids an electorally costly war, Iran avoids a widespread strike that could threaten the regime's stability, while Gulf countries prevent a security collapse that harms their economic interests. However, this type of truce remains very fragile, because any field error or miscalculated attack could quickly bring the region back to the brink of explosion.

In contrast, Iran itself seems to be facing a dual dilemma. On the one hand, the Iranian leadership is trying to show steadfastness and not succumb to American and Israeli pressures, and on the other hand, it faces a suffocating economic crisis that threatens internal stability. Continuous sanctions, the decline of oil infrastructure, and the widening circle of popular protests are all factors pushing Tehran to seek an economic breathing space, even if temporary.

But the fundamental problem is that the Iranian regime cannot make significant concessions without appearing weak domestically. Therefore, the current negotiations seem more like a bargaining process for time, rather than an actual attempt to build a historic settlement. Washington wants to reduce Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's regional influence, while Iran believes that abandoning its tools of power means exposing the regime itself to danger.

In this context, the Strait of Hormuz returns to the heart of the conflict as the most sensitive pressure point. Iran realizes that its ability to threaten international navigation represents one of its most important deterrent elements. As for Washington, it sees any infringement on freedom of navigation as a direct challenge to American hegemony and the global economy simultaneously.

It is clear that despite the current de-escalation, Israel remains the party least accepting the utility of any agreement with Iran. The Israeli government believes that any truce gives Tehran “an opportunity to gradually restore its military and nuclear capabilities,” according to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who admitted that Israel seeks to thwart the negotiation process through security operations or limited strikes that provoke Iran and bring escalation back to the forefront. The Israeli Prime Minister also realizes that the continuation of regional tension gives him wider internal political space, especially in light of Israel's escalating internal crises and increasing division over the war and its regional policies.

It is also clear that the Gulf states have begun to view the crisis with a different logic than in previous years. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar now see that regional stability is an essential condition for the continuation of their major economic projects. Therefore, these countries are no longer enthusiastic about open confrontation policies, but have begun to push towards containing the conflict, even if that requires understanding with Iran itself.

This Gulf shift reflects a growing realization that military power alone is no longer capable of reshaping the region as it did in past decades. Previous experiences have also shown that long wars often lead to uncontrollable regional chaos, and open the door to cross-border economic and security crises.

At the same time, the United States appears less willing to bear the burdens of traditional hegemony in the Middle East. Washington has become more focused on competition with China, and more concerned about getting involved in conflicts that drain its military and economic resources. For this reason, the Trump administration is trying to combine military deterrence with coercive diplomacy, i.e., using the threat of war to push Iran to negotiate without reaching an all-out confrontation.

Lebanon and the Red Sea Could Become Alternative Arenas

Even if Washington and Tehran succeed in preventing direct war, the arenas of indirect engagement will remain open. Southern Lebanon, the Red Sea, and perhaps Iraq and Syria, could turn into battlegrounds for the conflict to flare up, as regional parties possess networks of influence and allies capable of maintaining pressure without going to an all-out confrontation. This means that the region may enter a long period of low-intensity attrition, interspersed with temporary truces and intermittent explosions, instead of one major decisive war.

In the end, Trump's decision to postpone the strike does not seem to reflect a radical shift towards peace, as much as it reveals a growing American realization of the difficulty of imposing decisive military solutions in the Middle East. War is no longer an easy option, but a comprehensive settlement is still far off as well. Between these two options, the region continues to live within a dangerous gray area, where any small incident can reignite a major confrontation at any moment.

Washington – Saeed Erikat – 18/5/2026

San Diego, USA, witnessed a bloody attack on Monday targeting the city's Islamic Center, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. The incident brings renewed attention to the escalating anti-Muslim hate speech in the United States, amidst growing concerns about the impact of an inciting political and media climate on violence.

US police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that two gunmen, later identified as two young men aged 17 and 19, opened fire near the Islamic Center before being found dead inside a nearby car, succumbing to what authorities described as “self-inflicted gunshot wounds.”

The Islamic Center in San Diego includes a mosque and a religious school. The center's Imam, Taha Hassan, confirmed via a video message on social media that all students, teachers, and staff inside the school were safe and unharmed.

According to law enforcement officials, investigators found anti-Islam writings inside the attackers' car, and the phrase “hate speech” was found written on one of the weapons used in the attack. Preliminary investigations indicated that one of the perpetrators took the weapon from his parents' home and left a suicide note before carrying out the operation.

The president of the Islamic Center, Ahmed Shabik, said that one of the deceased was working as a security guard at the mosque. Large police forces rushed to the scene and conducted extensive searches inside the building amidst a state of chaos and panic.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the attack, noting that it comes amid a rise in complaints related to discrimination and incitement against Muslims in the United States. The executive director of CAIR in San Diego, Tzeheen Nizam, said: “No one should fear for their life while praying or studying.”

Following the attack, the Los Angeles Police Department announced increased security patrols around mosques, Islamic centers, and places of worship, in anticipation of any potential assaults. California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he is closely monitoring the developments of the incident.

This attack comes at a time when religious institutions in the United States are experiencing increasing threats and repeated acts of violence, prompting many to tighten security measures.

The attack on the Islamic Center in San Diego reveals the seriousness of the escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric within the United States, especially when political and media incitement turns into an environment that justifies violence against religious minorities. In recent years, statements and positions by US President Donald Trump, both during his election campaigns and after his return to the political scene, have contributed to solidifying a negative image of Muslims and immigrants, by repeatedly linking them to terrorism or threatening “American identity.” This type of discourse does not remain only in the realm of politics, but also spreads to the streets and fuels feelings of hatred among some extremists who see violence as a “legitimate” means of expressing their racist ideas.

The danger of anti-Muslim incidents increases when they occur in a political context where hate speech appears acceptable or is not clearly condemned by influential figures. Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly used harsh rhetoric towards Muslims, from calling for a ban on their entry into the United States to insinuations linking Islam to violence and extremism. Although these statements are sometimes presented as political or security positions, their social impact goes far beyond that, as they give extremist groups a sense that their ideas resonate within the highest levels of power. Therefore, observers believe that confronting hate crimes is not limited to security measures, but also begins with controlling political and media discourse.

The San Diego attack reflects a deeper crisis related to the growing domestic extremism in the United States, where religious and racial hatred has become one of the main sources of violence. Human rights reports indicate a significant increase in verbal and physical assaults against Muslims since the rise of right-wing populist rhetoric in recent years. Many fear that the continuation of this climate will lead to more attacks on mosques and Islamic centers, especially given the widespread dissemination of inciting content online. Moreover, the absence of decisive condemnation from some political leaders, or the use of discourse that discriminates between citizens based on religion or origin, contributes to deepening societal division and undermining the values of pluralism upon which American democracy is built.

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has taken a firm diplomatic stance by officially announcing his refusal to accept the credentials of the new Israeli ambassador to his country. Milanović clarified that this decision comes as an expression of protest against the current Israeli government's policies, emphasizing that the proposed ambassador has not and will not receive his presidential approval required to fully perform his duties.

Media reports indicate that the appointed ambassador, Nisan Amdor, who was chosen for the position last November, may be forced to travel to the capital Zagreb by the end of May as a chargé d'affaires only. This diplomatic status allows the envoy to begin work without the need for the head of state's signature, a legal loophole resorted to by countries when official diplomatic channels are stalled.

In a strongly worded statement, the Croatian President accused the Israeli side of violating established international diplomatic norms by revealing the ambassador's identity and appointing him before obtaining prior approval from the host country. Milanović affirmed that exercising this sovereign right falls within his constitutional powers to ratify foreign appointments, despite the restrictions on his other political powers.

Milanović is known as one of the most prominent European voices critical of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, directly linking his latest decision to the repercussions of the ongoing war. This move comes amid escalating international pressure on Tel Aviv due to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Palestinian territories and documented violations against civilians.

On the ground, the situation in the Gaza Strip continues to witness significant tension with daily Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas, despite previous ceasefire agreements. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health, the death toll has risen to over 72,000 martyrs, amidst massive destruction to the infrastructure and urban identity of the Strip.

Granting or withholding approval for proposed ambassadors is a sovereign right of the Republic of Croatia, and the proposed ambassador will not receive my approval.

Amnesty International has strongly condemned recent Israeli practices against the international Flotilla of Steadfastness, describing Tel Aviv's insistence on suppressing this humanitarian initiative as shameful and inhumane behavior. In an official statement, the organization clarified that the use of military force to prevent activists from delivering essential aid to the Gaza Strip comes within the context of the ongoing commission of the crime of genocide against Palestinians.

The organization affirmed that these military movements are directly aimed at tightening the illegal siege imposed on the Strip for years, and further isolating its residents from the outside world. It stressed that depriving civilians under occupation of basic supplies and vital needs constitutes a blatant violation of international law and amounts to a war crime.

In a related context, media sources reported that the Israeli navy carried out extensive raids targeting the flotilla's ships about 100 nautical miles off the coast. These operations resulted in the arrest of approximately 100 international activists who were on board the boats, in an attempt to disrupt the relief mission launched to break the siege imposed on Gaza.

Amnesty International expressed its grave concern about the safety of the detained solidarity activists, noting a long record of ill-treatment and violations suffered by activists in previous missions. The organization warned against the repetition of these abuses inside Israeli detention centers, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards protecting civilians and peaceful activists.

The statement strongly criticized the state of international silence regarding the systematic attacks targeting solidarity activists, considering that this dereliction cannot be justified in the face of the scale of human suffering in Gaza. The organization demanded the necessity of providing immediate protection for activists and ensuring the unimpeded arrival of relief convoys without military obstacles to rescue the deteriorating situation in the besieged Strip.

It is worth noting that the international Flotilla of Steadfastness includes a group of ships carrying medical and food aid, and involves solidarity activists of different nationalities who seek to shed light on the humanitarian crisis. These field developments come at a time when international pressure on Israel is increasing to stop its policy of collective punishment against more than two million Palestinians.

Israel's shameful and inhumane insistence on suppressing solidarity efforts aims to tighten the illegal siege imposed on the Strip and isolate it from the world.

Israeli raids continued on various areas of the Gaza Strip today, Monday, resulting in the martyrdom of one Palestinian and the injury of four others with varying degrees of wounds. These attacks come as part of a series of continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2025, threatening the stability of the fragile truce.

Medical sources at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis city, south of the Strip, reported the arrival of a martyr's body and two injuries as a result of shelling targeting the vicinity of Bani Suhaila roundabout. Medical teams also announced the death of child Abdul Rahman Fathi Abu Shab in the intensive care unit, succumbing to wounds he sustained days earlier after being targeted by a drone in the same area.

In the northern Strip, two young Palestinians were injured, one of whom was described as serious, as a result of Israeli shelling targeting Jabalia camp. Local sources stated that a drone launched a raid on an area outside the scope of the occupation army's control specified by the existing agreement, reflecting an escalation on the ground in the northern areas.

Coinciding with this escalation on the ground, the United Nations called on the Israeli occupation authorities to take immediate measures to prevent acts of 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip. The international organization condemned strong indicators of 'ethnic cleansing' operations taking place simultaneously in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, affirmed in a recent report that Israeli practices since October 7, 2023, constitute a blatant violation of international law. Türk clarified that these actions often resemble war crimes and crimes against humanity that require urgent international accountability.

The UN Commissioner called on Israel to abide by the orders issued by the International Court of Justice, which oblige it to take preventive measures to prevent genocide. He stressed the need to ensure that soldiers do not commit any acts falling under this classification, with the necessity of suppressing and holding accountable for public incitement to violence.

The UN report focused extensively on the number of victims in the Gaza Strip, where the latest data from the Ministry of Health indicates the death of approximately 72,769 martyrs since the beginning of the aggression. These horrifying figures reflect the unprecedented human devastation suffered by Palestinians during the past months of intensive military operations.

For his part, Ajith Sunghay, head of the Human Rights Office in the Occupied Territories, stated that the ceasefire reduced levels of violence but did not end the suffering. Sunghay warned that killings and destruction of infrastructure continue on an almost daily basis, stressing that the general humanitarian situation remains at a catastrophic level.

The report pointed to a systematic pattern followed by the occupation forces in targeting civilian and protected objects, including hospitals and medical facilities. It also noted the deliberate targeting of internationally protected groups such as journalists, civil defense personnel, and humanitarian workers, which hinders relief and rescue operations.

The United Nations warned that Israeli behavior has made living conditions in large areas of the Gaza Strip unsustainable for human life. The report considered that this policy aims to make the presence of Palestinians as a group in those areas impossible, which reinforces the hypothesis of systematic ethnic cleansing.

The report did not overlook the situation in the West Bank, where it observed excessive and disproportionate use of force that led to hundreds of arbitrary killings. It explained that repeated incursions into camps in the northern West Bank aim to empty them of their residents and deliberately destroy their basic livelihoods.

The international organization documented widespread forced displacement, noting strong indications of the occupation's intention to perpetuate this displacement and prevent residents from returning. It considered that the destruction of residential blocks in Gaza and the bulldozing of camps in the West Bank fall under the collective punishment imposed on the Palestinian people.

The report also warned of the danger of inflammatory and dehumanizing rhetoric launched by Israeli officials against Palestinians without any internal legal accountability. It considered that this rhetoric paves the way for committing further grave violations under an official political cover that encourages impunity.

In conclusion of its report, the Human Rights Office stressed the need for independent and credible investigations by international judicial bodies to ensure accountability for all violations. Sunghay affirmed that the silence of the international community in this context cannot be considered neutrality, but rather a green light for the continuation of crimes against civilians.

Failure to act on violations in the Palestinian territories is not neutrality, but rather a license to continue crimes.

The "Gallant Knight 3" humanitarian operation concluded its Volunteer Work Week activities, after implementing a wide range of humanitarian and voluntary initiatives in various areas of the Gaza Strip. These included blood donation campaigns, cleaning campaigns, organizing a medical day within the camps, distributing various relief aid, and launching initiatives to support patients, workers, and athletes, as part of its continuous efforts to alleviate the suffering of the residents and enhance the spirit of community solidarity.\n\nAs part of the week's activities, the "Gallant Knight 3" operation carried out a voluntary day at Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, which included removing rubble and cleaning the hospital grounds, as well as planting trees, watering, and installing benches in the outdoor area, with wide participation from volunteers, in support of health facilities and to enhance the hospital environment and services provided to patients.\n\nThis initiative comes within the efforts aimed at supporting health facilities and creating a more suitable environment within the hospital's surroundings, thereby supporting the continuity of medical services and enhancing the ability of health teams and patients to face the current humanitarian challenges.\n\nRepresentatives from a number of humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip participated in the voluntary day at Al-Shifa Medical Complex, along with the Logistics Support Manager at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Miranda Barakat, the Head of OCHA's office in the Gaza Strip, Taher Imam, the Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, and the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Munir Al-Bursh, in addition to staff from the Gaza Municipality.\n\nAt the conclusion of the Volunteer Work Week, the "Gallant Knight 3" operation reiterated its commitment to continue providing humanitarian and relief support to the residents of the Gaza Strip, by enhancing the response to the health, humanitarian, and service sectors, thereby contributing to alleviating the burdens on the residents and supporting their resilience in facing the harsh challenges and conditions witnessed in the Strip.\n\nExperts in political science and international law affirmed that the UAE's presence in the Gaza Strip has transcended the boundaries of traditional humanitarian response to emergency crises, establishing an advanced model for what is known as "sustainable humanitarian diplomacy," noting that the relief efforts led by the UAE have become a vital lifeline that combines urgent intervention with safeguarding human dignity and enhancing the elements of their resilience.\n\nIn exclusive statements to "Al-Ittihad," the experts explained that the UAE's leadership did not stop at launching air and sea bridges and delivering aid, but extended to the active field presence of national cadres at the heart of events, reflecting a firm leadership vision that places humans and their fundamental rights at the forefront of priorities, and contributes to supporting stability and rebuilding the elements of life in the Strip.\n\nDr. Haitham Omran, Professor of Political Science and International Law, stressed that the UAE was among the first countries to establish an integrated concept of humanitarian solidarity, affirming that the UAE's support for the Gaza Strip is not a circumstantial or temporary response, but an extension of a deeply rooted humanitarian approach that has made UAE relief work a global model to be emulated in terms of speed of response, efficiency of implementation, and comprehensiveness of humanitarian impact.\n\nOmran explained that the UAE's convoys of giving did not stop with the receding of confrontations, but moved from the stage of urgent relief amidst the flames to a deeper and more comprehensive stage based on rebuilding and restoring the elements of a dignified life in the Gaza Strip, embodying a firm humanitarian and moral commitment towards the Palestinian people and their just cause.\n\nHe pointed out that the "Gallant Knight 3" operation constituted an advanced model for integrated humanitarian work, as it transcended the concept of traditional aid and relief distribution, to transform into an integrated system that had a tangible impact on the lives of the residents, by supporting vital sectors and meeting urgent humanitarian needs on the ground.\n\nOmran affirmed that the UAE's vision is now based on sustainability and enhancing humanitarian recovery, by providing integrated housing solutions, and supporting the health, service, and livelihood sectors that affect the daily lives of Palestinian citizens, stressing that this approach reflects the UAE's keenness to instill hope and rebuild the elements of stability, and not just suffice with emergency response.\n\nHe added that UAE medical facilities played a pivotal role in saving thousands of lives by providing advanced specialized care, supported by continuous air and sea relief bridges, in addition to evacuating hundreds of wounded and injured people and cancer patients to receive treatment in UAE hospitals, in a scene that embodied the courage and humanity of UAE cadres working at the heart of the crisis to heal the wounds of their brethren in Gaza.\n\nThe Professor of International Law explained that the UAE's efforts were not limited to providing medical care, but extended to addressing the food and water crises through qualitative initiatives characterized by speed, boldness, and innovation, noting that the UAE was among the first countries to carry out air-dropping operations for humanitarian aid as part of the "Birds of Goodness" initiative, in addition to its active contribution to establishing and activating sea corridors that ensured the continuous flow of relief supplies to the Gaza Strip despite the complex field and logistical challenges.\n\nHe affirmed that the UAE's desalination plants located on the borders played a pivotal role in sparing the Strip a serious humanitarian and environmental catastrophe, after providing potable water to thousands of families, and contributed to reducing the risks of epidemics and diseases spreading, in light of the widespread collapse that affected infrastructure and basic services in the Gaza Strip.\n\nIn this context, Dr. Taysir Abu Jumaa, Professor of Political Science at the University of Palestine, stressed that the UAE's supportive stance towards the Palestinian people reflects a firm historical commitment, which has never been linked to a fleeting political or humanitarian circumstance, but is based on a firm vision based on supporting the Palestinian people and their resilience at various stages.\n\nAbu Jumaa said, in a statement to "Al-Ittihad," that the UAE played a pivotal role in supporting the Gaza Strip during the current crisis through the "Gallant Knight 3" operation, which has become one of the most prominent field humanitarian initiatives, after succeeding in reaching the most affected groups and meeting the needs of displaced persons in an urgent and organized manner.\n\nHe added that the UAE relief teams provided an exceptional model in humanitarian work in highly dangerous areas, where they continued to perform their duties despite the complex field challenges, affirming that the relatively improved security situation contributed to expanding the scope of movement of these teams and enabling them to reach affected areas more efficiently, which embodies a true UAE commitment to a field presence alongside the people of Gaza, and not just sending aid from afar.\n\nAbu Jumaa pointed out that the UAE, in parallel with relief efforts, was keen to launch humanitarian and community initiatives that restore hope within the Strip, most notably organizing mass weddings for Palestinian youth, considering that supporting youth, providing shelter, and helping them establish a stable life represents a clear message that the will to live in Gaza is stronger than war and destruction, and that enhancing social and psychological cohesion is an essential part of recovery efforts and rebuilding Palestinian society.

The command of the Global Freedom Flotilla announced a complete loss of communication with all ships participating in the journey to break the siege on the Gaza Strip, following a sudden attack by Israeli naval forces in the open Mediterranean Sea. Sources clarified that the attack led to the loss of control over the ships after they were surrounded by occupation warships.

Khalidia Abu Bakra, the flotilla's spokesperson, confirmed that occupation soldiers carried out a boarding operation during which they seized most of the ships participating in the international convoy. In media statements from the Spanish capital, Madrid, she indicated that this aggression represents clear piracy in international waters, aimed at preventing humanitarian aid from reaching those besieged in Gaza.

According to incoming information, the Israeli naval commando unit 'Shayetet 13' was responsible for carrying out the interception and seizure of the flotilla. Informed sources mentioned that the operation took place off the Cypriot coast, hundreds of kilometers from its final destination, reflecting the occupation's determination to prevent the ships from reaching even before they approached Palestinian territorial waters.

Immediately after gaining control of the ships, the occupation forces began arresting a large number of international activists who were on board, transferring them under heavy guard to naval warships. All detainees and confiscated ships are expected to be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod for legal and security procedures against them.

For its part, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed in a brief statement that Tel Aviv will under no circumstances allow the breach of the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for years. The Foreign Ministry considered attempts to reach Gaza's shores a security provocation that necessitates direct military intervention to prevent it.

Prior to the loss of communication, tracking systems published on the flotilla's official website showed that the distance separating the convoys from Gaza's shores was approximately 300 nautical miles. Participants had observed suspicious movements of unidentified ships that began pursuing the flotilla as soon as it entered international waters, raising early fears of an imminent attack.

The Freedom Flotilla had set sail last Thursday from Marmaris port on the Turkish coast, on a humanitarian journey that included 54 boats and cargo ships. Activists and human rights defenders from about 70 countries around the world are participating in this initiative, through which they seek to highlight the escalating humanitarian suffering in the Strip as a result of the ongoing siege.

In the context of the legal response, the flotilla's command confirmed that it has already begun preparing legal files to prosecute the Israeli authorities before international courts on charges of maritime piracy. Abu Bakra stressed that what happened represents a blatant violation of international maritime law, which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters, especially since the ships were purely civilian and humanitarian in nature.

This new attempt to break the siege comes amid difficult humanitarian conditions experienced by the residents of the Gaza Strip, as the flotilla was carrying quantities of medical aid and basic necessities. The journey received widespread international solidarity, with political and parliamentary figures from various continents among its members.

It is worth noting that the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007 has caused a near-complete paralysis in all aspects of life, and this convoy is one of the largest maritime attempts to challenge this closure. Despite the recent aggression, the campaign organizers affirmed that their efforts will not stop and that Israeli piracy will not prevent them from repeating the attempt in the future.

The campaign expected the Israeli occupation to seize the flotilla and prevent the breaking of the siege, and we will sue Israel for its violation of maritime law and piracy of our ships.