While the occupation continues its aggression against Syria, Israeli voices are emerging calling for a new reading of what they consider "common interests with the new regime," and advocating for placing them at the forefront of political action in the future relationship between Damascus and Tel Aviv.

The former head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, affirmed in an article published by the "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper that "the Israeli political and security agenda revolves around important developments in two areas: in Gaza, where the second phase of the 'Twenty Points' plan launched by US President Donald Trump has begun; and in Iran, where a phase of anticipation has begun, characterized by ambiguity regarding the future of the protests and its policy towards them."

Hanegbi added that "in both areas, Israel's ability to influence events seems limited. Therefore, I propose starting a political move in another area, which is the Syrian area, with the aim of quickly reaching a comprehensive security agreement with it, after the previous agreement with it for the separation of forces signed in 1974 after the October War lasted fifty years, which is the longest duration for any other agreement with an Arab country, despite the many challenges that threatened its validity."

He explained that "the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 effectively ended this agreement, as the Israeli army, under the guidance of the political leadership, launched 'Operation Bashan Arrow,' moving quickly and decisively, and took control of areas adjacent to the Syrian border with the Golan Heights, including Mount Hermon. At the same time, Israel launched widespread attacks throughout Syria to destroy strategically important weapons caches and prevent them from falling into the hands of the new regime."

He affirmed that "during the period since then, Israel has strived to achieve two ambitious political goals in the north: first, to exploit the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024 to promote Lebanon's accession to the normalization and peace process; and in Syria, the goal is to formulate a two-stage process that begins with organizing security arrangements on the common border, and continues with Syria's accession to the normalization agreements."

He pointed out that "without effective American participation, it is impossible to make progress on these two axes, and therefore the US President appointed his ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, as his personal envoy to promote this vision, who showed diligence and initiative, and made great efforts, working in full harmony with Minister Ron Dermer, seeking to resolve disputes with Lebanon and Syria. However, the current situation shows a complex picture."

He explained that "the situation in Lebanon is characterized by portraying President Joseph Aoun as a leader committed to the future of his country, not to external interests, especially Iranian ones, which brought him to the brink of the abyss. Despite his good intentions, he failed in his attempts to implement the central clause in the agreement signed with Israel, which is the disarmament of Hezbollah throughout Lebanon, and there are many reasons for this, the most important of which is the inherent weakness of the Lebanese army, and Aoun and his government's fear of an escalation of the civil war."

He added that this "coincides with the severe blows Hezbollah has already suffered during a year of fighting with Israel, and is evident in its decision to refrain from responding to hundreds of assassinations and violent attacks launched against it as part of its policy of imposing sanctions for violations of the agreement by force. However, thanks to its clear military superiority, it deters its opponents from taking any bold political moves, and the result is no practical progress in the tripartite dialogue led by the United States on the issues of the dispute on the Israeli-Lebanese border."

He noted that "Israel has made it clear that its forward military deployment in southern Lebanon will not change as long as Hezbollah poses a threat to northern settlers; and an escalation of the conflict now seems more likely than reaching understandings, and as reported, a continuous political dialogue has been ongoing between Tel Aviv and the new regime in Syria for some time, and I participated in it, and I saw that common interests outweigh divisive interests."

He revealed that "as part of my mission as head of the National Security Council, I held a series of secret meetings on the Syrian issue, and Israel's main concern is that Syria becomes a Turkish protectorate on its northern border, and given President Erdogan's hostile rhetoric, this concern is not unfounded, because the most effective way to thwart this scenario is to maximize Syria's expected gains from joining the Middle East peace initiative launched by Trump, because it was and still is the American strategy."

He affirmed that "in the absence of American influence, finding a balance between the interests of Tel Aviv and Damascus becomes more difficult, but it is possible, because in negotiations aimed at establishing new security arrangements, the Syrians are likely to demand an Israeli withdrawal from the new areas that the Israeli army has been preparing to defend since the end of 202, and the solution to this issue may be based on finding the optimal balance between the Israeli presence on Syrian territory, and the actual implementation of measures that guarantee the vital security interests of the occupation, which will increase Israel's margin of flexibility."

Hebrew media circulated claims from the occupation army, alleging that they monitored and targeted a group of Palestinians in the northern areas of the Gaza Strip, under the pretext of their attempt to carry out a security operation across the separation fence.

According to what was published by Hebrew media, the occupation army claims that its field forces dealt with what it described as an "infiltration" by a group of militants after they crossed what is called the "yellow line" in the northern Gaza Strip.

The narrative issued by the occupation claims that this group planted an explosive device in the area before they were targeted by military units, claims that the occupation has consistently published to justify the continuous shootings in the border areas.

The occupation's claims are based on the penetration of what is called the "yellow line," which is the zone where the occupation army imposes buffer zones that Palestinian citizens are prohibited from being in.

Through these claims, the occupation seeks to justify its constant monitoring and targeting of any movement along the fence, claiming that the group's activity was targeting its military vehicles.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempts aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land, warning of the international repercussions of this step, and at the same time emphasizing the need to facilitate the unimpeded access of relief convoys to the Gaza Strip.

In a firm stance reflecting Egyptian constants, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reiterated his rejection of attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their lands, considering that the displacement of Gaza residents will not only affect the region but will lead to major global crises.

The President explained that this scenario would result in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians towards Europe and Western countries, placing the international community before a direct responsibility to prevent the emptying of the Palestinian issue of its content and to avoid exacerbating the global refugee crisis.

Regarding relief efforts, President Sisi reiterated during his speech the necessity of not obstructing humanitarian aid directed to the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that Egypt is making strenuous efforts to ensure the smooth entry of basic needs, noting that the "Sharm El Sheikh Agreement" stands as a prominent witness to Egyptian endeavors aimed at supporting brethren in Gaza and alleviating the severity of the humanitarian tragedy suffered by civilians there.

The President linked regional stability with the strength of the national state, reiterating Egypt's categorical rejection of the establishment of any entities or militias parallel to official state institutions. He affirmed that Egypt will remain an oasis of security and stability, and that preserving the prestige of national institutions is the only way to confront the challenges facing the region, whether security or political, which reflects Cairo's vision in strengthening the concept of sovereignty and legitimacy.

These statements came during the President's participation in the celebration of the seventy-fourth anniversary of Police Day, which falls on January 25, at the Conference Complex at the Police Academy in New Cairo. The President was keen to use this national occasion to send comprehensive messages to both domestic and international audiences, emphasizing that Egypt's security and stability are closely linked to protecting Palestinian rights and preventing any steps that threaten demographic or security balance in the region and the world.

Various areas of the occupied West Bank have witnessed, since Saturday morning, a serious escalation in settler attacks, carried out under the cover and protection of the Israeli occupation army forces, targeting citizens, their property, and their agricultural crops.

In the vicinity of occupied Jerusalem, armed settlers attacked farmers in their lands in the village of Mikhmas (northeast), and tried to prevent them from working by force of arms. This attack comes days after a similar assault on the Bedouin gathering of "Khillet al-Sidra" near the village, which resulted in injuries to citizens and foreign solidarity activists, and the burning of homes and vehicles.

In Hebron (south), a Palestinian woman was injured as a result of an attack launched by settler militias on the home of the Wadi Sa'ir guard north of the governorate.

In Ramallah Governorate, the attacks focused on the towns of Turmus Ayya and Sinjil:

Turmus Ayya: Settlers from the "Shilo" settlement attacked the home of the "Abu Awwad" family, in an attempt to impose forced isolation on them. It is worth noting that the occupation recently bulldozed thousands of dunams and uprooted 4,000 olive trees around the house for the benefit of a new settlement outpost.

Sinjil: Settlers grazed their sheep in citizens' crops in the areas of "Abu Al-Awf" and "Sha'ab Al-Nimr"; which led to their destruction. The mayor, Moataz Tawafsha, confirmed that the occupation has prevented access to 8,000 dunams in that area since the events of October 7, 2023.

In the context of monitoring, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented alarming figures for the extent of attacks during the past month, reaching 766 attacks, distributed as follows:

Ramallah and Al-Bireh: 195 attacks.

Nablus: 179 attacks.

Hebron: 126 attacks.

On the other hand, the occupation forces set up a military checkpoint at the entrance to the village of Marah Rabah, south of Bethlehem, where they detained a number of young men and checked the identities of citizens, causing a severe traffic jam.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that an Israeli drone of the "quadcopter" type fired at him near the Jasser building intersection, in a continuation of the escalating series of Israeli occupation violations of the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect for 105 days. A Palestinian citizen was killed and others were injured, on Saturday morning, as a result of direct targeting by the Israeli occupation army in various areas south and north of the Gaza Strip.

Martyrdom and "drone" bullets

Local and medical sources reported details of the attacks recorded in the past hours:

Jabalia (north): A local source confirmed the martyrdom of one person and several injuries; as a result of the occupation forces targeting a group of citizens in Jabalia al-Balad on the old Gaza street this morning.

Khan Yunis (south): A citizen (47 years old) was shot in the head early this morning in the city center. Eyewitnesses confirmed that an Israeli drone of the "quadcopter" type fired at him near the Jasser building intersection, an area from which the occupation army had previously withdrawn under the terms of the agreement.

Beit Lahia (north): A citizen was shot by the occupation in the Al-Salatin area west of the city.

Intense aerial and naval bombardment

Violations were not limited to direct shooting, as the eastern and coastal areas witnessed military escalation:

Air raids: Occupation aircraft launched raids on areas southeast of Khan Yunis.

Naval bombardment: Warships fired randomly towards the coast of Khan Yunis city.

Artillery shelling: Israeli artillery heavily shelled the eastern areas of Gaza City, while vehicles stationed east of Al-Maghazi camp (central Gaza Strip) fired towards citizens' homes.

Blood statistics: After and before the "halt"

According to official statistics, the number of Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement came into effect has reached:

496 martyrs.

1301 injured.

It is worth noting that this agreement came to end a two-year genocide war (which began on October 8, 2023), and left catastrophic numbers:

More than 71,000 martyrs.

More than 171,000 injured.

90% of civilian infrastructure destroyed.

Reconstruction cost estimated by the UN at about $70 billion.

In a strongly worded UN warning reflecting the silent catastrophe sweeping through the Palestinian territories, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, sounded the alarm, declaring that the occupied West Bank is experiencing the "worst humanitarian crisis since 1967."

In a post published on his official account on the "X" platform (formerly Twitter), Lazzarini linked this unprecedented deterioration to ongoing Israeli military operations. The UN official revealed alarming figures related to the results of the military operation that the occupation named "Iron Wall," stating: "One year after the start of the Israeli military operation called (Iron Wall), 33,000 people remain forcibly displaced from Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank."

The issue was not limited to displacement, as Lazzarini pointed to the systematic destruction of infrastructure, explaining: "Israeli forces continue to demolish large areas of the camps; which reduces the chances of these communities recovering," in reference to the difficulty of restoring life to normal amidst the massive destruction.

Regarding the agency's field situation, Lazzarini affirmed that UNRWA teams are still working on the ground to assist refugees who "have been newly displaced and pushed into further poverty," warning of the absence of viable alternatives for accessing healthcare, education, and social services.

The Commissioner-General concluded his statement with an appeal to the international community, emphasizing: "UNRWA continues its work, but to continue this work, we need sustained political and financial support from member states"; to ensure the lifeline for Palestinian refugees remains.

Satellite images and analysis, along with testimonies from local residents, showed that "Israel" moved concrete blocks into the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City; a move Palestinians considered a "clear violation" of the US-backed ceasefire agreement, which was supposed to define the "Yellow Line" as a dividing line between Israeli forces and Palestinian-controlled areas.

The images indicate that the blocks, which were initially on the borders of the "Yellow Line," were moved up to 200 meters into territories controlled by the "Hamas" movement; leading to the destruction of dozens of buildings and the displacement of thousands of residents who had sought refuge in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood after the ceasefire came into effect last October. The images also showed "Israel" establishing at least six military fortifications in different areas, some of which are located only 264 meters from the control line.

Palestinians say they were forced to flee, including Manal Abu Al-Kas and her family, who lost two of her children in the neighborhood, and had to leave their home after the blocks were moved. She said: "We stayed at home until they started placing the yellow stone, then we left under pressure and bombardment."

Reports indicate that the movement of blocks and destruction of buildings were not limited to the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, but also included other areas in Gaza, including Khan Yunis; where two blocks were placed at distances of up to 390 and 220 meters behind the "Yellow Line," in addition to the destruction of tent encampments designated for displaced persons.

For its part, the Israeli army denied in a statement that it had changed the "Yellow Line," noting that its demarcation is done visually according to terrain and topographical conditions, and that the published maps of the line were "illustrative," but it did not explain why the blocks were moved or buildings destroyed. In contrast, Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for "Hamas," said that "Israel" continues to push the Yellow Line westward; which narrows the area of the Strip and confines its residents to a strip 30 percent smaller than the original area," stressing that the US-backed agreement limits "Israel's" control to more than half of the Strip, linking the withdrawal of forces to the disarmament of "Hamas."

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel continues to fire on Palestinians in areas surrounding the Yellow Line, accusing militants of attempting to cross the line or attack forces, while the army uses drones to monitor the area. Fighting since the agreement came into effect in October has resulted in the deaths of more than 460 Palestinians, including children, compared to the deaths of three Israeli soldiers.

These movements raise fears of an actual division of the Strip, with the possibility of reconstruction operations being limited to areas under Israeli control, while millions of Palestinians remain forced to live in cramped areas or in tents and destroyed buildings.

Israel is seeking to restrict the number of Palestinians returning to Gaza from Egypt via the Rafah crossing to ensure that more Palestinians leave the Strip than enter it, before the border crossing is expected to open next week, according to Reuters, citing three informed sources.

Ali Shaath, head of the US-backed Palestinian technocrat committee to temporarily manage Gaza, announced yesterday (Thursday) that the Rafah crossing would open next week. The crossing is effectively the only entry and exit point for Gaza's more than two million residents.

The crossing was supposed to open under the ceasefire agreement reached by Israel and Hamas in October, as part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.

The United States said earlier this month that the second phase of the plan had been entered, under which Israel is expected to withdraw more troops from Gaza, and Hamas to relinquish control of the Strip.

The Israeli army has controlled the crossing from the Palestinian side since 2024.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, stated that the method Israel intends to use to impose restrictions on the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt is not yet clear, nor is the ratio of departures to arrivals it seeks to achieve.

Israeli officials have previously spoken about encouraging Palestinians to emigrate from Gaza, although they deny any intention to forcibly displace the population. There is extreme sensitivity among Palestinians to any hint of the possibility of expelling Gaza residents or preventing those who leave temporarily from returning.

The crossing is expected to be managed by Palestinians affiliated with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and to be monitored by European Union personnel, as was the case during a previous weeks-long truce early last year between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment. The Israeli army referred questions to the government and declined to comment.

The sources added that Israel also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside the Strip near the border, requiring all Palestinians leaving or returning to pass through it and undergo Israeli security checks.

Two other sources reported that Israeli officials insisted on establishing a military checkpoint in Gaza to inspect departing or returning Palestinians.

The US Embassy in Israel did not respond to a request for comment on whether the United States supports Israel in limiting the number of Palestinians entering Gaza or establishing a checkpoint for returning and departing individuals.

Under the first phase of the Trump plan, the Israeli army withdrew its forces from parts of Gaza, but retained control over 53 percent of the Strip, including the entire land border with Egypt. Most of the Strip's residents live in the remaining areas, which are under Hamas's control, and mostly reside in temporary tents or damaged buildings.

The sources stated that the method of dealing with individuals whom the Israeli army will prevent from passing through the checkpoint, especially those coming from Egypt, is not yet clear.

The Israeli government has repeatedly objected to opening the borders, with some officials saying that Hamas must first return the remains of an Israeli police officer, the last hostage whose remains were scheduled to be handed over in the first phase of the ceasefire.

US officials say privately that Washington, not Israel, is leading the implementation of the Trump plan to end the war.

Several Palestinian cities and towns within the Green Line witnessed a widespread popular movement in rejection of the spread of crime and violence, and what participants described as the Israeli police's failure to confront organized crime that claims the lives of hundreds annually in the Arab community within the 48 territories. Palestinians performed Friday prayers in the Sakhnin municipality square and in the village of Al-Araqeeb in the Negev in protest against the spread of crime, while simultaneous protests were organized in several towns, including I'billin and Tamra. Demonstrators raised banners with slogans such as "Stop the crime war," "Where is the police? Or is negligence a policy?" and "Our blood is not cheap." The city of Sakhnin witnessed a massive demonstration yesterday, Thursday, in which tens of thousands of Palestinians participated, coinciding with a comprehensive strike that swept Arab cities and towns within the Green Line at the call of the High Follow-up Committee and the National Committee of Heads of Arab Local Authorities.

Participants chanted slogans against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom they accuse of direct responsibility for the spread of crime and the Israeli police's inaction, while others carried black flags expressing their anger. Activists described the demonstration that took place in Sakhnin yesterday, Thursday, as the largest demonstration a Palestinian city within the Green Line has witnessed in years.

The leaders of the four Arab parties in Israel (the National Democratic Assembly, the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, the Arab Movement for Change, and the United List) signed a document in which they pledged to work on re-forming the "Joint List" and contesting the upcoming elections with a unified list in response to the demands of the Palestinian street for unifying political representation. The signing came, according to local media platforms, in the wake of increasing popular pressure demanding unity in the face of escalating crime and deteriorating security within Arab towns.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated on Wednesday in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in protest against what they described as the government's failure to stop the wave of crimes and killings. Statistics indicate an unprecedented rise in the number of crime victims within the Green Line. According to sources, 16 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of 2026, including 12 by bullets, while 252 Palestinians were killed in 2025, an increase estimated at about 10% from 2024. Palestinians within the Green Line - who constitute about 21% of the population - affirm that the Israeli government practices policies of discrimination and marginalization against them that have been ongoing for decades, and they hold the Israeli police responsible for the spread of weapons and organized crime, noting that the inaction is "systematic" and linked to political considerations.

A Palestinian was killed this Friday evening in Nablus, by Israeli occupation forces' bullets, while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that more than 100 Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank have been displaced in the past two weeks. Sources reported the martyrdom of a Palestinian farmer while working on his agricultural land near the town of Madama, south of Nablus, after being shot by Israeli occupation forces. Sources said that the occupation forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching the young man at the moment of his injury and transported him to an unknown destination.

In a related context, settlers from nearby settlements attacked residents of the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, under the protection of the occupation army, which led to clashes involving heavy firing of bullets and toxic tear gas, resulting in several citizens suffering from suffocation.

Raids and arrests In Hebron, occupation forces raided a residence and detained a number of citizens after an assault by settlers in Masafer Yatta, south of the governorate. Activists said that the occupation forces provided cover for settler attacks and continued to abuse residents after their attempts to confront the attacks and protect their property. Occupation forces also stormed several areas in Hebron, set up military checkpoints, and detained a number of citizens while they were returning to their homes after performing Friday prayers.

In Tubas, occupation forces arrested a citizen after raiding and searching his home on Friday dawn. Occupation forces also stormed Al-Far'a refugee camp south of Tubas with several military vehicles, and fired tear gas canisters towards Palestinian homes, before withdrawing without reporting any arrests or injuries. Occupation forces raided the town of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, and stationed themselves in the "Gate" area on the main Jerusalem-Hebron road.

Settlers also stormed the Iraqi Martyrs' Cemetery in the village of Bir al-Basha, south of Jenin, using four-wheel drive vehicles, and carried out provocative tours inside the cemetery before blocking the road for citizens and obstructing their movement in the area.

Displacement of 100 families In a related context, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that settler attacks in the West Bank have led to the displacement of more than 100 Palestinian families from five different communities in the past two weeks, mostly from the Bedouin community of Ras Ein al-Auja, east of Jericho.

The office explained that 77 families comprising 375 people, including 186 children and 91 women, have already begun dismantling their homes and leaving due to the escalation of nightly settler attacks, preceded by the displacement of 21 other families after a series of assaults that included beating an elderly man, destroying property, and plowing private lands. The UN office indicated that more than 72,000 farming and herding families, nearly two-thirds of all agricultural families, are in urgent need of emergency agricultural assistance.

New targeting of UNRWA In another context, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that the Qalandia Vocational Training Center, which teaches 350 students from the West Bank, is threatened with closure within days due to the risk of confiscation of the land on which it is built. Agency spokesman Jonathan Fowler said that closing the center "will deprive hundreds of students of their right to education and economic opportunities," calling on the international community to act "before it is too late."

The West Bank has witnessed an unprecedented escalation since the start of the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, with more than 1,107 Palestinians killed and about 11,000 injured, while more than 21,000 have been arrested in the past two years.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, called for the provision of real shelter for Gaza residents to enable them to cope with the bitter cold, and for the entry of materials to repair the infrastructure in the Strip. Haq said that many citizens in Gaza have died due to low temperatures, which necessitates providing warm clothing, suitable shelter, and ensuring electricity availability in all areas of the Strip.

He added that tents and plastic materials are not enough at this time of winter, noting that people in the Strip have suffered for two years, their homes destroyed, and deprived of water and food. Regarding the restriction of aid entry to Gaza via the Rafah crossing, Farhan said, "We want to ensure that all restrictions on aid entry are lifted and removed" in order to meet the needs of more than two million people in the Strip.

The UN official spoke about an improvement in the humanitarian situation since the ceasefire in Gaza, after a real threat of famine, noting that they were able to bring in sufficient quantities of food and water, in addition to providing vaccines for children, some educational materials, and plastic materials for tents.

Ali Shaath, head of the National Committee for Gaza Management, announced that the Rafah crossing will open next week, considering the step an indication that Gaza is no longer closed to the world and the future. Sources quoted sources as saying that Israel will open it, but will prevent Gazans from returning to the Strip, except for humanitarian cases.

According to the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, the opening of the Rafah crossing will allow more goods to cross through Egypt.

The death toll from the cold in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current winter season has risen to 10 children, with the announcement of the death of infant Youssef Abu Hammad, whose family had waited 17 years for him.

With a new low-pressure system expected in the coming days, fears of a worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip are increasing, especially in light of the scarcity of humanitarian aid and the continued Israeli closure of crossings.

Taysir Suleiman, a leader in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), revealed that the movement is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the announcement of what is known as the "Peace Council," stressing that judging the effectiveness of this council will not be through statements or media headlines, but through its actual ability to implement what is required on the ground. Suleiman explained, in statements to the evening program, that the foremost requirement is to establish a ceasefire, stop Israeli aggressions, open crossings, and deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that the absence of any mention of Gaza in the council's charter raises legitimate questions, but he stressed that Hamas will base its final position on practical results in the coming days, especially regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and stopping ongoing Israeli violations.

The Hamas leader affirmed that urgent priorities include curbing the occupation's violations and facilitating the work of the national committee that was agreed upon by factions to manage civil affairs in the Gaza Strip, noting that the occupation continues to restrict this committee by preventing the entry of medicines, urgent materials, and building materials, and obstructing reconstruction efforts and fundraising.

European Positions

Commenting on the reserved European positions towards the council, Taysir Suleiman said that relations between the United States and European countries are going through a period of tension, considering that the abundance of slogans and protocol procedures does not necessarily mean real implementation on the ground. He added that any country has the right to demand constitutional or legal amendments it deems appropriate, stressing that the resistance and Palestinian factions will evaluate these positions in the coming phase. He explained that the primary task of the council, if it wants to be effective, is to establish the agreement that was reached between the resistance and the occupation, support the administrative committee in Gaza, and ensure the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, especially in light of what he described as widespread Israeli violations.

Suleiman pointed out that the Israeli occupation has committed more than 2500 field and qualitative violations since the announcement of the ceasefire, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 500 Palestinians and the injury of more than 1200 others, stressing that the true criterion for any international effort or peace council is its ability to pressure the occupation to abide by what was agreed upon more than 100 days ago. He explained that any positive evaluation of the Peace Council depends on its ability to enforce the opening of crossings, the entry of aid, facilitating the work of the civil administration in Gaza, and stopping continuous aggressions.

Resistance's Stance on Pressures

Regarding what Israeli sources reported about anticipated meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and American envoys to discuss issues related to disarming the Hamas movement, the Hamas leader stressed that the resistance defends its people's right to confront the occupation, considering the United States a partner in the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people in recent years.

Suleiman said that the Palestinian resistance, led by Hamas, has engaged in a long confrontation with the occupation and was not forced to surrender, stressing that the ceasefire came after steadfastness and confrontation, not as a result of submission or concession. He added that the resistance does not possess massive armies or fleets of weapons, but it possesses the right to defend its people and a just cause.

The Palestinian leader affirmed that the Israeli occupation is the fundamental cause of the crisis, and that attempts to impose dictates or ignore the rights of the Palestinian people will not succeed, noting that the evaluation of any American or international role will be based on actions, not words. He concluded by saying that the coming days will reveal the truth of the positions, and that the core of the issue will remain linked to ending the occupation and stopping its crimes against the Palestinian people.

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, announced that the occupied West Bank is experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis since 1967, due to the Israeli aggression on its camps and the forced displacement of tens of thousands from them.

Lazzarini stated in a post on the "X" platform on Friday: "The occupied West Bank is experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis since 1967."

He added: "One year after the start of the Israeli military operation called 'Iron Wall', 33,000 people remain forcibly displaced from Palestine refugee camps in the northern West Bank."

The Commissioner-General continued: "At the same time, Israeli forces continue to demolish large areas of the camps, reducing the chances of these communities recovering."

He pointed out that "UNRWA teams are working on the ground to assist newly displaced Palestine refugees who have been pushed into further poverty, in the absence of any meaningful alternatives for accessing healthcare, education, and social services."

Lazzarini concluded by saying: "UNRWA continues its work, but to continue this work, we need sustained political and financial support from member states."

Since the start of the genocide in the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, and for two years, Israel has intensified its crimes to annex the West Bank, especially through demolition, displacement of Palestinians, and expansion of settlements, according to the Palestinian authorities.

The United Nations considers settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories illegal and warns that it undermines the chances of resolving the conflict according to the two-state solution principle (Palestinian and Israeli), and has been calling for its cessation for years without success.

The West Bank is witnessing an unprecedented escalation in attacks by the Israeli occupation army and settlers against residents, their property, and their livelihoods, with more than 1107 Palestinians martyred, about 11,000 injured, and more than 21,000 arrested since the start of Israeli operations in Gaza in October 2023.

Removing rubble in the Gaza Strip poses a major challenge to the start of reconstruction, as the latest UN estimates indicate that there are 60 million tons of rubble in the Strip, equivalent to the cargo of 3,000 container ships. This means that 30 tons of rubble besiege every person in the Strip, and removing this enormous volume will take at least 7 years.

UN statistics showed that the destruction rate in the Strip reached 84%, while in Gaza City alone it reached 92%, with a reconstruction cost estimated at $70 billion, according to the United Nations.

In the same context, the United Nations estimated that nearly 40% of Gaza's population is exposed to increased risks due to floods and torrents in the harsh winter of the Strip, where stormy weather and dilapidated tents turn the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into hell on top of the ruins.

Ali Shaath, head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, announced, addressing the international community and the residents of the Strip, the start of the committee's work. The committee defined its priorities as improving the lives of the Strip's residents, rebuilding institutions, service and productive facilities, and restoring order under one authority, one weapon, and one law.

Opening the crossing The head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza announced - more than 100 days after the ceasefire agreement came into effect - that the Rafah crossing would operate in both directions starting next week, indicating that the Strip is no longer closed to the future and the world.

In contrast, the urgent needs of the Strip emerge amidst continuous Israeli obstruction of essential and life-saving aid, as nearly 26,000 trucks of aid and goods entered the Strip out of a total of 60,000 that were supposed to be introduced, a percentage not exceeding 43% of the actual need.

Palestinian government media data showed that the daily average of incoming trucks was only about 260 trucks out of 600 that were supposed to enter daily. This rate covers 59% of aid needs, 39% of commercial needs, and only about 13% of the actual need for fuel.

Israel still prevents the entry of essential materials for infrastructure maintenance, the operation of power generation stations, heavy equipment for civil defense, and health, medical supplies, and medicines.

The Strip's initial need for sheltering displaced persons is about 350,000 tents and mobile homes, which Israel still prevents from entering.

The vast gap between the priorities of the Strip's administration committee and the reality of Gaza's residents is deepening due to the ambiguity of the Israeli decision regarding whether or not to open the Rafah crossing, and its mechanisms for dealing with the committee tasked with administering the Strip according to US President Donald Trump's plan.

The Director-General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Munir Al-Barsh, warned of a comprehensive and unprecedented collapse in the health and humanitarian situation in the Strip, stressing that the Strip is experiencing one of the harshest chapters of tragedy in its history, in light of the continued siege, war, and their repercussions on the lives of residents, especially the displaced who face a worsening environmental and health catastrophe after sewage water flooded their temporary shelters. Sources said that more than 200 families are now living in sewage water, a scene that reflects "the complete collapse of the conditions for a dignified life," noting that what is happening in Gaza cannot be described as a natural disaster, but rather a humanitarian catastrophe made by the occupation, siege, war, and international silence.

He added that the Strip witnessed the death of 24 people in recent days due to the collapse of their homes due to rain, in addition to the death of 9 children due to severe cold, stressing that death in Gaza is no longer only linked to bombing, but has come from hunger, cold, lack of shelter, and absence of medicine. He continued, "Gaza's children do not need sympathy statements, but rather warmth to protect their bodies and a roof to shelter them."

The Director-General of the Ministry of Health highlighted what he described as "the systematic targeting of the Palestinian womb," revealing shocking figures related to reproductive health during 2025. He said that the Strip recorded about 48,000 births, including nearly 4,900 children born with abnormal weights, and more than 4,000 premature births, in addition to documenting more than 315 cases of congenital malformations.

Al-Barsh pointed to 616 intrauterine deaths recorded during the same year, stressing that these figures reflect the reality of "unsafe birth" in light of the shortage of medicines, scarcity of food, and absence of basic health care, and the accompanying congenital malformations and serious complications for mothers and fetuses.

Regarding the discussion about the possibility of opening the Rafah crossing, the Palestinian official expressed his hope that this issue would turn from repeated promises into a tangible reality, stressing that the Ministry of Health in the Strip constantly prepares ready lists, because the need is not for individual cases, but for thousands of patients.

Al-Barsh said that more than 18,500 patients urgently need to travel to receive treatment outside the Strip, and warned that their remaining means "a death sentence," noting that more than 1,022 patients have already died due to their inability to travel.

The Director-General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed the results of a recent report by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on water quality in the Strip, indicating that 2,400 water samples were tested, and it was found that more than 57% of them are unsafe for drinking, meaning that more than half of the water sources do not meet health standards.

Munir Al-Barsh said that water pollution, along with malnutrition and lack of immunity, has led to a widespread outbreak of diseases and viruses, noting the recording of coronavirus cases, which often appear collectively within the same family, and take the form of prolonged fever, exhausting cough, and persistent fatigue.

He added that hunger, siege, and years of fear and deprivation have exhausted the bodies of the residents, leading to a mass outbreak of diseases in various areas of the Strip, stressing that hospitals are overflowing with patients, while intensive care units are operating at an occupancy rate exceeding 150%.

In response to a question about the impact of obstructing the opening of crossings after the ceasefire agreement, the first phase of which entered into force on October 10, 2025, Al-Barsh described what is happening as a silent genocide, stressing that the occupation has killed more than 466 people and injured more than 1,294 others since the agreement came into effect.

He explained that the number of births decreased by 41% compared to previous years, as reported by the British newspaper "The Guardian," where the number of births decreased from about 56,000 in previous years to only 48,000, considering this a direct result of policies targeting maternal and child health through bombing and preventing essential medicines and nutritional supplements.

The advisor to the US President and member of the recently formed Peace Council, Jared Kushner, presented a comprehensive plan for the Gaza Strip, carrying a new vision for its reconstruction and transformation into a massive investment destination. The map, unveiled at the Davos Economic Forum on the sidelines of the announcement of the World Peace Council, includes a detailed division of urban, agricultural, industrial, and tourist areas, in addition to a seaport, airport, and border crossing, promoting a bright future for the Strip, which is suffering from the effects of a devastating war. While Kushner said that "New Gaza can be a source of hope and a destination in itself," many political, economic, and security caveats and concerns come to the fore when scrutinizing the details of the anticipated map.

Political and Security In a reading of Kushner's plan, Rami Khreis, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy Studies, believes that it cannot be dealt with as a humanitarian vision or a rescue project for a devastated sector, as much as it is an integrated political project disguised under an economic and urban cover, which explains the extent of Palestinian doubts and reservations towards it at all political and technical levels.

Sources confirmed that the political dimension of the plan is its true essence, as the reconstruction file in it is linked to a set of clear conditions that reflect what he described as deliberate political engineering, stressing that this plan cannot be separated from the general context of American policy, which has historically been biased towards Israel and aligned with it in many fundamental issues.

He gave an example of this by stipulating the disarmament of the Palestinian resistance in the areas where reconstruction is supposed to begin, considering that this does not represent a technical detail, but rather reveals the nature of the American approach that uses reconstruction as a tool for political pressure and blackmail, and an economic and security measure at the same time.

Khreis added that linking the Palestinian's right to rebuild his home to the dismantling of the resistance's structure makes the chances of the plan's success dependent on a highly complex path, especially given the resistance's understanding that the issue of disarmament is not a technical demand, but a project aimed at ending its deterrent capability.

In his opinion, the economic vision aligns with what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza, proposed in previous periods about economic peace based on improving living conditions without addressing the roots of the conflict and the rights of the Palestinian people.

He stressed that Kushner's plan represents an attempt to reformulate the political and field reality in the Gaza Strip through policies of domestication, subjugation, and control, and to fragment the Palestinian issue into economic and administrative files, while marginalizing fundamental issues such as the right of return for refugees, prisoners, and national sovereignty.

Gaza map as presented by Kushner's plan for the reconstruction of the Strip at the Davos Forum (from Al-Hakeem's account on X) The map presented by Kushner shows the gradual construction of Gaza in stages from south to north, as if the plan seeks to impose a new reality, area by area according to a specific timetable.

The plan divides the Strip into a coast designated for towers and tourism, and eastern industrial border areas that form what is closer to a buffer zone devoid of inhabitants. It also includes a port, airport, railway, and a triple crossing in the far southeast of Rafah, adjacent to the border, making its operation dependent on Israel.

Khreis explained that looking at the maps presented by Kushner raises serious questions about the nature of this plan, considering that what is being proposed reflects precise control engineering, and presents a model of a fragmented city with separate areas and projects that seem designed to serve political and security considerations more than being an actual response to the needs of the residents. Moreover, the arrangement of the reconstruction phases, which begins with certain areas over others, suggests that the process will be linked to the degree of political and security compliance, not to the extent of destruction or humanitarian priorities.

He warned that the absence of urban connectivity between the proposed cities opens the door to questions about whether this engineering aims to facilitate security control and population management, rather than achieving integrated urban development.

The plan, according to Khreis, raises crucial questions related to land ownership, the entities that will manage the projects, who determines the priorities of reconstruction, in addition to the fate of camps and refugees, and whether the residents of Gaza will become mere appendages to the requirements of investors and Israeli security considerations.

Messages and Risks From his side, political writer and analyst Wissam Afifa said that Kushner's new plan sends three central messages about the future of Gaza: the priority of economics over politics, where the discourse accompanying the vision presents material prosperity as an alternative to political rights and national sovereignty. Demographic engineering based on gathering people in functionally planned residential blocks makes society under constant surveillance and management. Conditional reconstruction, as international reports indicate that reconstruction is linked to new security and administrative arrangements, making the building of every stone dependent on a political concession.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump praised Kushner's plan immediately after its presentation at the Davos Forum, and emphasized the importance of the Strip's geographical location, saying, "Gaza is a beautiful piece of land on the sea, and it can become a great place if invested in properly. Those who live in difficult conditions now can enjoy a much better life, and everything starts with the location."

Economically, expert Ahmed Abu Qamar believes that Kushner's project in its current form faces fundamental and complex challenges, starting from political conditions and not ending with the ambiguity of funding and the fate of the population and human resources.

He explained that the most dangerous aspect surrounding it is that it is conditional on disarmament and the transformation of Gaza into a massive investment project, which makes it entirely exposed to high risks and places it in a state of uncertainty.

He added that the announced funding remains vague and unclear, both in terms of its sources and mechanisms of injection, which raises the level of economic risk and serious questions about its feasibility.

He pointed out that one of the most prominent questions that the plan did not answer is the fate of Gaza's residents, asking, "How will they be dealt with? How will those affected be compensated? And where will they live during the implementation phases?"

Abu Qamar stressed that ignoring these questions opens the door to dangerous scenarios, foremost among them forced or voluntary displacement, which the far-right Israeli government had previously announced on previous occasions.

While plans for the reconstruction of Gaza are being put forward, its residents are still living the effects of the devastating war.

Challenges Many challenges stand before the New Gaza project, most notably the challenge of transforming it into a massive investment project in light of this high population density, and within a limited geographical area, a structural challenge that could lead to the failure of the project if it is not addressed with a comprehensive humanitarian and economic vision.

Expert Abu Qamar pointed to several unannounced scenarios circulating in reports regarding housing and property issues, including the inclusion of landowners as small investors, or the purchase of their properties, or the redistribution of properties, which reflects the state of ambiguity and lack of clarity in the future vision.

Regarding human resources, he confirmed that the project did not clearly address the identity of the workforce that will participate in the reconstruction, even though the Gaza Strip has significant human potential, an unemployment rate exceeding 80%, in addition to skilled labor that was historically in demand in regional markets.

He considered the gas file off the coast of Gaza to be one of the unannounced economic motives behind the increasing international interest in the Strip, and the ambitions in it are old and renewed, but the stalled exploration operations are due to the complex political and security conditions.

It is worth noting that two gas fields off the coast of Gaza were discovered more than 25 years ago without actual investment. Their estimated reserve volume is about 28 billion cubic meters, a quantity sufficient to cover the energy needs of the Strip and the West Bank for 15 years according to current consumption rates.

Sources reported intense Israeli artillery shelling within the areas of the occupation army's deployment in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Medical sources confirmed that a Palestinian youth was injured on Friday after being targeted by Israeli drone fire near the Shuja'iyya intersection in the city. The area south of Khan Yunis city also came under heavy fire from Israeli military vehicles, and the Israeli army carried out artillery shelling in various areas of the Gaza Strip, including areas north of Rafah city in the southern part of the Strip, in a daily violation of the ceasefire. This comes a day after 11 Palestinians, including two children and three journalists, were killed in separate attacks in Gaza on Thursday, the highest daily toll since the ceasefire agreement was signed last October.

Infant Youssef Abu Hammad (6 months old) also died due to the severe cold in Khan Yunis, after suffering from illness, amid deteriorating health conditions and a shortage of medicines. This brings the death toll among children in the Gaza Strip due to the severe cold since the beginning of winter to 11 children. The child's father, Abu Hammad - who was blessed with his child after 17 years of waiting - said that he died due to dehydration, following severe diarrhea he was suffering from, and added that doctors were unable to provide treatment for his child due to the lack of medicines and the deteriorating health situation.

Palestinians in the Strip are living in tragic humanitarian conditions, which have worsened during the winter, in light of Israel's evasion of its obligations stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, including opening crossings and allowing the agreed-upon quantities of humanitarian, relief, medical aid, and shelter materials to enter.

UN Appeal The United Nations Office of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory warned on Friday of the continued killing of civilians due to Israeli attacks in Gaza, in the context of a broader pattern of ongoing violence after the signing of the ceasefire agreement, two years after the war.

Ajith Sunghay, director of the UN office, affirmed in a statement that "the international community must intensify support and pressure to stop the bloodshed, and promote a human rights-based approach to recovery and reconstruction."

He said that "the crisis in Gaza is far from over, especially as people are dying daily, either in Israeli attacks or due to the continued Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, especially regarding shelter, which has led to deaths due to the cold and buildings collapsing on those inside."

He pointed out that at least 216 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire until January 21st, including at least 46 children and 28 women, in Israeli attacks that occurred away from what is called the "Yellow Line."

He added that displaced persons' shelters and residential buildings were primarily targeted, and at least 167 Palestinians were killed around the "Yellow Line," including 26 children and 17 women.

Rafah Crossing Meanwhile, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that reopening the Rafah border crossing would expand the scope of humanitarian relief efforts.

Laerke expressed hope to sources on Friday that the Rafah border crossing would be reopened soon to facilitate the movement of goods and people, stressing that resuming the movement of goods through the crossing would increase the volume of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip.

It is worth noting that the head of the Palestinian National Committee for Gaza Administration, Ali Shaath, announced on Thursday in a speech delivered to the "Peace Council" via a video message that the Rafah border crossing would open in both directions next week, and said that "the Rafah crossing is a lifeline, and its opening is a sign that Gaza is no longer closed off from the future and the world."

US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee also predicted on Thursday that Israel would soon reopen the Rafah crossing, and told the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation that "Israel will soon need to open the Rafah crossing, this will happen soon, and Israel will open the crossing."

Informed sources reported that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will arrive in Israel on Saturday for a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, coinciding with Israel's preparations to receive the commander of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper. Sources reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump's envoys on Saturday evening in West Jerusalem. Estimates indicate that the talks will focus on the issue of opening the Rafah crossing and beginning the reconstruction phase in Gaza.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokeswoman Carissa Gonzalez said that the opening of the Rafah crossing is an essential part of the peace plan in the Gaza Strip. She added that the Rafah crossing will open for passage in both directions, emphasizing that President Trump is closely monitoring the matter. While the head of the Gaza management committee, Ali Shaath, said on Thursday that the Rafah crossing would open next week, Israeli reports denied the validity of this, confirming that its opening would not happen before Tel Aviv's full conditions are met. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had confirmed that the Ministerial Committee for National Security Affairs (the 'Cabinet') decided at its last meeting not to open the Rafah crossing at the present time.

High alert In the Iranian file, Israel is preparing to receive the commander of the US Central Command, General Brad Cooper, who will arrive on Saturday for high-level security discussions, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.

Cooper is expected to meet with Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the Air Force Commander to discuss joint preparations amid increasing Israeli expectations of a possible preemptive Iranian attack, according to sources. This comes as Washington escalates its military movements in the region, with US President Donald Trump announcing that a large force is heading towards Iran. Two US officials revealed on Thursday that an aircraft carrier group and other military assets will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, amid Israeli alert for the possibility of a US military strike against Iran within weeks, according to circulating estimates.

The day after the announcement of the "Peace Council" on the sidelines of the Davos Forum in Switzerland, and the controversy that accompanied that step, questions are increasing about the Council's work program, especially regarding the steps to implement US President Donald Trump's plan related to the Gaza Strip. Trump officially announced, last Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the inauguration of the Gaza Peace Council, stressing that the Council includes the best leaders in the world, and has a chance to be one of the most important entities ever created.

In an interview during the (2026/1/23) episode of the program "Events Track", Mignon Houston, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, said that "the Peace Council aims to make the Gaza Strip more secure and prosperous," adding that the priority of President Trump's administration is "the security of the region, and that Gaza be free of the Hamas movement."

The American spokeswoman called on the movement to lay down its arms to begin the reconstruction of the Strip, saying, "We expect Hamas to abide by what it signed and lay down its arms."

Regarding the international stabilization force in Gaza, the spokeswoman confirmed that work is underway on it, and revealed that the final arrangements for opening the Rafah crossing and forming the international force will be discussed today, Saturday, in Tel Aviv.

Houston indicated that "the peace agreement in Gaza may face bumps," stressing that the US administration is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that all parties adhere to peace, and is committed to opening the Rafah crossing.

On the sidelines of the Davos Forum, and after the signing ceremony of the "Peace Council" charter, Jared Kushner, advisor and son-in-law of the US President, presented what he said was a plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which included 4 stages dominated by economic and investment aspects.

Although Mark Feifel, former US National Security Advisor, described the plan presented by Trump's son-in-law as ambitious, he said that there are many public statements about it, pointing to the importance of opening the Rafah crossing to bring aid to the residents of Gaza and provide them with food, medicine, and energy.

Feifel spoke about the need to disarm Hamas, and said that there is also a need to deploy an international stabilization force in Gaza.

Contrary to what the American spokeswoman said regarding the mission of the Peace Council and the plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, Dr. Ibrahim Freihat, Professor of International Conflicts at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, believes that what the Americans are presenting are projects separate from any political horizon regarding the settlement in Gaza, and no Palestinian framework has participated in them.

He pointed out that the Peace Council faces a legitimacy crisis in light of the refusal of major European powers - such as Germany, France, and Spain - to join it, which raises questions about the issue of funding, according to him.

Freihat also pointed out that disarming Hamas - as indicated by Trump's plan - requires the US administration to speak with the movement, which is not happening.

For his part, writer and political analyst, Ahmed Al-Tannani - in his interview with the program "Events Track" - points to the fears of Palestinians in Gaza about American projects, because they bypass - in his opinion - the Israeli occupation and focus on the Palestinian resistance, and do not address the political horizon of the Palestinian people and stopping the interventions of the occupation.

According to academic and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Muhannad Mustafa, Israel is not concerned with Trump's plan, and all it wants is to resolve the Palestinian issue, noting that right-wing ministers in the government objected to the US President's plan because they believe it hinders their settlement projects and does not work to displace the residents of Gaza.

The Hebrew Broadcasting Authority revealed a plan to establish an entirely new crossing near the city of Rafah, aimed at tightening security control over movement.

According to the plan, travelers will undergo strict inspection procedures, including X-ray screening and identity verification. The European Union will manage the Palestinian side in coordination with Palestinian General Intelligence, while the Israeli "Shin Bet" agency will be granted final authority to review lists of those entering and exiting.

Informed sources reported that Israel seeks to engineer the crossing to be a tool for reducing the population density in the Strip, by ensuring that the number of those leaving Gaza for Egypt is significantly greater than the number of those returning to it.

Despite the precise mechanism for imposing these ratios not being clear yet, Israeli officials confirm that the opening of borders and movement across them will remain subject to prior Israeli approval.

The Israeli vision includes establishing a permanent military checkpoint within the Gaza Strip near the border. This checkpoint will require all Palestinians, both departing and returning, to pass through it and undergo strict security inspections by occupation forces, thus ensuring continued direct military control over the border axis, even if international or Palestinian parties are ostensibly involved in managing the crossing.

Amidst these pressures, an inspiring story of steadfastness emerges from the heart of occupied Jerusalem; a Palestinian citizen refused an astronomical offer of 40 million dollars for selling his small shop in the Old City. This stance embodies the Palestinians' attachment to their land and holy sites despite all the surrounding economic and political pressures, reflecting the spirit of popular resistance that remains alive in the face of attempts at displacement and identity change.

The Dutch airline canceled two scheduled flights, on Friday and tomorrow, Saturday, to "Tel Aviv".

Hebrew sources reported that the Dutch airline canceled two scheduled flights, on Friday and tomorrow, Saturday, to "Tel Aviv".

According to the sources, the Dutch company did not specify the reasons behind this sudden cancellation, but this measure comes in conjunction with escalating security tensions in the region, and similar precautionary steps taken by international airlines for fear of a widespread military confrontation.

The security and military apparatuses in the occupation raised the state of alert to the highest degree, amid increasing expectations of a potential preemptive Iranian attack.

The occupation's intelligence estimates indicate that Tehran may initiate a military strike in response to recent threats, which prompted the Israeli army to strengthen air defense systems and intensify monitoring on all fronts.

In parallel with defense, Israel continues its preparations for a potential attack targeting Iranian territory. These field developments come in light of recent warnings from US President Donald Trump and his deployment of massive fleets to the region, which increased the pace of expectations of an imminent military clash, at a time when international parties are seeking to gauge the military readiness of both Tel Aviv and Tehran.

Kushner's vision contradicts UN estimates, as the Office for Project Services confirms that Gaza contains 60 million tons of rubble.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and advisor, presented an architectural and technical vision for the future of the Gaza Strip during his participation in the Davos Forum, where he painted a picture of a modern city including smart cities and tourist areas on the Mediterranean coast. Despite these visions, which some experts described as "fanciful," the complex reality on the ground, the spread of rubble, and the presence of occupation forces, pose serious obstacles to the implementation of such projects, which require enormous temporal and financial megaprojects.

Kushner claimed in his speech that it is possible to rebuild Gaza quickly if security is provided, proposing the construction of modern roads and a new airport to replace the airport destroyed by the occupation two decades ago, in addition to a developed port.

The plan includes eight residential areas interspersed with parks and sports facilities, with the coastal strip designated for tourism, where Palestinians currently live in fragile tents. He also highlighted the sectors of "advanced manufacturing" and "data centers," noting that construction would begin in Rafah to secure housing for workers, before moving on to build what he called "New Gaza."

Kushner's vision contradicts UN estimates, as the Office for Project Services confirms that Gaza contains 60 million tons of rubble that will take more than seven years to remove, without accounting for the complexities of dismantling unexploded ordnance spread everywhere.

Experts pointed out that Kushner avoided clarifying how to deal with mine clearance or housing for residents during the construction period, especially since the cost of reconstruction is estimated at about 70 million dollars according to joint estimates by the World Bank and the European Union.

The success of Kushner's plan is linked to the condition of achieving security, as the "Peace Council" works with the occupation to de-escalate and focus on disarming Hamas. An American-backed Palestinian committee is supposed to oversee this process, with the integration of rival armed groups into a national alliance.

Despite this, these visions remain subject to rejection by the occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, while analysts believe that high-rise building projects will not be accepted by the occupation authorities for security reasons, as they would expose border military bases.

For their part, Hamas officials affirm their right to resist the occupation, despite expressing willingness to consider "freezing" weapons within the framework of establishing a state.

Hebrew media sources reported that preparations for the opening of the crossing have actually been completed, and the occupation's broadcasting authority revealed that the issue of operating the Rafah border crossing has been settled. It was decided to establish an additional crossing called "Rafah 2", which will be adjacent to the currently existing crossing, and the occupation forces will operate it themselves.

In contrast, the main crossing will be managed by the "European Union Border Assistance Mission", a civilian mission aimed at supporting local authorities in improving their border management, and will work in coordination with elements of the Palestinian Authority's General Intelligence Service to manage border movement.

The arrangements, according to what the broadcasting authority reported, stipulate that the European mission will provide the occupation side with lists of those entering the Gaza Strip, to be subjected to security checks by the "Shin Bet" agency.

This process will rely on remote verification technologies, which include facial imaging and identity card checks, without the need for a direct field presence of occupation forces inside the crossing's corridors.

These measures come within the second phase of understandings, despite the contradiction between the announced political statements and the executive data on the ground.

Hebrew media sources reported that preparations for the opening of the crossing have actually been completed, and it is expected to happen within 48 hours of the official approval, as part of the second phase of US President "Trump's" understandings.

Egypt had informed the technocrat committee of the imminent opening date as a result of pressure exerted by America on the occupation side to expedite the process, allowing committee members to enter and begin their tasks.

These trends were supported by the statement of the head of the technocrat government in Gaza, "Ali Shaath", during his speech at the "Peace Council" meeting held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he confirmed that the crossing would open in both directions next week.

In a related context, sources quoted a senior Palestinian source as saying that some members of the military wing of the Hamas movement, who left for treatment, may be able to return through the crossing without the occupation being able to prevent it, indicating the actual limits of control.

For its part, the office of the occupation prime minister announced that the mini-cabinet would discuss the issue of opening the crossing in conjunction with the file of recovering the body of the detained soldier "Ron Guili" at next week's session, stressing that special efforts are being made to bring him back.

These developments reflect the transition of the Rafah file to the operational implementation stage through a system that combines international and Palestinian administration and the occupation's security control, to achieve a balance between humanitarian needs and security demands.