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.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported today, Monday, that hospitals received 6 martyrs and 40 injured during the past twenty-four hours, due to the continued Israeli violations of the recently concluded ceasefire agreement. These new casualties come amidst a deteriorating humanitarian situation and continuous attempts to retrieve victims from targeted areas.

According to the daily statistical report issued by the Ministry of Health, the total death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,769 martyrs, in addition to 172,704 people sustaining various injuries, reflecting the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe facing the Strip.

Regarding the period following the announcement of the ceasefire on October 11 last year, sources clarified that the number of martyrs increased to 877, while injuries reached 2,602 cases. Specialized teams have also managed to recover 776 bodies from under the rubble since the truce began, while reports of missing persons still indicate the presence of victims in places difficult for civil defense crews to reach.

Many victims remain under the rubble and in the streets, with ambulance and rescue teams unable to reach them to this moment.

The commander of the Israeli occupation army's Central Command, Avi Bluth, approved a new military order on Sunday evening that legalizes the application of the death penalty against Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank. This military move gives the green light to military courts to issue death sentences against Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis, under the pretext of 'denying the existence of the State of Israel'.

Media sources reported that this military order grants military judges broad powers, with a legal loophole that allows for the replacement of the death penalty with life imprisonment in cases described as 'exceptional'. This measure aims to institutionalize executions within the military judicial system that has managed Palestinian affairs in the occupied territories for decades.

Last March, the Israeli Knesset paved the way for this step by approving the 'Execution of Terrorists' law with direct support from Benjamin Netanyahu, despite international human rights warnings. At the time, the law was supported by 62 members against 48, a move that human rights organizations considered an entrenchment of the apartheid system and blatant legal discrimination.

Legal interpretation of the military order's text indicates that it is specifically designed to target Palestinians, as the evidentiary conditions related to ideological motives make it difficult to apply to settlers. According to legal sources, this discrimination makes it almost impossible to prosecute perpetrators of attacks by Jewish extremists under the same law.

In a related context, reports clarified that this legislation does not cover 'elite' elements of the Hamas movement who participated in the events of October 7, as a separate legal path and military court have been allocated for them. This multiplicity of laws reflects the occupation authorities' desire to create a complex punitive system that ensures the maximum degree of abuse for prisoners of all classifications.

For his part, Defense Minister Israel Katz pushed for this military amendment to overcome legal obstacles that prevented the direct application of Knesset civil laws in the West Bank. Katz stated that the goal is to ensure that no 'comfortable conditions' are provided for those he describes as terrorists inside prisons, emphasizing the need to activate maximum deterrent tools.

Legal bodies within the Knesset warned that imposing these legislations on West Bank residents who do not hold Israeli citizenship represents a grave violation of international law. The legal advisor to the National Security Committee considered that this approach breaks an Israeli policy followed for decades that avoided the direct application of Knesset laws in the occupied territories.

On the human rights front, data indicates that there are more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons, suffering from tragic detention conditions including systematic torture and deprivation of treatment. Among these prisoners are about 350 children and 73 women, all facing the danger of new laws that legalize cold-blooded killing under judicial cover.

Statistics from the Prisoners' Affairs Authority indicate that there are at least 117 Palestinian prisoners who immediately meet the criteria of the new death penalty law. This number raises serious concerns about the start of a wave of field and legal executions that could lead to an unprecedented explosion of the situation in the occupied territories.

This legal escalation comes at a time when the occupation continues its widespread aggression on the Gaza Strip, where the number of victims has exceeded 72,000 martyrs and 172,000 injured. Observers believe that the activation of the death penalty law is part of a comprehensive war waged by the far-right government to liquidate the Palestinian issue and intimidate the resistance in both the West Bank and Gaza.

Those who kill Jews will not receive comfortable conditions in prisons, and we will work to apply deterrent penalties against them.

Israeli settlers have escalated their attacks on Palestinian properties in the cities of Hebron and Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Field sources reported that armed groups set fire to agricultural facilities and cut down fruitful trees. These attacks occur under the direct protection of the occupation army, leading to injuries among citizens who attempted to defend their properties.

In details of the attacks in Hebron, settlers stormed the Wadi Al-Rakheem area and targeted the home of citizen Riyad Shanaran, where they deliberately set fire to a sheep pen and a traditional tabun oven. The incident resulted in the homeowner sustaining burns to his hand while desperately trying to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the dwelling.

In Ramallah Governorate, human rights organizations documented settlers cutting down a number of olive trees in the town of Taybeh, as part of a systematic policy aimed at destroying the Palestinian agricultural sector. The attacks were not limited to inanimate objects, but extended to children in the Abu Faza' Al-Kaabneh community, who were chased and intimidated while on their way to school.

According to official reports issued by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, these attacks have caused severe losses, including the uprooting and poisoning of more than 4,400 olive trees in various governorates. These acts of sabotage were concentrated in the areas of Hebron, Nablus, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, threatening the primary source of livelihood for thousands of Palestinian families in those areas.

These attacks coincide with the ongoing Israeli military incursions into West Bank cities and towns, which have intensified unprecedentedly since October 2023. Data indicates that these practices are part of a general climate that allows settlers to act with complete freedom to implement plans of forced displacement and to restrict Bedouin and agricultural communities.

Regarding the overall toll, official Palestinian data indicates that the attacks by the occupation and settlers have resulted in the martyrdom of 1,162 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 12,245 others in the West Bank. Arrest campaigns have also reached record levels, with the number of detainees reaching nearly 23,000 citizens, amid extremely complex field conditions.

Settlers stormed the Abu Faza' Al-Kaabneh community and assaulted children through intimidation and harassment while they were on their way to school.

The organizers of the "Fleet of Steadfastness" initiative, aimed at breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip, announced that one of the participating boats managed to evade interception attempts by the Israeli occupation navy. Participants confirmed that the boat is steadily continuing its journey towards the shores of the Strip, defying the intense pursuit and harassment operations the fleet faced in international waters.

In field details from the heart of the event, Khalil Al-Obaidi, one of the participants on board the ship "Al-Qasr 1," explained that the boat's crew engaged in a complex naval maneuver that lasted for more than two hours. Al-Obaidi indicated that this maneuver enabled them to penetrate the first military interception barrier imposed by the occupation in the open sea, allowing them to continue their journey.

Al-Obaidi added in live updates that the occupation's warships were behind them after the successful infiltration of the security cordon. He stressed that the current destination is directly Gaza port, despite the imminent dangers and continuous threats facing the journey amid widespread Israeli alert.

For his part, former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki joined the statements, confirming that a number of boats had indeed succeeded in escaping the grip of Israeli forces. Marzouki explained that this success came despite at least ten other boats being subjected to direct interception operations by the occupation navy, which tried to prevent their progress.

Marzouki pointed out in statements made today, Monday, that the issue of these boats reaching the shores of Gaza remains fraught with risks and is not definitively resolved. However, he affirmed that the determination to break the siege will remain, and attempts will not stop, no matter the magnitude of the challenges or military obstacles placed in the way.

The former Tunisian President considered that the "Fleet of Steadfastness" has already achieved a large part of its political and moral objectives before its field arrival. He believed that the most important message that reached the occupation is that the siege imposed on Gaza cannot last forever, and that it is destined to disappear thanks to international popular will and humanitarian initiatives.

Marzouki stressed that the occupation authorities are currently fighting a completely losing battle in terms of international reputation and moral standing before the world. He explained that any field gains the occupation might achieve by intercepting ships are met with severe diplomatic losses and an escalation in the pace of global criticism of its policies towards civilians in Gaza.

According to the organizers, the messages of this fleet extend beyond Palestinian geography to reach decision-making centers in the international community. The movement primarily aims to stir stagnant waters in European capitals and the United States, to pressure for an end to the deafening silence regarding ongoing Israeli violations.

These developments come amid a state of popular and human rights anticipation for the fate of the boats that managed to cross, with international organizations closely monitoring the journey. This attempt is considered one of the most daring attempts in recent years to break the naval blockade imposed on the Strip for many years.

Participants concluded their affirmations that the journey is not just a relief effort, but a political cry in the face of an international community that is failing to protect Palestinian rights. The surviving boats continue to make their way through the sea, with hopes that this step will create real pressure to open waterways for Palestinians.

After a maneuver lasting more than two hours, we managed to bypass the first interception barrier imposed by the occupation forces, and we are now directly on our way to Gaza.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip issued a strong warning coinciding with World Hypertension Day, confirming that the lives of approximately 225,000 patients are directly threatened. Medical sources explained that this disease, known as the 'silent killer,' is spreading in an environment lacking the most basic healthcare provisions, which portends an unprecedented rise in sudden death cases among those affected.

The Ministry stated in an urgent press release that the severe shortage of essential medications for treating blood vessels represents the biggest obstacle to stabilizing patient conditions, especially with the general drug deficit reaching 50%. The complete cessation of regular check-ups for long periods has also deprived patients of the opportunity to control the disease before it worsens, turning stable cases into critical ones lacking even minimal follow-up.

Sources indicated that the systematic destruction of primary healthcare centers has led to a complete absence of monitoring and early diagnosis, leaving patients to face their fate without medical coverage. This health collapse coincides with the lack of healthy, balanced food and living in a polluted environment that weakens the immunity of exhausted bodies, thereby exacerbating the burden of the disease on the most vulnerable groups in Gazan society.

In a related context, medical teams stressed that repeated and forced displacement under the constant bombardment has created severe psychological and nervous pressures that increase the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. The spread of poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity has also contributed to accelerating the pace of fatal complications, at a time when the deficit in medical consumables has reached 57% and laboratory materials around 71%.

The Ministry of Health renewed its urgent call to the international community and UN institutions for immediate intervention to save thousands of lives before it's too late, demanding the provision of urgent shipments of chronic disease medications. The Ministry affirmed that the continued destruction of the healthcare system requires serious international action to improve living and environmental conditions and stop the bleeding in the health sector, which has become unable to meet patients' needs.

High blood pressure has become a ticking time bomb, claiming patients' lives without prior warning amidst the absence of care and diagnosis.

The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) has issued an international warning regarding escalating Israeli policies targeting archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In a joint statement with the Committee on Academic Freedom, the association affirmed that the occupation seeks to establish direct civilian control over Palestinian cultural heritage, employing archaeology as a political tool to seize land and fragment the historical ties of the Palestinian people to their land.

The association sent urgent messages to senior international officials, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and the Director-General of UNESCO, to alert them to the seriousness of a bill recently approved by the Israeli Knesset. This legislation, which passed its first reading, aims to establish a so-called 'Judea and Samaria Heritage Authority' to be affiliated with the Israeli Ministry of Heritage, giving settlers direct influence over historical sites in areas classified as 'C'.

Sources explained that this legal shift represents a transition from temporary military administration to permanent civilian administration, which falls within the plans for the 'creeping annexation' of the occupied territories. The association considered that subjecting archaeological sites to Israeli political appointments primarily aims to serve the settlement agenda and change the demographic and geographical reality under the guise of preserving heritage and historical antiquities.

In a related context, the message warned of the law's repercussions on the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron, where the occupation seeks to transfer renovation and oversight powers from the Palestinian Hebron Municipality to settlement bodies. Academics described this step as an illegal assault on legitimate Palestinian jurisdiction over a global religious and heritage site, threatening to erase civilizational evidence that does not conform to the Israeli narrative.

The association stressed that these measures constitute a grave violation of international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also noted that these steps undermine the legal frameworks established by UNESCO to protect world heritage and prevent illicit trafficking in antiquities, placing the international community before a moral and legal responsibility to stop these transgressions.

The message touched upon living examples of systematic erasure in sites such as Sebastia, Susiya, Battir, and Silwan, where archaeological classifications are used as a pretext to restrict Palestinian urban and agricultural expansion and displace them from their homes. It affirmed that the occupation re-presents these sites as an exclusive biblical heritage, ignoring the multiple civilizational layers—Islamic, Christian, and human—that form the core of the region's historical identity.

The association concluded by calling on international organizations to activate oversight tools over Israeli practices and protect the 'living memory' of the Palestinian people from systematic erasure. It called for the rejection of all measures aimed at marginalizing non-Jewish heritage, emphasizing that the protection of antiquities must remain free from political instrumentalization that seeks to legitimize the occupation and sever the Palestinian people's connection to their ancient cultural heritage.

This proposed body will transfer the management of archaeological sites from military administration to a civilian authority under the influence of the settlement movement, which is a step towards the direct annexation of Palestinian land.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education and British Council signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this week, marking an important milestone in UK–Palestine academic cooperation under the Higher Education Scholarship Palestine (HESPAL) programme.

Signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah, the agreement strengthens collaboration in higher education and scientific research between Palestinian and UK institutions. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Prof. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Shahida MacDougall, British Council Director in Palestine, in the presence of the British Consul General in Jerusalem, Helen Winterton.

The agreement establishes a framework for deeper cooperation between UK and Palestinian higher education institutions, reinforcing the British Council’s long-standing commitment to supporting higher education in Palestine through the HESPAL programme. Through this partnership, the British Council works with 19 universities across Palestine and 35 UK universities to strengthen academic collaboration, research partnerships and international exchange opportunities.

The collaboration will expand academic partnerships between UK and Palestinian universities, promote collaborative research through grants and research opportunities, increase scholarships, offer a new fellowship programme and create capacity-building opportunities for Palestinian academics and institutions.

Shahida MacDougall, British Council Director in Palestine, said:

“This agreement reflects the long-standing and mutually beneficial partnership between Palestine and the UK in higher education and research. Through HESPAL, Palestinian scholars and researchers have made valuable contributions to academic communities in both Palestine and the UK through innovative research, leadership and collaboration. We are proud to continue creating opportunities that strengthen institutions, support academic resilience and deepen cooperation between Palestinian and UK universities.”

The MoU comes at a particularly important moment for Palestinian higher education, as universities, academics and students continue to face unprecedented challenges, particularly in Gaza and across the West Bank. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustaining access to quality education, supporting academic resilience and creating opportunities for future generations of students and researchers

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.

HESPAL is a flagship scholarship and capacity-building programme that supports Palestinian academics and professionals to pursue postgraduate study opportunities in the UK. Since its launch 15 years ago, the programme has played a significant role in strengthening Palestinian higher education institutions through the development of academic leadership, research capacities and institutional partnerships between Palestinian and UK universities.

www.britishcouncil.org

The corridors of American think tanks are witnessing a heated debate about the future of global hegemony, led by prominent academics and theorists such as Robert Kagan, a pillar of the 'neoconservatives'. They believe that current foreign policy faces a strategic dilemma that redefines the concept of American imperial power and its impact on Washington's international reputation.

In a striking article in 'The Atlantic' magazine, Kagan argued that the Trump administration has become unable to retreat from the path of confrontation or control its catastrophic repercussions. He stressed that the failure to extract real concessions from the Iranian regime, despite intensive military operations, reflects the limits of hard power in changing the regional political reality.

Despite the destructive force used in the last 37-day war, joint US-Israeli efforts failed to overthrow the existing regime. This failure has led some to call for a comprehensive ground invasion, an option analysts consider unlikely given current balances and logistical and political complexities.

These views intersect with the demands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who seeks to acquire enriched uranium stockpiles under the rubble. The American side threatens to re-target Iranian nuclear facilities if Tehran refuses to hand over radioactive materials that survived the previous bombing last June.

US strategy has shifted from direct military confrontation to a suffocating naval blockade, with the US Navy imposing a cordon on the Strait of Hormuz for over a month. This measure aims to cripple the Iranian economy and prevent the export of oil and gas, in an attempt to force concessions in stalled negotiations mediated regionally.

On the other hand, China emerges as a rival power that refuses to submit to American dictates, as President Xi Jinping affirmed 'red lines' during his meeting with Trump. Beijing refuses to stop buying Iranian oil, considering that the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is an international interest not subject to fees or political blackmail.

'Thucydides' Trap' stands out as a historical projection that Chinese leaders warn against, referring to the inevitable conflict between a dominant power (America) and a rising power (China). This concept, derived from the ancient Greek wars, indicates that the fear of losing status is the primary driver of major conflicts that threaten world peace.

US intelligence and defense reports confirm that China is the only competitor capable of challenging American leadership in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, and space. It is no longer about a competitor that can be contained, but an international pole that imposes a new strategic reality that transcends the traditional capabilities of American deterrence.

Meanwhile, Tehran seeks to establish a 'win-win' equation in international forums such as the BRICS summit, benefiting from Chinese and Russian support. This trend reflects an Iranian desire to break international isolation and circumvent sanctions by building strong economic alliances with rising powers in the East.

The question remains about the international community's ability to avoid sliding into a comprehensive war, given the declining trust in the American ally. Mismanagement of competition between great powers could lead to a repetition of bloody historical scenarios, unless the language of cooperation prevails over the logic of hegemony and confrontation.

The rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta made war inevitable.

The results of the recent Fatah elections cannot be read as a limited internal organizational event. Rather, they represent a revealing political moment for the movement's repositioning within the Palestinian scene, at a stage where deep internal transformations intersect with unprecedented regional and international changes after the Gaza war.

At this precise moment, the importance of the elections is not measured solely by the positions and names they produced, but by the general direction they reflect: How does Fatah see itself today? And how does it see its position within a Palestinian national project that is being reshaped under the pressure of accelerating realities?

The results, in their political reading, reveal that the movement has so far chosen the path of "managing continuity" more than the option of "radical transformation." The basic leadership structure still tends to reproduce internal power balances, with a limited introduction of new faces, without affecting the essence of the existing organizational equation. This reflects a clear concern: preserving the cohesion of the movement at a highly sensitive Palestinian and regional moment.

However, this choice cannot be separated from a parallel reality that has become clearer after the Gaza war: Fatah today effectively sits at the forefront of the Palestinian political scene, amidst the decline of Hamas's external presence and the diminishing influence of other Palestinian organizations at the international and regional levels compared to the previous stage. This reality grants the movement greater political weight in representing the Palestinian cause externally, and in managing communication with regional and international actors.

Here lies the fundamental paradox: Fatah is in an unprecedented position of relative strength, but at the same time, it faces a crisis of project, not just a crisis of position.

The movement, which represents the backbone of the Palestinian National Authority, still holds the keys to the existing political system, but it faces a deeper challenge related to its ability to transform this weight into renewed legitimacy, not just continuous management of reality.

The elections came in a highly complex Palestinian context. The Gaza war was not just a military confrontation, but a moment that reshaped global awareness of the Palestinian issue, bringing it back to the forefront of international discussion. For the first time in decades, Palestine is no longer a marginal issue, but a central one in the global ethical and political debate, driven by widespread popular movements in universities, streets, and institutions around the world.

This external shift created a rare opportunity, but at the same time placed a double burden on the Palestinian leadership: How can this global momentum be translated into tangible political results?

Internally, the Fatah election results show an attempt to maintain a delicate balance between internal stability and preventing organizational disintegration, and the need for limited renewal that does not threaten the existing structure. But at the same time, they reveal that the ceiling for change is still constrained by internal calculations more than by the dictates of comprehensive national transformation.

The deeper dilemma is that the new Palestinian generation no longer measures legitimacy from the perspective of history alone, but from the perspective of the ability to act, influence, and create a political horizon. This creates a growing gap between the traditional structure of the movement and the general popular mood.

Nevertheless, Fatah's current position cannot be ignored. The movement, by virtue of its organizational and political weight, its presence in the Authority's institutions, and the decline of Hamas's direct external presence, has become the primary central player in the current Palestinian scene. This grants it a rare political opportunity that may not be easily repeated.

But this opportunity carries its essential condition: transforming from managing dominance to investing in it.

Possessing the lead at a moment of declining rivals is not enough to produce sustainable legitimacy, unless it is translated into a clear political project that redefines the national role and accommodates the global transformations that have reshaped the image of Palestine in international consciousness.

The world after the Gaza war no longer deals with the Palestinian issue as a traditional negotiation file, but as a matter of justice, rights, and a political narrative being shaped in the media, universities, international courts, and global public opinion. This opens a window of strategic opportunity for Palestinians, but it also imposes new conditions for political effectiveness.

Hence, the Fatah election results become part of a question larger than their organizational details: Can the movement move from a position of relative strength to a position of effective political leadership for a renewed national project?

Or will it be content with managing a stage characterized by declining rivals and growing crises, without redefining its role in the new historical moment?

What these elections reveal in their depth is not just an internal rearrangement, but a test of Fatah's ability to transform the current balance in the Palestinian arena into a viable political project, before the moment of leadership turns into a lost opportunity in a history changing faster than institutions can keep up with it.

The Palestinian arena has recently witnessed internal activity represented by the elections of the two central movements, Fatah and Hamas, where supporters of both parties celebrated results considered a path to renewing organizational structure. However, interpretations of these outcomes varied between those who see it as a healthy step and those who criticize its ability to bring about real change in overall political performance.

Current data indicate that the chances of a third current emerging to break the intensity of traditional polarization appear very slim, at least for the next four years. It is ingrained in the collective consciousness that the struggle between the two major poles will remain the primary driver of Palestinian political life, despite all criticisms directed at them.

This political situation coincides with accelerating threats, most notably the emergence of separatist tendencies in the Gaza Strip, fueled by the occupation and harsh humanitarian conditions. This erosion of the unified political system opens the door to complex scenarios that threaten the unity of Palestinian national representation in international forums.

At the popular level, there is a clear public apathy towards engaging in organized political work, due to the high cost of affiliation and the rigidity of organizational structures. This reluctance has led to a decline in the factions' ability to convince the street of the usefulness of participation in the absence of tangible results on the ground.

In light of this institutional confusion, tribal structures and interest-based sectors have begun to rise as alternatives that provide protection and support to citizens. This shift reflects a state of loss of trust in official political institutions and a search for more traditional frameworks capable of meeting immediate needs.

Palestinian political movement suffers from a clear inability to formulate a comprehensive national program that responds to the complexities of the current stage and its major challenges. This programmatic vacuum paves the way for international powers to impose unilateral paths that bypass existing representative frameworks.

Indicators are increasing that the United States and Israel are seeking to test new political formations as alternatives to current Palestinian institutions. These attempts aim to create a new political reality that aligns with the security and political visions of external powers, away from national constants.

The fundamental question remains about the extent to which internal elections can bring about a qualitative transformation in political discourse and practice. So far, indicators still suggest a reproduction of the same old patterns that governed organizational work over the past years without fundamental change.

At this delicate stage, the Palestinian national project needs to restore societal trust by building a convincing representative structure. This structure must reflect forces with real popular weight, away from the narrow quota system that has exhausted the national situation.

Formulating a practical program that addresses people's daily concerns and alleviates their economic and social wounds has become an urgent necessity. The Palestinian citizen in the West Bank and Gaza needs a political vision that intersects with their livelihood needs and provides them with the means to steadfastness on their land.

A phased political vision for the next five years must be developed, focusing primarily on stopping the war of extermination and confronting settlement encroachment. This vision must prioritize strengthening the steadfastness of Palestinians in the face of forced displacement policies.

It is essential to stop the bleeding in national consciousness by protecting the rights of the families of martyrs, prisoners, and wounded, given their moral symbolism. Any infringement on these issues weakens the internal front and negatively affects the morale of the Palestinian people in facing challenges.

The stage requires a comprehensive restructuring of Authority institutions to enhance efficiency in vital sectors such as health, education, and internal security. Selection and employment mechanisms must be based on criteria of competence and professionalism to ensure the best services are provided to citizens and the rights of employees are protected.

In conclusion, balancing active diplomatic action and popular steadfastness on the ground is the only way to confront Israeli control projects. Reality dictates that political forces reach a minimum level of joint action to overcome the prolonged state of stagnation.

Moving from a state of waiting to a state of action is not a political luxury, but a historical and national duty imposed by the complexities of the current stage.

Hebrew media sources have revealed a prominent international legal development, as the International Criminal Court has issued secret arrest warrants for five Israeli officials. This step comes within the framework of ongoing investigations by the court regarding war crimes and genocide committed in the Gaza Strip, in addition to settlement expansion files in the occupied West Bank.

Reports quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the list of new wanted persons includes high-ranking political figures, along with two senior military commanders in the occupation army. Despite confirmation of the issuance of these warrants, the exact timing of their issuance remains confidential, and the names have not been officially disclosed to ensure the effectiveness of legal prosecution.

These secret warrants are an extension of the legal procedures initiated by the court in November 2024, when it issued public arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Security Yoav Gallant. This expansion of the wanted list indicates the international public prosecutor's determination to prosecute the leadership structure responsible for military operations and settlement policies.

In a related context, previous reports had indicated that the court's prosecutor's office was seriously considering prosecuting extremist ministers in the Israeli government, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. These prosecutions are linked to inflammatory policies and field measures that contributed to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalation of settlement activities.

The issuance of these warrants entails strict legal obligations on member states of the Rome Statute, as these states become obligated to arrest the officials covered by the warrants and hand them over to the court if they enter their territories. This move imposes additional international isolation on the Israeli leadership and tightens the noose on the movements of its officials in the international arena.

The court issued arrest warrants against five Israeli officials, including political figures and two military officials.

The Gaza Strip has been facing a continuous field escalation for several days, as Israeli forces have intensified their aerial and artillery bombardment of densely populated areas. These repeated targeting incidents have exacerbated the state of instability and increased the scale of humanitarian suffering experienced by the residents of the Strip under harsh conditions.

The death toll has risen in recent hours to at least 13 martyrs, eight of whom fell in an airstrike targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a leader in the Al-Qassam Brigades. These field developments come at a time when battle axes are witnessing intermittent clashes and intense gunfire in vital areas.

In details of Sunday's field developments, five Palestinians were martyred and others injured as a result of raids targeting various locations. The bombing coincided with intense gunfire from military vehicles in areas south of Khan Yunis and the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, located east of Gaza City, which disrupted the movement of citizens.

Medical sources at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the arrival of the bodies of three martyrs and a number of injured people following a raid carried out by an Israeli drone in Deir al-Balah city. Nasser Medical Complex also confirmed the martyrdom of another Palestinian in a similar bombing that targeted the center of Khan Yunis city in the southern Strip, amidst continuous intensive air activity.

In the northern Strip, the targeting did not stop, as a drone launched a raid on Jabalia camp at dawn on Sunday, resulting in the martyrdom of a Palestinian and the injury of others with varying degrees of wounds. Military operations are currently concentrated in the southern areas, with daily field breaches including artillery shelling and gunfire from warships.

On the humanitarian front, Ministry of Health data indicates a continuous increase in the number of victims since the start of the war in October 2023, with the toll reaching tens of thousands. Civil defense crews still face extreme difficulties in recovering the missing from under the rubble due to a lack of equipment and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

The remaining hospitals in service are suffering from immense pressure beyond their capacity due to a severe shortage of medicines and fuel needed to operate generators. This catastrophic situation threatens the continuity of life-saving health services, especially in intensive care and emergency departments that are overflowing with injured people.

Regarding humanitarian aid, the Government Media Office revealed that the percentage of trucks allowed to enter since October 10th has not exceeded 38% of the actual need. These supplies are subject to strict restrictions that prevent the entry of essential items, leading to a crazy rise in prices and a severe shortage of food.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people live in overcrowded tents and shelters that lack the most basic necessities for a dignified life, especially in the southern areas. With the continued قطع of water and electricity, the humanitarian crisis deepens and becomes more complex in the absence of any near political horizon for a permanent ceasefire.

The number of aid trucks that entered the Strip since the start of the ceasefire did not exceed 38% of the supposed total.

Brigadier General Hassan Jouni, a military and strategic expert, revealed the features of a radical transformation in the security doctrine of the occupation army within the Gaza Strip, stressing that the military leadership no longer deals with control lines as temporal intervals for withdrawal. He explained that the occupation has transformed these lines into launching pads for expanding military operations and imposing field realities aimed at securing a long-term presence and changing previously agreed-upon rules of engagement.

The military analysis indicated that what is known as the 'Yellow Line', which in agreements with the Hamas movement represented a transitional phase for withdrawal and facilitating the prisoner exchange file, has effectively been bypassed. Instead of retreating, Israeli forces launched from it towards the so-called 'Orange Line', leading to the emergence of a new security operations area located between these two lines, which reflects a comprehensive change in the Israeli vision towards the geography of the Strip.

Jouni clarified that the occupation has shifted from a strategy of 'gradual withdrawal' to a systematic policy of 'land grabbing', where the buffer zones have become areas for maneuver and continuous military movement. Through this expansion, the occupation army aims to tighten its control over Salah al-Din Street, which is the vital artery connecting the north and south of the Strip, to ensure complete control over movement and displacement.

On the humanitarian level, the military expert noted that the Israeli security vision ignores the presence of more than two million Palestinians besieged in a very narrow area not exceeding 30% of Gaza's total area. Tel Aviv deals with the Strip as an abstract 'security operations area', without regard for the high population density or the basic living needs of citizens facing harsh conditions.

The analysis suggests that the current escalation, which includes intensive raids, assassinations, and expansion of areas of influence, comes as an exploitation of a critical regional moment characterized by international preoccupation with the Iranian file and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Israeli government finds in this preoccupation a favorable opportunity to redraw security rules in Gaza away from international pressures that might demand a ceasefire or a comprehensive withdrawal.

The military reading linked these field movements to the statements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed his forces controlled about 60% of the Strip's area. Through these figures, Netanyahu seeks to export 'military gains' to the Israeli public, in an attempt to cover up security failures in confronting regional threats and increasing challenges on the northern front with Lebanon.

Regarding the negotiation track, Jouni stressed that the issue of disarming the resistance remains the main obstacle hindering any real progress, as the Hamas movement insists on linking this file to the full implementation of the first phase of the agreement. In contrast, Israel places disarmament as a prerequisite for any understandings, which keeps negotiations in a state of continuous stalemate amidst a field insistence on establishing the reality of a 'dynamic operations zone'.

Israel has shifted from the concept of gradual withdrawal to a policy of land grabbing, transforming Gaza into a security operations area, not a populated region.