The Gilboa Prison administration uses electric shocks as a means of torturing prisoners, increasing their suffering.

Mohammad Shahada was not just a news reporter; he was the voice of the field and the image of reality.

The cabinet's decision tonight is a disaster that will lead to many other disasters.

The acting spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Tommy Bigot, stated on Thursday that the United States condemns the violence in the West Bank.

Bigot, responding to a question from a Jerusalem reporter regarding settler violence, noted that Palestinian villages are facing an increasing rate of violence in light of the absence of accountability and the impunity, especially since "dozens of U.S. lawmakers have visited the settlements, describing the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, and claiming it is a 'legitimate right for the Jews,' and so on: 'Well, our position is that we want to see a stable West Bank that maintains Israel's security and aligns with this administration's goal of achieving peace in the region. In the short term, we continue to focus on ending the war in Gaza.'

In response to a question from the Jerusalem reporter regarding what a group of Israeli academics wrote about Israel quietly annexing the West Bank, Bigot said: 'Once we have broader discussions about what we might see leading to longer-term peace and prosperity in the region - I won't outline that here. But we have consistently condemned violence in the West Bank from this platform and elsewhere, regardless of who commits it. We want to see a stable West Bank that, again, maintains Israel's security and aligns with our ultimate goal of seeing a prosperous region.'

It is noteworthy that a group of Israeli academics published a joint article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz last Tuesday discussing the ongoing 'quiet annexation' of the occupied West Bank, especially since the Knesset voted on July 23 in favor of a seemingly dramatic declaration: recognizing the right of the State of Israel in Judea and Samaria, and reinforcing Israeli sovereignty over the Jewish settlements in the area (in Area C). Israeli media announced that this is the 'beginning of the annexation' of the West Bank to the State of Israel.

The academics stated in their article: 'But the reality is quite the opposite: this declaration is not the beginning. It is a smokescreen designed to obscure the fact that annexation has already occurred - not through a constitutional theater, but through quiet, consistent, and mundane bureaucratic activities.'

'The claim that completing the annexation requires an official declaration is at the heart of this smokescreen. This misleading idea enables the right-wing government to operate in the West Bank as the sovereign without paying an international price. It also allows the opposition to "oppose" the annexation only in words, or alternatively, to complain about the coalition's failure to move forward with the annexation - depending on the directed party. The fundamental assumption in Israeli public discourse, which includes politicians from both the right and center-left, is that annexation requires an official declaration, such as legislation or a public announcement that changes the status of the land. This seems to be the approach adopted by other countries as well. But this is a legally inaccurate assumption. In fact, annexing land does not require a declaration or legislative law.'

The authors (Professor Yael Berda from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Dr. Tamar Magidow from the Department of International Relations and Political Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Dr. Ronit Levin-Shchor from the Faculty of Law at Tel Aviv University) point out that it is sufficient, to recognize that 'full' annexation is occurring, to look at the normative regulatory framework through which the state manages the occupied territories, the organizational structure and bureaucratic mechanism of the state; and the symbolic practice of power.

It is noteworthy that the International Court of Justice adopted in its advisory opinion issued in July 2024 the position that annexation does not require an official declaration. It also found that Israel has already annexed at least parts of Area C. In other words, the undeclared annexation, which is carried out through bureaucratic means, is actual annexation.

The academics state: 'The actions of the Israeli government in the past two years have led Israel to complete the annexation of the land already, without a political roadmap or legislation. It has done so through a comprehensive change in the authority of the government bodies operating in the areas, the structure and methods of its control over the areas, and how it uses the budgets allocated to establish and deepen Israeli control.'

The Israeli occupation's plans to completely occupy Gaza would be a very bad step and in the wrong direction.

Australia calls on the occupying state not to pursue this path that will exacerbate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The occupation faces a new failure in achieving its goals in the Gaza Strip despite military plans.

Netanyahu warns London of serious consequences if it recognizes Palestine.

Israel Approves Plan to Occupy Gaza City

The goal of the operation is to evacuate all civilians from Gaza City to the central camps by October 7.

Netanyahu Gets the Green Light to Control Gaza City Despite Opposition

We intend to achieve military control over the Gaza Strip completely and eliminate Hamas before handing the area over to civilian rule.

Marco Rubio: There Will Be No Peace in Gaza as Long as Hamas Exists

There will never be peace in Gaza as long as Hamas exists.

No plans to occupy the central camps in Gaza, efforts to recover the captives continue

Efforts to recover the captives will continue by all available means, amid the ongoing aggression on the sector.

The Lebanese government agrees to end the armed presence of "Hezbollah" in the absence of Shiite ministers

Hezbollah calls on the Lebanese government to retract its endeavor, considering it contrary to national interest.

Zionist settlers' assaults escalate in the occupied West Bank

Zionist settlers' assaults continue in the West Bank under the protection of the occupation army.

Istanbul / Anadolu

The Hamas movement confirmed on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip is a continuation of the policy of extermination and displacement and a coup against the negotiation process. It warned that the expansion of aggression would not be a walk in the park.

This came in a statement commenting on an interview Netanyahu conducted with the American channel "Fox News," during which he announced his intention to reoccupy the Gaza Strip without retaining it, and then hand it over to Arab forces "that do not pose a threat to Israel," which Arab countries had previously rejected.

Netanyahu attempted, in his statements, to justify the anticipated step by saying that Gaza would be handed over to a "civilian rule," amid reports of escalating disagreements with the Israeli military establishment regarding the plan to reoccupy the territory.

Hamas stated: "What the war criminal Netanyahu is planning is a continuation of the policy of extermination and displacement, through committing more crimes against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

It emphasized that his statements "represent a blatant coup against the negotiation process (between the two sides), and clearly reveal the true motives behind his withdrawal from the last round, despite our nearing a final agreement."

On July 24, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Doha, after Tel Aviv repeatedly insisted on the withdrawal from Gaza, ending the war, the Palestinian prisoners, and the mechanism for distributing humanitarian aid.

Hamas confirmed in its statement that "Netanyahu's plans to expand aggression confirm that he seeks to rid himself of his captives and sacrifice them for his personal interests and extremist ideological agendas."

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 50 Israeli captives in Gaza, of whom 20 are alive, while more than 10,800 Palestinians are imprisoned in its jails, suffering from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has led to the deaths of many of them, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

The movement stressed that "Gaza will remain resistant to occupation and attempts to impose guardianship over it," warning that "the expansion of aggression against our Palestinian people will not be a walk in the park, and its price will be high and costly for the occupation and its Nazi army."

Hamas called on Arab and Islamic countries and the international community to "condemn and reject these dangerous statements, and to take urgent action to stop the aggression and end the occupation, enabling our people to exercise their right to self-determination, and holding the enemy's leaders accountable for their ongoing crimes against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

Israel previously occupied the Gaza Strip for 38 years between 1967 and 2005, and currently about 2.4 million Palestinians live there, under an Israeli blockade for 18 years.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to stop.

The genocide has resulted in 61,258 dead and 152,045 injured Palestinians, most of whom are children and women, in addition to over 9,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals, and famine that has claimed many lives.

The "Boston Consulting Group" (BCG) developed a model for the plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Somalia and Somaliland, on behalf of Israeli businessmen seeking to redevelop the sector.

According to the "Financial Times," sources familiar with the work stated to the newspaper that the two African countries were among a group of nations to which Palestinians could be deported.

The list also included Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

This model emerged from the Boston Consulting Group's work in assisting the establishment of the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" (GHF), which has faced widespread criticism due to the massive number of casualties at its four aid distribution sites.

When this post-war modeling was published, it sparked widespread outrage, and the consulting firm publicly denied responsibility for the work, indicating that the responsible partner had been instructed not to proceed with it.

This modeling was found in preparation for what Israel did not want, with support from the United States for the "Gaza Next Day" plan, and the resettlement plans were based on media reports indicating that Israeli and American officials had discussions with East African leaders about hosting the displaced Palestinians, in exchange for concessions such as recognizing the breakaway "Somaliland" as an independent state.

The threat of resettlement, which was stated by former U.S. President Donald Trump while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4, 2025, at the White House (by making Gaza the Riviera of the Middle East), was described as ethnic cleansing by human rights groups and international bodies.

A source familiar with the work told the "Financial Times" (according to its report): "By accepting the residents of Gaza who are temporarily and voluntarily relocating, the state (that accepts them) will undoubtedly gain significant economic benefits."

He added: "But the countries in the model were not chosen based on knowledge of specific discussions. Rather, the idea was to understand the economic issues related to the options that President Trump put on the table."

It was reported that a presentation related to the plan anticipated that 25% of Palestinians in Gaza would decide to move outside the sector, with the majority not returning. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) projected $4.7 billion in economic benefits for the countries receiving Palestinians during the first four years.

Reports indicated that the Boston Consulting Group - which includes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among its alumni - engaged with the International Finance Corporation (GHF) when the American security firm Orbis contracted the company to assist in a feasibility study for a new relief operation.

According to reports, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was chosen for its connection to Phil Riley, a former officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who works at Orbis. Riley was a senior advisor to the Boston Consulting Group for eight years, until six months ago, when he founded Safe Reach Solutions, a for-profit security and logistics company that guards the relief centers of the International Finance Corporation in Gaza.

The Financial Times also reported that staff from the Tony Blair Institute participated in the post-war Gaza project, which included plans for "Trump's Riviera" and utilized financial models developed by the Boston Consulting Group.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that Tel Aviv is losing American support. He stated that Israel is increasingly seen as a "pariah state" and is "losing support from the Republican Party."

In a Facebook post published on Tuesday, Bennett wrote: "The truth is clear. Israel's standing in the United States is collapsing." "The Democratic Party has not been with us for a long time." Bennett continued in the post: "The Republican Party, which has been relied upon for support for Israel, we are also losing."

Bennett, who is of American origin, wrote his post after a visit to the United States last month.

Polls show that an increasing number of Americans oppose the Israeli war on Gaza, and the majority view Israel negatively. However, Tel Aviv still enjoys bipartisan support among American political leadership. The recent vote to cut $500 million in military aid received only six votes in the House of Representatives.

Bennett points out that while Tel Aviv still receives unconditional support from President Donald Trump, young Republicans are turning against Israel. Although part of the Trump administration still supports Israel primarily thanks to Trump himself, many in the right-wing environment in the United States, including the MAGA movement, are distancing themselves from Israel, he wrote. "The younger generation, even Republicans, is much less impressed with Israel."

A Pew Research Center poll conducted last April showed that 50% of Republicans under 50 have a negative view of Israel. Bennett stated that the trend in the United States is to view Israel as a "leprous state." The former prime minister made his harsh assessment after spending ten days in the United States.

Israel has placed Gaza under a near-total blockade, causing a humanitarian crisis. Bennett explained: "Even those who were friends of ours find it difficult to defend the State of Israel."

As a solution to Israel's image crisis, Bennett suggested that Netanyahu prioritize developing propaganda instead of ending the war in Gaza.

In a related matter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that he hosted a delegation of Republican House members on a visit to Israel organized and funded by the "American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)," the powerful pro-Zionist lobbying organization, as members of Congress flock to the country during their August recess.

Netanyahu's office stated in a release: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted a delegation of Republican Congress members last night, organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The Prime Minister briefed the Congress members on the war in the Gaza Strip, addressing the issue of humanitarian aid and the false campaign being waged by Hamas against the State of Israel."

The "AIPAC Tracker" organization, which tracks donations to American legislators from pro-Israel lobbying groups, identified 20 Republican House members from an image posted online by Netanyahu's office. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican from Louisiana) is also visiting Israel this week and toured illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including settlements where he dined with Netanyahu.

According to "Punchbowl News," about 20 Democratic House members are heading to Israel during the recess on a trip sponsored by AIPAC as well. This strong support for Israel from such a large number of American legislators comes at a time when Israel is committing massacres against more than 100 Palestinians daily in Gaza, including many in need of assistance, and Palestinians are dying of hunger in Gaza daily due to the U.S.-backed Israeli blockade.

On August 5, 2025, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue had a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of Arab countries to China at the latter's request. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian question.

Zhai Jun stated that China's position on the Palestinian question remains consistent. China firmly stands with the Palestinian people and on the side of fairness and justice. Currently, the Palestinian question is at a critical stage. China holds that the Gaza conflict must be stopped immediately, humanitarian aid must remain unimpeded, the situation in the West Bank must be given attention and the foundation of the two-State solution must be firmly consolidated. China supports Arab countries in strengthening unity and playing a greater role in the Palestinian question, and is willing to work with the international community, including Arab countries, to promote the comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-State solution at an early date.

Diplomatic envoys of Arab countries to China stated that the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank has further deteriorated. Arab countries firmly oppose and condemn Israel's violence, blockade and starvation policies in the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as any actions that infringe on Palestinian lands and forcibly alter the demographic structure of Palestine. The Arab side highly appreciates China's efforts in promoting a ceasefire in Gaza, providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and supporting the two-State solution. The Arab side hopes that China will continue to uphold a just position on the Palestinian question and play a more constructive role, helping the Palestinian people determine their own future and ultimately achieve the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.

Indonesia Prepares to Establish a Medical Facility to Receive and Treat Gaza Injured

Indonesia pledges to provide humanitarian support to Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, and is preparing a medical facility to receive two thousand injured from the region.

British Producer Accuses BBC of Yielding to Political Pressure and Refusing to Broadcast Film on Gaza Tragedy

We saw the officials of the organization constantly worried about what Zionist lobbying groups might say.

Human Rights Organization Reveals Israel's Targeting of Over 500 Schools in Gaza and Systematic Destruction

Israeli attacks on schools disrupt education and exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, constituting a blatant violation of international law.

Andreas Krafvik, the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that his country is concerned about what is happening in the Gaza Strip, and that Israel has not fulfilled its obligations imposed by international law, emphasizing the continued efforts to issue decisions from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court regarding this behavior.

He added in an interview with Al Jazeera that Norway is working with European partners to push Israel to take different steps on the ground to stop this unjust and immoral behavior.

Krafvik confirmed that his country will continue its pressure to allow more aid to enter, stating that there are European sanctions targeting Israeli officials, in addition to referring this issue to the International Court of Justice.

The Norwegian official accused Israel of violating international law, but stressed the importance of working to allow aid to enter as soon as possible, saying that access to the Palestinians will not be possible without Israel's cooperation.

Krafvik described the situation in Gaza as a "nightmare," stating that it is a priority for Norway and many European countries that wish to deliver necessary aid and supplies, and not to rely on the "Gaza Humanitarian Institution," which was established on foundations that do not align with international standards.

Norway and its European partners are trying to push Israel to adopt a different approach in Gaza, and they also rely on the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to take steps in this crisis, according to Krafvik, who mentioned that there are more initiatives that can be proposed if Israel refuses to change its behavior.

Gaza - While attention was turning towards a potential breakthrough in the prisoner exchange file after weeks of intense negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - wanted by the International Criminal Court - surprised mediators with a last-minute reversal, raising the stakes by talking about reoccupying the Gaza Strip.

This move was seen by observers as part of Netanyahu's ongoing maneuvering policy to escape internal obligations and pressure for more concessions.

Despite anticipation for a meeting of the security cabinet (the Cabinet) on Thursday evening, most estimates suggest that the Israeli Prime Minister is using the negotiating position to serve internal political goals related to his personal and electoral interests, and is maneuvering until the last moment in hopes of extracting more concessions from Hamas.

For his part, Palestinian writer and political analyst Wissam Afifa - in his talk with Al Jazeera Net - considered that Netanyahu's retreat from the negotiations for the deal led by mediators in recent weeks is due to a number of reasons that include:

On his part, security and military affairs researcher Rami Abu Zbeida - in a conversation with Al Jazeera Net - believes that if the occupation government insists on expanding military operations in the Gaza Strip, there are three expected scenarios:

Amid the Israeli threats, the Israeli National Security Studies Institute surveyed Israeli public opinions regarding the security and political performance in the ongoing war since October 2023, revealing that 61% do not believe that military operations in Gaza will lead to the return of the prisoners, while only 25% of the public believes that the operations will result in Hamas's defeat and the return of the prisoners, while 52% believe that Netanyahu's government is obstructing reaching a deal for the exchange of prisoners.

The Military Affairs platform published an analysis of the survey results, stating that the indicators of the survey undermine the essence of the Israeli military doctrine based on imposing facts by force and recovering prisoners without concessions, and that the resistance has succeeded in establishing an effective attrition equation, making any resolution impossible, and enhancing the centrality of the resistance option among Palestinians.

According to the Israeli platform, any upcoming military operation in Gaza or any front will be met with a low ceiling of popular expectations, which reduces the army's maneuverability and makes it susceptible to popular and media pressure in the event of suffering losses without tangible results.

The platform indicates that the army is gradually losing its "sacred" status in Israeli consciousness, which reignites the debate about its ability to decisively act, and fosters an increasing atmosphere of distrust in the entire security system, and the internal Israeli division and societal fragmentation will turn into a new arena for conflict, which the resistance bets on and accumulates the results of the war of attrition.

A report published by the British newspaper The Guardian - revealing close cooperation between Israel's military intelligence Unit 8200 and Microsoft - has sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms. The report states that this collaboration aims to monitor and store all phone calls made by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which is considered one of the largest global espionage projects.

This project relied on Microsoft's Azure cloud storage technologies, as the company's CEO Satya Nadella met in 2021 at the company's headquarters with Yossi Sarid, the head of the Israeli military surveillance agency known globally as Unit 8200.

The report confirms that Nadella granted Unit 8200 access to a separate and designated area within the Azure cloud platform to store, monitor, and analyze all phone calls made from both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, for direct use in military operations conducted by the Israeli army.

In response to the report, Twitter users viewed Microsoft as an actual partner in the genocide being waged against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, accusing it of being part of the Israeli military system.

Others described Microsoft's actions as "criminal in its most blatant manifestations," asserting that it is directly involved in the killing of Palestinians through technological tools employed to target them on all fronts.

Bloggers pointed out that this cooperation clearly reveals the true face of Israel, which uses technology and digital platforms as tools for control, oppression, and violation of Palestinian rights, considering these crimes to be not random but systematic, studied, and supported by advanced technical tools.

Others called for a boycott of what they termed "human extermination technology," emphasizing that the time has come for the world to realize that true power should be in the hands of the people, not in the hands of "diabolical" governments and companies, as they described them.

Activists questioned the true purpose of data collection, asserting that the issue is no longer just about targeted advertising, but also about direct military targeting through guided missiles.

Others noted that what deepens the crime is that these tools were designed and developed by one of the largest global technology companies, which is supposed to protect privacy rather than violate it, and to build a secure digital environment rather than exploit its technologies to support a systematic killing machine.

Many commentators confirmed that it is no longer acceptable for Microsoft to continue marketing its services globally without accountability, calling for an expansion of human rights and popular calls to boycott the company's services, urging academic institutions, government entities, and individual users to stop using its cloud platform, after its involvement in violating the privacy of Palestinians and its indirect participation in bombing and killing them was established.

One activist wrote, "It has become clear that what is happening is more than a military war; it is a war on existence, managed by satellites, algorithms, and data servers." Another added, "Today, Palestinians are not only killed by bombs but also by codes." In another tweet, an activist wrote, "This agreement, which contributed to the shedding of innocent blood, was overseen by Nadella himself."

Another added, "Microsoft's hands are stained with blood, and the destruction of rights and freedoms is more dangerous than weapons." Bloggers also called on international human rights bodies - led by the United Nations Human Rights Council - to open an official investigation into Microsoft's involvement and to present legal files before European and international courts, considering what has occurred a blatant violation of international law and agreements protecting civilians and the right of peoples to privacy and security.

They affirmed that what is needed today is not only to expose the crime but also to hold its perpetrators accountable wherever they are and in whatever capacity they appear, stressing the necessity of sounding the alarm about the role of tech companies in human rights violations, demanding international investigations, and boycotting institutions involved in the shedding of Palestinian blood, even from a distance.

A number of bloggers agreed that the issue is no longer confined to political or security conflict but has transcended to a new level of "technological complicity," where Palestinian privacy is sold in the market of major corporations, and artificial intelligence systems are programmed to turn people into targets and phones into traps.

It is worth noting that Microsoft is facing internal opposition from its employees following the events of October 7, 2023, and the intense Israeli attack on Gaza, as the "No Azure for Apartheid" movement began to gain significant traction after those events.

Today, Thursday, Vice President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribeiro, stated that the displacement and killing in the Gaza Strip closely resemble genocide, marking the first time a commissioner from the bloc has made such an accusation and publicly diverged from the Commission's stance on the war.

Ribeiro - the second highest official in the European Commission - added in an interview published by Politico, "If it is not genocide, it closely resembles the definition of what it means."

Ribeiro told Politico, "What we are seeing is the targeting of real civilians, their killing, and sentencing them to death by starvation."

She emphasized that there is no semblance of humanity in Gaza, and no witnesses are allowed to attend, stating, "The people in Gaza are trapped without shelter, their homes are destroyed, and they are without food, water, or medicine."

Ribeiro's comments went further than what the European Commission has stated, which accused Israel of violating human rights in Gaza but stopped short of labeling it as genocide.

Ribeiro ranks second after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and is a Spanish socialist politician whose responsibilities include climate issues and antitrust matters, but she does not oversee the European Union's foreign policy.

Last week, the Commission proposed limiting Israel's access to its main research funding program following calls from EU countries to increase pressure on Israel to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Commission stated in the proposal that Israel violated a clause related to human rights in the agreement governing its relations with the European Union.

It said that "through its intervention in the Gaza Strip and the ensuing humanitarian disaster - including thousands of civilian deaths and the rapid increase in cases of acute malnutrition, particularly among children - Israel is violating human rights and humanitarian law."

This morning, Thursday, boats carrying families of Israeli prisoners set sail from Ashkelon towards the Gaza Strip.

This step comes as part of the pressure on the Israeli government to reach a deal with Hamas that includes the release of the prisoners held in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported that the naval fleet departed from the shores of Ashkelon, consisting of 11 boats and 3 ships, carrying representatives of the prisoners' families and media personnel.

It quoted the mother of the captured soldier, Matan Angrist, saying that the families went out on the boats "to be closer to their kidnapped sons and to stop the ongoing madness."

She said, "I will call my son from the boat and tell him that I am by his side and that he must endure, and all our sons must be brought back from Gaza as a long time has passed."

She added, "Netanyahu has obstructed the prisoner exchange deal, exploiting the pain of the families of the kidnapped. He took advantage of my suffering and assured me that the agreement would bring back all the kidnapped."

She considered that anyone who wants an agreement does not go to occupy Gaza and put the detainees and soldiers at risk, "Tonight will be a fateful and decisive night in the life of the State of Israel."

She called for a demonstration today in front of the venue of the security cabinet meeting in occupied Jerusalem. She added that the demonstrators will fill the streets starting tonight to stop what is happening.

The families of the prisoners stated in a statement that sailing towards Gaza aims to send a loud cry "that we want our sons back before it is too late."

The Israeli ministerial council is discussing today, Thursday, a plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip, amid disagreements between the political and military leaderships, and warnings of heavy losses that will befall the prisoners and soldiers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on occupying the strip and recently presented his position regarding the precise method he wishes to implement.

The newspaper Maariv reported that Netanyahu is demanding the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip under pressure from the far-right faction in his government, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Settlement Minister Orit Strook, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

It added—citing sources—that the army will present today, Thursday, to the political leadership the price Israel will pay if it decides to occupy the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper further stated, according to its sources, that estimates indicate that most prisoners in Gaza will meet their end at the hands of their captors or due to airstrikes if the occupying army expands its operations.

According to these sources, a large number of soldiers may be killed in the Gaza Strip if the military operation is expanded.

Military sources estimated to Maariv that the effort to occupy the Gaza Strip could take at least three months and would involve the destruction of tunnels.

The newspaper also added—according to the same sources—that after completing the occupation of the Gaza Strip, the army would be forced to establish military rule and care for about 2.5 million Palestinians.

Maariv warned that this is a densely populated area, and according to Israeli intelligence estimates, it is largely planted with mines and booby-trapped.

It mentioned that although Netanyahu's plan is to carry out a swift operation to occupy the strip and decisively end the battle with Hamas, he is not currently presenting the phase that will follow the resolution, and it is unclear what will happen to the areas that will be occupied.

It said, "If the plan is driven by far-right ministers, then the occupation of the Gaza Strip aims to remove the Gazan population from the area and establish Israeli settlements on the lands that will be evacuated, a plan that is not part of the original war objectives."

According to leaks, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir opposes the plan to occupy Gaza, describing it as a strategic trap, asserting that it will exhaust the army for years and endanger the lives of the prisoners.

The Chief of Staff proposes a containment plan that includes several axes in Gaza, aimed at exerting military pressure on Hamas to force it to release the prisoners.

The newspaper continued that the operation to occupy the Gaza Strip will impose a significant cost on Israeli society.

It added that the burden on Israeli society, according to the army, will manifest in the immediate and extensive mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers, and the call-up of all regular units to return to combat in the Gaza Strip in the coming days.

Israel previously occupied the Gaza Strip for 38 years between 1967 and 2005.

In light of these leaks, writer and Israeli affairs expert Suleiman Basharat stated that the recent statement by the Israeli Chief of Staff cannot be read outside of three intertwined frameworks.

The first is that the Israeli military establishment realizes that the continuation of the war may endanger the lives of Israeli prisoners, so this warning came as a way to shift responsibility to the political level and to protect the army from any future accountability if the prisoners are harmed.

He clarified that this warning exempts the Chief of Staff from direct accountability in the event of harm to the prisoners and serves as future protection from any investigative committees that may be opened later.

In the second framework, Basharat pointed out in a statement to Al-Jazeera Net that this position "uses a tool to prepare the Israeli street to accept the potential cost," amid an awareness among the political and military leadership that the lives of the prisoners may become part of the upcoming political and military cost.

He added that this warning is not a rejection of the war, but an implicit confirmation of readiness to implement any political decision, as Zamir himself indicated that he would ultimately implement the political decision, which means an implicit acceptance by the military establishment of the government's plan.

Regarding the objectives of the upcoming war, Basharat believes that the plan to occupy the city of Gaza and the central camps being discussed by the "Cabinet" aims to move the population block southward, preparing for a broader phase of displacement towards Sinai.

He also pointed out that this demographic and humanitarian pressure aims to push the resistance to comply with Israel's conditions, primarily the surrender of weapons, the removal of leadership, and the release of prisoners.

He noted that this phase of the war is taking

Dozens of extremist settlers stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem on Thursday, under heavy protection from the occupation police.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem stated in a statement that the incursion took place from the direction of the Mughrabi Gate in organized groups, which included families from settlements in the West Bank.

It added that the intruders organized suspicious tours and performed provocative rituals in the mosque's courtyards.

Read also: Families of the detainees to the Chief of Staff of the occupation: Either a comprehensive deal or a decision against the will of the people.

The department clarified that the settlers received explanations about the alleged "Temple," and performed Talmudic rituals in the area of the Gate of Mercy, east of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Simultaneously with the incursion, the occupation police imposed restrictions on Palestinians' entry to the mosque, as they checked their personal identities and detained some at its external gates.

These incursions come amid ongoing calls from Jerusalemites to intensify the journey to Al-Aqsa Mosque, in order to confront the settlers' Judaization schemes.

It is noteworthy that Al-Aqsa Mosque is subjected to a series of violations and incursions by settlers almost daily, except for Fridays and Saturdays, under the protection of the occupation police, as part of attempts to impose complete control over the mosque and to divide it temporally and spatially.

I am writing this piece with great trepidation. I know that I will be attacked by some Palestinians, even friends and colleagues for intervening in an internal Palestinian matter. They will say that once again that the occupation is telling us what to do. Some will say that the only solution is for you Jews to go back where you came from. The reality is that we Jewish Israeli and you Palestinian Arabs share the same narrow piece of land. We are here in more or less equal numbers. Both of us have an undeniable deep historic and religious connection to this land. Both peoples are here to stay. The only solution to our more than 100 years’ war is we all recognize the national collective rights of both of us to live in a free, democratic, nation state based on mutual dignity and respect – side-by-side – on the land between the River and the Sea. I am not intervening in internal Palestinian matters; I am trying to analyze and suggest a path forward for the Palestinian people because of the interdependence that exists between the political systems and the politics of both sides. What Israel does and what Israel does not do, what Israeli leaders say and what they don’t say have great impacts on Palestine. What Palestine does and what it does not do, what Palestinian leaders say and what they do not say have deep impacts on Israel. That is our reality and therefore, we not only have a right to suggest steps that can positively impact both of our people, we have a responsibility to do it. Some will say: worry about your own side – the messed up Israeli politics. If Israel agrees to end the occupation there is no problem for Israel any longer.  I do what I can on the Israeli side as well to repair our broken country. But I have been engaged with Palestinians and Palestinian politics for more than four decades.  Much of what I am writing here I have heard from Palestinian friends and colleagues and have read in the Palestinian media. I think that just as I, an Israeli, am writing this piece about internal Palestinian politics, not as a critique, but as a plan with a vision of a future of peace between us, I call on Palestinians to write similar articles regarding Israeli politics. 

In the letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to French President Macron and to Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman on June 9, 2025, President Abbas’ made a commitment to hold democratic and transparent general and presidential elections throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, within a year. Abbas emphasized that the elections would be held under international auspices, enabling democratic competition between Palestinian actors committed to respect the PLO political platform, its international commitments and the relevant UN resolutions, and the principle of "One State, One Government, One Law and One Gun", and allowing for a new generation of elected representatives to take responsibility. Abbas furthermore stated a firm condemnation of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks. He called for Hamas to immediately release all hostages. Abbas made a commitment to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state, explicitly stating that the Government of the State of Palestine would be the sole provider of security in its territory and that it would not be a militarized state. Abbas also said that the Palestinians would invite Arab and international stabilization/protection forces under a UN mandate to come to Gaza. Abbas’s letter was a firm reaffirmation of the Palestinian commitment to the two‑state solution and a clear political roadmap toward statehood. Perhaps the most important statements in the letter concerned a commitment to address the need for deep reform in the Palestinian education system reflecting the desire of Palestine to live in peace with Israel, and an end to the system whereby Palestinians convicted of terrorism against Israelis receive generous salaries from the Palestinian government.

Admittedly Abbas enjoy little public legitimacy in Palestine, having been elected way back in 2005 and he is now 90 years old. I would suggest seeing this letter signed by Abbas as his last and final national duty to the Palestinian people. Abbas should not even think about competing in the upcoming Palestinian elections. His legacy should be the contents of this letter to Macron and Bin Salman. This is the legacy and can significantly give momentum to the implementation of the two states solution, and the actual birth of the State of Palestine. Palestinian elections are crucial because it is essential that the Palestinian people determine their own political course for the years to come. The results of the elections will determine if the Palestinian people have come to the conclusion that the armed struggle, the armed resistance have become a non-viable strategy. The results of the elections will determine if the Palestinian people have come to the conclusion that the most important people they need to address, after their own people, are the Israeli public. Palestinians will find that if they send a clear message to themselves and to the world that the States of Palestine is a State seeking peace with its neighbors, this will significantly impact Israeli public opinion and future Israeli elections. As stated in the Palestinian Declaration of Independence from November 15, 1988 written by Mahmoud Darwish and declared by Yasser Arafat: The State of Palestine proclaims its commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations, and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights… It further announces itself to be a peace-loving state, in adherence to the principles of peaceful co-existence. It will join with all states and peoples in order to assure a permanent peace based upon justice and the respect of rights so that humanity's potential for well-being may be assured, an earnest competition for excellence be maintained, and in which confidence in the future will eliminate fear for those who are just and for whom justice is the only recourse.

If Palestinian elections are held prior to the elections in Israel, and if the results of those elections send a clear message to Israel and to the world that the Palestinian people are dedicated to ensuring that the State of Palestine is a peaceful state seeking peace with the State of Israel on the basis of the two states solution, this would have a deep impact on the Israeli electorate and would ensure that Israeli elections will be totally focused on the issue of peace with the Palestinians based on two states for two peoples. Yes, this is an instrumental tool for me aimed at making sure that we have a positive outcome in the next Israeli elections, but it is also instrumental in ensuring that the war in Gaza will be the last Israeli-Palestinian war.

From my own understanding of Palestinian politics and Palestinian public opinion polls over the past 20 years, it seems evident to me that a majority of Palestinians do not want Fatah or Hamas. These political movements are the politics of the past, along with the PFLP, DFLP, and other small insignificant political movements within the PLO. In fact, the PLO itself is the politics of yesteryear. The next Palestinian elections must be for the President and Parliament of the State of Palestine. If you want an independent state then you have to act like an independent state. That means that you don’t ask Israel permission to hold elections, you don’t ask Israel for permission for Palestinians from East Jerusalem to vote, or for Palestinians from Gaza to vote. This is not an issue in which the Israelis have no say. It is a Palestinian issue and a Palestinian decision. East Jerusalem is the largest Palestinian city in Palestine with about 400,000 residents. The State of Israel has no right to determine if Palestinians in Jerusalem can take part in the elections. There are many ways to enable voting even if Israel decides to try and block the elections. I won’t go into that now, but the Palestinian Central Elections committee knows very well how this can be done and many countries around the world will be willing to assist in the smooth and transparent elections for the Government of the State of Palestine.

Even though Fatah and Hamas are the politics of the past, they most likely will not decide to relegate themselves to history as the Israeli Labour Party did. Hamas, as Hamas will not be allowed to participate in the elections because they reject the idea of the two states solution and they are still an armed militia within Palestine. There could be a new Islamic political party that accepts peace with Israel and still voices positions regarding the importance of Islam in the life of the State of Palestine. The Israeli Islamic movement under Mansour Abbas is an example of a legitimate peaceful expression of Islamic politics. Fatah could reform itself by bringing in new, younger voices and see to it that the senior citizens, old men, who dominate Palestinian politics retain their status as former senior statesmen now retired from active political life. The Palestinian election law already includes a 25% quota for women, the law should be amended so that the 25% are not at the bottom of the list, but that they will actually be in positions to get elected. There is no doubt that the entrance of a large number of Palestinian women into Palestinian politics will have a deep and lasting positive impact on Palestinian political culture and on the future of the State of Palestine.

What is most important is that Palestinian political parties and Palestinian leaders present a realistic vision for the future of Palestine living in peace and dignity with the State of Israel. Slogans such as “from the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” will be a huge disservice to the Palestinian people keeping alive the false hope that Israel will disappear. I assume that political parties that support the armed struggle will not be allowed to compete in the elections. Democracies have a right and obligation to protect themselves from those who endanger the lives and the safety of the people and the State, as Hamas has done for too many years. The most important lesson that needs to be learned for Palestinians about the war in Gaza is that there is no viable Palestinian armed struggle that will liberate Palestine. In the Palestinian Declaration of Independence it clearly stated: It (The State of Palestine) calls upon all peace- and freedom-loving peoples and states to assist it in the attainment of its objectives, to provide it with security, to alleviate the tragedy of its people, and to help it terminate Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. In the political statement that followed the declaration it was clearly asserted that the goal was to establish the State of Palestine in the territories occupied by Israel in June 1967 and not the entire borders of historic Palestine. This was a great compromise made by Yasser Arafat and adopted by the Palestine National Council. But this was the adoption of politics of realism, agreeing to a Palestinian state on only 22% of the land of historic Palestine. Today, Palestine needs more than ever the politics of realism – that is the only way the horrors of occupation will end and the dream of freedom will become a reality.

Palestine needs good responsible governance.  That is what the people of Palestine want. A government responsive to the needs of the people. A government devoid of corruption, a government that will bring liberation, security and dignity to all Palestinians. The way to achieve that is by understanding that your decisions as Palestinians will impact the future decisions of Israel.  Remember, even if you get 192 member states of the United Nations to recognize the State of Palestine, the occupation will end and Palestine will be free only after Israel recognizes the State of Palestine. That is the politics of reality.

The people of Israel and the people of Palestine are forever linked together because we share the same homeland. We either continue to fight, kill and die together, or we find the way to live together – side-by-side in security, dignity, and peace. So don’t think that I am being an arrogant occupier by telling you how to live your lives or what decisions you need to make. I want the occupation to end. I want Palestine to be free. I want Palestinians to have security. I want happy and prosperous neighbors. I hope that you Palestinians want the same for me. So, my advice to you is not out of arrogance, it comes from the depths of my heart that I see the humanity in my neighbors and I want the suffering of all of us to end forever.

The United Arab Emirates continued to provide urgent humanitarian support to the residents of the Gaza Strip, as it carried out, on Tuesday, the 64th air drop operation as part of the "Birds of Goodness" initiative, which is one of the initiatives stemming from "The Noble Knight 3," in partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and with international participation including France, Germany, and Belgium.

The aim of these air operations is to deliver aid to isolated areas that are difficult to access via land routes due to the developments in the field situation within the strip. The cargo included food supplies and emergency provisions directed to the most affected populations.

With this operation, the total amount of aid delivered by air has reached over 3,851 tons of various food and relief materials, distributed across different parts of the strip.

In a simultaneous move, 45 trucks of Emirati aid entered Gaza today through land crossings, loaded with food supplies, continuing the UAE's efforts to secure the basic needs of the Palestinians.

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to continue coordinating with Jordan and international partners to deliver support to Gaza by all means, whether by air, land, or sea, embodying its steadfast humanitarian approach and its pivotal role in regional and international relief efforts.