This morning, Tuesday, Israeli occupation forces carried out demolition and bulldozing operations in the town of Anata, northeast of occupied Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported that an Israeli occupation army force, accompanied by several bulldozers and equipment, stormed the Al-Buhaira neighborhood in the town of Anata and began demolishing residential buildings and walls. They also uprooted trees and land and cut off electricity lines in the area.

She explained that the demolitions included two temporary rooms provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as aid to shelter the owners of homes previously destroyed by the occupation forces.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented that the occupation authorities carried out 73 demolition operations last April, targeting 152 facilities, including 96 inhabited homes, 10 uninhabited homes, 34 agricultural facilities, and others. The operations were concentrated in the Tubas governorate, with 59 facilities, the Hebron governorate, with 39 facilities, and the Jerusalem governorate, with 17 facilities.

US President Donald Trump hinted on Monday at the possibility of easing sanctions on Syria to enable it to achieve a "new beginning," a move welcomed by the transitional authorities in Damascus.

"We have to make a decision about sanctions, which we might ease," Trump said at the White House. "We might lift them on Syria because we want to give it a fresh start."

He added that he discussed the matter with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country maintains close ties with the new government.

Damascus welcomed the statements made by the US President, who is beginning a Gulf tour on Tuesday that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus welcomes Trump's statements "regarding the possibility of lifting sanctions imposed on Syria, and considers them an encouraging step toward ending the suffering of the Syrian people."

The statement continued, "Although these sanctions were previously imposed on the former dictatorial Assad regime and contributed to its downfall, today they directly target the Syrian people and hinder the path to recovery and reconstruction."

Ankara, Damascus, and Amman call on Israel to stop its attacks on Syrian territory.

In a related development, Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan called on Israel on Monday to halt its attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from additional territory it invaded following the ouster of ousted regime leader Bashar al-Assad late last year.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his Jordanian and Syrian counterparts, Ayman Safadi and Asaad al-Sheibani, to discuss the threats facing Damascus and renew calls for the lifting of Western sanctions.

"Israeli expansion poses a serious threat to Syria's security, stability, and future," Fidan said at a press conference.

He added, "This must end, and we agree on that. Syria must be supported to prevent terrorist organizations from establishing a presence in this region."

For his part, Al-Shaibani said, "Israel continues its attacks on our lands and escalates the situation, resulting in casualties. We demand that it abide by international resolutions and withdraw from the territories it occupies in the south," stressing that "the unity of Syrian territory is not negotiable."

He added, "We look forward to the support of the international community and neighboring countries, and their standing by us to pressure Israel to stop its ongoing attacks on our lands."

"We are working to intensify cooperation with Türkiye and Jordan to confront cross-border threats, and we will not allow foreign-backed militias to destabilize our country," he said.

For his part, Safadi denounced "Israel's attempt to interfere in Syrian affairs and sow discord, strife, and division in Syria," considering that "this is something we stand up to, reject, and explain to the world." He added, "Israeli attacks on Syria must stop, as they will only bring destruction and devastation."

The Israeli negotiating delegation intends to remain in the Qatari capital, Doha, until Thursday, coinciding with US President Donald Trump's visit to the city, Israeli media reported Tuesday.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to keep the delegation in Qatar to allow time to push for a new ceasefire agreement.

These moves follow Hamas' decision to release American captive Idan Alexander, a move described as the result of rare direct negotiations between the movement and the US administration, separate from the Israeli side.

A source familiar with these discussions revealed to CNN that Alexander's release could immediately open the door to broader negotiations to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's office announced on Monday that an Israeli delegation would depart for Doha on Tuesday, following a meeting with US envoy Witkoff, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and a phone call with President Donald Trump.

Israel threatened, according to a statement issued by Netanyahu's office, that negotiations would be conducted under fire, in reference to the continued heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

The statement also indicated that plans to escalate military operations in Gaza remain in place, but their implementation will be postponed until after Trump's visit, in an attempt to give mediation efforts a chance to achieve progress on the ceasefire.

For its part, Hamas expressed its readiness to immediately begin negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, along with the withdrawal of the occupation army from the Gaza Strip, the lifting of the blockade, a prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha affirmed that Hamas hopes that Alexander's release will be a prelude to a broader agreement, and called on the Trump administration to continue to pressure Netanyahu to end the brutal war against defenseless civilians in Gaza.

Dr. Ahmed Younis: Trump's visit is inseparable from the economic and political ambitions he seeks to consolidate in a sensitive election year.

Dr. Rifaat Sayed Ahmed: Trump's upcoming visit to the region is more of a tax evasion than a diplomatic visit, and any Arab hopes pinned on it are false.

Dr. Sinan Shaqdih: There is nothing to indicate that Trump will offer anything positive on the Palestinian issue, not only during his visit to the region, but throughout his term.

Dr. Amani Al-Qarm: I do not rule out the continuation of the joint Israeli-American plan to destroy Gaza and displace a large portion of its people after Trump returns to his country.

Dr. Amjad Shehab: There are no strong indications that Trump's visit will lead to an immediate halt to the aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Thaer Abu Ras: If Trump succeeds in reaching a ceasefire agreement and obtaining massive investments, this will be considered a major achievement for him.

Some observers are betting on unexpected decisions that US President Donald Trump may make during his scheduled visit to the region starting Tuesday. Chief among them is a halt to the war of extermination that the occupying state has been waging against the Gaza Strip for nearly twenty months. This is particularly true in light of Hamas' release of American hostage Idan Alexander on Monday, and the rumours of a cooling of relations, or even a rupture, between the US president and the Israeli prime minister.

However, others doubt that this visit will result in any significant decisions, especially given Trump's long history of bias toward the occupying state during his previous and current terms. They assert that his primary and ultimate goal is to return with the largest financial investments from the Gulf states.

Writers and analysts who spoke to Al-Quds said that Trump's visit is inseparable from the economic and political ambitions he seeks to advance in his current term. They emphasized that Trump's upcoming visit to the region is more of a tax peddling trip than a diplomatic one, and that high hopes should not be pinned on it.

The scene is chaotic and multi-player in Gaza.

Lebanese academic and political analyst Dr. Ahmed Younes said, "There is no doubt that we cannot compare the Indian-Pakistani conflict with what is happening in Gaza. The difference is fundamental, as the former conflict is confined to two states, each with its own institutional system."

He added, "As for Gaza, the scene is chaotic and multi-player: Israel, Hamas, Iran, the Houthis, and regional actors. This is especially true since Trump, despite his traditional support for Israel, abruptly halted the US campaign against the Houthis without coordinating with Tel Aviv, which has raised Netanyahu's concerns."

Younis continued, "However, there are indications that Trump is seeking a 'temporary humanitarian understanding' in Gaza: the entry of aid, the restarting of the power plant, or a food deal with American companies. Such a move might satisfy a portion of the American and international public, and allow Netanyahu to escalate in Gaza in exchange for Washington's silence on the Iranian issue."

However, he believes the challenge remains Trump's credibility as a mediator. His decisions often shift according to his electoral and propaganda interests, rather than based on fixed strategies. Therefore, stopping the war in Gaza depends not only on his will, but also on reshaping the regional balance.

Dr. Younis emphasized that Trump's visit is inseparable from the economic and political ambitions he seeks to consolidate in a sensitive election year. Amid a renewed Iranian nuclear issue and Israel's declining confidence in his administration, Trump appears headed to the Gulf to achieve two goals:

The first is economic. According to Younes, the US president is setting his sights on signing massive deals with the Gulf states, including defense, food, and possibly energy. He added, "Reports indicate a Saudi desire to reactivate joint projects that were suspended during the previous administration, and Trump knows how to capitalize on this moment to score an 'economic victory' that will bring him back to Washington as a successful negotiator."

Trump and complex deals

The second is political, as Dr. Younis emphasized that the Gulf wants American guarantees against the Iranian threat, but without getting involved in a war. Therefore, Gulf leaders may offer Trump a deal: a measured normalization with Israel in exchange for a nuclear agreement that would freeze Iran's capabilities without provoking it. They know that Trump accepts complex deals as long as they benefit his media and popular standing.

Younes addressed the expected reception for Trump in Gulf capitals. He said it "is not only a confirmation of the relationship, but an attempt to use his presence to pressure Israel toward a calm in Gaza and to remove the Iranian issue from the immediate danger zone. In short, the Gulf does not want a comprehensive war, but rather a new balance between Washington and Tehran."

Younis concluded his statement by emphasizing that Trump's visit is not just a diplomatic tour, but a true test of his ability to manage crises and leverage them to serve his electoral and economic interests. He added, "His ability to stop the Gaza war remains hostage to complexities that go beyond his propaganda style, and requires true shrewdness and a deep understanding of the region, which has changed significantly since his last visit."

19 months of actual conflict with the United States

For his part, Dr. Rifaat Sayed Ahmed, an Egyptian nationalist thinker and strategic expert, described US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the region as more of a tax evasion than a diplomatic visit, noting that any Arab hopes pinned on this visit are false.

"The region has been engaged in a real conflict with the United States, not just with Israel, for nineteen months, since the outbreak of the Battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa," Sayed Ahmed said.

He added, "Deep America is the one that brought Trump and Biden to power, and therefore it is the one fighting us, and it is the one that will make the decision." He noted that "stopping the war will come at the expense of Arab and Palestinian rights."

He suggested that there would be an Israeli administration occupying the Gaza Strip, while the Arab administration would merely be a cover for that.

He stressed that Netanyahu only comes to issue orders for further occupation, and that we should not rely on any truce or agreement led by him.

He pointed out that the situation here is completely different from the relationship between India and Pakistan, explaining, "We are witnessing an American attack on the region and an attempt to collect oil revenues, rather than an effort to achieve just Arab or Palestinian interests."

Threatening America with Oil and Normalization

Sayed Ahmed believes that Arab leaders, at the upcoming Arab Summit, to be held in Baghdad in a week, must act to protect their thrones and positions through unity and threatening America with the oil and normalization cards with the Israeli occupation.

He said, "If the Arabs do not do this, and remain traditional and diplomatic, and continue to welcome Trump—the man behind the 'Deal of the Century,' the assassination of Soleimani, and other regional figures—we should expect further Arab humiliation."

He emphasized that the only opportunity available to us is this summit, followed by clear positions from the countries Trump visits, expressing their practical rejection of Israeli aggression by severing ties with it and using the oil card.

Sayed Ahmed concluded his statement by saying, "Otherwise, I believe that Trump's visit will be merely protocol, and that no agreement will be reached unless it comes at the expense of the Palestinians and Arabs in general. We should not dream of any American role similar to the one Washington played between India and Pakistan; that is an illusion."

"The blackberry will not bear apples"

In turn, Dr. Sinan Shaqdih, an expert on American affairs, said: "On the Palestinian side, the possibilities of what Trump's visit to the region will yield can be summed up with the saying: 'The blackberry will not bear apples.' There is nothing logically that can indicate whether US President Trump will offer anything positive on the Palestinian issue, not only during his visit to the region, but throughout his current term, which ends in 2028."

He added, "The information available from his previous statements and public positions provides a clearer picture of Trump's "hangover." During his first term, he announced the "Deal of the Century" plan, which proposed a two-state solution, but included recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, annexing parts of the West Bank to Israel, and offering economic investments to the Palestinians in exchange for a state of limited sovereignty, which the Palestinian leadership rejected."

Shaqdih continued: "In December 2024, Trump said he supported any solution that would lead to peace between the Palestinians and Israel, noting that there were 'other ideas besides the two-state solution.' This reflects an ambiguous position and a clear lack of commitment to the two-state solution. In February 2025, Trump indicated a plan that included allocating lands in Jordan and Egypt to the Palestinians, hinting at the possibility of recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. In addition, he made statements about a plan for US control of Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians to other locations, indicating that Trump may prefer solutions that go beyond the idea of a traditional Palestinian state."

He pointed out that if Trump offers anything on the Palestinian issue, he will not do so for the "pretty good" of the Palestinians, but rather as part of a Saudi-Islamic quid pro quo linked to regional negotiations that include normalization between Saudi Arabia and a host of Islamic countries behind it and Israel.

The dispute with Netanyahu has moved from rumors to actions.

Shaqdih noted that Trump is not a traditional American president. Furthermore, his administration was appointed based on loyalty to him, not to the American establishment. Consequently, there is a possibility that he may adopt positions that constitute a complete U-turn on what might be expected of him, especially since his dispute with Netanyahu has moved from the realm of rumors to being expressed in action. Several points can be pointed out here that confirm the existence of the dispute:

Trump, author of "The Art of the Deal," who runs America like a private company, will receive money from Gulf states to invest in America and create jobs, while paying Israel annually.

Trump posted a video of Jeffrey Sachs about two months ago describing Netanyahu as a "son of a woman"—using a vile slur.

Trump stated that Netanyahu would not drag the United States into a war with Iran.

• Trump seeks negotiations with Iran instead of asking Israel to bomb Iranian nuclear sites.

• Trump fired National Security Advisor Waltz because of his close association with Netanyahu and his accusation of conspiring with Netanyahu to push the United States toward war with Iran.

Trump concludes an agreement with the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen, allowing continued targeting of Israeli ships.

• Israeli media reported that Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu because he believes Netanyahu is manipulating him and his administration.

Trump's Defense Secretary abruptly canceled his scheduled visit to Israel.

Trump's ambassador to Israel stated that the United States does not need Israel's approval to achieve peace with Yemen.

A long history of negative attitudes towards Palestinian rights

Shaqdih concluded by saying, "Given Trump's history of negative positions on Palestinian rights, and despite the escalating dispute with the Netanyahu government, it is unlikely that Trump will offer anything to the Palestinians. If he does, he will demand significant concessions from the Palestinians, given his history of pro-Israel bias and his support for policies such as moving the US embassy to Jerusalem."

He added, "His history and public positions indicate his preference for economic or regional solutions (such as the displacement of Palestinians or the allocation of land in other countries) rather than a sovereign Palestinian state. However, it is not unlikely that Trump will announce some form of symbolic recognition of some Palestinian rights as a courtesy to his hosts."

The hype and consequences of Trump's visit

For her part, Dr. Amani Al-Qarm, a writer and researcher on American and Israeli affairs from Gaza, said: "The uproar and results of Trump's visit to the region began to appear before it even began.

She added: "It is noteworthy that Trump's visit and the uproar raised around it by President Trump himself are important indications."

First: The importance of the Middle East to American policy. Despite attempts by some strategic thinkers in the United States to downplay the region's importance and the need to abandon it and focus on other regions such as East Asia, it will remain a key center for American strategy and national interests. Its military and economic ties to the region and its global reach cannot be abandoned. It is clear that no matter how hard you try to abandon the Middle East, it will not abandon you. As Brzezinski said, America's vision of the Middle East is linked to America's global role.

Second: The Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, with their strategic and central weight represented by the combined importance of oil and petrodollars, stand out as an indispensable partner for the United States. The dimensions of the relationship between the two parties, based on weight and mutual interests, make it extremely difficult to sever the partnership between the two countries and overcome any potential disagreements regarding the orientations of a given presidential administration. This has been clearly evident in recent days, as Riyadh has emerged as a hub for global engagement, hosting the Ukrainian-Russian talks and entering the Indian-Pakistani mediation line.

Gulf investments and normalization agreements

Third: President Trump came to power in the White House with two goals in mind, based on his personal background and experience as a businessman and as a person who believes he is the best at governing and running the world, as he says: First: Gulf investments in the United States. Second: Completing the normalization agreements, both of which rely on Saudi Arabia. Given its regional and global weight, Saudi Arabia has conditions, the most important of which is that it will not enter into the normalization agreements until progress is achieved in the negotiating process towards an independent Palestinian state, a matter that Israel is trying with all its might and aggression to obliterate any attempt to circumvent this issue.

Regarding the impact of Trump's visit to the region on the war in Gaza, Al-Qarm said: "He is the one who initiated the Gaza Riviera project and displaced its people under the pretext of their safety, while standing beside him is the one responsible for their destruction. He also has the most Zionist administration in the United States, and is closely aligned with the right-wing Zionist government in Israel. Therefore, I do not believe the impact of the visit will extend beyond its timeframe, and its influence will remain within the limits of American interests and the interests of President Trump."

Al-Qarm added: "Therefore, I do not rule out at all the continuation of the joint Israeli-American plan to destroy Gaza and displace a large portion of its people after Trump returns to the United States and the tumultuous nature of his visit to the region ends."

New proposals from Egypt and Qatar to stop the aggression

Political analyst Dr. Amjad Shehab said, "Trump's visit to the region will not lead to a halt to the aggression on the Gaza Strip unless Hamas makes additional concessions, despite the US pressure on Israel exerted by the Trump administration to reach a truce with Hamas before his visit, with warnings that continued aggression could lead to a reduction in US political support."

He added that Trump was able to secure the release of Israeli-American soldier Eden Alexander, the last surviving American prisoner held by Hamas, without any real commitment to ending the tragedy in the Gaza Strip.

Shehab emphasized that Trump's visit coincides with mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar to put forward new proposals to halt the aggression, including a long-term truce and prisoner exchange.

He said, "There is little hope that Trump will push for a political solution to the situation in the Gaza Strip during his visit. Unfortunately, there are no strong indications that Trump's visit will lead to an immediate halt to the aggression on the Gaza Strip, as Israel insists on continuing its massacres until it achieves its goals: the displacement of the population and the surrender of Hamas."

The primary goal of Trump's visit is economic.

On the other hand, Shehab pointed out that the primary objective of President Trump's visit is economic, with the goal of securing the largest possible investment in the US economy from the countries he will visit, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

He pointed out that without offering any real concessions or tangible compensation to the Arab states, such as implementing the Arab Peace Initiative proposed in 2002, or serious discussion of a two-state solution, halting settlement activity, or lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, this remains the greatest challenge for the Arab states: obtaining a compensation acceptable to Arab public opinion, instead of promises that have not been honored since the end of the era of American presidents such as George W. Bush, President Obama, and now President Trump, etc.

Dr. Shehab concluded his statement by asserting that the mission of rescuing the Arabs' reputation as an influential force at the regional and international levels remains their greatest challenge, and that the use of peaceful means, particularly economic ones, is sufficient to halt the aggression and massacres in the Gaza Strip and find a satisfactory solution to the Palestinian issue.

Signing trade agreements with Gulf countries

In turn, Dr. Thaer Abu Ras, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Maryland, Washington, said, "Trump's visit to the region aims, first and foremost, to sign trade agreements with the Gulf states, leading to massive investments within the United States and in the American economy."

He emphasized that Trump loves to appear victorious, and that he will therefore strive to arrive at the Saudi summit with at least a solution to a ceasefire, and perhaps even more so in Gaza.

He added, "Trump will try to stop the ceasefire in Gaza, but ultimately, his primary goal remains Gulf investments in America, because he promised that his policy would be based on attracting foreign investment into the United States, without the United States investing abroad, as it has done over the past forty or fifty years."

Abu Ras said, "Trump wants to show Americans that the tables have turned, and that investment is now coming to the US from abroad, not the other way around. This is the main goal."

The cooling relationship between Netanyahu and Trump

He added: "If he also succeeds in reaching a ceasefire agreement, in conjunction with the signing of trade agreements, this will be an additional achievement for him, and he will continue to pressure Netanyahu to achieve it."

Abu Ras believes there is a cooling in the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump, partly due to Trump's desire to achieve an accomplishment before arriving in the region.

He emphasized that the United States had previously attempted to play a mediating role between India and Pakistan, but that it was only one of several countries, and that this was not an achievement to be credited to Trump.

Abu Ras concluded by saying, "If Trump succeeds in reaching a ceasefire agreement, along with obtaining massive investments from the Gulf states, this will undoubtedly be considered a major achievement for him, and he is in dire need of such achievements."

The coming hours will be decisive towards a ceasefire agreement.

Leading Hamas sources announced progress in direct negotiations being conducted by the movement's leadership, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, with American envoys as part of Steve Witkoff's team. They asserted that the coming hours will be "decisive toward a ceasefire agreement" in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leaders have reported that direct talks involving senior Hamas leaders and the head of the negotiating delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, and US administration officials in Doha have been ongoing for several days. Progress has been made on delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, concluding a two-stage prisoner exchange deal, and a ceasefire.

Hamas officials added that "the coming hours are critical, and efforts are focused on bringing in aid immediately and reaching a ceasefire agreement" in Gaza.

According to Hamas leadership sources, the talks included a 70-day truce, extendable for 90 days, in exchange for the release of 10 living Israeli prisoners and the American prisoner Idan Alexander. During this truce, negotiations will be held to release all remaining prisoners, living and dead, and an agreement will be reached on a number of Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds of those serving life sentences and long sentences. The Israeli army will gradually withdraw, leading to a complete withdrawal.

The sources indicated that the discussions included "American and regional guarantees that there will be no return to combat operations or war in any form as long as negotiations continue, holding a donor conference for Gaza's reconstruction, and empowering and supporting the Community Support Committee, composed of 15 independent, competent individuals, to manage Gaza, to begin its work immediately after the ceasefire begins and the war ends."

The sources noted that the American envoys expressed understanding for Hamas' demands, particularly regarding the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid and an end to the war.

Hamas announced Sunday evening that it would release Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander as part of an understanding and following contacts with the US administration.

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's leader in Gaza, said in a statement that "as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days," noting that the movement "has shown great positivity, and the release of the Israeli soldier, who holds dual US citizenship, Idan Alexander, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip."

US envoy Steve Witkoff made a phone call to Israeli soldier Idan Alexander after he was handed over to the Red Cross but before his return to Israel, an unusual move. This call occurred after the Red Cross informed Witkoff that Alexander was in their custody.

Details of this call were revealed for the first time on Tuesday morning during the "This Morning" program broadcast on the official Israeli radio station, Reshet Bet.

In previous similar deals, the first contact with the released soldiers was usually made by an Israeli official within the central operations room that oversaw the release process.

This official was responsible for verifying the identity of the kidnapped soldier and explaining the steps involved in his return to Israel and meeting his family.

But this time, Witkoff himself spoke to Alexander, a clear indication of the Trump administration's direct involvement in the release process, and even in managing its protocol.

On May 11, Hamas announced that it had decided to release soldier Alexander as part of steps aimed at facilitating a ceasefire, opening the crossings, and allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The Associated Press quoted a senior official in the movement as saying that the decision came after five days of negotiations with Egypt and Qatar, in addition to talks with American representatives.

The official explained that the mediators advised Hamas to present a "gift" to President Trump in the hope of obtaining greater gains later.

According to the same source, Alexander's release could pave the way for a potential US declaration of a ceasefire, facilitating aid deliveries, and possibly progress on a hostage exchange deal.

In the same context, a well-informed Palestinian source revealed to Israel's Kan Channel that Qatar played a significant role in the mediation, requesting that Hamas leadership release Alexander without compensation. This would serve as a "goodwill ambassador" to the Trump administration, thereby increasing pressure on Israel to return to the negotiating table.

At the same time, direct talks began between Hamas leaders and US administration officials.

According to the source, Khalil al-Hayya, Muhammad Darwish, and Musa Abu Marzouk participated in these talks. During the meetings, the US envoys attempted to convince Hamas that Alexander's release would be met with an attempt by Trump to persuade Israel to enter into a temporary truce and initiate broader negotiations.

For its part, Israel asserted that the soldier's release was a gesture to the United States, without pledging in return to release Palestinian prisoners or declare a ceasefire.

It was content with granting a safe passage to enable the release. This step is expected to open the door to negotiations for the release of more hostages, according to a plan proposed by Witkoff and approved by Israel, but which Hamas has so far refused to abide by.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF called for the immediate opening of crossings and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. They warned of the imminent threat of famine, the complete collapse of the agricultural sector, and rising rates of malnutrition and mortality due to the ongoing blockade and the deprivation of food, water, and healthcare.

The new UN report, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), released Monday evening, showed that the entire population of the Gaza Strip, approximately 2.1 million people, are facing severe food insecurity. 93% of the population (1.95 million people) are classified between Phases 3 and 5, with 244,000 people (12%) in Phase 5 (catastrophic famine), 925,000 (44%) in Phase 4 (emergency), and the rest in Phase 3 (food crisis).

The report revealed that approximately 470,000 people are currently suffering from actual famine, while 71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers require immediate treatment for severe malnutrition. Since the beginning of 2025, an estimated 60,000 children have been in need of immediate treatment.

The United Nations expects the situation to continue to deteriorate during the period from May 11 to the end of September 2025, with the entire population remaining in a state of food crisis or worse.

In the agricultural sector, the FAO indicated that 42% of Gaza's land (more than 15,000 hectares) was cultivated before October 2023, but 75% of fields and olive groves were damaged or destroyed during military operations, and that two-thirds of agricultural wells (1,531 wells) were no longer usable by early 2025.

Although FAO has distributed more than 2,100 tons of fodder and veterinary supplies to more than 4,800 herders, supplies fall short of needs, and the agency has confirmed that an additional 20-30% of livestock are at risk of dying if the entry of care supplies continues.

"Entire families are starving while aid stands at borders without permission to enter," warned World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain, emphasizing that "famine doesn't come suddenly, but rather occurs when people are denied access to food and care."

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stressed that hunger and malnutrition have become a daily reality for Gaza's children, calling for immediate action to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

The report indicated that more than 116,000 tons of food aid were ready at the crossings, enough to feed approximately one million people for four months, but these were not allowed in due to the blockade. Food stocks were also completely depleted, and all 25 subsidized bakeries had been closed since the end of April due to a shortage of wheat flour and cooking fuel.

UN agencies called for respect for international humanitarian law and immediate access for supplies, warning that the continued blockade would lead to death rates exceeding famine levels in the coming months.

Israeli occupation forces launched a campaign of raids and arrests, including a house siege, in various areas of the West Bank at dawn and early Tuesday morning.

In Nablus, several Israeli military jeeps stormed the city from the Awarta checkpoint, surrounding a house inside the Askar al-Jadid refugee camp. The occupation also launched surveillance drones over the camp.

During the raid, the occupation forces arrested three citizens: Suhaib Abu Kishk, Abdul Al-Shinawi, and Muhannad Qamhiyah.

In the town of Beita, the occupation forces stormed the town at dawn today, raided a large number of homes, searched them, vandalized their contents, and caused damage to some of them. They detained a number of citizens and conducted field investigations with them, and arrested Abdullah Abdul Ghaffar Ghazi Adili.

In Hebron, the occupation forces raided a number of neighborhoods in the town of Idhna, and arrested the following: Moataz Atef Awad, Muhammad Amjad Atmizi, Adam Khaled Awad, Adam Nihad Al-Batran, Mahmoud Ziad Al-Hattawi, and Youssef Awad.

The occupation forces continue their daily raids on the town, implementing a series of collective punishment measures against the town's residents, including raids, searches, demolitions, and arrests.

Israeli occupation forces also stormed the city of Dura, raiding several neighborhoods and a house in the Al-Alam roundabout area. They detained a number of young men and residents and interrogated them on the spot.

Yasser Saleh, the director of education in southern Hebron, said that the education directorate had postponed the start of the school day until the occupation forces withdrew from the area, to protect the lives of students.

Saleh pointed out that the occupation forces deliberately and continuously raid Dura as students head to or from school. Fourteen martyrs have been killed in Dura, most of them school students, since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023.

In Ramallah, occupation forces arrested two young men, Nour Muhammad Rayhan and Ahmad Shahit, after raiding their homes in the Amari refugee camp in the city of Al-Bireh. They also arrested Muhammad Issam Al-Qaisi after storming his home in the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah, and ransacking its contents.

The Umm al-Sharait, Sateh Marhaba, and al-Balou' neighborhoods in al-Bireh were also raided, along with the village of Deir Qadis and the town of Ni'lin, west of Ramallah. No additional arrests have been reported so far.

In a related development, Israeli bulldozers demolished the memorial to martyrs Imad and Adel Awadallah in the city of Al-Bireh, amid a heavy deployment of Israeli forces around the site.

Israeli occupation aircraft assassinated journalist Hassan Aslih at dawn on Tuesday, inside his treatment room at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis.

Local sources reported that a number of patients at Nasser Medical Complex sustained various injuries as a result of the occupation forces' shelling of the complex and the targeting of journalist Aslih, who was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a previous shelling.

With the death of journalist Aslih, the number of dead of the journalistic family since the beginning of the Israeli war of genocide has risen to (213) male and female journalists.

Hebrew media reported that the Israeli negotiating delegation, which will travel to Qatar on Tuesday, will stay at least until Thursday during US President Donald Trump's visit to Doha.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday evening: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Steve Witkoff agreed that the Israeli negotiating team would remain in Doha at least until Thursday, during President Trump's visit."

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu's office said an Israeli delegation would travel to Doha on Tuesday.

The decision came after a meeting with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, which included a phone call with Trump.

Netanyahu also said in a statement from his office that "negotiations will only take place under fire," indicating his intention to resume fighting after completing the process of releasing captive Idan Alexander.

Earlier Monday evening, Hamas announced that it had "released captured US soldier Idan Alexander after contacts with Washington as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza."

Israel's Channel 12 quoted Alexander's family as saying that their son "will travel to Qatar to meet President Trump there."

She added that he would leave for Qatar if his health condition allowed him to travel.

Trump is on a visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, beginning Tuesday, May 13 and continuing through May 16. This is his first visit to the region since the beginning of his second term in January.

Alexander's release comes as part of negotiations between Hamas and the United States, with the participation of Egypt and Qatar, without any Israeli involvement.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 21 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,900 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 172,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.

A citizen was killed and others were injured on Monday evening in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City.

According to local sources, Israeli artillery targeted the Education Directorate, which was sheltering displaced persons, near Al-Zahraa School in the Al-Daraj neighborhood, east of Gaza City, killing a female citizen and wounding others.

It added that the occupation forces bombed a residential apartment opposite Ajur Bakery east of Gaza City, wounding a number of citizens. He noted that the occupation forces' artillery intensified its shelling of the eastern areas of Gaza City.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have launched an aggression against the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 52,862 citizens, the majority of whom were children and women, and the injury of 119,648 others. This is a preliminary toll, with a number of victims still buried under the rubble and on the streets, unable to be reached by ambulances and rescue teams.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that preventing immediate access to food and essential supplies in the Gaza Strip is causing "further deaths and a slide into famine."

In a post on the X platform, Ghebreyesus said: "We don't have to wait for a famine declaration in Gaza to know that people are already suffering from hunger, disease, and death, while food and medicine are just minutes away from the border."

He pointed to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released Monday, which stated that 470,000 Palestinians in Gaza are facing "catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC Phase 5)," and the entire population is suffering from severe food insecurity.

The report also noted that approximately 71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers are expected to require urgent treatment for severe malnutrition.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) consists of five stages, starting with "No Problem," which represents the minimum level of food insecurity; then "Stress," "Crisis," "Emergency," and finally "Disaster or Famine," in which the population completely lacks access to food and other basic needs.

Ghebreyesus said the report shows that "without immediate access to food and essential supplies, the situation will continue to deteriorate, causing more deaths and a slide into famine," calling for "an immediate end to the aid blockade and a ceasefire."

US President Donald Trump said that Israeli dual national Idan Alexander, who was released by Hamas earlier Monday, is "the last living American prisoner in the Gaza Strip."

This came in a post by Trump on Truth Social following Hamas' announcement of the release of Israeli-American soldier Alexander from Gaza following contacts with the US administration as part of ceasefire efforts.

Trump tweeted: "Idan Alexander, the last living American prisoner in Gaza, has been released. Congratulations to his parents, family, and wonderful friends."

Earlier on Monday, Hamas said in a statement: "The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades released the captured Israeli soldier, Idan Alexander, a short while ago, after contacts with the US administration, as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip."

On April 15, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, announced that contact had been lost with the group holding Israeli soldier Alexander following a direct Israeli bombardment targeting their location. It was speculated that the army was "deliberately attempting to relieve the pressure of the dual-nationality prisoners' file in order to continue its war of extermination," according to a statement he issued at the time.

The movement affirmed its readiness "to immediately begin negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement for a sustainable ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, the exchange of prisoners, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip."

The movement reiterated its assertion that "serious and responsible" negotiations would "achieve results in the release of prisoners," adding, "Continuing the aggression, however, will prolong their suffering and may even kill them."

The movement urged the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end the brutal war waged by war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu against children, women, and defenseless civilians in Gaza.

In contrast, the Israeli occupation army said in a statement posted on its X account that its forces in the Gaza Strip had received prisoner Idan Alexander from the Red Cross, and that he was "on his way to Israeli territory."

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation previously reported that US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Israel's coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, Gal Hirsch, were en route by military helicopter to the Ra'im base adjacent to the Gaza Strip to receive Alexander.

Alexander's release came as part of negotiations between Hamas and the United States, with the participation of Egypt and Qatar, without any Israeli involvement.

An Israeli negotiating delegation is scheduled to head to the Qatari capital, Doha, tomorrow, Tuesday, to discuss a prisoner exchange agreement and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli decision came after a meeting between Netanyahu, Witkoff, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, which included a phone call with Trump, according to a statement issued by his office.

According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu and Witkov agreed that the Israeli negotiating team would remain in Doha until next Thursday, coinciding with Trump's upcoming visit.

Trump is on a visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, beginning Tuesday, May 13 and continuing through May 16. This is his first visit to the region since the beginning of his second term in January.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 21 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,900 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

Israeli Channel 13 reported Monday evening that US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take advantage of the "window of opportunity" available in the coming days to reach an agreement on Gaza.

According to the Hebrew channel, the delegation to the occupying entity, which will head to the Qatari capital, Doha, will remain there for several days.

In the same context, the channel quoted an Israeli official as acknowledging that "the chances of expanding the military campaign in Gaza in the coming days have diminished."

In the same context, Netanyahu's office announced that he met today with US official Witkoff and the US ambassador to Tel Aviv, where efforts to implement Witkoff's plan for the release of prisoners were discussed.

The office added that Netanyahu ordered the dispatch of a negotiating delegation to the Qatari capital, Doha, tomorrow, as part of ongoing efforts regarding the prisoners' file.

In another context, Netanyahu's spokesman said there was no agreement to open the crossings to allow supplies into Gaza in exchange for the release of Idan Alexander.

Netanyahu's office confirmed that negotiations with Hamas would only take place under fire.

A number of citizens suffered suffocation on Monday after Israeli occupation forces fired tear gas and sound bombs in the town of Sa'ir, northeast of Hebron, in the southern West Bank.

According to local sources, the occupation forces fired a barrage of tear gas and sound bombs at citizens in the Wadi al-Sharq area of the town, causing a number of them to suffer from suffocation due to inhaling the gas. They were treated on the spot.

The bombs also caused fires to break out on agricultural land owned by citizens, amid fears that the fire could spread due to winds and the difficulty of accessing the area.

This incident comes amid ongoing escalation by occupation forces in the Hebron Governorate, which has witnessed repeated raids and attacks against residents and their property.

Hamas warned on Monday of a "catastrophic" worsening of the famine in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its blockade by closing the crossings and preventing the entry of food and medicine. It also called for the entry of aid "under UN supervision."

The movement said in a statement that "the occupation's continued prevention of aid entry confirms its deliberate intent to create famine and a worsening humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip."

It stressed that "the famine in Gaza is intensifying catastrophically amid the ongoing blockade and the prevention of food and medicine from entering."

It called for the immediate opening of the crossings to allow the flow of aid "under UN supervision and without interference from the Israeli authorities."

She stressed that "the only entities authorized to manage and distribute aid are the relevant UN and governmental institutions, not the occupation or its agents."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday that "nothing would make him happier than shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman."

The Israeli president's office said in a statement that Herzog was answering a question at a press conference he held in Berlin during a current visit to Germany.

"When we evaluate historical processes, we cannot be satisfied with a specific moment," Herzog said. "We must take into account this week: We are following US President Donald Trump's visit to the region."

"We are witnessing the release of Idan Alexander, and we know that there is an intensive dialogue, and I sincerely hope and pray every moment that it will bear fruit. As I said, this is the key to radical change," Herzog added.

He added, "Nothing would make me happier than shaking hands with Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, as a step toward rapprochement between Jews and Muslims in the region."

He continued, "I believe this is the defining historical challenge. Are we heading toward annexing Israel to the region?"

Officially, Saudi Arabia is contingent on the potential normalization of relations with Israel ending its war of extermination in Gaza and engaging in a serious political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Riyadh has consistently condemned in the strongest terms Israel's crimes in the Gaza Strip since October 7 and called on the international community to halt ongoing Israeli violations in the Palestinian territories.

Since the start of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Netanyahu has repeatedly declared his rejection of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He has even begun intensive steps to annex the occupied West Bank to Israel, which, if implemented, would render the two-state solution (Palestinian and Israeli) impossible to implement.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 172,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.

During the month of April 2025, the Israeli occupation authorities continued to implement systematic arrest campaigns in the West Bank governorates, where (530) arrests were recorded, including (60) children and (18) women, in light of the ongoing comprehensive aggression on the West Bank, coinciding with the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Arrests and attacks were concentrated in the cities of Jenin and Tulkarm, and included violent field operations ranging from summary executions to forced displacement and the destruction of infrastructure. Hundreds of citizens across the West Bank were also arrested and interrogated, including children and women, who were subjected to physical and psychological assaults and used as hostages and human shields, as part of a systematic escalation policy.

17,000 arrests since the start of the war of extermination

With the April figures, the total number of arrests in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, has risen to approximately 17,000, including those subsequently released. The figures do not include detainees in the Gaza Strip, whose number is estimated in the thousands.

A dangerous escalation in administrative detention

Human rights organizations (the Commission of Prisoners' and Ex-Prisoners' Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, and the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association) monitored an unprecedented escalation in administrative detention orders this month. The number of administrative detainees until the beginning of May 2025 reached (3,577) detainees, including more than 100 children. This is the highest number in history since the beginning of the occupation, and exceeds the number of convicts and detainees.

Two dead in occupation prisons

During the month of April, the martyrdom of Musab Adili (Nablus) was announced on 4/16/2025, and Nasser Khalil Radaideh (Al-Ubaidiya) on 4/20/2025.

Families of detainees from Gaza also received reports that their sons had been killed in Israeli prisons, without any clarification or confirmation from official Israeli authorities.

Systematic crimes inside prisons

Prisoners' testimonies during lawyer visits in April confirm that the occupation continues to perpetrate a series of violations inside prisons, including physical and psychological torture, systematic starvation, and medical neglect.

The spread of scabies is a glaring example of deliberate neglect, particularly in the Negev and Megiddo prisons, amid calls for urgent intervention from the international community, particularly the World Health Organization.

Autopsy results reveal starvation crime

The autopsy results of the minor martyr Walid Ahmed, who was killed last March, revealed that deliberate starvation was the primary cause of his death, confirming the occupation's perpetration of an organized crime against prisoners, especially children.

Continuous raids and escalating repression

Dozens of raids and brutal attacks have been recorded inside prisoner sections, particularly against leaders of the prisoner movement, who have been subjected to severe beatings and continuous solitary confinement since the start of the aggression.

Female prisoners in Damon prison: isolation, starvation, and medical neglect

(35) female prisoners are still in Al-Damon prison, including two female prisoners who are five months pregnant, and a female prisoner with cancer. They are facing harsh conditions, including collective isolation, deprivation of basic needs, the imposition of a starvation policy, and deliberate medical neglect.

Detained Children: Victims of Escalating Crimes

By early May 2025, at least 400 children were detained, including more than 100 administrative detainees. They face all forms of abuse, including torture, abuse, and starvation, as well as deprivation of education and healthcare.

Gaza Detainees: Horrifying Testimonies and Enforced Disappearances

Institutions have received horrific testimonies from detainees in Gaza, particularly at Ofer camp, describing brutal physical and psychological torture, sexual assault, the enforced disappearance of dozens of detainees, the refusal to disclose the fate of martyrs, and systematic restrictions on legal visits.

The prison administration continues to obstruct legal visits by lawyers, particularly at Nafha and Rimon (Janot) prisons, by imposing strict censorship, delaying appointments, preventing lawyers from entering the prisons, and humiliating detainees during their transportation to the visits, leading many to refuse to provide any statements.

Statistical data until the beginning of May 2025:

Total number of prisoners and detainees: more than 10,100

Number of child prisoners: at least 400

Number of female prisoners: 35

Number of administrative detainees: 3,577

Number of Gaza detainees classified as "unlawful combatants": 1,846 (data does not include all detainees)

Before the start of the war of extermination:

Total number of prisoners: 5,250

Number of children: 170

Number of administrators: 1320

Number of female prisoners: 40

Number of martyrs of the prisoner movement:

Since October 7, 2023: 66 martyrs (only their identities are known)

Since 1967: 303 martyrs

Urgent warning

Prisoners' organizations warned that the time factor has become an existential threat to the lives of thousands of prisoners, given the ongoing crimes and the lack of any meaningful international intervention. The organizations continue their urgent call for genuine international action to halt the abuses perpetrated against Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

Axios reported, citing the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, that Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in securing the release of soldier Idan Alexander.

In the same context, Netanyahu's office announced that he met today with US official Witkoff and the US ambassador to Tel Aviv, where efforts to implement Witkoff's plan for the release of prisoners were discussed.

The office added that Netanyahu ordered the dispatch of a negotiating delegation to the Qatari capital, Doha, tomorrow, as part of ongoing efforts regarding the prisoners' file.

In another context, Netanyahu's spokesman said there was no agreement to open the crossings to allow supplies into Gaza in exchange for the release of Idan Alexander.

Netanyahu's office confirmed that negotiations with Hamas would only take place under fire.

Channel 12 reported that Israeli-American soldier Idan Alexander is scheduled to be released at 6:30 p.m. Monday from Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

In the same context, a leading source in the Qassam Brigades said that the date for Alexander's release was coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, announced that the resistance had decided to release the American soldier, Idan Alexander, who is being held in Gaza, on Monday.

In this context, a Hamas source told Agence France-Presse that mediators informed the movement that the occupation had begun suspending its military operations in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for the handover of the American-Israeli detainee, Idan Alexander.

The source explained that "the occupation army began, as of 9:30 a.m. (Jerusalem time), to halt the flights of warplanes, reconnaissance aircraft, and drones, in addition to suspending all combat operations within the Gaza Strip, to secure a safe passage that would allow the transfer and delivery of Eidan."

On Monday, settlers continued their attacks on citizens and their property in the village of Umm al-Khair in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron.

Media activist Osama Makhamreh confirmed that settlers have placed iron corners and pipes on citizens' lands in the village of Umm al-Khair in the Masafer Yatta area, with the aim of seizing more of them for colonial expansion.

Settlers also stole the phone of a foreign activist while he was documenting the settlers' destruction of agricultural crops. They also set their livestock loose on crops near the home of Mohammed al-Jabareen, east of Shaab al-Batm, in the vicinity of citizens' homes in the village of Susya.

Today, Monday, the guards of Al-Aqsa Mosque thwarted an attempt by settlers to bring a "live sacrifice" into its courtyards through the Al-Ghawanmeh Gate.

Local sources reported that settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque through Bab al-Ghawanmeh, one of its gates, carrying a small lamb. Al-Aqsa guards pursued them and foiled their attempt to offer the lamb in Al-Aqsa on the second Passover holiday.

594 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque today, performing provocative Talmudic rituals in its courtyards, amid restrictions on worshippers.

In the same context, the Jerusalem Governorate condemned, in a statement, the attempted sacrifice inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, which it considers a dangerous development that cannot be tolerated.

The governorate warned that a group of extremist settlers attempted this morning to smuggle a small lamb into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the intention of slaughtering it inside its courtyards, in a criminal attempt to violate the sanctity of the holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina.

She reported that three settlers managed to smuggle a sheep hidden inside a cloth bag through the Ghawanmeh Gate, in an attempt to slaughter the sacrifice according to Talmudic rituals.

She stressed that this development constitutes a serious crossing of all red lines, adding, "If the slaughter had been carried out inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, no one could have predicted the repercussions of this criminal act."

The governorate held the occupation authorities fully responsible for this serious crime and called for an immediate halt to the settlers' attacks. It warned that continued collusion with these extremist groups and attempts to impose a fait accompli at Al-Aqsa Mosque could lead to dire consequences.

The governorate called on our people and the Arab and Islamic nations to take urgent and serious action to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and thwart the occupation's plans to transform it into a Jewish synagogue as part of a plan for temporal and spatial division.

The Jerusalem Governorate saluted the vigilance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque guards, who are subjected to harassment, deportation, arrest, and assault by the occupation police and its settlers. It called for continued vigilance and attention to any new attempts by extremists against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared for the 30th time in Tel Aviv District Court on Monday to answer corruption charges against him.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said: "The prime minister did not request the cancellation of today's session, but initially requested a significant reduction in the discussion to a few hours."

Netanyahu's interrogation sessions began last January.

Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery, and breach of trust in what are known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit filed the indictment in late November 2019.

Netanyahu's trial in these cases began in 2020 and is still ongoing. He denies the charges, claiming they are a "political campaign aimed at ousting him."

The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Monday that operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency departments are now operating with worn-out medical equipment and are lacking vital supplies. The ministry warned that this severe shortage of equipment is deepening the crisis facing hospitals and hindering the work of medical staff.

The ministry explained in a press release that hospitals in the Gaza Strip now lack portable x-ray machines and anesthesia equipment, and that surgical supplies for specialized surgeries such as those for orthopedics, vascular surgery, and ophthalmology are unavailable.

She also noted the depletion of essential medical gases such as carbon dioxide, medical fabrics, beds, and infection control supplies, amid a lack of food supplies for crews working around the clock due to the strict blockade imposed by the occupation on the Gaza Strip.

The ministry stressed that "the severe shortage of medical equipment and general supplies exacerbates the complex crisis facing hospitals and hinders the work of medical teams."

Red Crescent: The protection badge has become a shroud for medical personnel.

On the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the Palestine Red Crescent Society issued an urgent appeal calling on the international community to provide effective protection for humanitarian workers in Palestine, given their continued targeting by the Israeli occupation forces.

The association reported that "the number of martyrs among its staff has reached 48 since the start of the aggression, including 30 who were martyred while performing their duties while wearing the Red Crescent badge," stressing that the number of martyrs among humanitarian work and medical personnel in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 1,400.

The association added, "The Red Crescent emblem, which is supposed to provide protection to its bearers, has been transformed into a shroud for the bodies of our volunteers and staff who were targeted while performing their humanitarian duties, amid international silence."

The association emphasized that these attacks are part of a systematic policy aimed at undermining Gaza's health system, calling for accountability for those responsible for the violations and the immediate release of three of its members, who continue to be forcibly disappeared by the occupation, along with dozens of medical workers.

Israeli occupation forces continue to demolish homes in the Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarm, as part of their ongoing aggression against the camp, for the 93rd consecutive day.

Local sources reported that Israeli bulldozers continued to demolish residential buildings in the al-Jami' neighborhood, amid the sounds of massive explosions in the area. A tight siege was imposed on the camp.

This escalation comes in implementation of the occupation's plan to demolish 106 homes and buildings in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps, which it announced more than 10 days ago and began implementing last week.

According to local estimates, the number of buildings demolished by Israeli bulldozers over the past week has reached 15, including residential apartments. Other homes were also blown up, after residents had been evacuated after receiving prior coordination, forcibly displacing them during the ongoing aggression.

The death toll from the genocidal war and aggression waged by the Israeli occupation forces on the Gaza Strip has risen to 52,862 dead and 119,648 wounded since October 7, 2023.

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reported that the death toll includes 2,749 dead and 7,607 injuries since March 18, when the occupation resumed its aggression against the Strip following the ceasefire agreement.

Over the past 24 hours, 33 martyrs arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals, including 29 new victims, four dead bodies recovered, and 94 injured. A number of victims remain buried under the rubble and debris, and on the streets, unable to be reached by ambulances and civil defense teams.

The Israeli political-security cabinet approved a decision on Sunday to register land ownership rights in Area C of the West Bank for the first time since 1967. This decision contravenes international laws relating to occupation and will lead to the confiscation of Palestinian land, which has difficulty proving its ownership.

The cabinet also instructed the Israeli security establishment to curb "by any means" parallel measures initiated by the Palestinian Authority.

Haaretz newspaper quoted Defense Minister Yisrael Katz today, Monday, as saying that this decision "will strengthen the settlements."

The decision stipulates that ownership rights to land be registered in the Land Registry at the end of the mapping procedures and the occupation authorities' review of ownership claims. Registering ownership in the Land Registry is a final procedure and difficult to appeal. Under these procedures, any land with no registered ownership rights is transferred to the occupation authorities.

During the British Mandate and Jordanian rule in the West Bank, land registration procedures were initiated, but Israel froze these procedures after occupying the West Bank in 1967.

Israeli expert in international law and the laws of war, human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, said the cabinet's decision contradicts the law prohibiting changes with far-reaching effects in an occupied territory, according to the newspaper.

Sfard added, "There is no chance that any Palestinian will receive recognition of their property rights. The land settlement decision will be implemented under conditions that will transform it into massive theft of all land in Area C by the State of Israel."

He stressed that "it is no coincidence that a ban was imposed on the occupier from implementing land settlements. This ban stems from the fact that under conditions of occupation, it is not possible to implement settlements freely."

Palestinians have no access to information and documents that could prove their rights, and absentees (i.e. Palestinians who do not reside in Israel or the West Bank) cannot participate in these proceedings despite being landowners. The occupier is not an impartial body that decides claims, and there is a complete lack of trust and fear that will cause many Palestinians to refrain from participating in this process.

The cabinet decision, initiated by Katz and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves as the Defense Ministry minister responsible for settlements, stated that the cabinet orders the commander of the IDF Central Command to resume land settlement in Area C.

Under the Cabinet decision, the Authority for the Registration and Settlement of Real Estate Rights in the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Advisor to the Security Service, and the Settlement Directorate must complete the work within 60 working days in order to implement the land settlement.

Katz described the cabinet's decision in this regard as "revolutionary," and that it "does justice to Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria and will lead to its strengthening, consolidation, and expansion."

Smotrich said, "The land settlement process joins the settlement of outposts (i.e., unauthorized outposts), planning, construction, and development of roads and infrastructure that we are leading in order to bring in another million settlers, to strengthen the security belt of the State of Israel and eliminate the threat of a Palestinian terrorist state."

In recent years, the Palestinian Authority has begun land registration procedures, but Israel does not recognize this. Yesterday's cabinet decision stipulates that no authority will be granted to the Palestinian process and instructs the Israeli security establishment to prevent its completion "by all means at its disposal."

Among the measures mentioned in the cabinet decision are preventing Palestinian employees or surveyors from entering areas where the occupation's land settlement is in effect, and preventing the transfer of economic aid from foreign countries to implement Palestinian land registration procedures.

In its decision, the cabinet instructed the IDF Chief of Staff and the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad to transfer information to the Ministry of Finance regarding Palestinian Authority investments in land registration procedures, including funds collected as donations from foreign countries, to explore ways to deduct them from the Palestinian Authority's clearance revenues.

The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has decided to release the American prisoner, Idan Alexander, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

This came in a tweet posted by the spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called for an end to the food blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for nine weeks, especially as the lives of 2.1 million Gazans are at stake.

The UN office confirmed on its official website that its stocks are nearly depleted as the comprehensive Israeli blockade on Gaza enters its third month.

For its part, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that more than nine weeks have passed since the blockade of Gaza began, during which Israel has prevented the entry of all humanitarian, medical, and commercial aid.

She added that the longer this blockade continues, the greater the irreparable damage to the lives of countless people.

The UN agency confirmed that thousands of its trucks are ready to enter, noting that its teams in Gaza are prepared to expand the scope of deliveries.

In this context, a report by the United Nations Satellite Imagery Analysis Program showed that approximately 81% of the arable land in the Gaza Strip has witnessed a significant decline in agricultural yields.

The UN report stated that the destruction of agricultural lands resulted from bombing and bulldozing operations as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.

Since March 2, the Israeli occupation has been preventing the entry of all relief, food, and medical aid into the Gaza Strip, on which residents depend entirely for their survival.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised Hamas' announcement of its intention to release American-Israeli hostage Idan Alexander, calling the war in Gaza brutal.

"I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this historic news," Trump wrote in a social media post, describing the hostage's release as a "goodwill gesture."

"We hope this is the first of the final steps needed to end this brutal conflict," he added, expressing his hope for the release of all prisoners and an end to the fighting.

Hamas announced that dual Israeli-American citizen Idan Alexander would be released on Monday, following direct contacts Hamas had with the US administration over the past few days.

Hamas affirmed its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations and to exert serious efforts to reach a final agreement to cease the war and exchange prisoners by mutual consent. An independent, professional committee will govern the Gaza Strip, ensuring continued calm and stability for several years, along with reconstruction and an end to the blockade.

In the first US comment on Hamas' announcement, Trump's envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, said Hamas's decision to "release an American represents a positive step forward" and called on it to release the bodies of four other Americans.

These developments coincided with a report on Sunday that US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told the families of hostages held in Gaza that he disagreed with Israel's approach to the war in the Strip and believed a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement was the right next step. This comes amid mounting reports of a deepening rift between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government.

According to Israel's Channel 12, Witkoff told the families that the United States "wants to return the hostages, but Israel is not ready to end the war."

"Israel is prolonging the war, even though we don't see any room for further progress," Witkoff said, according to the report, which cited sources who attended the meeting, referring to Israel's inability to defeat Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip.

"However, there is currently a window of opportunity that we hope Israel and all the mediators will exploit," Witkoff told the families. "We are putting pressure on all the mediators and doing everything we can to bring back the hostages," he was quoted as saying. Channel 12 quoted the families as saying they had not heard this kind of criticism of Israeli government policy from Witkoff in the past.

The report, broadcast by the Israeli channel, also quoted unnamed senior Israeli officials warning: “If there are no agreements by the end of [US President Donald] Trump’s visit to the Middle East, Israel will launch a ground operation, and it will take several weeks to reach the next ‘exit point.’ Once we begin the intensive operation, we will not agree to stop it quickly. Hamas will not set a timetable.”

However, echoing Witkoff's aforementioned statements, officials agreed that there is currently a "window of opportunity," and stated that mediators are obligated to make this clear to Hamas, according to Channel 12.

The report stated that Israel is open to various proposals - including what Israel called "Witkoff's watered-down proposal" - but if Hamas continues to refuse to agree to a deal, there is "no alternative" to an intensive operation that will not end quickly.

It is noteworthy that what Israel calls the "Witkoff proposal" stipulates the release of approximately half of the living hostages in exchange for an extended truce, followed by the release of the remaining hostages along with an end to the war.

Experts believe that Netanyahu and the Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, face a clear embarrassment due to the release of Alexander through direct American negotiations with Hamas, without the knowledge or involvement of the Israeli government, and due to what appears to be a lack of concern for the remaining living Israeli captives, all of whom are soldiers because they hold no citizenship other than Israeli.