Washington – Said Arikat – 27/4/2026

News Analysis

President Donald Trump's decision to cancel a trip that two of his senior aides were scheduled to make to Islamabad appeared to be a revealing moment for the faltering path between Washington and Tehran. The trip, prepared for a new round of talks on a potential agreement to end the war on Iran, was canceled hours before its departure, sending a political message that carried more than procedural significance, and confirming that negotiations are still far from any serious breakthrough so far.

Trump said he informed his team not to take "an eighteen-hour trip to sit and talk fruitlessly," adding that the United States "holds all the cards." This rhetoric summarizes the American president's philosophy in managing foreign crises, where negotiation is viewed as an extension of military and economic pressure, rather than an independent path for resolving complex disputes. In the Iranian case, this approach seems more complex and less effective than Washington imagines.

The American move also represented a second setback for Pakistani mediation in less than a week, after a visit expected from Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad was canceled. These developments reveal that the American administration has not given the Pakistani channel full political weight, despite Pakistan's open relations with Tehran and Washington, and its theoretical ability to facilitate communication between the two parties at a highly sensitive regional moment.

In contrast, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi returned to Islamabad hours after his departure, indicating that Tehran still sees Pakistani mediation as a viable avenue for investment, or at least a suitable arena for exchanging political messages before his move to Moscow. Iran usually keen to keep communication channels open, even at the peak of escalation, without showing signs of weakness or haste.

The most prominent obstacle to any negotiation is the continued American naval blockade on Iranian ports, a measure aimed at strangling the Iranian economy and pushing the leadership in Tehran to make concessions. However, Iran has repeatedly declared its refusal to negotiate under pressure, considering that any agreement extracted under coercion lacks political and sovereign legitimacy. Between the American desire to impose its conditions and the Iranian insistence on steadfastness, the path stumbles before it even begins.

This crisis is not separate from the escalating tension in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital passage for oil and gas exports from the Gulf. Both sides have continued to detain ships and accuse them of violating navigation restrictions, making the sea a parallel pressure arena to the negotiating table. Any limited incident in this region is capable of undermining months of communications and causing global energy prices to rise immediately.

The nuclear file remains the most complex issue. The dispute is not limited to the extent of enrichment or levels of control, but includes the principle of the right itself. Iran says the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty guarantees its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, while Washington insists on preventing any capability that puts Tehran a short distance from producing a nuclear weapon. Thus, the dispute transforms from technical to sovereign and strategic at the same time.

The irony is that Trump is now negotiating a crisis he himself contributed to complicating when he withdrew in 2018 from the nuclear agreement signed in 2015. It is true that the previous agreement was not perfect, but it imposed strict restrictions and extensive inspection mechanisms. The unilateral American withdrawal weakened the pragmatic current within Iran, strengthened the arguments of hardliners who say Washington does not abide by its commitments, and then pushed Tehran to accelerate enrichment and expand its nuclear stockpile.

This background reveals the limits of the chronic American belief that sanctions and military force are sufficient to change the behavior of targeted countries. Pressures may weaken the economy, but they do not automatically produce political surrender; rather, they often reinforce defensive tendencies and give the authorities additional pretexts for rigidity. In the Iranian case, the more the external threat escalates, the more the opportunities for pragmatic currents diminish and the influence of security institutions expands.

Moreover, the decision-making style within the American administration raises additional questions. When visits and appointments are canceled at the last minute, mediators' trust in Washington's seriousness erodes, and it becomes difficult to build on its commitments. Diplomacy requires a stable partner whose behavior can be predicted, not an administration that swings between escalation and retreat depending on daily calculations or political mood.

In contrast, Tehran is betting on what it calls "long patience." It realizes that the American administration needs a quick achievement that can be marketed domestically, while Iran, despite the high cost, can endure a longer stalemate. Hence one of Iran's most important strengths: time. The longer the crisis lasts without a full-blown explosion, the more pressure there is on Washington to show some result.

However, this does not mean that Iran holds the full initiative. It faces an economy burdened by sanctions, internal social challenges, and escalating security pressures. Nevertheless, the Iranian leadership seems convinced that making major concessions under siege would be more costly than the possibility of the crisis continuing, especially in the absence of reliable American guarantees after the experiences of past years.

If the current logic of coercion continues, negotiations may turn into mere cover for managing the conflict rather than ending it. But if Washington realizes that force alone is not enough, an opportunity may arise for a gradual settlement based on reciprocal steps and partial lifting of sanctions in exchange for verifiable restrictions. The real question is no longer who wins a round of statements, but who has a viable vision that saves face for both sides.

So far, it seems Trump wants a quick deal through which he can declare his superiority over his predecessor Barack Obama, while Iran wants a deal that guarantees its interests and prevents a future American withdrawal. Between Washington's haste and Tehran's patience, the canceled Islamabad trip remains a symbol of a wide gap yet to be bridged, and a conflict that goes beyond individuals to a deep contradiction in understanding the meaning and limits of power.

First Prediction: Limited Interim Settlement

Experts believe that the most realistic probability for the future is reaching an interim agreement that does not address all issues, but rather freezes escalation and gives both parties additional time. This could include a partial easing of sanctions in exchange for halting some enrichment activities and expanding international oversight. This scenario suits Trump because it provides a quick achievement, and suits Iran because it gives it economic breathing room without major strategic concessions. But it will remain fragile and prone to collapse at the first sudden political or security crisis between the two sides later on.

The second scenario is the continuation of the current situation: indirect contacts, spaced-out negotiation rounds, and controlled escalation that does not slide into an all-out war. Washington will continue economic and military pressures, while Tehran continues to maneuver and gradually expand its regional and nuclear cards. This pattern may continue for months or years, as it allows both parties to avoid full concession or major confrontation. But it slowly accumulates risks, and makes any maritime or security incident a cause for an uncalculated explosion at any later moment.

If Trump insists on extreme conditions, or if Iran decides to raise the level of enrichment and regional challenge, negotiations may collapse entirely and the region return to the brink of direct confrontation. At that point, Washington may resort to limited strikes or tightening an even harsher blockade, while Tehran responds via the Strait of Hormuz or through its allies in the region. This scenario does not guarantee victory for any party, but rather raises the economic and security costs for everyone, and makes a return to diplomacy more difficult later on.

Large forces of the Israeli occupation army stormed Qalandia camp, located north of occupied Jerusalem, at dawn on Monday, where they began carrying out a widespread raid campaign that affected dozens of homes. Local sources reported that the raid was accompanied by a heavy deployment of infantry forces in the narrow alleys of the camp, amid intensive overflights by reconnaissance aircraft and the presence of military vehicles at the main entrances.

Video clips documented the occupation soldiers' assaults on citizens' property, showing soldiers violently kicking the doors of residential buildings and leading young men, with their hands tied, to unknown destinations. The sources stated that the arrest campaign targeted a number of citizens, among whom was the released prisoner Arafat Yaqoub, who was arrested after his home was raided and its contents were savagely ransacked.

In a remarkable field escalation, the occupation forces forcibly evacuated one of the residential homes in the camp, turning it into a military barracks and an observation point for their soldiers. This coincided with the army pushing additional military reinforcements from the Qalandia military checkpoint towards the depths of the camp, to secure the withdrawal of forces after completing the search and arrest operations that lasted for several hours.

These developments come just hours after a Palestinian youth was injured by live occupation fire near the separation wall north of occupied Jerusalem on Sunday evening. According to eyewitnesses, occupation soldiers fired directly at the youth, causing him injuries, in the context of targeting farmers and passersby near the border and separation areas.

Cities and camps in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in the pace of incursions and assaults since October 2023, with night raids becoming a daily practice aimed at persecuting Palestinians. These incursions are usually accompanied by violent field confrontations, during which the occupation seeks to impose a new security reality by intensifying military presence in densely populated areas.

According to the latest official Palestinian data, occupation and settler attacks in the West Bank have resulted in the martyrdom of 1,154 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 11,750 others since the beginning of the recent escalation. The number of arrests has also risen to nearly 22,000 cases, amid difficult detention conditions faced by prisoners inside occupation prisons.

Occupation forces converted a house in the camp into a military barracks after forcing its residents to leave it under threat of arms.

Informed sources revealed that Tehran has submitted a new diplomatic proposal to the American administration through Pakistani intermediaries, aiming to end the ongoing dispute and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation. This move comes at a sensitive time when the region is witnessing escalating military tensions and increasing economic pressures, with Iran seeking a comprehensive political solution to the current crisis.

The Iranian offer includes a fundamental clause to postpone discussions related to the nuclear program to a later stage, as part of a broader deal that ensures the stability of vital waterways. According to media reports, this step reflects Tehran's desire to separate outstanding issues and focus on halting military operations and lifting the naval blockade imposed on it as a top priority at present.

For his part, US President Donald Trump expressed conditional openness to the idea of negotiation, indicating that the door is open for the Iranian leadership to communicate if there is a genuine desire to end the war in which the United States and Israel have been involved. However, Trump reiterated his country's red lines, stressing that Tehran possessing nuclear weapons is not permissible under any circumstances.

In the context of intense diplomatic activity, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a series of discussions in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, despite the absence of the American negotiating delegation that was supposed to participate in indirect rounds. These meetings focused on informing the Pakistani side, as a key mediator, of the details of the Iranian conditions necessary to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement.

The Iranian demands conveyed by Araghchi include the drafting of a new international legal system regulating movement in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the rights of all parties and preventing future military friction. Tehran also demanded financial compensation for the damages it has incurred, in addition to strict international guarantees to prevent the recurrence of any aggression by countries it describes as instigators of the conflict.

Despite the direct negotiation track faltering after the cancellation of a visit by prominent American envoys to the region, Araghchi continued his tour, which included the Sultanate of Oman, emphasizing the role of regional mediators in bridging viewpoints. Diplomatic sources confirm that Iranian moves aim to build a political safety net that ensures the lifting of the naval blockade and the unimpeded flow of goods and services without military obstacles.

In a significant development, the Iranian Foreign Minister traveled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, to discuss the repercussions of the stalled negotiations with Washington. The Kremlin confirmed this meeting, which aims to coordinate positions between the two allies, as Moscow seeks to play a more active role in promoting de-escalation efforts and reducing tensions in the Middle East.

The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, described this visit as part of a 'diplomatic jihad' to protect Iranian national interests in the face of escalating external threats. Jalali indicated that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow represents a united front aimed at breaking unipolarity and Western hegemony, stressing that consultations will also address ways to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire that ends the humanitarian suffering resulting from the war.

Iran can communicate if it wishes to negotiate an end to the war, but it cannot possess nuclear weapons.

The Gaza Strip received a new batch of wounded Palestinians who completed their treatment journeys abroad, where feelings of joy at their arrival mingled with the bitterness of the complex humanitarian reality witnessed in the Strip. The returnees insisted on returning to their homes despite the massive destruction and the loss of basic necessities of life, in a clear message of steadfastness on their land.

Sources reported that the journey was fraught with hardships and challenges, especially at the border crossings, which are subject to strict security measures. One of the returnees described her experience as extremely exhausting, while also noting the medical and humanitarian care she received in Egyptian hospitals during her treatment period.

Upon their arrival in Khan Yunis, the returnees found themselves facing a painful reality, as many of them were forced to go directly to the tents of shelter centers. This forced step comes after the occupation forces completely destroyed their homes during military operations that targeted residential areas in the Strip.

A returning woman recounted painful details about the loss of her son during his treatment journey, as he suffered a deterioration in his health before his death far from his homeland. Despite this loss, the woman affirmed that Gaza remains beautiful in the eyes of its people despite all the destruction it has suffered, expressing her hope for the start of the reconstruction phase soon.

For their part, other returnees spoke about being subjected to abusive practices by occupation soldiers during their crossing, including humiliating searches and confiscation of personal belongings. One young man confirmed that these procedures, including restrictions and long waits, did not prevent him from insisting on returning to Gaza, which he sees as his only option.

In an emotional scene, families welcomed their wounded children with tears of joy after an absence that lasted for years in some cases, with one returnee mentioning that he had been away from the Strip for about two and a half years. The families considered the safety of their children and their return to the family's embrace to be the greatest gain in these harsh circumstances.

This batch's return comes amid limited operation of the Rafah land crossing, which faces operational difficulties after long periods of closure that negatively affected the movement of patients. Thousands of wounded in Gaza face immense challenges in accessing necessary medical care due to the collapse of the local health system.

Field sources indicated that the occupation continues to exert security pressure on returnees by subjecting them to lengthy interrogations and harsh waiting conditions. These practices are considered part of the ongoing policy of tightening restrictions aimed at complicating the lives of Palestinians even after the cessation of direct military operations.

It is worth noting that the Gaza Strip is trying to recover from the effects of a devastating war that lasted for two years, resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded and unprecedented destruction of infrastructure. This reality has made travel for treatment an inevitable necessity for many cases for which treatment is not available in the destroyed hospitals.

Despite the ceasefire agreement coming into effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli violations continue to cast a shadow over the lives of the residents. The testimonies of the returning wounded reflect a popular determination to stay and adapt to the most difficult living conditions, preferring to live in tents rather than remain in exile.

Gaza remains beautiful despite its bitterness, and staying in a tent inside the Strip is still better than living outside it.

Obtaining a loaf of bread in the Gaza Strip is no longer just a routine daily detail; it has become a battle for survival that reflects the depth of the humanitarian tragedy experienced by more than 2.2 million Palestinians. This transformation from abundance to deadly scarcity embodies a complete collapse of the system that once ensured the minimum level of food security for the besieged population.

Field data indicates a huge gap in supplies, as the sector daily needs about 450 tons of flour to meet basic needs, while only scarce quantities not exceeding 200 tons are actually available. These figures practically mean that thousands of Palestinian families go to bed without their share of bread, turning the shortage into a permanent reality.

Before the recent escalation, Gaza relied on a sophisticated network of commercial and automated bakeries with high production capacity. Today, this network has sharply shrunk, with international reports indicating that only 9 bakeries are still operating out of 30 that were receiving direct support to provide bread at affordable prices.

The operating percentage of bakeries that have been able to resume production ranges between 30% and 50% at best, and they depend entirely on what the World Food Program provides in terms of flour and yeast. This sharp decline reflects the fragility of the productive infrastructure that was directly or indirectly targeted during the ongoing military operations.

The role of international organizations such as the World Food Program and the World Central Kitchen stands out as a key player in attempting to contain the disaster by distributing hundreds of thousands of meals daily. However, this role remains limited to crisis management without providing radical solutions, in light of the occupation's policy that adopts 'rationed relief' as a tool for control.

The model of precisely calculated external flows keeps the weapon of starvation present as a strategic option that can be activated at any closure of crossings or shortage of fuel. As soon as flour or energy runs out, the entire relief system stops, paving the way for the specter of famine to appear in various areas of the Strip.

The fuel and energy crisis is a crucial factor in disrupting the remaining productive capacities, as diesel prices recorded a record increase of 438%. This unprecedented rise has made operating automated ovens extremely costly and impractical in the absence of sustainable energy alternatives and the scarcity of cooking gas.

In addition to the fuel shortage, the dilemma of the absence of spare parts and equipment necessary for the maintenance of ovens damaged by shelling emerges. These factors combined have led to a crazy jump in bread prices, reaching 400%, which has put this basic commodity out of reach for a wide segment of the poor and displaced.

The crisis was not limited to a shortage of supply but extended to include a structural imbalance in distribution mechanisms and the emergence of patterns of monopoly and the black market. Local bakeries found themselves facing an impossible equation between exorbitant operating costs and the risk of direct targeting of workers and facilities in the field.

Automated bakeries that previously produced about 100,000 loaves daily are now operating at less than half their capacity at best. The absence of technical rehabilitation capacity and the shortage of raw materials have caused production to decline to minimum levels that do not meet the minimum of the increasing demand in shelters.

The health repercussions of this crisis are evident in the increasing cases of acute malnutrition, especially among children and pregnant women. More than 55% of the population has also resorted to using primitive and dangerous cooking methods, such as burning plastic and wood, which adds respiratory health risks to the suffering of hunger.

Economically, the bread crisis has caused the collapse of already fragile purchasing power and the loss of thousands of jobs in the bakery sector and related services. UN reports confirm that about 41% of the population has lost their stable access to food, portending a long-term social catastrophe.

Legally, this artificial crisis raises fundamental questions about the effectiveness of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The continued obstruction of food supplies puts the international community before a moral and legal test to fulfill its obligations towards civilians in besieged areas.

In conclusion, the bread crisis in Gaza remains a testament to a systematic policy of collective punishment that goes beyond mere resource scarcity to target human dignity. Ensuring the right to food is not just a relief demand, but a test of the world's ability to uphold its values in the 21st century.

Bread in Gaza is not just food; it has become a stark indicator of the limits of international justice and a weapon used by the occupation to ration relief.

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced on Sunday evening the official results of the local elections held in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. Official data showed that the final voter turnout reached 53.4%, with more than half a million Palestinians exercising their right to vote at polling stations distributed across various governorates.

The electoral process witnessed sharp disparities in participation rates between regions, with the rate in Jerusalem Governorate reaching 43.9% covering only five local bodies, while the city of Hebron recorded one of the lowest voting rates at 30% despite its large electoral bloc. In contrast, results in 197 local bodies were decided by acclamation, raising questions about the decline of pluralism in population centers.

In a remarkable scene, the 97-year-old Palestinian elder Nader Shaaban insisted on going to the polling station in the village of Al-Jalama, north of Jenin, to cast his vote. Shaaban affirmed that his motive was to fulfill his national duty and support whoever he deemed most suitable to serve the community, despite his skepticism about the elections' ability to bring about radical change given the current reality.

On the ground, the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip witnessed an electoral precedent with voting taking place in 12 centers for the first time in over two decades, where the participation rate reached 22.7%. The Elections Commission was forced to extend the voting period in the city by an additional hour to enable citizens to reach the ballot boxes amidst the exceptional circumstances.

In the city of Nablus, a state of dissatisfaction prevailed after the announcement of the victory of the Anan Al-Atira list by acclamation, which deprived about 89,000 voters of exercising their right to choose. Independent candidates accused Palestinian security forces of exerting pressure that prevented the completion of their competing lists, leading to the disruption of the democratic process in the city.

Academic Mohammad Dweikat explained that he filed an official appeal with the Elections Commission after candidates on his list were detained by the Preventive Security and General Intelligence agencies. Dweikat indicated that these summonses prevented him from registering the list on time, considering what happened a forced absence of real electoral competition.

The condition of 'recognition of the PLO's commitments' emerged as a major obstacle to broad participation, with political and religious forces considering it an exclusionary condition that contradicts the foundations of pluralism. This clause led to the boycott of the elections by influential factions, either by refraining from running or by calling on supporters not to go to the polls, which clearly affected the electoral momentum.

For his part, political analyst Akram Al-Natsha believed that the decline in turnout compared to the 2022 elections is also due to citizens' preoccupation with daily concerns and the escalation of occupation attacks. Al-Natsha added that the difficult economic conditions and high unemployment rates have made the electoral event a secondary issue for large segments of the Palestinian street.

The electoral process was not immune to Israeli occupation violations, as local sources reported that 6 citizens were injured during an Israeli occupation forces raid on a polling station in the city of Hebron. Al-Arroub refugee camp also witnessed clashes after the ballot boxes were closed, while settlers cut off roads leading to some villages around Jerusalem to obstruct voters' access.

In the context of political analysis, activist Omar Assaf considered that the condition of adhering to the organization's program empties the electoral process of its democratic essence and turns it into a mere formality. Assaf warned that the continuation of these policies would lead to a permanent abstention of citizens from participating in any future national or legislative entitlements.

Conversely, political science professor Ayman Yousef indicated that these conditions might be the result of international pressure aimed at ensuring the stability of the Palestinian political path after the October events. Yousef explained that the results of these elections will be an important indicator for the future of renewing the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions amidst the stalled reconciliation file between Fatah and Hamas.

Data indicates that the absence of elections in major cities such as Ramallah and Qalqilya reflects a crisis in forming lists and the ability to compete amidst sharp polarization. While Ramallah went for acclamation, Qalqilya completely failed to present any candidate list, which places local bodies before legal and administrative challenges in the next phase.

Despite the challenges, official sources considered that holding the elections at this time represents a message about the ability of Palestinian institutions to manage internal affairs. The Elections Commission affirmed that it worked according to the law to ensure the integrity of the process, despite all political and legal objections that accompanied the registration and voting stages.

The biggest challenge facing the elected local councils remains providing tangible services to citizens away from the political polarization that dominated the scene. The Palestinian citizen, as expressed by those who participated in the voting, awaits service programs that improve the reality of villages and cities and address the escalating economic challenges.

Corruption began long ago at the core of this state, and it reflected on its institutions, but we hope that the righteous will succeed in serving the people away from family considerations.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip revealed today, Wednesday, a new and tragic update on the toll of victims of the ongoing aggression, as the numbers recorded an unprecedented rise in the number of martyrs and wounded. These statistics document the escalating humanitarian suffering since the start of the military escalation on October 7, 2023, amid a complete international silence regarding the daily massacres.

The sources reported that hospitals operating in various areas of the Strip received 17 martyrs and 32 injuries of varying severity during the past twenty-four hours. Official data clarified that among these victims, 13 citizens were killed in the last 24 hours alone, which confirms the continued targeting of residential areas inhabited by civilians without prior warning.

In a statistic reflecting the extent of destruction since last October, medical authorities recorded a total increase in martyrs during that period to 809 martyrs, while the number of wounded exceeded 2,267 injured. Medical staff are working under extremely harsh conditions with a severe shortage of essential supplies and medicines needed to save the lives of the injured who are flowing into the remaining shelters and hospitals.

Regarding field operations, civil defense teams were able to recover 761 bodies that were stuck under the rubble of destroyed buildings in several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip. These teams face enormous challenges due to the lack of heavy equipment and fuel needed to operate machinery, which often makes the process of searching for survivors or recovering martyrs almost impossible.

Health authorities warned that the officially announced numbers do not include all actual victims, as hundreds of citizens are still missing under the rubble of their homes or in rugged roads that are difficult to access. The sources confirmed that the continued violent shelling prevents ambulance crews from performing their duties in evacuating bodies, which portends an additional health and environmental catastrophe in the targeted areas.

Medical authorities stressed that the significant deficit in rescue capabilities prevents the relief of those trapped until now, at a time when the occupation continues to impose its strict siege and prevent the entry of humanitarian and medical aid. They appealed to international organizations for the urgent need to intervene immediately to provide safe corridors for medical teams and ensure the protection of civilians and health facilities that have become directly in the line of fire.

Hundreds are still missing under the rubble of destroyed homes and in rugged roads, and our teams face a significant inability to reach them.

The occupying state is facing a escalating diplomatic crisis in the United States, with reports indicating a tangible deterioration in its standing not only within the traditional Democratic camp but also among Republicans. Observers believe that the current far-right government's continued policies could lead to irreparable damage to the strategic relations between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Shlomo Shamir, an expert on American affairs, affirmed that discussing the unprecedented decline in American support has become an urgent necessity that cannot be overlooked. Shamir warned against complacency with the relationship with Donald Trump, pointing out that profound shifts in American public opinion transcend fleeting personal alliances.

Political analyses show a fundamental difference in the nature of support between the two parties; while Democrats historically considered sympathy for Israel part of their political identity, Republicans base their support on political calculations and changing interests. This distinction still exists and directly affects how decisions are made in Washington regarding Middle East issues.

Concern prevails in Israeli circles regarding prominent Democratic figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, who is described in Israeli right-wing circles as hardline towards the occupation policies. Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, also stands out as an ambitious presidential figure who holds sharply critical stances towards current Israeli practices.

On the Republican side, fears are escalating regarding the influence of figures like Steve Bannon and J.D. Vance, with the latter being viewed as a serious threat due to his stances described as hostile towards Israel. Vance has succeeded in removing figures who were considered bridges for communication with Tel Aviv, such as Jared Kushner, from decision-making circles.

Recent parliamentary statistics indicate a worrying shift, with 40 Democratic senators supporting a resolution to postpone the sale of heavy military equipment to the occupation. Additionally, 36 other members voted in favor of preventing the sale of bombs, reflecting a growing gap between the American administration and the legislative base of the Democratic Party.

Israeli sources accuse Benjamin Netanyahu's government of political blindness towards internal developments in the United States, where Trump is portrayed domestically in Israel as an absolute ally while facing sharp criticism from senior Republicans. This disparity in vision reflects a detachment from the diplomatic and moral reality currently experienced by Washington.

Analysts believe that the presence of ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in decision-making positions distorts Israel's image unprecedentedly in Western capitals. These ministers represent, for the international community, an extremist face that is difficult to defend, weakening the position of Israel's defenders in international forums.

Ari Yoff, head of the Jewish Reform Movement, explained that American support has reached its lowest historical levels, considering Netanyahu a significant part of this dilemma. He pointed out that American public opinion now links Netanyahu personally with Israel as a single entity, which intensifies the criticism directed at the state as a whole.

Political circles criticize the lack of Israeli awareness of the negative impact the current government has on the international stage, especially in Washington, which is considered the most important ally. This failure is attributed to the ruling coalition's insistence on pursuing ideological agendas that clash with the democratic values claimed by the American administration.

There is a significant gap in Israeli diplomatic action, as opposition leaders are absent from the American scene and do not make sufficient effort to communicate with Jewish communities or community activists. This absence leaves the field open for a narrative that fully links Israel to the policies of the Likud and the far-right.

Reports confirm that the current American criticisms are not directed against Israel's existence per se, but against the policies of the current government and its pivotal figures. However, the continuation of this approach may gradually lead to a shift in criticism from the governmental level to the existential and legitimate level.

Experts believe that restoring traditional support in the United States requires a radical change in Israeli political leadership and its replacement with a more rational government. They believe that the upcoming elections may be the last chance to mitigate the damage caused by the current government's policies and rebuild bridges with both parties.

In conclusion, it appears that the imbalance in American support is no longer merely a fleeting phenomenon associated with a rebellious young generation, but has become an institutional trend permeating centers of power. Israel remaining hostage to internal political whims may cost it the loss of the most important international cover it has enjoyed for decades.

The decline in support for Israel is not limited to Democrats but is also increasing among Republicans, which carries dire political and moral consequences.

Field data and consistent reports have revealed that the Israeli Ministerial Committee secretly approved the establishment of 34 new settlements distributed across the occupied West Bank. This step comes within the framework of accelerating the pace of creeping annexation, with these new outposts concentrated in the Hebron and Jenin governorates and areas near the apartheid wall.

This strategic settlement leap aims to dissolve the June 4, 1967 borders and fragment what remains of the interconnected Palestinian geographical space. Through this expansion, the occupation authorities seek to impose a new demographic and geographical reality that makes the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state practically impossible.

The tragedy of land dispossession is embodied in the story of citizen Fahd Al-Qawasmi from Hebron, whose land ownership documents have become mere worthless papers in the face of the occupation's mechanisms. Israeli bulldozers began razing his 500-dunum land, which he inherited from his ancestors, in preparation for establishing a new settlement named 'Karmei Yehuda'.

Al-Qawasmi confirms that the settlement encroachment now targets the identity and history of the land, noting that resorting to the occupation police to file complaints has become futile. Local residents believe there is a role reversal between the army and settlers, describing the situation as 'the police officer in uniform during the day is the same settler who attacks us at night'.

Geographically, preliminary maps of the distribution of the 34 new settlements indicate a clear desire to isolate major Palestinian cities from each other. The plan aims to connect large settlement blocs such as 'Gush Etzion' with the 'Karmei Tzur' bloc, which will inevitably separate Hebron from its eastern countryside and from the neighboring Bethlehem Governorate.

Specialized sources in resisting the wall and settlements reported that this expansion aims not only to reduce the areas available to Palestinians but also to create 'cantons' and suffocated human enclaves. This policy works to prevent any natural extension of Palestinian villages and cities, thereby erasing the contiguous geographical presence of the Palestinian people in their homeland.

In a statistical reading of this development, experts in settlement affairs believe that what is happening represents an unprecedented leap in the history of the occupation, as the number of settlements increased from 178 at the beginning of 2023 to about 297 currently. This means that in one year, the occupation approved the equivalent of half of what it built over decades since 1967.

This settlement boom coincides with fundamental changes in laws and the inauguration of a wide network of bypass roads that ensure the complete separation of settlers' movement from Palestinians. This system aims to create two separate entities within the West Bank, one for settlers controlling all resources, and the other for Palestinians scattered in geographical enclaves.

Reports indicate that the last three years, specifically since October 2023, have witnessed a phase of 'rushing towards annexation' through the privatization of settlement fieldwork. The construction of about 28,000 settlement units was approved for 2025 alone, which is the highest number recorded in many years in the records of Israeli expansion.

'Pastoral settlement' has also emerged as one of the most dangerous tools used to control land, where settlers set up tents and sheep pens under army protection to control thousands of dunums. More than 165 pastoral outposts have been observed since 2023, 89 of which were established in 2025, reflecting a frantic acceleration in land grabbing.

The occupation approved in one year the equivalent of 50% of what it built since 1967, completely redefining the geographical reality.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced the martyrdom of 14 people, including two children, and the injury of about 37 others as a result of a series of airstrikes launched by Israeli occupation forces on various areas in southern Lebanon. This bloody escalation comes amidst continuous violations of the truce agreement that began on April 17, threatening the collapse of fragile field understandings.

Official sources reported that the occupation army did not only carry out airstrikes but also systematically demolished and destroyed homes and infrastructure in the area between the towns of Yaroun and Bint Jbeil. These operations were accompanied by warnings issued by the Israeli army spokesperson to residents of seven southern towns to evacuate immediately, claiming the presence of Hezbollah military activities there.

In contrast, Hezbollah carried out a complex military operation in the border town of Taybeh, resulting in the death of one Israeli soldier and the injury of six others with varying degrees of wounds, four of whom were described as critical. According to field data, the operation began with a precise targeting of an Israeli force attempting to repair a 'Merkava' tank in the town square, about 3.5 kilometers from the border.

Field sources explained that Hezbollah used small, suicidal (FPV) drones in its attack, which are characterized by high precision and maneuverability to reach sensitive targets. Footage broadcast by Israeli media showed the moment one of these drones exploded near a gathering of soldiers, causing severe confusion among the force present at the scene.

The attack did not stop at the first strike but extended to include the rescue force of Unit '669', specialized in medical evacuation, which intervened to transport the injured by helicopters and ground vehicles. During the evacuation attempt, Hezbollah launched two additional drones; defense systems managed to intercept one of them, while the second exploded very close to the landing site, forcing the helicopter to take off immediately under threat.

Cameras mounted on Israeli soldiers' helmets documented moments of terror during the second targeting, with footage showing the drones' precision in tracking moving and stationary targets on the battlefield. These operations reflect an evolution in Hezbollah's tactics through the use of remote-control technologies that allow for extremely precise targeting of tank hatches and fortified positions.

Follow-up reports indicated that the past twenty-four hours witnessed intensive use of this type of aerial weapon, with Hezbollah launching more than seven suicidal drones. These attacks targeted gatherings of occupation soldiers within occupied Lebanese territories and at points close to the border strip, significantly hindering Israeli military movements.

In Haifa, Rambam Hospital received a number of wounded who were transported by military helicopters from the operation site in Taybeh. Israeli medical sources confirmed that the injuries resulted from direct shrapnel from the drone explosions, noting that some cases are still in intensive care due to the severity of their wounds.

For its part, civil defense and ambulance teams in southern Lebanon continue to retrieve victims from under the rubble of homes destroyed by recent Israeli raids. Medical teams face extreme difficulties in reaching some targeted areas due to the continuous intensive overflights of Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft that do not leave Lebanese airspace.

Observers believe that this mutual escalation puts the truce agreement at risk, especially with Israel expanding the scope of its targeting to directly include civilians and infrastructure. In contrast, Hezbollah demonstrates an ability to adapt to field conditions and use qualitative weapons to impose new equations in the ongoing ground confrontation at the front edge of the border.

Hezbollah targeted a Merkava tank in the Taybeh town square with two kamikaze drones, then pursued the rescue force during evacuation operations.

Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, left the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Sunday, heading to the Russian capital Moscow in a new stop on his intensive diplomatic tour. This visit comes at a time when the region is witnessing rapid movement aimed at addressing outstanding issues, most notably the Iranian nuclear program and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Araghchi is scheduled to hold an important meeting on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Iranian Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali. Discussions will focus on reviewing the latest developments in the indirect negotiations taking place with the United States, in addition to discussing efforts for a ceasefire in the region and common security files.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, for its part, confirmed that the Iranian minister's visit falls within the framework of official diplomatic consultations between the two countries. Although precise details of the agenda have not been disclosed, the timing indicates Tehran's desire to coordinate positions with its Russian ally before taking further steps in the negotiation process.

Araghchi had made a second visit to Pakistan over the weekend, a country that plays a pivotal role in mediation between Tehran and Washington. These moves coincided with reports of the cancellation of an anticipated visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reflecting a state of stagnation in achieving a tangible breakthrough.

Current data indicate the continued political stalemate regarding the nuclear agreement, despite the continuation of indirect communication channels through regional mediators. Through this tour, which also included the Sultanate of Oman, Tehran is trying to solidify its positions and ensure the support of influential international powers in the face of continuous US pressure.

Regarding the nature of communication with the American side, informed sources clarified that the messages currently exchanged do not reach the level of direct negotiations. These correspondences are limited to clarifying the Iranian vision on strategic issues and confirming adherence to the red lines drawn by the supreme leadership in Tehran.

All Iranian diplomatic moves are under the direct supervision of the Supreme National Security Council, which is responsible for formulating the country's major policies. This internal coordination aims to ensure the unity of the negotiating position, especially in light of the changes that have occurred in some technical delegations tasked with following up on the technical details of the nuclear file.

Sources reported that the Iranian approach to the nuclear file differs fundamentally from the American vision, as Tehran considers it an existential issue linked to its future and international standing. In contrast, Washington believes that the file is part of a broader political agenda related to regional security arrangements and limiting Iranian influence in the region.

Tehran emphasizes in all its diplomatic meetings its categorical rejection of any proposals that include transferring its enriched uranium stockpile outside its borders. However, Iranian officials show cautious flexibility towards the possibility of reaching limited understandings, provided that there is political will from other parties and respect for Iranian sovereignty.

Iran affirms its adherence to its uranium stockpile and its complete rejection of the idea of transferring it outside the country, while keeping the door open for limited understandings.

American intellectual and director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Jeffrey Sachs, described American and Israeli military moves against Iran as a 'war of illusions' lacking realism. He explained in statements to media sources that this confrontation was built on erroneous intelligence and political assessments that deluded themselves into believing in the ability to subjugate Tehran by military force, pointing out that the absence of a clear path to achieving goals is the main reason behind the decline in international support for these approaches.

Sachs held only two individuals responsible for the current escalation: Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, emphasizing that this war is not based on popular support in the United States or the European continent. He called on international powers, especially the Gulf states, to take a firm stance demanding an immediate cessation of military operations, warning that persistence in this approach will only lead to more chaos and instability in the regional security structure.

Regarding political solutions, the American intellectual asserted that there can be no talk of sustainable peace in the Middle East without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international law. He stressed that the core of conflicts in the region is linked to the absence of an independent Palestinian state, calling for its establishment on the lands of Gaza and the West Bank with Jerusalem as its capital, considering that the Israeli rejection of this entitlement is the real fuel for the cycle of ongoing conflicts.

Sachs also directed scathing criticism at American foreign policy, pointing to the profound impact of what he described as the 'Zionist lobby' in pushing Washington towards wars of attrition in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya. He believed that these interventions did not serve the interests of stability, but rather hindered real peace opportunities and led to the fragmentation of the political fabric of several Arab countries, which necessitates a comprehensive review of American alliances and sovereign decisions in the region.

Sachs refuted the claims of victory promoted by the White House regarding the war on Iran, emphasizing that the on-the-ground and economic reality indicates a deep crisis that has not yet been overcome. He cited the failure of this war by the continued global economic tensions, rising energy prices, and disruption of navigation in vital waterways, considering that these indicators reflect a strategic failure at all military and political levels.

Sachs concluded his vision by emphasizing that ending the conflict is possible immediately if the United States and Israel decide to withdraw and return to diplomatic paths, warning of the catastrophic cost of continuing the military option. He also touched on the internal American situation, considering that the assassination attempts against Trump are a reflection of a societal crisis linked to the spread of weapons and sharp division, despite ruling out their direct impact on the course of ongoing foreign wars.

The current war is a war of illusions created by Netanyahu and Trump, and it does not enjoy widespread popular support in the West.

By: Said Arikat

April 27, 2026

News Analysis

Washington, D.C- For seventy-eight years, Palestinians have repeatedly been told to trust the very powers that enabled their dispossession. They were urged to believe that the United States would act as an honest broker, that Israel would eventually choose justice over expansion, and that patience, moderation, and endless negotiations would somehow produce freedom. Instead, this wager has yielded one of the clearest records of betrayal in modern diplomacy.

From 1948 until today, betting on the United States and Israel has not simply failed—it has deepened Palestinian loss. Washington has offered rhetoric while shielding Israel from accountability, and Israel has offered negotiations while entrenching occupation. The result has been a relentless cycle of promises, delay, and irreversible facts on the ground.

The story begins in 1948, when the United States swiftly recognized the new State of Israel while more than 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled during the Nakba. Their towns were emptied, their properties confiscated, and their national life shattered. Yet while Israeli statehood was affirmed, Palestinian rights were pushed aside. Refugee return, restitution, and self-determination were postponed to an undefined future that never came. Palestinian dispossession was not remedied—it was normalized.

After the 1967 war, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The world spoke of temporary occupation and land for peace. Nearly six decades later, the occupation remains, transformed into a permanent system of settlements, checkpoints, walls, raids, and unequal legal structures. The United States had enormous leverage to halt this trajectory. Instead, successive administrations largely financed, excused, or diplomatically managed it. Each year of inaction sent the same message: international law becomes flexible when Palestinians are the victims.

No phrase has damaged the Palestinian cause more than the so-called peace process. Presented as a path to statehood, it often functioned as political cover for colonization. While diplomats convened summits and issued optimistic statements, settlements multiplied and Palestinian land was carved into disconnected enclaves. Palestinians were expected to prove moderation, reform institutions, suppress resistance, and concede in advance. Israel, meanwhile, negotiated while changing realities on the ground. One side talked; the other built.

The clearest example was Oslo. Palestinians recognized Israel and accepted a state on only 22 percent of historic Palestine. In return, they were promised phased withdrawal and sovereignty. What emerged instead was limited autonomy under occupation. The Palestinian Authority received administrative burdens without real power, while Israel retained control over borders, movement, water, airspace, and security. Oslo did not end occupation—it subcontracted parts of its management. Settlements expanded dramatically during the very years supposedly devoted to peace.

The greatest fiction sustaining this process was the notion of the United States as neutral mediator. Washington arms Israel, funds Israel, shields Israel at the United Nations, and coordinates strategically with Israel—then presents itself as referee. No credible mediator bankrolls one side while lecturing the other about compromise. American diplomacy repeatedly pressured Palestinians to accept realities created by force, while asking Israel only to discuss whether it might someday restrain itself.

Nowhere has this failed bet been more brutally exposed than in Gaza. Since the blockade imposed in 2007, Gaza has endured repeated large-scale Israeli wars that destroyed any illusion that negotiations or American guarantees could protect civilians. In 2008–2009, Israel’s assault killed more than 1,300 Palestinians and devastated neighborhoods and infrastructure. In 2012, another war struck the enclave, again leaving death and ruin while the siege remained intact. In 2014, more than 2,200 Palestinians were killed, including hundreds of children, and vast residential areas were reduced to rubble. Again during the March of Return in 2018, then again in 2021. Each time, ceasefires were announced, reconstruction was promised, and the world moved on.

Then came the catastrophe after October 7, 2023. What followed has been described by many legal scholars and rights advocates as genocidal destruction. More than 72,000 Palestinian men, women, and children have been killed, with many thousands more believed buried beneath the rubble. Entire families were erased. Residential districts, refugee camps, hospitals, universities, roads, and water systems were shattered. Hunger, displacement, disease, and trauma became the defining conditions of life. Gaza was not merely attacked—it was systematically broken.

Throughout these wars, Washington voiced concern for civilians while continuing to arm, finance, and diplomatically protect Israel. Calls for restraint rarely became meaningful pressure. Temporary pauses came only after immense devastation had already been inflicted. Gaza became the ultimate lesson: American sympathy, when offered, does not equal protection.

Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, tolerance of settlement expansion, and normalization deals that sidelined Palestinian rights merely stripped away the final illusions. What had long been disguised as mediation became open alignment. Palestinians were asked to accept shrinking horizons while being told this was realism. In truth, it was surrender repackaged as diplomacy.

Why has this bet failed so consistently? Because the structure itself is designed to fail Palestinians. Israel gains territory while talks continue. The United States offers process instead of justice. Delay benefits the occupier, not the occupied. Palestinian concessions become permanent, while Israeli promises remain optional. International outrage rises briefly, then fades without consequence.

The only viable path forward is one rooted not in illusion but in leverage: Palestinian political renewal, democratic legitimacy, national unity, grassroots resilience, legal accountability, and diversified alliances beyond Washington’s monopoly. Diplomacy matters—but diplomacy without pressure is pleading before power.

For generations, Palestinians were told to wait: wait for the next summit, the next envoy, the next election, the next president. While they waited, land disappeared, settlements spread, Jerusalem was transformed, Gaza was strangled, and occupation hardened.

The tragedy is not only that this bet failed. It is that it failed exactly as history warned it would.

By Said Arikat

The United States has long sold itself to the world as a sanctuary for free thought, political dissent, and opportunity. But under Donald Trump, that promise is being hollowed out. According to a recent New York Times report, internal Department of Homeland Security training materials show the administration expanding ideological screening for green card applicants—particularly targeting criticism of Israel and expressions of support for Palestinian rights.

This is not routine immigration enforcement. It is a loyalty purge dressed up as border policy.

For generations, permanent residency decisions were meant to rest on objective criteria: criminal history, fraud, security risks, and legal eligibility. Now, the standard appears to be mutating into something darker. Social media posts, political opinions, and moral outrage over the destruction of Gaza may now be treated as evidence against an applicant.

The message is brutally clear: if you want to build a life in America, keep quiet about Palestine.

Among the examples reportedly flagged were posts saying “Stop Israeli terrorism in Palestine,” maps replacing Israel with Palestine, and expressions of sympathy for civilians trapped under siege and bombardment in Gaza. One may debate slogans or imagery, but these are political statements—not violent acts, not criminal conspiracies, not threats to national security.

Yet in Trump’s America, opposing war can become grounds for punishment.

That should alarm every defender of civil liberty. The First Amendment was designed precisely to protect controversial speech. American courts have upheld the right to express offensive, symbolic, and deeply unpopular political views. But Trump appears determined to create a two-tier system: constitutional freedoms for some, ideological vetting for everyone else.

Citizens may speak. Immigrants must obey.

What is unfolding is a corruption of immigration law into an instrument of political coercion. A green card applicant is not applying to become a soldier in Washington’s foreign policy machine. They are applying to live, work, and contribute to society. Yet the administration seems to be saying that fairness now depends on one’s willingness to stay aligned with official narratives—especially where Israel is concerned.

This is where the hypocrisy becomes impossible to ignore.

Trump officials defend these measures as part of a campaign against antisemitism and anti-American extremism. Real antisemitism exists, and it must be fought without hesitation. But deliberately conflating hatred of Jews with criticism of the Israeli state is a cynical abuse of language. It turns a serious moral struggle into a political shield for a foreign government.

Millions of people—including Jewish Americans, Israeli dissidents, scholars, journalists, and human rights organizations—criticize Israeli policies. Are they extremists? Are they enemies of America? Of course not. They are participating in democratic debate. But once criticism of Israel is recast as dangerous thought, repression becomes easier to justify.

This is precisely the point.

The administration is not merely protecting Israel diplomatically or militarily. It is attempting to protect Israel from criticism inside the United States by threatening the legal futures of vulnerable non-citizens. That crosses a profound line. It suggests that allegiance to Israeli sensitivities now carries more weight than America’s own free speech principles.

The numbers tell part of the story. Reports indicate a steep decline in green card approvals in recent months. Whether through direct denials or endless bureaucratic delay, the strategy appears consistent: make lawful immigration so punishing, expensive, and uncertain that people surrender before the government has to reject them outright.

Cruelty through paperwork is still cruelty.

Even the language of governance has changed. Immigration officers reportedly have been rebranded from public service employees into “defenders of the homeland.” That militarized rhetoric is revealing. It casts migrants as invaders, applicants as suspects, and bureaucrats as frontline combatants. A civilian agency once tasked with processing petitions now behaves like an ideological checkpoint.

America has seen this disease before.

During the McCarthy era, accusations of disloyalty were used to blacklist dissenters, narrow public discourse, and frighten institutions into compliance. Today the labels have changed, but the instinct is identical. Then it was communism. Now it is Palestinian solidarity. Then it was subversion. Now it is social media sympathy for bombed civilians.

Different era, same paranoia.

The tragedy is that this strategy may produce short-term political rewards. It flatters nativist instincts, energizes parts of Trump’s base, and reinforces the mythology that America is under siege from foreigners and dissenters alike. But the long-term cost will be severe.

The United States built much of its strength by attracting people who believed freedom here was more than propaganda. Scientists, students, entrepreneurs, refugees, artists, and workers came because America promised room to breathe. If that promise is replaced by surveillance, ideological tests, and compulsory silence, the country will lose something more valuable than any election cycle can measure.

It will lose credibility.

Abroad, many already suspect that Washington invokes democracy selectively—celebrating freedom when convenient, suppressing it when uncomfortable. Policies like these confirm the charge. They tell the world that human rights matter until Israel is criticized, and free speech matters until Palestine is mentioned.

That is not strength. It is insecurity masquerading as patriotism.

A serious democracy does not tremble at a protest slogan. It does not treat sympathy for civilians as extremism. It does not force immigrants to whisper their conscience in exchange for legal status. And it certainly does not subordinate constitutional values to the sensitivities of a foreign ally.

If America now grants green cards only to the politically obedient, then the issue is no longer immigration alone. It is whether the republic still believes in the freedoms it advertises.

Israeli occupation forces continue their systematic violations against fishermen in the Gaza Strip, targeting small boats and beaches with heavy gunfire and shells. These attacks come amid repeated breaches of ceasefire understandings, exacerbating the humanitarian suffering of thousands of fishermen who rely on the sea as their sole source of livelihood.

Field sources reported that about 4,000 Palestinian fishermen have been directly affected by these continuous pursuits, which prevent them from reaching deep waters. The sources explained that hundreds of boats that were sunk by occupation gunboats are now nothing but scattered wreckage, a scene that embodies the extent of the destruction inflicted on this vital sector.

For his part, Zakaria Bakr, head of the Fishermen's Committees, confirmed that Israeli violations occur daily and vary between direct shooting and the sinking of equipment. Bakr pointed out that this policy aims to impose a comprehensive naval blockade, as the intensity of these attacks has escalated recently to include the complete destruction of fishing infrastructure.

Bakr revealed shocking differences between the reality of fishing before the war and the current situation. Previously, the sector included about a thousand motorized boats, 96 of which were large. Today, fishermen have been forced to use very primitive means of flotation, such as styrofoam boards and old refrigerator doors, in a desperate attempt to secure their daily sustenance.

In terms of production, the occupation's prevention of the entry and operation of boat engines for more than two and a half years has led to the collapse of the sector's productive capacity. The daily fishing rate has decreased from about 20 tons of fish to only about 10 tons per month, leading to a significant shortage in local markets and rising prices.

The losses were not limited to material aspects but also extended to direct targeting of facilities, as Gaza port was bombed with about 26 Israeli missiles. The destruction also affected equipment stores and fishing nets, making the restoration of normal activity in this sector extremely difficult without urgent international intervention.

Regarding human cost, official statistics indicate that the occupation has killed more than 232 fishermen since the escalation began, in addition to injuring and arresting hundreds. Dozens of fishermen are still languishing in Israeli prisons, while the injured suffer from disabilities that prevent them from returning to their arduous profession.

The occupation navy imposes strict restrictions on fishing areas, often preventing fishermen from exceeding a distance of only one kilometer from the shore. This narrow area is monitored by warships that do not hesitate to open heavy machine gun fire on any boat attempting to secure its livelihood.

Despite continuous communication with human rights organizations and international institutions, fishermen confirm that verbal solidarity has not translated into practical steps to protect them from the occupation's bullets. Fishermen emphasize their continued sailing despite the imminent dangers, asserting that steadfastness is their only option to confront the systematic starvation policy.

The Palestinian fisherman today is faced with a choice between a complete ban on practicing his profession or risking his life under Israeli shelling.

The occupied Palestinian territories witnessed a dangerous field escalation at dawn today, Sunday, as occupation forces carried out a series of bloody incursions concentrated in the northern West Bank governorates. These attacks resulted in injuries among civilians and widespread destruction of private property, as part of the ongoing policy of restriction on the residents.

In field details, medical sources reported that a 27-year-old young man was injured by live bullets in the thigh area, while his 28-year-old wife was injured by bullet shrapnel in the face. These injuries occurred during a violent incursion carried out by occupation forces into Duma village, south of Nablus, where the injured were transferred to the hospital for urgent treatment.

Local sources confirmed that occupation soldiers directly targeted the Dawabsheh family home in the village, firing live bullets inside the residential rooms, causing panic among family members. The soldiers did not stop at shooting, but also deliberately destroyed the contents of the house and tampered with citizens' belongings before withdrawing from the area.

In Nablus city, occupation forces launched a raid and search campaign that affected Sufyan Street, where a Palestinian girl was arrested after raiding her family's home. Sources stated that the invading forces wreaked havoc in the house and destroyed parts of its furniture, as part of the daily arrest campaign targeting Palestinian cadres and youth in various cities.

As for Bethlehem Governorate, the occupation authorities continued their policy of collective punishment by closing a number of vital roads with earth mounds in Tuqu' town. These closures targeted the entrances to Khirbet al-Deir and the central areas of the town, hindering the movement of citizens and preventing them from reaching essential service centers in Bethlehem city.

Regarding settler attacks, extremist groups from the 'Adei Ad' settlement carried out an environmental massacre in Turmus Ayya town, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers cut down and destroyed about 400 olive trees in the town's plain, which represents a severe economic blow to farmers who depend on these trees as a primary source of livelihood.

This crime in Turmus Ayya comes a few days after settlers burned a house and a vehicle in the same town, under the protection of the occupation army. These repeated attacks reflect an attrition approach aimed at displacing Palestinians from their lands and expanding the settlement area at the expense of their historical properties.

In a related context, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission revealed terrifying statistical data, recording 1819 attacks during last March alone. These violations were distributed between the occupation army, which carried out 1322 attacks, and settlers, who launched 497 attacks targeting people, trees, and stones in various governorates.

Data showed that Hebron Governorate topped the list of areas most exposed to violations with 321 attacks, followed by Nablus with 315 attacks, then Ramallah and Al-Bireh with 292. These figures indicate the occupation's focus on population centers in the West Bank to break the will of steadfastness among citizens.

In Hebron city, occupation forces imposed severe repressive measures, including a curfew in Jaber, Salaymeh, and Wadi al-Hussein neighborhoods. Human rights sources reported that soldiers prevented residents from standing on their balconies or ascending to rooftops, and also detained a number of citizens, preventing them from returning to their homes for long hours.

In Qusra town, south of Nablus, settlers attacked the home of citizen Youssef Abd al-Salam in the Ras al-Ain area, besieging the family inside the house in harsh conditions. The attackers cut off electricity to the house and issued direct threats to the residents, in an attempt to intimidate them and force them to leave the area.

On the political and local level, settler attacks prevented Khirbet 'Yarza', east of Tubas, from participating in the 2026 local elections. Local sources confirmed that the escalation of settler terrorism prevented any candidates from running for the village council, thus disrupting the democratic and service path in the area.

Official data indicate that the West Bank has been in a state of turmoil since October 2023, with more than 1153 martyrs killed by occupation and settler bullets. Thousands have also been injured to varying degrees, while the number of detainees has exceeded 22,000 Palestinians, in the largest arrest campaign the region has witnessed in decades.

This systematic escalation, which combines the military force of the army and organized settler attacks, places the international community before its legal and moral responsibilities. Continued silence in the face of these crimes encourages the occupation to proceed with its policy of silent ethnic cleansing and the destruction of the elements of life in the occupied West Bank.

Occupation forces escalated their repressive measures against residents in Hebron neighborhoods and imposed a curfew that prevents citizens from even standing at their windows.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has made a decisive decision to refuse a presidential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the corruption cases he faces in court. Informed sources confirmed that Herzog does not intend to bypass the existing legal process, preferring to maintain the independence of the judicial institution in the face of increasing political pressure.

Instead of a comprehensive pardon, Herzog is moving towards playing a mediating role between Netanyahu and the public prosecution to reach a balanced judicial settlement. These moves aim to find a legal solution that ends the political and judicial crisis that has been ongoing for years without compromising the prestige of Israeli law.

Leaked information indicates that the potential prosecution deal may include mitigated penalties that do not involve actual imprisonment, but rather are limited to voluntary work for the public. The settlement may also include the payment of significant financial compensation in exchange for closing the cases that have caused a sharp division within Israeli society.

Benjamin Netanyahu initiated a formal request for a pardon from the Israeli presidency last November, considering it a necessary step for national reconciliation. Netanyahu justified his request by stating that the current military and national circumstances require an immediate end to legal proceedings to focus on external challenges.

In his official letter, Netanyahu claimed that the continuation of his trial contributes to tearing apart the internal fabric of Israeli society at a sensitive time. Despite emphasizing his personal desire to prove his innocence through the judiciary, he stressed that the public interest requires halting legal prosecution.

US President Donald Trump directly intervened in the crisis, sending official messages to Herzog demanding that he pardon his close ally. Trump did not stop at messages, but publicly reiterated his call during a speech he delivered before the Israeli Knesset during his last visit in October.

Trump addressed his Israeli counterpart from the Knesset platform, questioning why he was not using his powers to end Netanyahu's trial. The US President considered this step to be in the interest of regional stability, which put Herzog under unprecedented international diplomatic pressure.

However, Herzog's response adhered to national sovereignty, as he explained to Trump that Israel has an independent legal system that must be fully respected. The Israeli President indicated that despite his deep appreciation for his friendship with Trump, internal judicial decisions are subject to purely national standards.

It is worth noting that Netanyahu's trial has entered its fifth year, where he faces serious charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in several cases. This case is the longest and most complex in the history of Israeli judiciary, as it is closely linked to Netanyahu's political future and government stability.

Israel is a sovereign state and its legal system must be fully respected, despite my appreciation for President Trump's friendship and opinion.

A group of academics and activists launched a comprehensive documentary report titled 'Remember Them: Palestinian Scientists Killed in the Gaza Genocide,' aiming to monitor the systematic Israeli targeting of the scientific elite in the Strip. The report presents the biographies of dozens of professors and researchers who were martyred with their families due to direct bombing of their homes or displacement centers during the ongoing war.

The report's release coincides with the inauguration of a digital archive bearing the same name, which aims to collect and preserve the curricula vitae and scientific achievements of Palestinian scientists lost in Gaza. The project organizers describe what the academic cadres have been subjected to as a 'systematic genocide' that falls within a broader context of genocide targeting the Palestinian presence in all its sectors.

The report's authors affirmed that the crimes committed against academics obligate the international community to intervene immediately, noting that the victims were internationally renowned in their research fields. They stressed that these scientists were not only a property of Palestine but formed an integral part of the global intellectual community, which lost outstanding scientific and humanitarian contributions with their passing.

The report highlighted prominent examples of martyrs, foremost among them physicist Sofian Tayeh, president of the Islamic University and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Physics and Space Sciences. The documentation also included engineer Khaled Al-Ramlawi, professor of engineering, and young lecturer Rula Abdel Jawad, along with dozens of specialists in medicine, social sciences, and humanities.

The project does not only document human losses but also paints a bleak picture of the organized destruction that has affected the higher education infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Documentary sources reported that the occupation destroyed all 12 universities operating in the Strip, in addition to seven other educational institutions, leading to a complete paralysis of the educational system.

Data indicates that more than 57 university buildings, including faculties, laboratories, and historical libraries, were completely razed to the ground by the end of March 2025. The methods of destruction varied between direct aerial bombardment and deliberate detonation with mines after some university buildings were converted into temporary barracks and military centers.

The report paused at the crime of destroying Al-Israa University, which the Israeli army occupied for several weeks before completely blowing it up in January 2024. The demolition included lecture halls and advanced laboratories, in addition to the national museum, which housed thousands of rare artifacts documenting the region's history.

Academics drew attention to the phenomenon of 'scholasticide,' a term that expresses the deliberate attack on the educational system to break the will of society. Experts believe that this targeting aims to strip Palestinians of the ability to produce knowledge in the future and hinder the path of sustainable development.

Regarding student losses, the report revealed that approximately 87,000 male and female students were deprived of their right to university education as a result of the destruction of educational institutions. It also documented the martyrdom of more than 1,200 university students and over 200 faculty members, most of whom were targeted in direct raids.

The report clarified that the real loss is not only in numbers but in the educational and societal roles that these professors played. These individuals represented the scientific authority and role models for the rising generation of doctors, engineers, and writers who are relied upon to build an independent Palestinian state.

The text pointed to the significant challenges faced by academics in Gaza before their martyrdom, as many of them chose to return to the Strip after completing their studies abroad. These individuals continued their scientific contributions despite the suffocating siege imposed since 2007, and the accompanying severe shortage of resources and continuous power outages.

The archive's website is considered a 'project in formation,' as volunteers continue to collect information from victims' families and human rights organizations to update the data. The website aims to be a global reference that commemorates Palestinian scientists and demands accountability for those responsible for their direct and deliberate targeting.

The report concluded by emphasizing that documenting these biographies comes within the framework of honoring the achievements of the deceased scientists and insisting on prosecuting their killers legally. The initiative's organizers stressed that Palestinian memory will remain alive, and attempts to erase Gaza's cognitive identity will not succeed in light of ongoing documentation and archiving efforts.

The elimination of faculty members and the destruction of universities represent 'scholasticide' aimed at breaking Palestinian society and stripping it of the tools of knowledge.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced emergency austerity measures, including reducing working and school days in all five of its regions. The agency clarified that this step comes amid a suffocating financial crisis that threatens its ability to fulfill its commitments towards millions of refugees, which prompted it to adjust the schedule of its educational institutions.

Under the new decisions, school hours in the occupied West Bank and other areas will be reduced to only four days a week instead of five. This step aims to cut operational expenses while trying to maintain the minimum level of the educational process and ensure it does not completely stop in the coming period.

The package of measures also included a reduction in staff working hours in various sectors, including teaching staff, by up to 20 percent. Responsible sources confirmed that this decision applies in the five operational regions, which include Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, to ensure the distribution of remaining financial burdens across all sectors.

The international agency indicated that these measures will remain in effect until the end of the current year as a minimum, describing them as temporary measures imposed by current circumstances. Through this austerity, UNRWA seeks to ensure the continuity of essential relief and health services that are indispensable amid the deteriorating living conditions of refugees.

Jonathan Fowler, the agency's communications director, had warned earlier this month that increasing political and economic pressures had already led to a 20 percent decline in the quality and volume of services. Fowler explained that the accumulated financial deficit now threatens the institutional entity of the agency and its ability to implement the UN mandate granted to it decades ago.

The roots of the current crisis go back to the incitement campaign launched by the Israeli occupation against the agency and its staff following the events of October 7, 2023, which prompted donor countries to suspend their funding. Despite some countries resuming their support, the funding gap remains very wide, directly affecting salaries and logistical services in the camps.

It is worth noting that UNRWA, established in 1949, operates approximately 96 schools in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem alone, where more than 47,000 students receive their basic education. The agency is considered the only lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees who depend on it for food, healthcare, and education in the absence of political solutions to their issue.

These measures are temporary and time-bound until the end of the current year to ensure the continuity of essential services.

Since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023, hardly a day passes for the residents of the Gaza Strip without hearing news of the martyrdom of dozens of innocent children, whether by aerial or artillery bombardment, even after the declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza, we still hear every day news of the martyrdom of children from the Gaza Strip, either by an Israeli sniper's bullet, or by an Israeli bombing of Hamas police and security elements in the streets of Gaza, during which children pass.

The Israeli army has become increasingly ferocious day by day, and does not care about the shedding of the blood of innocent Gaza children, justifying this to international media and human rights organizations, that the killing of children is merely unintended collateral damage of war, knowing that the Israeli army possesses the latest types of military technology that can easily detect the nature of those targeted by any Israeli bombing or sniping operation, whether they are adults or children.

But it seems that the Israeli army and its political and military leadership, from the top of the pyramid to the soldier in the field, brutally ignore the right of the Palestinian child to life and protection!

To clarify the Israeli behavior of killing Gaza children, as a result of high orders from the top of the Israeli pyramid to the ordinary soldier, it can be said that the process of killing Palestinian children, especially in the Gaza Strip, has been officially legalized through the Israeli political and military levels, which gave an open permit to any Israeli soldier in the field not to hesitate to kill Gaza children, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

What confirms the hypothesis of the open permit for Israeli soldiers to kill children in the Gaza Strip is what Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant officially stated at the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023, when he literally said: "We are dealing with human animals in the Gaza Strip."

Therefore, this official statement by the Minister of Defense is considered the cornerstone of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, because this statement is an official message to Israeli officers and soldiers that the residents of the Gaza Strip and their children are monsters and deserve to be killed regardless of their age, and it is a political statement that dehumanizes the Palestinian person and his children in the Gaza Strip, in order to justify the killing of Palestinian families with their children without any mercy or compassion.

It is very clear that the use of the phrase "human animals" did not come by chance, but Gallant used it deliberately, based on the theory of "dehumanization of enemies," where according to this theory, the child victim is stripped of his humanity, and here the soldiers' minds stop activating the natural empathetic response to children, which makes killing children or civilians seem like "removing a threat" rather than killing humans.

Among the psychological theories adopted by Israeli leaders and soldiers to justify Israel's killing of Gaza children without any concern is the theory of "moral disengagement," proposed by psychologist Albert Bandura, which explains how individuals convince themselves that their moral standards do not apply in a particular context. This is done by Israel through moral justification: "We are doing this to protect our people" or "This is necessary to eliminate terrorism."

This theory clearly explains the behavior of Israeli political and military leaders in their indifference to killing Gaza children, even though these leaders are fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers, and have children and grandchildren, and human nature naturally rejects the killing of children, whether they are children of their own country or children of enemies!

However, by adopting the theory of "moral disengagement," the Israeli political and military leadership abandoned its natural human instinct, believing that by not caring about the killing of Palestinian children, Israel would achieve victory at any cost, and that the end might justify the means!

As for Israeli intelligence officers who may be fathers or mothers and have children waiting for them at home at the end of the day, but when they see children on their computer screen passing near an Israeli assassination target, they ignore that and then issue an order to assassinate the target without any regard for killing the children near that target, they often justify the killing of children to themselves according to the rule of "displacement of responsibility," meaning that they may feel that they are merely tools executing higher orders, and therefore they may place moral responsibility on their leaders and not on themselves personally, which explains their indifference to killing Gaza children, but of course, this Israeli justification never absolves these officers of the responsibility for the deliberate killing of these innocent children.

The ordinary Israeli soldier's justification for his criminal behavior towards the children of the Gaza Strip does not differ from that of Israeli intelligence officers, as when an Israeli soldier snipes a Palestinian child near the yellow line without any concern, he does so under the rule of trying to prove himself in front of the group's harshness, meaning he tries to prove himself to his army that he is strong and does not weaken in front of the enemy and that sympathy for enemy children is considered treason. Also, the soldier acts in his dealings with Palestinian children from the standpoint of existential fear, meaning he believes that his existence is linked to the annihilation of the other, so bombing and sniping become in his view "self-defense," no matter how criminal the results lead to the killing of innocent children.

These behavioral and psychological explanations for the actions of Israelis towards the children of the Gaza Strip, from the top of the pyramid to the ordinary soldier, largely illustrate the racist and inhumane view adopted by Israelis towards the Palestinian people and their children, and indicate that the deliberate killing of Palestinian children under security pretexts and immoral psychological justifications contradicts the natural instinct of the ordinary human being who rejects the killing of innocent children even if they are classified as children of enemies.

There is no psychological, moral, or legal justification for killing innocent children, who have no power or strength, and no fault other than their bad luck that made them live in a region of conflict and continuous wars.

Therefore, it can be said to the Israeli Prime Minister who draws the army's supreme policy, and the Minister of Defense who dehumanizes the Palestinian child to justify his killing, and the Israeli Chief of Staff who issues war orders without instructions to his soldiers not to kill children, and the intelligence officer who sees a child passing in the street on his computer screen and issues an order to assassinate someone without caring about the possibility of killing this child, and the ordinary Israeli soldier who uses his rifle indiscriminately to snipe children:

You may kill as many children of the Gaza Strip as you wish! And you may justify the killing of these innocent children as you wish! And you may celebrate as you wish with an immoral toast of victory from the blood of Gaza's children! But never forget that the curse of Gaza's children will one day befall you, and that the innocent souls of Gaza's children will disturb your sleep and haunt you in your nightmares and may afflict you with a curse that will one day cause you psychological and physical illnesses, as long as you continue to kill these children, without any mercy or compassion, as nothing ever justifies the killing of innocent children, even if they are children of enemies!

In an unprecedented move reflecting a fundamental shift in Rome's foreign policy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel. This decision comes amid increasing pressure from Italian public opinion and an implicit acknowledgment that continued military partnership has become a moral and legal burden on the government.

Meloni officially announced this decision on April 14, 2026, during her visit to Verona, indicating that the current situation no longer allows for the continuation of previous mechanisms. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto formally conveyed this decision to his Israeli counterpart, effectively ending a memorandum of understanding that had been automatically renewed every five years since 2003.

This agreement has been the most important legal framework governing military relations between Rome and Tel Aviv for over two decades, ratified by the Italian Parliament under Law No. 94 of 2005. Areas of cooperation include the exchange of advanced military equipment, technological research and development, as well as joint military exercises and the exchange of combat expertise.

Military cooperation peaked in previous years through major deals that included supplying Israel with Italian M-346 training aircraft, in exchange for Italy receiving advanced satellites and intelligence systems. However, the current suspension represents a qualitative escalation that goes beyond the new arms export ban adopted by Italy in October 2024.

The reasons behind this decision are numerous, most notably the serious incident in southern Lebanon, where Rome accused Israeli forces of targeting a convoy of Italian soldiers operating within UNIFIL forces. This aggression prompted Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to summon the Israeli ambassador and deliver a firm message on the need to protect Italian soldiers.

In addition to field tensions, economic repercussions played a crucial role, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to regional conflicts led to a dramatic rise in fuel prices. The Italian government was forced to spend approximately 500 million euros to reduce fuel taxes, amid warnings of the country entering a severe economic recession.

The role of popular and societal pressure, which served as the primary driver for this political shift, cannot be overlooked. Italy witnessed historic strikes and massive demonstrations in 75 cities. Protesters, under the slogan 'Let's shut everything down,' demanded an immediate halt to arms shipments to Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

On the domestic political front, Meloni's government faced fierce opposition pressure. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, criticized what he called a 'guilty delay' in making the decision. The opposition affirmed that Italy's dignity is linked to its respect for international law and its refusal to participate in policies that lead to the death of thousands of civilian victims.

In contrast, the Israeli Foreign Ministry attempted to downplay the Italian move, describing the agreement as merely a memorandum of understanding lacking real substance. Observers believe that this contradiction in the Israeli response reflects the extent of discomfort over losing an important European ally amid Tel Aviv's increasing international isolation.

The impact of the decision extends to the European level, where voices within the European Parliament have risen to demand the suspension of the comprehensive partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel. European parliamentarians called for an end to what they described as 'complicity' with parties accused of committing grave violations that may amount to genocide.

Italy's stance is part of a series of similar European positions, with Germany imposing a partial arms ban, and countries like Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium adopting restrictive measures. These collective moves reflect a growing recognition that the Palestinian issue has become the true measure of the international system's justice and the credibility of commitment to human rights.

From a legal perspective, the Italian decision can be read as a precautionary step consistent with the rules of international responsibility that prohibit states from providing aid in unlawful acts. Continued military cooperation in the presence of indications of grave violations of international humanitarian law could expose Italian officials to future legal accountability.

Judicial developments in the International Court of Justice reinforced this trend, placing states under clear obligations to prevent contribution to international crimes. Accordingly, the Italian decision is no longer merely a circumstantial political maneuver but has become a legal necessity to avoid indirect involvement in armed conflicts and related violations.

In conclusion, Meloni's decision represents a glimmer of hope for human rights forces, confirming that the accumulation of popular pressure can bring about real change in the positions of major powers. With continued settlement expansion and military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, the question remains about the readiness of other European capitals to take effective steps beyond diplomatic condemnations.

Given the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel.

Every time the crisis escalates in the Palestinian territories, the European Union returns to the forefront with its familiar rhetoric: supporting the two-state solution, rejecting Israeli actions, and emphasizing the necessity of ending the occupation. Polished words, repetitive official statements, and positions that appear, on paper, politically advanced. But behind this rhetoric, a widening gap between what is said and what is done is revealed.

On the ground, nothing reflects this declared support. While Israeli governments, especially under Benjamin Netanyahu, impose new realities in the West Bank and reshape the scene in Gaza by force, Europe merely issues statements. No deterrent measures, no real pressure, and not even economic action commensurate with the magnitude of the declarations.

In contrast, the Palestinian Authority has been left to face one of its most dangerous crises since its establishment. A crisis that is not only political but also financial, social, and humanitarian at the same time. Clearance funds are withheld, resources are scarce, and obligations accumulate. Nevertheless, the European stance adds a new layer of complexity: reduced support, tightened conditions, and hesitation in injecting funding that would ensure a minimum level of stability.

Here, specifically, the harsh paradox emerges. How can Europe advocate for a two-state solution while contributing—directly or indirectly—to weakening the party that is supposed to embody this solution? How can there be talk of “building a Palestinian state” when its basic institutions are left on the verge of collapse?

But perhaps the deeper question is more disturbing: Is this decline due only to political considerations, or to internal shifts in the structure of European decision-making itself? Within many EU countries, foreign aid is subject to complex legislative and oversight procedures, where conditions increase and areas of flexibility narrow. With the escalation of internal tendencies and economic pressures, aid is no longer granted as a strategic political tool, but as a technical file subject to strict criteria that may empty it of its content.

In this context, it seems that the objectives of support themselves have begun to erode or become more ambiguous. After the declared goal was “building Palestinian state institutions” in preparation for a two-state solution, funding gradually transformed into a short-term crisis management tool, or a means of pressure conditioned on reforms, without an integrated political vision. Here lies the flaw: when support transforms from a state-building project into a mere financial control mechanism, it loses its strategic meaning.

Perhaps what most reveals the nature of the European position is the underlying motive behind its adherence to the two-state solution. The EU's declared support for this solution is not necessarily understood as a purely moral alignment with Palestinian rights, but rather reflects a strategic perception that sees this solution as the most viable formula for protecting regional stability and ensuring Israel's long-term security.

In this sense, the two-state solution, in the European political mind, seems closer to a “functional compromise” than to a project of historical justice. Its primary aim is to contain the conflict and prevent its explosion, and to establish a reality that can be coexisted with internationally, before being a full response to Palestinian rights. From this, it can be understood why this support continues in theory, even as the practical components of its implementation on the ground erode.

This does not mean that Europe completely ignores the Palestinians, but it views the issue from the perspective of conflict management, not radical resolution. This explains the existing contradiction: continuous political support for the idea of a Palestinian state, met with actual hesitation to take steps that might be politically costly or lead to a direct confrontation with Israel.

But does Europe truly lack the tools to oppose Israeli policies, or does it lack the will? The pretexts exist, from international law to UN resolutions, but their use remains limited. Here a more sensitive question arises: to what extent does Europe operate within an independent margin, and to what extent does it constrain itself within broader balances?

It cannot be ignored that the relationship with the United States shapes a significant part of this margin. American support for Israel does not pass without effect in European capitals, which often prefer to avoid confrontation with Washington on strategic issues. At the same time, Israel exercises an active political and diplomatic presence within Europe, benefiting from intertwined relationships and historical considerations that make some countries more reserved in confronting it.

However, reducing the European position to merely “external pressure” may be an oversimplification. Within the European Union itself, positions are distributed and priorities conflict, turning foreign policy into a result of internal compromises as much as it is a reflection of external pressures. Here, specifically, political sharpness is lost, and the position turns into a gray compromise that satisfies no one.

Europe may justify its position with concerns related to reform and governance, or with internal public opinion pressure, or even with complex geopolitical calculations. But these justifications, however logical they may seem, do not change a fundamental truth: that policy is not measured by intentions, but by results. And the result today is clear—a weak authority, a faltering economy, and a society gradually losing its trust in everything official.

More dangerously, this European decline does not occur in a vacuum. Every political or financial vacuum left in the Palestinian arena is filled by alternatives that may not be less complex or dangerous. In other words, weakening the Authority does not lead to “correcting the course,” but may open the door to more chaos and instability.

Despite the wave of European recognitions of the state of Palestine, which seemed to many as a historic shift, this recognition remained closer to political symbolism than to actual commitment. Recognition does not build institutions, nor does it pay salaries, nor does it protect an administrative system from collapse. It is an important step, yes, but it is without effect if it is not translated into tangible and sustainable support.

In the end, Europe seems to be stuck in a gray area: it is neither prepared to seriously confront Israeli policies, nor is it able to redefine its tools to serve its declared vision. Between these two, the Palestinian Authority pays the price, and with it, the very idea of a state.

Perhaps the question today is no longer: Does Europe support the two-state solution? Rather, the more important question is: Does it still possess the tools—and the will—to transform this support from rhetoric into reality?

The Central Elections Commission, today, Monday, revealed the official results of the local bodies elections for the year 2026, during a press conference that reviewed the outcome of the democratic process that took place in the West Bank governorates. This step comes after the completion of all voting and counting procedures that ended yesterday evening, Sunday, where the ballot boxes closed their doors at exactly seven in the evening, ensuring the right to vote for those who were inside the centers before the deadline.

Sources from the commission stated that the total number of voters reached 512,510 male and female voters, which represents a participation rate of 53.44%. The commission indicated in its statement that the polling day was characterized by discipline and calm, confirming that no significant violations or technical obstacles were observed that would prejudice the integrity of the electoral process or the accuracy of the announced results.

The press conference is expected to clarify the distribution of seats among the competing lists in various local bodies, paving the way for the start of the legal period allocated for submitting appeals before the competent judicial authorities. These results are seen as the cornerstone for forming the new local administrations that will manage services and municipalities during the next cycle, amidst praise for the transparency that accompanied the management of the electoral scene.

The electoral process proceeded in an atmosphere of calm and order, without recording any breaches or technical problems that could affect the integrity of the voting.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the success of security agencies in arresting the armed assailant responsible for the attack targeting a dinner party in the capital, Washington. Trump clarified in a speech delivered from the White House that the operation was carried out quickly enough, noting that one of the security personnel was injured during the confrontation, and he reassured the public about his health after direct contact with him.

The US President described the perpetrator as a 'very sick person,' revealing extensive security movements including raiding the suspect's apartment in California to gather more evidence. Trump stressed that authorities have already begun a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, admitting that the security level at the event building was not sufficient to prevent such a security breach.

Regarding the international dimensions of the incident, Trump ruled out any connection of the Iranian Republic to this attack in his statements, confirming that initial investigations indicate that the attacker acted alone and did not receive support from any party. However, the President stressed that investigations will continue meticulously to ascertain all circumstances of the attack and ensure there are no hidden threads behind the incident.

Trump expressed concern about the recent recurrence of assassination attempts and political violence within the United States, considering this incident not the first of its kind. He issued a clear call to all American citizens about the necessity of adhering to peaceful means to resolve political differences, and moving away from the path of violence that now threatens the country's internal stability.

I don't believe the incident has anything to do with Iran, but we will investigate the attack, and the attacker was alone in this act.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip rose to four citizens, including a child, early Sunday morning, as a result of a series of aerial and artillery attacks launched by the Israeli occupation forces. These attacks targeted residential areas and vital roads in the southern, central, and northern parts of the Strip, in a new field escalation that disregards existing understandings.

Medical sources at Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City reported the arrival of the bodies of two martyrs who fell as a result of a raid carried out by an Israeli drone, which directly targeted a motorcycle near the Kuwait roundabout on Salah al-Din Street. This attack coincided with intense gunfire from occupation vehicles stationed in the border areas, which hindered the arrival of ambulance crews in the first minutes.

In the central Strip, a Palestinian citizen was martyred by Israeli occupation army bullets in the Al-Maghraqa area, while medical sources announced the death of a 14-year-old child who succumbed to serious injuries sustained on Saturday evening. The child had been targeted in shelling that hit the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood north of Gaza City, joining the list of victims of the systematic targeting of children and civilians.

On the ground, the attacks did not stop at aerial bombardment, as the occupation artillery fired its shells towards the eastern areas of Khan Yunis city in the southern Strip, amidst a state of panic among the displaced. The eastern outskirts of Al-Bureij refugee camp were also subjected to artillery shelling, coinciding with intense overflights and gunfire from Israeli military helicopters that roamed the skies of the central region.

In Gaza City, artillery shelling hit the eastern parts of Al-Tuffah neighborhood, while Israeli warships participated in the aggression by firing their shells towards the coast. These developments come at a time when the occupation forces continue to reinforce their military presence in more than half of the Strip's area, exacerbating the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced people in tents and shelters.

On the human rights and official level, the Government Media Office revealed shocking statistics regarding the occupation's violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 2025, which amounted to about 2400 violations. The Ministry of Health confirmed that these violations resulted in the martyrdom of 972 Palestinians and the injury of 2235 others since the agreement came into effect, which casts doubt on the seriousness of the occupation's commitment to any truce.

It is worth noting that the Gaza Strip is experiencing massive destruction that has affected about 90% of its civilian infrastructure as a result of the genocide war that began in October 2023. This ongoing war in its various forms has left more than 72,000 martyrs and over 172,000 injured, amidst harsh humanitarian and living conditions faced by the besieged and displaced populations in open areas.

The Government Media Office in Gaza recorded about 2400 violations of the ceasefire agreement by the occupation, including direct killings, siege, and starvation.

The least that can be said is that on a sunny spring day, the queues of people waiting in front of ballot boxes in cities, villages, and towns formed a glimmer of hope for the return of blood flow to the hardened arteries of democratic life, due to the long absence from specified constitutional deadlines, which caused the accumulation of fat due to stagnation in the available options, despite the portents of death for democratic life by "popular stroke" that these options carry. The longing of fingers for ink is like the longing of roots for water, and as much as the scene of dipping fingers in the ink of experience for new generations expressed joy, it was also a renewal of the covenant, and of their contract of belonging to the land in front of those who want to uproot them from it, so they rushed to defend their existence with the weapon of life, which no weapon can match in confronting an enemy that feeds on the doctrine of erasure, burning, and extermination that it practices as worship, according to fabricated biblical narratives. The river of freedom cannot dry up, and perhaps the success of the electoral process will stimulate the expansion of the range by going to legislative and presidential elections, for with food, appetite opens, as our mothers say. On the same path, "Fatah" will go in a few days to renew its structures in its eighth conference, which has become an existential necessity for the pioneering movement, which if it complains, all other members will rush to it with sleeplessness and fever. By sterilizing the tools, we raise the degree of national immunity, and improve the level of performance in the face of great dangers and challenges... for the ballot box is like an antidote to all diseases, and a pathway for any blockage in the arteries of life, and a source of hope in the face of the horizon closing with pillars of fire and clouds of smoke.

The equation: The goal of war is to lead to peace. This is from a logical, theoretical standpoint, or at least from the justificatory standpoint for aggressive, unjust wars, like those presented by America in the war on Iraq, and before that Libya, Syria, Vietnam, Korea, and many Latin American countries, their backyard, and most recently on Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president and his wife. We don't know why it didn't include his sons and daughters. In the war on Afghanistan, to eliminate Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, they handed over the key to the country to those they went to eliminate after twenty years of war, fighting, and occupation. So, will peace prevail after the end of the aggressive American-Israeli war on Iran, between America and Israel on one hand, and Iran on the other? The facts do not suggest this, even if America defeats Iran. True peace cannot be imposed by the force that Trump and Netanyahu speak of morning and night. Rather, we can say that peace contradicts brutal, criminal, genocidal military force. The "peace" between Arab countries that was signed with Israel, despite several decades passing, has not moved an inch towards the people, nor has it reached the streets. Instead, it has remained confined to the corridors of politicians. Peace with Lebanon, which is being urgently discussed now, will not be a different peace from other Arab "peaces" – a cold, empty peace devoid of its positive contents that bring warmth to the limbs, and security, stability, and prosperity. There is no war between Lebanon and Israel in the first place, just as there was no war between the four Abrahamic normalization countries, to speak of establishing peace between them and Israel. In reality, these Abrahamic agreements were a different kind of war, extortionate, to pressure and weaken Palestinian resistance and enable the occupying Israel to impose more of its conditions, even if their proponents claimed otherwise. And here, ten years have passed, so where was the Palestinian cause and where has it become? The war with Lebanon is with Hezbollah, which is not only ignored in these discussions and preparations, but there is an intention to eliminate it, or at the very least, disarm it, and even for the state, through its army, to participate in this mission. What kind of "peace" will be built on the blood of the Lebanese with the weapons of the Lebanese? Isn't it more appropriate for there to be peace among the Lebanese before peace with the Israelis? And on the other hand, when did this party become a formidable obstacle to peace? Wasn't that in the midst of the occupation of Beirut, the country's capital, more than forty years ago, half the life of this conflict with this entity? The same applies to the Hamas movement, which was not established and crystallized until more than twenty years after the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Make peace for Palestine, and you will make peace in the Middle East.

The Israeli arena is witnessing a state of turmoil and confusion amid Hezbollah's attempts to build a new deterrence equation to counter the continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement. The occupation government seeks to replicate previous experiences that allow it to move militarily freely in Lebanese airspace, but these endeavors face unprecedented field obstacles.

Contrary to Israeli expectations that bet on the decline of the party's capabilities after the recent confrontations, field data showed success in restoring the organizational structure and regaining balance. The party's new strategy relies on an immediate and direct response to any Israeli violation, which has led to the continuation of a war atmosphere in the Galilee settlements.

This field performance has caused a state of frustration and anger within Israeli circles, especially in the northern areas that still suffer from the sound of sirens. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition faces increasing pressure due to the wide gap between optimistic political statements and the difficult reality experienced by settlers on the ground.

In the context of official threats, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz hinted at targeting Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, claiming to be awaiting a green light from the US to strike Iran. However, these threats seem unconvincing to the Israeli public, who have become skeptical of the credibility of their political leaders based on their daily experiences with shelling.

Moshe Davidovich, head of the 'Mateh Asher' Regional Council, expressed this dissatisfaction by calling Netanyahu and his ministers liars during his interview with the official Hebrew radio. Davidovich affirmed that what is happening is not a ceasefire but a continuation of rockets and drones falling, which have not stopped throughout the past days, describing the current calm as illusory.

The local official pointed out that the Galilee has become empty of residents and tourists, while families refuse to send their children to schools due to insecurity. He criticized the restrictions imposed on the Israeli army due to instructions from the American administration, stressing that settlers will not accept remaining easy targets for attacks.

In the face of this escalating negative mood, Benjamin Netanyahu took the initiative to issue orders to the army to escalate and target Hezbollah sites forcefully during the Saturday holiday. Netanyahu aims with this step to absorb internal anger and prevent the party from solidifying its new equation, which could affect his political future.

Netanyahu finds himself in a critical position, forced to maneuver between external pressures represented by Trump's desire for calm, and internal pressures demanding military decisive action. Sources indicate that the Israeli Prime Minister is awaiting the failure of diplomatic paths to resume broader military operations to restore his lost prestige.

For his part, Reserve General Michael Milstein warned against Israeli illusions regarding the possibility of completely eliminating the doctrine and weapons of adversaries with swift strikes. Milstein emphasized in his analysis that decision-makers in Tel Aviv and Washington have not learned from past failures, stressing that confrontation is a long and complex process.

In a different political reading, military analyst Ron Ben Yishai believes that Israel has decided to cooperate with an American-Saudi vision aimed at politically weakening Hezbollah. This vision is based on pushing the Lebanese government towards negotiations that may ultimately lead to stripping the legitimacy of the party's weapons under strict international supervision.

This diplomatic plan requires Israeli concessions, most notably withdrawal from occupied territories in southern Lebanon in exchange for long-term security guarantees for the Galilee. Planners in Washington and Riyadh believe that a comprehensive agreement including Iran could force Hezbollah to put aside its heavy weapons and transition to purely political action.

However, facts indicate that Hezbollah is aware of these plans and is working to disrupt them by proving its ability to fight and defend Lebanese sovereignty. Observers believe that the party has decided to 'return blow for blow' to prove that it is still standing despite the severe blows it has received in recent months.

Reports indicate that the extension of the ceasefire for three weeks by Trump's decision has put Israel to a difficult test before its public, who demand security. While military sources continue to talk about striking reconstruction attempts, explosions in the north show that the party's ability to initiate is still present and effective.

The scene in southern Lebanon and northern occupied Palestine remains open to all possibilities, amidst a conflict of wills between Israel's desire to impose a new reality and Hezbollah's insistence on protecting its equations. The lost trust between settlers and their government remains the most prominent gap that deepens the occupation crisis in this ongoing confrontation.

We do not believe the state, nor do we trust the government. What is happening is not a ceasefire, but fire without cease, and it is clear that Hezbollah does not respect the agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday evening, issued direct instructions to the army command to launch military operations he described as 'strong' against targets in Lebanese territory. This decision came under the pretext of responding to what Tel Aviv considered repeated violations by Hezbollah of the fragile ceasefire agreement recently reached.

Field sources reported renewed intense Israeli airstrikes on various areas in southern Lebanon, with shelling hitting the towns of Hadatha, Zibqin, Khirbet Selm, and Sultaniyeh. The sources confirmed that these attacks come at a time when the field is witnessing increasing escalation despite the ongoing truce announced by US President Donald Trump.

For its part, the Israeli army claimed in an official statement that it was targeting military buildings and facilities belonging to Hezbollah, alleging that these sites are used to launch operations against its forces. The Israeli statement did not specify a timeline for these strikes or the nature of the strategic targets included in the new orders issued by Netanyahu's office.

In a related context, security circles in Tel Aviv warned of the possibility of a complete collapse of the understandings reached with the Lebanese side, claiming that the agreement could explode at any moment. These sources indicated that the absence of effective American pressure on the Lebanese government and the Lebanese army contributes to complicating the field situation on the northern border.

Occupation authorities are demanding that Washington exert additional pressure to force the Lebanese army to act against Hezbollah elements in areas outside what Israel describes as the 'security zone'. Hebrew reports claim that Hezbollah carried out about 16 violations of the agreement in just one week by launching rockets and drones.

On the ground, Saturday witnessed a bloody escalation as Israeli aircraft and artillery launched about 29 attacks targeting different points in Lebanon. These aggressions resulted in the martyrdom of 6 citizens and the injury of 17 others with varying degrees of wounds, raising the death toll since the start of the widespread aggression last March to record numbers.

In contrast, Hezbollah announced the execution of a qualitative attack using a kamikaze drone that targeted an armored vehicle belonging to the occupation army in the southern region. The party confirmed in its statements that these operations come as a natural response to the continuous Israeli violations of the truce and aggressions against civilians and border villages.

These developments come despite the fact that the truce, which began on April 17, was supposed to last for ten days before the US President announced its extension for an additional three weeks. It appears that the diplomatic path, which saw two rounds of talks in Washington, faces real obstacles that threaten a return to comprehensive confrontation.

Israel justifies its continued military operations with what it calls 'the right to self-defense,' a pretext it uses to carry out preemptive strikes against sites deep inside Lebanese territory. Observers believe that this escalation aims to impose new field conditions before entering into any final negotiations for border demarcation or security arrangements.

On the internal political front in Lebanon, reports indicate a divergence of views regarding the continuation of negotiations with the Israeli side under military pressure. While some political parties show cautious support for talks to end humanitarian suffering, Hezbollah insists on rejecting any dictates that undermine Lebanese sovereignty.

Official Lebanese statistics indicate a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, as the Israeli aggression since early March has resulted in the martyrdom of 2,496 people and the injury of more than 7,700 others. Military operations have also led to the displacement of more than one million Lebanese from their villages and cities, amid massive destruction of infrastructure and residential homes.

Amid this tension, the fate of the truce remains dependent on the ability of international mediators to curb Israeli escalation and prevent the situation from sliding into open war. Political circles in Beirut and Tel Aviv are awaiting the coming hours to determine the seriousness of Netanyahu's threats and their repercussions on the ground.

In conclusion, the field reality shows that paper understandings have so far failed to stop the bloodshed in southern Lebanon, as the Israeli military machine continues its demolition and shelling operations. The hope remains on intensive diplomatic moves in Washington to save what remains of opportunities to solidify the ceasefire.

I instructed the army to launch strong attacks on targets in Lebanon amid a long series of Hezbollah violations.

According to press and research reports, the ongoing war since October 7, 2023, against the Gaza Strip, has left deep psychological scars on the fabric of Israeli society. Data confirmed that one in five Israelis now shows clear symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, while a wide segment of the population suffers from mental disorders that have reached clinical levels requiring medical intervention.

According to published data, the percentage of Israelis suffering from traumatic symptoms exceeding the clinical threshold reached about 20%, a rate more than double the rates recorded before the outbreak of the current confrontation. These rates previously ranged between 5% and 6%, which is consistent with the standards applied in major industrialized countries before the region entered the current cycle of violence.

In a related context, recent field studies showed that 95% of research participants reported at least one psychological symptom related to psychological trauma. The data also recorded an exceptional jump in the rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with the percentage reaching 7% of the population, which is four times the global average that usually does not exceed the 2% barrier, with compulsive behaviors related to excessive cleaning and tidiness being observed.

The psychological pressures did not stop at behavioral disorders but extended to include a sharp increase in addiction, anxiety, and depression rates. Estimates from the Israeli Center for Addiction and Mental Health indicate that one in four Israelis has adopted problematic patterns in using drugs or alcohol, compared to only 10% a few years ago, and this likelihood increases among those suffering from direct trauma symptoms.

On the biological front, university research observed a worrying increase in cortisol hormone levels associated with stress by 50% in the examined samples. This was accompanied by sharp changes in daily consumption patterns, with caffeine consumption jumping by 425%, while cigarette smoking rates doubled since the beginning of the war, reflecting an unprecedented state of collective nervous pressure.

The crisis of insomnia and sleep disorders also recorded record numbers. After the rate of clinical insomnia did not exceed 5% before the war, it jumped to 28% by the end of 2025. About 7% of these cases are classified as severe insomnia, which directly affects the productivity and daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people who face difficulties in regaining their balance.

Economically, experts warned that the indirect annual cost of these mental disorders could touch the 100 billion shekel barrier, equivalent to about 300 billion dollars. These losses include decreased productivity and expensive medical treatment costs, amid warnings that these crises will not disappear once military operations cease, but may develop into chronic disorders if early and comprehensive treatment is not provided.

Israel faces one of the widest waves of mental disorder in its modern history, with warnings of long-term repercussions.