The Israeli navy has intercepted the Samoud flotilla, a humanitarian mission carrying aid intended for Gaza, according to organisers of the operation. The aid group said several boats in the flotilla were surrounded by Israeli speedboats while travelling in the Mediterranean Sea. Organisers claimed that activists and aid workers aboard the vessels were detained during […]
Hamas
Gaza participated in municipal elections first time in more than two decades
Residents of Gaza participated in municipal elections on Saturday, marking the first time in more than two decades that voters in the enclave have cast ballots. The vote took place in Deir el-Balah, the only location in Gaza included in the latest phase of Palestinian local elections, despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges. Read More: […]
Hamas urges Iran to avoid targeting neighbors
GAZA CITY, Palestine — Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Saturday called on Iran to refrain from striking neighboring countries, even as it reaffirmed Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States. Read More: Trump-Netanyahu meeting: Iran warned, Hamas challenged In a statement, Hamas emphasized that while Iran has the right to respond to attacks “by all […]
Hamas nears selection of new leader amid Gaza conflict
GAZA CITY (Palestinian territory) – Hamas is in the final stage of selecting a new leader, with two senior figures, Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya, competing for the position, a senior Hamas official told AFP on Sunday. The movement recently formed a new Shura Council of over 80 members and an 18-member political bureau to […]
Israeli police arrest Al-Aqsa Mosque imam amid rising tensions
Israeli authorities have arrested Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, from inside the mosque’s courtyards, Palestinian sources reported on Monday evening. No official reason for the detention was provided. Read More: Al–Aqsa preacher’s voice echoes across Jerusalem devoid of ramadan crowds According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the arrest comes amid escalating […]
Netanyahu skeptical despite Trump pushing for Iran deal
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that while US President Donald Trump believes he is creating the conditions for a “good deal” with Iran, Netanyahu remains skeptical about the potential agreement’s quality. Read More: Netanyahu to press Trump on Iran, Gaza talks Speaking after his seventh meeting with Trump since the US president returned to office, Netanyahu stressed that […]
Israel reopens Rafah border for limited movement amid security checks
GAZA CITY/ISRAEL: Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Monday, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza on foot or return after fleeing the enclave during the conflict, officials said. The reopening, however, will be limited, with Israel and Egypt imposing security checks and caps on the number of travellers. Read More: Gaza’s Rafah border with Egypt to reopen next […]
Hamas says ready to hand Gaza governance to Palestinian committee
Hamas said on Wednesday it was prepared to transfer the governance of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian technocratic committee, while stressing that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt must be fully reopened within days as part of the ceasefire framework. Read More: Gaza governance panel holds first meeting in Cairo Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said […]
Israel orders first Gaza evacuations since ceasefire
Israeli forces have ordered dozens of Palestinian families in southern Gaza to evacuate their homes, the first such move since October’s ceasefire. Leaflets were dropped in the Al-Reqeb neighbourhood of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis. Residents said the orders are part of Israel’s effort to expand control over the area. The leaflets, written in […]
US moves to ‘second phase’ of Gaza plan with new Board of Peace
The United States (US) has launched the second phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace initiative, shifting attention from ceasefire management to demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction. Read More: Trump backs transitional Palestinian panel to govern Gaza US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the move in a social media post on Friday, describing it as […]