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Palestine

April 24, 2025

Ramallah 2:10 am

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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (R) and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (L) bid farewell to participants at the Syrian National Dialogue Conference.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad says Syria arrested 2 members: What we know

One of the US demands for sanctions relief on Syria is not engaging with Islamic Jihad, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.

Ami Ayalon, a candidate for the Israeli Labor Party leadership, arrives to vote in the second and decisive round of party primaries on June 12, 2007, in Geva Carmel, northern Israel.

Interview

Ayalon: Netanyahu firing Shin Bet chief to shield inner circle from Qatar probe

Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of endangering Israel’s democracy by going after the country’s gatekeepers, such as current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

Latest News

Israel arrests 6 over Turkey money transfer scheme: What we know

An Israeli military vehicle moves through a street in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, West Bank, Oct. 1, 2024.

Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates

Palestinians gather for a communal iftar.

UK lawyers accuse 10 nationals of war crimes in Gaza: What to know

London Gaza protest

Analysis

Can Saudi Arabia use investment flattery to woo Trump during visit?

trump shows mbs a chart

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

ZAIN JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli raid in Jenin kills at least 25, displaces 40,000: What we know

The Israeli army has escalated its operation in the northern West Bank in the past three weeks, causing massive destruction of infrastructure, forcing more than 40,000 Palestinians to flee their homes and killing dozens.

Israeli hostages stand on stage flanked by Hamas militants during the official handover in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on February 8, 2025. Hamas hands over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross as part of ongoing negotiations. (Photo by Youssef Alzanoun / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Hamas defy Trump's ultimatum as Gaza ceasefire teeters?

Israel is considering introducing a transitional phase to salvage the deal and ensure the continued release of hostages. However, for this to proceed, Hamas must adhere to the agreed-upon terms by Saturday.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A Palestinian woman stands against a wall plastered with posters picturing "martyrs" at a market in the Balata camp, near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 15, 2020.

Palestinian Authority ends ‘martyr’ payments in possible gesture to Trump

The Palestinian Authority has paid millions of dollars to families of assailants who have attacked Israelis in recent years, drawing scrutiny from the United States and from victims of the attacks.

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

As Trump doubles down on Gaza plan, 69% of Israelis support idea despite concern

Three surveys show that Israelis support President Donald Trump's proposal to transfer Gazans to other countries and for the United States to take over the Strip, but are skeptical that such a plan could be implemented.

Yair Golan in Tel Aviv on Feb. 2, 2025.

Interview

Amid Israel's rightward shift, left struggles for relevance

In a special interview with Al-Monitor, Yair Golan, leader of center-left party the Democrats, insists that the Palestinian Authority must play a pivotal role in the future administration of Gaza.

Yair Golan

Yair Golan

Chair of the Democrats Party

People watch and wave as a helicopter, part of the hostage-release convoy, lands at Belinson-Schneider Hospital on Jan. 25, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Hamas names 3 Israeli hostages to be released as ceasefire deal faces complications

After a brief delay, Hamas communicated to Israel the names of the three hostages set to be released on Saturday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to the media during a joint news conference with Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo at the Culture Palace in Guatemala City on Feb. 5, 2025.

Rubio heads to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Israel on first Mideast visit

On his second trip abroad as Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio is expected to be in full damage-control mode after the president suggested the United States would "take ownership" of Gaza following his recommendation to evacuate its population.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BRYAN DOZIER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Will Trump's Gaza plan scuttle fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

Strong negative responses to Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza may provide Hamas an excuse not to release more hostages, Israeli officials fear.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israeli soldier and kids use binoculars during a Sukkoth gathering, calling for resettling Gaza with Jewish communities near the border with the Gaza Strip on Oct. 21, 2024 in Southern Border, Israel.

Why Israel's far right is embracing Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

A Palestinian prisoner embraces a relative upon the arrival of some 90 prisoners set free by Israel in the early hours of Jan. 20, 2025, in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia.

Palestinian prisoners sent to Egypt, Turkey as Tunisia declines: What we know

Egypt has taken 79 prisoners freed in the hostage-release and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with more expected to be sent to Pakistan and possibly Algeria.

U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BRYAN DOZIER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

From Saudi Arabia to Australia and China, world leaders denounce Trump’s plan to 'take over' Gaza

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about a possible US takeover of Gaza after relocating the Palestinians caused a wave of uproar across the region and the world.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Could Trump’s Gaza plan be negotiating tactic for Saudi-Israel deal?

On a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surely didn't imagine that President Donald Trump would propose the United States take over responsibility for managing and reconstructing the Gaza Strip.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense