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Egypt, Turkey, Qatar pursue rival plans for phase II

miriw — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:00:43 +0000

Two months have passed since Hamas pledged to return all living and deceased hostages within 72 hours. Only one living hostage remains in Gaza, Sgt. 1st Class Ran Gvili. Against this backdrop, the terror organizations have issued various excuses for the ongoing delay and complained that Israel has not implemented the entirety of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, regional countries have accused Israel of the failure to open the Rafah Crossing in both directions, the activity to demolish buildings in the "yellow line" (buffer zone) area, and strikes against terrorists defined as "violations." For instance, an Arab source told Israel Hayom in a conversation that it remains unclear why Israel insists on not opening the Rafah Crossing completely, as far more Palestinians would leave than enter.

According to him, "Honestly, this is a strange and thoughtless decision. If Netanyahu had agreed at the beginning to open the crossing according to the agreement, he would have achieved the following things – respect from the international community, embarrassment for Egypt, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians would have left, only a few hundred would have entered, and the US would have received this as a gift. This is a diplomatic failure."

Nevertheless, Israel views this as an appropriate sanction for the ongoing delay in delivering all deceased hostages.

Hamas terrorists carry a dead body during a search for deceased hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 28, 2025 (Photo: Reuters/Ramadan Abed) Reuters/Ramadan Abed

Egypt

Egypt is conducting talks with the Americans, during which it warns against the collapse of the ceasefire agreement. Senior officials in the country have conditioned the opening of the Rafah Crossing on it being in both directions, not just for exits.

Ahead of phase two, Cairo proposes the following framework: deploying a Palestinian police force trained in Egypt and Jordan, deploying an international stabilization force, storing and "non-use" of weapons by the terror organizations, a rehabilitation process for the Strip, and guarantees that attacks will not be carried out against Israel. Furthermore, the Egyptians demand the renewal of the political process with the PA.

Turkey

Turkey still seeks to participate in the international stabilization force. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who maintains contact with Hamas, said over the weekend that the US must pressure Israel to implement the conditions for moving to phase two.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Fidan said Turkey is working with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to implement the ceasefire agreement. "We are now waiting for the implementation of several things, and especially for the establishment of the Peace Council, the transfer of Gaza's management to the Palestinians, and the establishment of a police body," the Turkish official said. He estimated that the stabilization force "will not encounter problems in its work. At some stage, Palestinian forces will receive security responsibility, but there must not be armed groups," he added.

Qatar

Qatar joins the demand from Israel for immediate and complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as part of phase two. Currently, Doha is focusing primarily on contacts with the Americans to apply political pressure on Israel.

According to an Arab report, Qatar and Turkey support postponing the "disarmament process" until the end of phase two – a situation that could actually lead to the issue being blurred.

That is, first a Palestinian police force would be deployed, then a technocratic government would be established, and the PA would return to managing the Strip, and only at the end would the disarmament process begin. According to this proposal, the weapons would pass to the custody of the Palestinian Authority, which would oversee their storage, and its role would be to prevent terrorists from accessing them. It has also been reported that Doha and Ankara are proposing an alternative to the PA: "international supervision."

An Israeli soldier operates during a raid in the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees near the city of Tulkarem in the West Bank on August 28, 2024 (Photo: Jaafar Ashtiyeh / AFP) AFP

Palestinian Authority

The PA proposes a similar framework: immediate Israeli withdrawal to the October 6 lines, international forces that would be deployed in the border area and "maintain security," entry of a PA force that would be responsible for security, holding internal Palestinian elections (with demands that would prevent Hamas from competing directly), and the start of the rehabilitation process.

According to sources in the PA, Hamas simply needs to "move aside and not interfere." Furthermore, in Ramallah, they accuse Hamas of its insistence on weapons stemming from its desire to continue collecting taxes and protecting its people, when this should be the government's role. Unlike the framework proposed by Qatar and Turkey, the PA has publicly demanded several times that Hamas hand over its weapons to them immediately.

Gulf States

The Gulf states currently prefer not to intervene in phase two of the ceasefire agreement. The initial condition from their perspective is Hamas' disarming. In this, they align with the PA. Accordingly, the two countries seek to push Hamas as much as possible out of Gaza's management and believe the PA should be involved in any solution.

However, in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, they are aware that the PA requires significant reforms. The Gulf states' demand for change has also been directed toward Israel.

Saudi Arabia

Only recently, a senior official at the Saudi Foreign Ministry declared that the current government in Israel "does not constitute a partner." Until then, Saudi Arabia and especially the United Arab Emirates have been conducting humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip.

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Notorious among Israelis but loved in Hollywood: Who is Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian prisoner activists are trying to free?

adin — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:58:50 +0000

Since the events of October 7, 2023, Hollywood's involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas has been strongly felt, to say the least. Whether through star-led protests against Israel and petition campaigns, criticism of those who support Israel, or the conspicuous silence of others in the face of Hamas' attack and its consequences. But in recent months, a new-old proposal for managing the decades-long conflict in the Middle East has been bubbling up among the stars of Tinseltown – the release of Marwan Barghouti.

If you follow this issue, this name will sound familiar. Around 200 leading industry figures have now signed a petition calling for his release from Israeli prison, with the hope that the Palestinian prisoner will become the leader of a future Palestinian state. Among the signatories to the petition you will find names that haven't escaped notice around the world, such as British actors Sir Ian McKellen and Benedict Cumberbatch, musician Sting, and also Jewish actresses Miriam Margolyes – known mainly from the Harry Potter film series – and Hannah Einbinder, joining actors who have already expressed their anti-Israel views over the years, Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

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In light of the clear support of Hollywood's stars for Barghouti, one can only wonder – who does Hollywood want to crown as "Palestinian Mandela" and the future leader of a Palestinian state?

15-year-old Fatah operative

Born in a village near Ramallah in 1959, Marwan Barghouti joined the Fatah terrorist movement under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) at the mere age of 15. Israeli authorities detained him for the first time at 19, and he served a two-year prison sentence for his involvement as an operative in a Fatah unit that executed a terrorist attack. During the first intifada of the late 1980s, Barghouti gained political prominence in the West Bank by directing Palestinian clashes with Israeli forces. He enrolled at BirZeit University to study History and Political Science, but his campus political work for Fatah, and his involvement in establishing Fatah's youth movement, triggered another imprisonment and subsequent deportation to Jordan.

Barghouti returned to Judea and Samaria in 1994, enabled by the terms of the Oslo Accords. He supported the Oslo Accords and even engaged in dialogue with Israeli political figures, an approach that significantly differed from his previous behaviour within Fatah. He began positioning himself against Yasser Arafat, then-leader of Fatah, particularly over disagreements with the Palestinian Authority. At the same time, he seized the opportunity to consolidate his power further within Fatah, whether through participation in mass demonstrations or by aiding and promoting terrorists from the Tanzim – Fatah's ground forces, who pioneered terrorist strikes against Israel during the Second Intifada, which he led in 2000.

When the second intifada erupted that September, he was directing marches toward Israeli checkpoints and provoking riots against Israeli soldiers. His compelling speeches aimed at urging Palestinians to use violence to drive Israel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During intensifying violence, Fatah spawned a new terrorist branch designated the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which conducted strikes against Israelis – including a March 2002 suicide bombing that claimed 30 lives.

Israeli authorities accused Barghouti – still commanding the Tanzim – of holding a prominent position in the Brigades, and Israeli forces arrested him in April 2002 by tracking his phone. Israel charged him with terrorist organization membership and dozens of murder counts for ordering deadly attacks, with courts convicting him of five charges in 2004 and imposing five life sentences plus 40 years.

Late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, right, and Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, left, attend a rally to commemorate the founding of the Fatah movement in 1965, in the West Bank town of Ramallah (Photo: Mohammed Rawas/AP/File)

The court found Barghouti accountable for a June 2001 attack in Ma'ale Adumim that resulted in the death of Greek monk Tsibouktsakis Germanus, a January 2002 kidnapping and murder of American citizen Yoela Hen, a March 2002 attack at Tel Aviv's Seafood Market restaurant that killed three individuals, Eli Dahan, Yosef Habi, and Salim Barakat, and a car bombing in Jerusalem.

The connection to Hamas

Despite two decades of imprisonment, Barghouti has preserved much of his political power – including playing a key role in facilitating negotiations between Hamas and Fatah in February 2007 prior to Fatah's bloody ouster from the Gaza Strip, and securing election to Fatah's party leadership in absentia in 2009.

Throughout negotiations between Hamas and Israel since October 7, Hamas has repeatedly demanded Barghouti's release, despite his membership in the rival Fatah organization. Hamas' demand for his release connects to debates about Gaza's "day after" – Mahmoud Abbas' succession as the president of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas' future involvement in Palestinian political affairs. Since Abbas is unpopular among Palestinians, and Hamas is looking to extend its reach to the West Bank, Barghouti, who, according to polls, has garnered significant support from Palestinians, has become Abbas' natural successor.

Demonstrators hold placards bearing portraits of a leading member of the Palestinian Fatah party, Marwan Barghouti, the most high-profile Palestinian detainee in Israeli custody, asking for his release, during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Paris on November 29, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Last March, Fadwa Barghouti began campaigning for her husband, hoping he might replace Abbas as president. Her campaign, which included meetings with high-ranking officials in the Arab world and the US, has also received support from pro-Palestinian Hollywood stars, as Barghouti is portrayed as a leader who will "unify" the Palestinian people in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Hamas previously attempted to secure Barghouti's release during negotiations for the return of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped in 2006. Still, even then, Israel firmly refused, and the deal was carried out with the release of over 1,000 security prisoners in exchange for Shalit. To this day, this deal continues to stir controversy in Israeli society. Given the risks associated with freeing Barghouti, his release remained off the table during the Iron Swords negotiations as well.

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EU forced to admit it was deceived by PA

miriw — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:00:24 +0000

An Israeli intelligence delegation that traveled to Brussels, classified reports delivered to Israeli ambassadors in European capitals, and a broad advocacy campaign – this is how Israel succeeded in changing the European Union's stance toward the Palestinian Authority, and forced Europeans to publicly acknowledge for the first time that Abbas continues paying salaries to terrorists, despite his commitment to stop.

At the end of November, a meeting was held in Brussels between senior Palestinian Authority officials and representatives of donor countries. On the agenda: examining the reforms the Authority committed to implement – chief among them stopping payments to terrorists and their families, a reform the Palestinians declared had already been carried out.

The Authority's commitment to reforms didn't stem from goodwill, but from financial distress. Unlike the past, the Europeans decided to stop serving as an "open wallet" and conditioned continued aid – hundreds of millions of euros – on meeting commitments.

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, September 28, 2022 (Photo: Reuters/Yves Herman) Reuters/Yves Herman

A day before the meeting, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar issued an unusually detailed declaration: The Authority not only hasn't stopped payments to terrorists – it has actually increased them. The only change: instead of transferring the money through a designated fund, the Authority found alternative and covert channels.

The response from Brussels was unprecedented. "We understand that recently a payment was made to the families of prisoners," the Union stated in an unusual declaration. "We are very sorry about this decision. It appears to contradict previous statements. We have requested clarifications from the Palestinian Authority."

Palestinian Authority representatives, who arrived in Brussels expecting to raise additional funds, encountered rare criticism. During the meeting, several representatives of donor countries made clear – both to the Palestinians and to their friends in Europe – that part of the funds are conditioned on implementing the reforms.

The Palestinian representatives, unaccustomed to such criticism, committed to establishing a transparent fund that would reflect the transfer of money and to stop payments to terrorists. But they also understand that supervision over them has grown – not only from Israel, but also from the Europeans, whose credibility toward the Authority now lies on the table.

Irish Foreign minister Helen McEntee (L) , Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and European Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Suica (R) attend a Palestine Donor Group (PDG) meeting at EU commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 20 November 2025 (Photo: EPA/Olivier Hoslet) EPA

The Authority committed to stopping payments to terrorists back in February, and earned praise from world leaders – President Macron even cited this as a turning point. But in Israel, they didn't buy the deception. In Jerusalem, they understood that behind the declarations, the money continues to flow.

To substantiate the claims, Sa'ar led an effort based on intelligence from the IDF and other agencies. While the Palestinians prepared for the Brussels meeting, the Foreign Ministry led a covert campaign designed to block the space for denial – both by Authority officials and by Europeans who preferred to ignore.

Intelligence agencies prepared a report, but not all of it could be revealed publicly – parts of the evidence were redacted to protect intelligence sources. Once approved for distribution, the report was presented at every meeting with foreign ministers – so that no room for doubt remained: The Authority continues to pay, despite its declarations.

In parallel, a booklet was prepared that summarized the intelligence evidence. It was sent to Israeli ambassadors in major European capitals, who then passed the information directly to the foreign ministers in the countries where they serve.

"Intelligence indicates that the policy of payments to terrorists is still ongoing, despite the declaration about Abu Mazen's decree," the report stated. "This is done through various channels intended to conceal the continuation of payments, while presenting a false impression of reforms."

The report further stated: "The policy wasn't canceled but only disguised anew. Some payments are now channeled through alternative channels, creating a misleading impression of reform. In practice, the PA continues to finance and encourage terror. The PA continues to pay, just in a new method."

The report notes documentation of payment collection from Palestinian postal branches. It was further noted that terrorists who were released in the deal received salaries throughout their time in prison, and some even received additional grants from the Authority after their release.

The report also quotes Abbas himself, who said on February 25: "If we have only one penny left, it will be given to the prisoners and martyrs. I will not allow anyone to remove any commitment or penny given to them. They are more honored than all of us."

In mid-November, an Israeli delegation of intelligence personnel traveled to Brussels. They met with European Union officials and presented the Palestinian violations – which led the Union to acknowledge that the Authority is not meeting its commitments. The European Union is the largest donor to the Authority, and public criticism from it against the Authority is rare. Until now, the Union preferred to remain silent. Now, even in the Authority, they understand that continuing the payments could drag them into confrontation with their largest funder.

A Commission Spokesperson said to Israel Hayom: "We can confirm that a meeting took place between the Israeli Ambassador to the EU, Israeli delegation and Commission representatives to discuss a broad range of topics relating to the Middle East"

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Israel conditions PA Gaza control on ending UNRWA, refugee status

ErezL — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:05:11 +0000

As Arab and international pressure intensifies on Israel to allow the Palestinian Authority to govern the Gaza Strip and advance toward a Palestinian state solution, Jerusalem has established a comprehensive list of conditions for Palestinian Authority reforms, insisting on the elimination of refugee status for Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria and Gaza.

Arab and Western diplomatic sources indicate these conditions encompass shuttering all UN refugee agencies, chiefly UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees), across Palestinian Authority territories with particular emphasis on Gaza, while transferring complete responsibility for civilian needs to the Palestinian Authority itself. Israel further insists on transforming "refugee camps" into standard neighborhoods or towns, and abolishing refugee designation throughout Palestinian Authority areas.

Reports from i24NEWS revealed that Israel has positioned the termination of UN refugee agency operations as a prerequisite for IDF withdrawal from Jenin and Tulkarem camps, where forces have maintained presence for months. Diplomatic sources confirm this demand surfaced in Israeli-American discussions and conversations with European intermediaries including Tony Blair and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during Monday's meeting.

Israel has simultaneously advanced its established requirements: complete Hamas disarmament, comprehensive Israeli security authority with unrestricted military operations even in Palestinian Authority-controlled zones, total demilitarization of Palestinian territories excepting lightly-armed police forces, meaningful curriculum overhauls in Palestinian Authority educational institutions from kindergarten through university eliminating antisemitic and anti-Israel materials, population-wide de-radicalization initiatives, genuine Palestinian Authority security operations against terror organizations, and additional measures. Israel views these as essential preconditions for accepting a process culminating in Palestinian statehood, as mandated by the Trump plan (the framework for Gaza's future governance and normalization) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed.

People receive humanitarian aid packages provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on August 27, 2024 (AFP / Al-Qattaa)

During Monday's press conference following his session with Chancellor Merz, Netanyahu declared, "We believe pathways exist for advancing broader Arab peace and establishing workable peace with our Palestinian neighbors, but we refuse to create a state dedicated to our annihilation directly next to us. The sole principle we'll invariably maintain is Israeli sovereign security authority. We sidestepped the Palestinian Authority because it lacks peace commitment. Everyone claims they'll transform – I'm skeptical. They must cease indoctrinating their children in murdering Israelis and compensating terrorists."

Negotiations toward Phase 2

Diplomatic contacts have persisted toward an American announcement on commencing Phase 2 negotiations of the Trump plan (the framework for Gaza's future governance and normalization). The principal obstacle remains the unreturned body of the final fallen captive, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, a Yasam (Israel Police Special Patrol Unit) combatant killed battling Hamas terrorists on October 7 after neutralizing dozens.

Shin Bet Director David Zini traveled to Cairo last week, conferring with Egyptian counterparts on intelligence approximately pinpointing Gvili's location. Subsequently, Monday witnessed renewed searches in Gaza's Zeitoun neighborhood, conducted with Red Cross and Hamas representatives present.

Washington has pushed to announce Phase 2's commencement regardless of Gvili's recovery. Gvili's family petitioned Prime Minister Netanyahu against any advancement until Gvili's return. Family members report Netanyahu consented.

The Trump plan's Phase 2 encompasses Hamas's weapons dismantlement and governance transfer to an international civilian entity, paired with further Israeli withdrawal per security protocols. Hamas leadership has consistently proclaimed the organization won't relinquish arms, with internal disagreement on this matter, though even moderates reject complete weapons surrender.

A Palestinian woman attends a demonstration against a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding gap (AP/Khalil Hamra)

Arab sources maintain that characterizing the situation as absent any transfer preparation progress misrepresents reality, asserting the incoming weeks will unveil the new governing apparatus designated for Strip authority, comprising an internationally-participated governing council alongside a bureaucratic administrative structure predominantly consisting of Palestinian Gaza residents, including former Palestinian Authority functionaries preceding Hamas's takeover.

Qatar seeks guarantees

Monday witnessed a noteworthy Washington meeting assembling Mossad Director David Barnea, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and a high-ranking Qatari delegate. This inaugural session in the reconciliation process represented the Netanyahu-Trump agreement's implementation. The initiative commenced with Netanyahu's White House call to Qatar's Prime Minister al-Thani during Netanyahu's late September Trump meeting.

Israeli captive Ran Gvili (Courtesy)

The session established that within this US-mediated framework, monthly consultations will address contentious matters. Current agenda items encompass Qatar's Hamas member hosting, Qatari "mediation" that Israel contends yielded disappointing outcomes, and Qatar's insistence on Israeli pledges against territorial attacks.

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PA caught with continued terror payments despite promises to EU

miriw — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:30:34 +0000

The European Union is changing its approach toward the Palestinian Authority. In a meeting held between EU representatives and senior Palestinian Authority officials toward the end of last month, senior EU officials who are friendly to Israel raised the issue of the PA's violation of agreements regarding continued payments to terrorists, and demanded that they stop transferring funds to those who carried out attacks against Israelis and Jews.

During discussions in Brussels ahead of the meeting of the "Palestine Donors Group" (PDG), in which many European countries and others participate, the Palestinian Authority's progress in implementing the structural reforms it committed to was examined. During the discussions, several representatives of member states confronted PA representatives with evidence that they continued to transfer funds to terrorists through alternative channels, and expressed their dissatisfaction with the violation of the commitment.

The officials reminded that the transfer of some of the funds sent to the PA is conditional on fulfillment of Palestinian commitments to stop paying salaries and stipends to terrorists and their families. The Palestinian Authority promised in February to stop the flow of funds to terrorists and their families, but in recent months, it has been reported that payments were transferred through alternative means.

In Israel, it was further revealed that the Palestinian Authority essentially changed the payment mechanism to one based on socio-economic criteria, rather than on the number of years of imprisonment, as was the case in the past. This change led to the cessation of payments to some terrorists in prisons, but not to all, and thus it effectively continued payment to terrorists and their families.

It should be noted that the European Union, which is the largest financial donor to the Palestinian Authority, has conditioned its financial support, amounting to hundreds of millions of euros per year, on the implementation of comprehensive reforms in the Palestinian Authority. The Union granted the Palestinian Authority a grant of between 1.2-1.6 billion euros for the years 2025-2027, subject to the gradual implementation of reforms whose main focus is fighting corruption and building stable and proper governance in the PA, but they also include a Palestinian commitment to stop paying salaries and stipends to terrorists as a reward for attacks they carried out, as well as stopping incitement in textbooks that the Palestinian Authority distributes to Palestinian educational institutions. In recent months, it was revealed in Israel Hayom that Palestinian textbooks continue to incite against Israel, Jews, and encourage terrorism.

The Palestinian Authority prefers to postpone the implementation of the education reform to next year, although, after it became clear that it is not keeping its promises, pro-Israel officials in the European Union are expected to increase pressure in light of the huge sums being transferred.

In response to the accusations against them, senior Palestinian Authority officials claimed that in January, a new payment system is supposed to be implemented that will create transparency, and payments to terrorists will stop. The PA also fired the finance minister after accusing him of transferring the funds.

According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, the step the Palestinians took to stop payment to terrorists "was a step forward and marked the Palestinian Authority's commitment to implement far-reaching reforms. However, we understand that a payment was recently made to prisoners' families under a previous plan. We very much regret this decision, as it appears to contradict previous statements."

"We requested clarifications on the matter from the Palestinian Authority, and the Committee for the Promotion of Palestinian Policy provided the opportunity to discuss the matter openly. The Palestinian Authority reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the Social Protection Law and also confirmed that a contract has been signed for an audit of the new payment system, which is expected to begin in January. Within this framework, verification will be carried out to assess that there are no parallel payment programs and to provide evidence that the system is now based only on genuine needs," the spokesperson said.

The Union confirmed again that they continue to monitor the PA's other promise regarding education reform. "Reform in the education sector, including curriculum reform, is part of the EU-Palestine reform agenda," added a spokesperson on behalf of the Commission.

"The Palestinian Authority, as reaffirmed in President Abbas' intervention in New York in September, is committed to conducting a comprehensive curriculum reform to ensure full compliance of all learning materials with UNESCO standards containing values of peace, tolerance, coexistence, and non-violence. This includes changes in the textbooks in question."

Just about two weeks ago, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar revealed that the Palestinian Authority nearly doubled salaries to terrorists and their family members in the past year. According to him, in 2024 it paid 470 million shekels ($130 million), and in 2025 it has already committed to pay about 700 million shekels ($194 million) in salaries, and the year has not yet ended. "I call on Europe and the world to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for financing terrorism. The salaries to terrorists must be stopped now," Sa'ar demanded.

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PA eyes postwar rule of Gaza under Trump plan

omrif — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:50:45 +0000

A Palestinian source told Israel Hayom Tuesday that the US and other international forces understand that the Palestinian Authority ultimately needs to take control of the Gaza Strip.

According to the source, the PA's participation in postwar arrangements would speed up that process and help facilitate it.

The remarks came after al-Sheikh's second meeting this week with Blair, who is slated to lead the international council as part of Trump's plan for the Middle East and the Gaza Strip.

Tony Blair and Hussein al-Sheikh. Photo: from X

The head of the PA's General Intelligence Service, Majed Faraj, and Mahmoud Abbas' diplomatic adviser, Majdi Khaldi, also took part in the meeting.

The Palestinian official told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sheikh stressed to Blair the need for the PA to assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip as part of what he referred to as the Palestinian "state."

The two discussed the PA's role in Gaza through a technocratic committee and Palestinian forces that, from their perspective, are meant to deploy in the Strip.

Part of the "Palestinian state." Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

On Saturday, Egyptian sources said that hundreds of "Palestinian security personnel" were ready to deploy in Gaza. Thousands of PA police officers are undergoing training in Egypt and Jordan.

The discussions also addressed the proposed international oversight body, the so-called Peace Council, and the question of international forces that would be stationed temporarily in the Gaza Strip.

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Will this anti-Hamas group topple it?

ErezL — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 04:48:33 +0000

A new armed faction functions in the Khan Younis region under direction of Shawqi Abu Nasira, a former Fatah security prisoner and Palestinian Authority official, Palestinian sources disclosed.

Abu Nasira served a lengthy prison term in the 1980s for terrorist operations. He fled from Nafha Prison and was recaptured after roughly a week and a half. After his release, he functioned as an official in the Palestinian Authority security apparatus following the Oslo Accords, ascending to a senior rank before retiring. Throughout the war, his son was reportedly killed, and Abu Nasira himself lately received threats from Hamas intelligence and internal security mechanisms.

In video footage distributed on social media, Abu Nasira spoke to a formation of approximately 20 armed combatants standing in line, stating, "Your dirtiest shoe is more honorable than the biggest fake in Hamas. I am Shawqi Abu Nasira, I don't want to talk about myself. Whoever catches a collaborator can kiss my ass. From the most senior in Hamas – Khalil al-Hayya – to the smallest operative."

Video: The anti-Hamas faction in the Gaza Strip / Credit: Social media

He then directed the combatants to shout aloud, "The dogs' barks don't frighten the lions. Death to Hamas! Death to Hamas!" Abu Nasira continued, "We left our families and homes to liberate the families and our people from Hamas, Persian Iran. Enemies of Islam and the Sunnis. Clear? You are not collaborators, you are the best of the people. Whoever told Hamas 'no' is a hero. It doesn't matter if it's me or someone else." In his words, "We, all the people, in Hamas' eyes are considered spies. Whoever says 'no' is a lion."

This constitutes another militia functioning in the Khan Younis region opposing Hamas. Additionally, the force of Husam al-Astal, a former Palestinian Authority intelligence official, functions there. Beyond this, at least three additional armed factions exist from northern Gaza to its south, the most prominent being Yasser Abu Shabab's Popular Forces in eastern Rafah.

Since the ceasefire in October, Hamas circles disseminated rumors asserting some militia members surrendered to them or were killed in firefights. Nevertheless, the rumors were refuted, including by Abu Shabab's faction.

In recent days, Yasser Abu Shabab's faction announced they are sustaining direct cooperation with the Peace Council as part of President Donald Trump's plan. Abu Shabab's deputy, Rasan al-Duhaini, proclaimed they would execute missions in Rafah against "illegal armed elements," apparently referring to Hamas, "in certain areas of Rafah."

Meanwhile, a Hamas source informed the Saudi channel Asharq on Sunday morning that a delegation from the terror organization is in Cairo to discuss arrangements for forming a management committee for the Gaza Strip. Per the source, discussions in Cairo are being conducted between senior Hamas officials and senior Egyptians, including other Palestinian organizations. Simultaneously, sources informed the Saudi channel Al-Hadath that a Hamas delegation reached Cairo to discuss details of the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.

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Oxford Union votes Israel 'greater threat than Iran'

miriw — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:00:26 +0000

Members of the Oxford Union delivered an "overwhelmingly" favorable verdict Thursday for a motion declaring Israel represents a greater "threat to regional stability" than Iran, The Telegraph reported. Thursday evening's debate at the historic society pitted Hillel Neuer, who serves as director of UN Watch, against Mohammad Shtayyeh, who previously led the Palestinian Authority as prime minister, with the latter declaring that "Israel is an expansionist colonial state that has been established by colonial powers. Shtayyeh proceeded to characterize Israel as a "pariah state" that "should be stopped," The Telegraph noted.

The Jewish Chronicle reported his additional remarks: "Israel acts above the law and does not respect UN resolutions, and also we know this aggressive state of Israel is... nuclear armed and a centre of a colonial regime that is based on apartheid against the Palestinian people." Shtayyeh, whose tenure ran from 2019 through 2024, told members of the 202-year-old institution that certain Israeli legislators envision national boundaries stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. His closing statement declared: "We all should say that Israel is the biggest cause of destabilisation in the region."

Hillel Neuer, Executive Director, UN Watch, speaking at a hearing of two subcommittees of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations (Photo: Michael Brochstein / SOPA Images/ United Nations Relief and Works Agency) Michael Brochstein / SOPA Images

Taking the opposing position, Neuer characterized this framing as an "inversion of reality." Neuer argued that "Regional stability is measured by who starts wars, not by who stops them," adding: "Israel does not arm terror proxies in five Arab countries – the regime in Iran does that. The entire Middle East knows this, and that is why Arab states quietly depend on Israel for their own survival," The Telegraph reported. Neuer continued: "One of the most powerful illustrations was when the Islamic regime in Iran launched an unprecedented attack on the people of Israel with 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles," according to The Telegraph. "The fact that Sunni Arab states provided a combination of air force interceptions... is a real-world vote on tonight's motion. The Arab states know that Israel is a partner in survival and the Islamic regime in Iran is an existential threat." Neuer concluded by noting: "You don't intercept missiles heading towards a threat to regional stability – you intercept missiles from one," The Telegraph reported.

The Telegraph confirmed that union members supported the motion, while the Jewish Chronicle characterized the margin as "overwhelming."

In my debate tonight at the Oxford Union, I said that their proposition—"Israel is a greater threat to regional stability than Iran"—struck me as deep satire, but then I recalled that 501 of their members voted to back the student chair who cheered the killing of Charlie Kirk.

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) November 13, 2025

Following the debate, Neuer wrote on X: "In my debate tonight at the Oxford Union, I said that their proposition – 'Israel is a greater threat to regional stability than Iran' – struck me as deep satire, but then I recalled that 501 of their members voted to back the student chair who cheered the killing of Charlie Kirk," The Telegraph noted. The October controversy surrounding George Abaraonye, who held the title of president-elect at the Oxford Union, resulted in his removal following widespread criticism of his apparent approval of Kirk's shooting death, The Telegraph reported.

Previous voting at the Oxford Union saw members approve by a 278 to 59 margin that "Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide" during 2024, according to The Telegraph.

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Security Council draft reveals plan for international force in Gaza through 2027

ErezL — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:04:13 +0000

The UN Security Council has advanced preparations for a resolution on Gaza's future implementing President Donald Trump's comprehensive peace framework, responding to Indonesian and Azerbaijani demands for Security Council authorization before deploying troops as the primary component of an international stabilization force in the Strip.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu (background: Gaza) Jack GUEZ / AFP; Marc Israel Sellem; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images;

The draft resolution has been under discussion in recent weeks among countries involved in shaping Gaza's future, led by the US, Israel, and Egypt. Israel Hayom obtained the draft resolution, which currently contains fewer than ten articles. The primary innovations it includes are plans to create a "Palestinian policing force" and the stipulation that the International Stabilization Force (ISF) would receive a two-year mandate in the initial phase.

The ISF is designed to be the sole military force in Gaza under Trump's framework, with responsibility for dismantling terror infrastructure and demilitarizing the Strip.

Heavy equipment waiting in front of Rafah crossing to enter the Gaza Strip on February 18, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

The resolution carries the title "Comprehensive Plan for Ending the Conflict in Gaza." It draws from the "Trump Declaration for Peace and Stability," more commonly known as the "20-Point Plan." Its core features a new international framework for rehabilitating Gaza and guaranteeing regional security, alongside efforts to secure broad international backing for a new civilian and security apparatus to be established in the Strip.

Key Points of the Resolution:

Adoption of the "Comprehensive Plan." The Security Council endorses the diplomatic framework (of Trump's plan) and encourages all parties to implement it "in good faith and without delay."

Creation of an International Transitional Governance Mechanism (Board of Peace – BoP) that would function as an international-civilian body coordinating Strip rehabilitation, managing aid distribution, and monitoring Palestinian Authority activity pending reform completion.

Stringent oversight of humanitarian aid. Restoration of aid to Gaza while guaranteeing resources are not redirected to Hamas or terror organizations, but exclusively serve civilian requirements.

Creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). A temporary force stationed in Gaza in coordination with Israel and Egypt, with goals encompassing border security; monitoring of Strip demilitarization processes; blocking terror infrastructure rehabilitation; civilian protection and humanitarian aid operation support. The force would function until December 2027, contingent on renewed Council authorization.

Creation of a vetted Palestinian policing force (meaning members' would be vetted).

World Bank and donor function: Creation of a designated international fund for Gaza rehabilitation and financing civilian and infrastructure projects.

Fresh Palestinian civilian leadership: Daily affairs management would be executed by a professional, non-political Palestinian committee, under BoP monitoring.

Regional and international collaboration. Member states are urged to provide forces, equipment, and resources and to back the plan and bodies functioning on the ground.

The Security Council establishes it will remain engaged and informed on the matter.

The expectation is that voting on the plan will occur only in two weeks, and that meanwhile various countries will seek to modify the text in accordance with their agendas.

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Gaza deal terrorists turned millionaires as Israel unknowingly foots the bill

ErezL — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:46:13 +0000

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the Palestinian Authority of continuing salary payments to terrorists, including those released in the current deal and Hamas operatives. He also criticized the European Union for rewarding the PA with support for a terror state instead of imposing sanctions for the ongoing payments.

At a press conference in Budapest on Monday with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó, Sa'ar said the PA altered its system to avoid direct terrorist payments and now funnels the money through Palestinian postal branches. "Contrary to the Palestinian Authority's promises in English, the PA continues its policy of paying salaries to terrorists," Sa'ar said. "The PA pays salaries to terrorists and their family members for murdering Jews and Israelis according to their law from 2004 until this very day. The PA rewards Palestinian terrorists, including Hamas operatives, who have Jewish blood on their hands – both those sitting in prison and those released in the latest deal."

Sa'ar added, "The PA never stopped paying salaries to terrorists – the PA only changed its method. Terrorists now receive the money from Palestinian postal branches. The PA even makes additional payments to terrorists released under the agreement."

Terrorists beings released (AFP)

Sa'ar sharply criticized the European Union, saying "instead of demanding accountability from the PA, the European Union whitewashes the PA. The EU ignores the ongoing crimes of paying terrorists – and in practice encourages terror. The EU seeks to reward the PA with its own terrorist state." He noted that President Trump's 20-point plan stipulated that the PA would receive no legitimacy without genuine reforms, including "the Palestinian Authority will take all necessary steps to immediately stop paying salaries to terrorists imprisoned in Israel and to families of terrorists who were killed."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (L) and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto have taken seat for official talks at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on October 27, 2025 (Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)

Sa'ar continued, "To this day, the Palestinian Authority has failed to meet the criteria set by President Trump. I call on responsible and moral European leaders to follow the example Hungary set in Europe. Hold the Palestinian Authority accountable! Stop salary payments to terrorists now!"

Israel has a part too

Lt. Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch, former head of the military prosecution in Judea and Samaria and currently a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), reveals a disturbing picture about the payments the Palestinian Authority provides to terrorists serving prison sentences – and about Israel's role in the financing.

According to Hirsch, 160 of the 250 terrorists released in the latest ceasefire deal became millionaires thanks to monthly payments of roughly 8,000 shekels ($2,250) over many years. "The Palestinian Authority rewards our child murderers with hundreds of millions of shekels annually, exactly as a prize for their participation in terror," Hirsch said. "The payments accumulate to millions and they leave prison for a life of prosperity – not remorse."

People hold up placards and flags as they wait for the arrival of United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, at Hostages Square on October 11, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Hirsch emphasizes that this money comes mainly from Israel itself. "Out of every 100 shekels the PA pays terrorists, 65 come from us – from the VAT and income taxes we transfer to the PA under the Oslo Accords. We are literally funding the murder of our children," Hirsch said. "This is a dangerous moral and security distortion. A terrorist murderer knows he won't die in prison, but will exit to a good life with an inflated bank account. The time has come to cut off this money pipeline once and for all."

Special letter from Omri Miran

On the hostage issue, Sa'ar said the nation of Israel will never forget Hungary's role in the struggle to bring them home. However, he added, "The struggle has not yet ended. Hamas still holds 13 of our deceased hostages. This is a clear violation of the agreement. We know Hamas can return most of the deceased hostages easily. Hamas is delaying the return and bringing them back at a slow, calculated pace to postpone the second phase – its disarmament. Hamas behaves barbarically, abuses families who have waited for more than two years and only want to bring their sons to burial. Hamas must immediately return all those it holds."

People react as they celebrate following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 (AP / Emilio Morenatti)

During the meeting, Sa'ar gave Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó a personal letter of thanks from former hostage Omri Miran, who also holds Hungarian citizenship. In the letter, Miran thanked the Hungarian government for its efforts to secure his release. Miran asked Foreign Minister Sa'ar to deliver the letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President Tamás Sulyok, and Foreign Minister Szijjártó as recognition and gratitude for the Hungarian government's efforts toward his release.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, right, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar shake hands at the end of their joint press conference following their talks in Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 (Zoltan Kocsis/MTI via AP)

This is the eighth meeting between Sa'ar and Szijjártó – Hungary has been very helpful to Israel in its struggle against European Union policies both toward the Palestinians and in calls for academic and commercial boycotts of Israel. Sa'ar was joined by the largest business delegation ever to travel from Israel to Hungary, with the goal of encouraging trade and economic relations between the countries.

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