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Palestine

August 24, 2025

Ramallah 5:14 am

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Interview

Marwan Barghouti’s wife slams ‘political targeting’ after Ben-Gvir video

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Fadwa Barghouti condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s prison video as a politically motivated attempt to intimidate her husband, Marwan Barghouti, while saying it instead reinforced his symbolic status among Palestinians.

Fadwa Barghouti

Fadwa Barghouti

Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council

Palestinians watch as a plume of smoke rises during an Israeli strike on Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on Aug. 8, 2025.

Analysis

As Israel moves on Gaza City and calls for Hamas talks, Trump remains silent

Opposition leaders have offered Prime Minister Netanyahu a "safety net" for a ceasefire, vowing to support his government if extremists try to bring it down as a result of a deal.

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

Lebanese army soldiers are stationed at the Burj al-Barajneh camp for Palestinian refugees in Beirut's southern suburbs on Aug. 21, 2025, as armed Palestinian groups in the refugee camps start handing over their weapons.

Lebanon begins disarming Palestinian factions after refugee camp hands over weapons

Lebanese and Palestinian officials confirmed that the first phase of the disarmament process of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon has begun.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists as Egypt floats Hamas disarmament plan

Egypt is reportedly offering to hold Hamas' arms while a deal to end the war is hammered out.

Latest News

Analysis

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Tents housing displaced Palestinians line a street in Gaza City, Aug. 18, 2025.

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

Exclusive

Contrary to Netanyahu's claims, Israel spy chief pushes partial Gaza deal in Qatar

Israeli army soldiers look at the destruction in Gaza from the border with the Palestinian territory, Aug. 13, 2025.

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

Meet Nadeen Ayoub, first Palestinian woman to compete for Miss Universe

Nadeen Ayoub

Israel's Smotrich to approve E1 settlement plan that 'buries idea of Palestinian state'

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

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

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel meets with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba on Aug. 13, 2025.

Israeli envoy meets South Sudan president as Juba denies Gaza resettlement report

Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, visited South Sudan amid reports that the two countries are discussing resettling Gazans there.

Tents used as temporary shelters by displaced Palestinians are set up near war-damaged buildings in Gaza City on Aug. 8, 2025.

Exclusive

Gaza’s prospective postwar governor, Samir Hulileh, on his conditions for role

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the Palestinian businessman outlines the guarantees involving a ceasefire, borders and funding in Gaza that he says are essential before accepting the role.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli universities, tech firms, cities to join strike over Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover plan

An increasing number of institutions and businesses are allowing their employees to join the general strike planned for Sunday, in protest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City.

Buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes surround makeshift shelters for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, on Aug. 8, 2025.

Norway's wealth fund vows to stay invested in Israel after selling shares in 11 firms

In a press conference on Tuesday, the fund said it had sold the stake in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, a group that provides services to the Israeli military, including the maintenance of fighter jets.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/trump-tacitly-backs-gaza-city-offensive-netanyahu-plays-time

Analysis

As Trump tacitly backs Gaza City offensive, Netanyahu–army rift widens

An exchange last week between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top general suggests that the Israeli premier himself does not believe in the plan he is touting for Israel to take full control of Gaza City.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

East Jerusalem father, son arrested over Israel attack plot: What to know

Three east Jerusalem residents arrested in are suspected of fabricating dozens of explosive devices and plotting to commit several attacks against Israelis.

People carry boxes of relief supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as displaced Palestinians return from an aid distribution center in the central Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025.

After Hamas ban and deadly ambush, Gazans wary of GHF aid jobs

Hamas banned all cooperation with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) weeks after armed men executed several GHF workers in Khan Younis.

JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images

Interview

Israel’s former Germany envoy: Arms embargo 'warning sign' of growing isolation

Berlin’s embargo over the Gaza City offensive signals a rare fracture in one of Israel’s closest strategic partnerships, former Israeli Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff says.

Jeremy Issacharoff

Jeremy Issacharoff

Former Israeli ambassador to Germany

A young boy stands next to his bicycle as Palestinians check the devastation following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on August 8, 2025. Israel's military will "take control" of Gaza City under a new plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, touching off a wave of criticism Friday from both inside and outside the country. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP) (Photo by BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel's Vietnam: As Netanyahu pushes Gaza City takeover, military warns of endless war

The plan to extend Israeli control beyond the 75% of Gaza it now holds ignores warnings by military chief Eyal Zamir and the public's desire to end the war.

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

Gaza City

Israel's security cabinet approves takeover of Gaza City

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to launch an operation to overtake Gaza City despite objections by the Israeli military and warnings by families of hostages such a move would get their loved ones killed.

Peoples waits near a humanitarian aid distribution point at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on July 20, 2025, amid a deepening food crisis.

Pentagon awaits White House decision to help ramp up Gaza humanitarian aid

The White House has not yet signed off on proposals to have the US military support humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza as the enclave's population faces spreading starvation.

Muhammad Ahmad Hussein (L), the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, walks in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque following Friday prayers in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque complex, on September 10, 2021.

Israel bans Jerusalem grand mufti from Al-Aqsa: What to know

The decision follows a controversial visit to the holy site by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.