Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City. Palestine
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority Hamas has so far stayed out of the escalating Iran war, despite its longstanding alliance with Tehran, reflecting a cautious strategic calculation. By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the US-Israel war in Iran a "flagrant illegality.” Israel
'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Palestine’s 'techno queen' scapegoated by politicians trying to escape responsibility Misinterpretations of a music video shot in the area of a West Bank holy site cause anger, an arrest of the DJ and the burning of furniture to be used for the development of cultural tourism at the location. Palestine
UAE helps Gaza resume COVID-19 testing as normalization dust settles The UAE sent a medical aid convoy to the Gaza Strip as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, in the first such shipment since normalizing ties with Israel. United Arab Emirates
Hamas walks back 'Christmas ban' in Gaza after uproar A memo leaked from the Hamas-run Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs in the Gaza Strip taken as a ban on Christmas and New Year festivities outraged Christian and Muslim Palestinians alike. Palestine
Russian, Palestinian leaders discuss Israel-Palestinian peace process Russia has voiced willingness to mediate between Israel and Palestine in its capacity as a member of the Middle East Quartet. Palestine
UAE steps up medical aid to Gaza The UAE and Qatar are neck and neck in the Gaza Strip, with both parties pumping money and aid into the besieged enclave that is struggling under tough economic, humanitarian and health conditions made worse by the coronavirus. Palestine
International aid arrangement targets vulnerable Palestinians A UN-backed humanitarian aid plan seeks to support 1.8 million Palestinians as a worsening coronavirus pandemic and settlement threat looms. Palestine
Palestinian spirits sag as coronavirus steals Christmas Taybeh, the only village in Palestine where the entire population is Christian, is having a dreary holiday season with residents confined at home due to the pandemic. Palestine
Christians in Gaza celebrate gloomy Christmas this year Christians in the Gaza Strip will be celebrating Christmas at home this year in light of the lockdown and travel restrictions imposed to stem the skyrocketing number of coronavirus cases. Palestine
Why Palestinians found Moroccan normalization easier to take Unlike Israel's normalization deals with the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan, the most recent one with Morocco caused little anger among Palestinians. Palestine
Palestinians intensify efforts, action to counter UAE trade deals with Israeli settlements Palestinians seek to launch international campaigns to boycott Emirati companies that deal with products from settlements built on occupied land in the West Bank, accusing them of violating international resolutions that criminalize settlements. Palestine
As vaccinations begin, Israel may offer Palestinians surplus Israeli health authorities are signaling they might offer the Palestinian Authority surplus vaccines against the coronavirus. Palestine
Derelict Gaza airport becomes racetrack for cars, camels Gazans have been racing their camels, horses and cars at the abandoned site of what once served as Gaza’s airport. Palestine
