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
Israel-Hamas contacts advance on prisoner exchange Contradicting reports have emerged about talks for an Israel-Hamas prisoner-exchange deal after an Egyptian delegation visited Gaza last week. Palestine
Israeli settler attacks on church sanctities in Palestine continue amid lax international response The Israeli settlers continue their attacks against Palestinian Muslim and Christian places of worship, the latest of which has been the attempt to set on fire the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem. Palestine
Hamas prisoners elect leadership behind bars Despite being locked away in Israeli prisons, Hamas members elect a new leadership body every two years that wields great influence within the movement and participates in its major decisions. Palestine
Ashrawi’s exit of the PLO sign of organization’s demise Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi resigned from her post in the PLO’s Executive Committee, amid reports that she was frustrated over the lone decision-making process in the Palestinian organization. Palestine
For Palestine’s negotiations strategy to work, Gulf must be united Reports about an end of the nearly four-year Gulf crisis pitting a Saudi-led bloc of nations against Qatar is a good omen for the Palestinians, who are seeking to restart the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiation process. Palestine
Egypt, Jordan work to thaw Israeli-Palestinian negotiations Officials from Egypt, Jordan and Palestine are meeting in intense efforts to end the stalemate over the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Palestine
Inside Mar Saba Monastery in the West Bank Mar Saba Monastery near Bethlehem attracts thousands of tourists each year, all the while facing constant attacks by Israeli settlers. Palestine
Women in Gaza take up boxing despite social stigma Despite the patriarchal and religious stigma surrounding female sporting activities in the Gaza Strip, several women and girls have joined a boxing team out of love for this sport. Palestine
Gaza caught between full lockdown or collapse of health sector amid COVID-19 surge A health catastrophe looms on the horizon of the Gaza Strip amid the already fragile health-care sector, while the government hesitates to impose a full lockdown due to the deteriorating economic situation. Palestine
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar tests positive for COVID-19 The 58-year-old Hamas official was tested after experiencing symptoms. Palestine
No Christmas cheer in Bethlehem this year amid coronavirus pandemic The municipality of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank has begun preparations to celebrate the holidays amid exceptional measures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Palestine
Gaza blockade responsible for $16B in economic damage, UN agency says UN trade and development agency says Gaza economy "near collapse." Palestine
