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Palestine

July 17, 2026

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Government Media Office Director Ismail Thawabteh (R) and Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem (L) speak at a press conference.

Explainer

What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean?

Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved.

Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh attends a meeting on April 5, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Arab-Israeli Hadash-Ta'al Knesset faction, Ayman Odeh, said his party is prepared to make difficult decisions to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat?

Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party.

Israeli security forces attempt to disperse Palestinians who had gathered to protest the reported burning of land by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Idna, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 5, 2026.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank

In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory.

Latest News

Ireland bans hard-line Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich: What to know

Israeli policemen surround Israeli Minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir as he arrives outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

Record Israeli arms exports highlight global rush for air defense

People stand in front of the Arrow 3 shield system during an event of the German Air Force to declare the Initial Operating Capability for the Arrow Weapon System for Germany at the Annaburger Heide Air Base in Schoenewalde / Holzdorf, eastern Germany, on Dec. 3, 2025.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza?

Omar AL-QATTAA / 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

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas open to direct channel on cease-fire, says former hostage negotiator

After months of failed talks, Israel's former back-channel negotiator Gershon Baskin says it’s time to bypass the mediators and open a direct line of communication with Hamas.

Palestinians wave their national flags, and banners bearing the image of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghuti with a slogan demanding his release and referring to him as the "symbol of freedom", during a celebration marking the 57th anniversary of Fatah movement's foundation, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on December 30, 2021.

Movement for PLO reform faces opposition from Ramallah leadership

Players from the Palestinian diaspora and elsewhere are pushing hard for reforms to the Palestine Liberation Organization, causing enough of a stir that President Mahmoud Abbas appears to be worried.

An aerial view of damage to homes following Israeli airstrikes on April 13, 2024, in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Hamas submits Gaza cease-fire response to Qatar, Egypt

Hamas' formal reply comes a day after the UN Security Council passed a resolution backing the three-phase proposal.

Palestinians watch as a ship transporting international humanitarian aid docks at the US-built Trident Pier near Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 18, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Pentagon says Gaza aid pier had no link to Israeli hostage raid

Unfounded claims that the United States or Israeli military used the Gaza aid pier for a raid that killed more than 200 Palestinians could put humanitarian aid workers in danger.

A branch of Barclays in the United Kingdom vandalized by protestors and circulated by Palestine Action on June 10, 2024

Barclays plays down Israel military links as protesters target branches

More than 15 branches of the bank across England and Scotland were found with windows smashed and red paint daubed over the buildings as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel as well as from fossil fuel businesses.

A displaced Palestinian child flies a kite near the border with Egypt in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 28, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

In Egypt, displaced Gazans organize in grassroots movements

Despite a precarious life without rights or financial resources, displaced Gazans in Egypt are organizing themselves into grassroots movements to respond to community needs and send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' political chief in Gaza, speaks during a rally organised by the representatives of prominent families (mokhtar) in support of "the Palestinian resistence" in Gaza City, on June 20, 2021.

Analysis

Pressure builds on Netanyahu, Sinwar for Gaza cease-fire

Pressure is escalating on the Israeli premier, who wants to avoid a decision on peace deal and stay in power, yet recent statements by the Hamas leader are giving him space.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh addresses supporters during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians outside Qatar's Imam Muhammad Abdel-Wahhab Mosque in the capital Doha on May 15, 2021. - Qatar's Foreign Minister hosted the political chief of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and called for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, state media said. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

In Turkey, Qatar defense chief says no plans to expel Hamas

The Qatari minister’s remarks came in response to increasing reports that the Gulf state is considering shuttering Hamas’ political headquarters in Doha.

A child waves the flag of Hamas as others wave the Fatah emblem during a solidarity march with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Oct. 27, 2023.

Fatah wants Hamas to join PLO: Official

Fatah and Hamas will resume their reconciliation talks in China soon, but disagreements remain between the two groups.

Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike on the southren Lebanese village of Siddiqin on June 1, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.

Could Gaza cease-fire prevent wider regional war?

As the United States rallies international pressure on Hamas to accept a cease-fire proposal in hopes of ending the Gaza war, Israel and Hezbollah are launching increasingly provocative strikes across Lebanon’s border.

Palestinians Hamas militants wearing headbands reading in Arabic "the Lion's Den", in reference to the Nablus based Lion's Den armed group, march in support of the group in Gaza City on Dec. 10, 2022.

US sanctions Palestinian Lion's Den armed group in West Bank

The group emerged in 2022 amid an uptick of violence between Palestinians and settlers in Nablus

White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk arrives at the US Capitol on April 18, 2024 in Washington, DC.

CIA chief heads to Qatar, McGurk to Egypt as US presses for Gaza deal

Biden's top Middle East adviser and CIA Director Bill Burns are leading a last-ditch effort to pressure Hamas to take the first step toward ending the Gaza war.