Democratic representatives in the US House of Representatives revealed that former Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to testify about the extent of President Donald Trump's knowledge of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. This refusal came during a closed-door hearing held by the House Oversight Committee on Friday, investigating how the previous administration handled the files of Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes.

Parliamentary sources reported that Bondi avoided answering fundamental questions regarding whether Trump had issued direct instructions to withhold certain parts of the Department of Justice files that were released to the public. She also refused to clarify the nature of coordination between the White House and the department regarding sensitive information that might affect the president or his inner circle at the time.

In a pre-prepared statement, Bondi placed the responsibility for overseeing the review and release of documents on Todd Blanche, who currently serves as Acting Attorney General. Bondi affirmed that she did not fully review the documents herself but delegated this task to her deputy, noting that the process was complex and required extensive administrative efforts.

For his part, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia stated that a Department of Justice lawyer was present alongside Bondi and repeatedly intervened to prevent her from answering questions related to Trump. Garcia considered this intervention to hinder access to the truth regarding potential involvement or attempts to protect high-ranking political figures from judicial and parliamentary scrutiny.

Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury accused the previous administration of a systematic 'cover-up' operation, after it became clear that the department had only released half of the documents related to the Epstein case. Stansbury explained that there are approximately three million documents still withheld from parliament and the public, raising doubts about the content authorities are trying to conceal.

Despite Bondi's defense of the administration's procedures and her assertion that the department provided everything legally required, she admitted to what she described as 'redaction errors.' The former Attorney General did not provide specific details about the nature of these errors or whether they led to the concealment of vital information related to Epstein's victims or alleged associates.

Committee Chairman James Comer had affirmed before the session that the purpose of the subpoena was to understand the reasons behind the delay in releasing the remaining documents. Comer emphasized the need to know the criteria used to determine what is disclosed and what is withheld, especially in light of increasing public and political pressure to close this file clearly.

The roots of the crisis date back to Bondi's tenure, where she faced sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican parties due to the slow pace of disclosing millions of documents related to Epstein. Critics believe that Bondi tried to balance legal requirements with the desire not to embarrass President Trump, who had a long-standing relationship with Epstein.

It is worth noting that Donald Trump dismissed Bondi from her position on April 2nd, a move observers interpreted as partly related to her handling of the controversial Epstein files. Trump had previously acknowledged a social relationship with Epstein in the 1990s but repeatedly stressed that the relationship ended many years before the sexual scandals erupted.

The case of Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in his cell in 2019, remains one of the most complex cases in modern American judicial history. Parliamentary investigations continue in an attempt to unravel the connection between Epstein's sex trafficking network and the political and economic elites who frequented his private circles in New York and Florida.

I did not lead all aspects of this effort or review the documents myself, and delegated oversight of this process to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

By: Said Arikat

May 30, 2026

News analysis

Washington, D.C- In 1962, President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy initiated what remains one of the most politically explosive and historically consequential legal confrontations in the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship: an effort to compel the American Zionist Council (AZC) — the organizational predecessor to today’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) — to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

More than six decades later, the episode has acquired renewed relevance, not merely as a historical footnote, but as an early warning about the extraordinary political influence that pro-Israel lobbying organizations would eventually wield in Washington. What began as a legal dispute over transparency and foreign funding has evolved into a much broader national debate about money, political intimidation, lobbying power, and the narrowing boundaries of acceptable discourse on Israel inside the American political system.

The Kennedy administration’s concern centered on the Foreign Agents Registration Act, a federal law enacted in 1938 requiring organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments or foreign principals to disclose their funding sources, activities, and political objectives to the U.S. government.

According to Justice Department correspondence from the period, federal officials concluded that the American Zionist Council was receiving substantial financial support from the Jewish Agency for Israel, an entity deeply intertwined with the Israeli state and the global Zionist movement. The administration argued that such funding established an “agency relationship” under FARA and therefore triggered mandatory registration requirements.

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy pursued the matter aggressively in 1962 and 1963. Internal Justice Department communications reflected growing alarm over the scale and opacity of the AZC’s political operations inside Washington. The issue was not opposition to Israel itself; rather, it was whether an organization tied financially and operationally to foreign-linked institutions could legally influence American politics without full public disclosure.

The AZC resisted with extraordinary intensity.

Historical accounts and archived records indicate that the organization sought a 120-day delay to reorganize its structure while simultaneously mobilizing lawyers, public relations firms, influential donors, media allies, and sympathetic members of Congress in an effort to block enforcement of the law. Even at that early stage, critics argue, the pro-Israel lobbying network demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of political pressure, media management, and congressional leverage.

The confrontation unfolded during a particularly delicate period in U.S.-Israeli relations. Kennedy was simultaneously attempting to strengthen bilateral ties while also pressuring Israel over inspections of the Dimona nuclear facility amid fears that Israel was developing nuclear weapons capabilities outside international scrutiny. The White House also appeared increasingly uneasy about the growing ability of foreign-linked lobbying organizations to shape American Middle East policy from within Washington itself.

Then came November 22, 1963.

Kennedy’s assassination abruptly altered the political landscape. Under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Justice Department’s pressure campaign against the American Zionist Council steadily lost momentum. The effort to compel registration under FARA faded quietly and was never meaningfully revived.

Out of that retreat emerged a transformed political apparatus.

The lobbying arm associated with the AZC evolved into what became the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — AIPAC — an organization that would eventually grow into one of the most powerful and feared lobbying forces in American politics.

Under Johnson, not only did the pressure for foreign-agent registration disappear, but the emerging pro-Israel lobby consolidated institutional legitimacy, financial influence, and privileged access throughout Congress and successive administrations. Over time, AIPAC became less a traditional lobbying organization and more a political enforcement mechanism capable of shaping careers, defining acceptable political language, and punishing dissent on Israel policy with remarkable efficiency.

Today, AIPAC’s influence extends far beyond ordinary lobbying.

Through affiliated political action committees and aligned donor networks, the organization and its supporters can pour tens of millions of dollars into congressional races, often targeting candidates accused of insufficient loyalty to Israeli government positions. The modern objective is frequently not persuasion but deterrence: to warn elected officials that even modest criticism of Israeli policy may carry devastating political consequences.

The recent political destruction of Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky has become, for many critics, emblematic of this new reality. Massie — one of the few Republicans willing to publicly diverge from hardline pro-Israel orthodoxy on certain issues — became the target of an overwhelming campaign of political retaliation during the May 19 Republican primary. Vast sums of outside money flooded the race amid accusations that Massie was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

The lesson resonated far beyond Kentucky.

In today’s Washington, politicians increasingly understand that crossing AIPAC or challenging Israeli government policy can trigger a financial and political assault of extraordinary magnitude. The effect, critics argue, is not simply electoral influence but ideological discipline — a system in which debate itself becomes constrained by fear of organized political retribution.

Supporters of AIPAC reject such criticisms and argue that the organization represents the legitimate political participation of American citizens exercising constitutionally protected rights. They maintain that support for Israel remains strong among broad segments of the American public and that AIPAC’s influence merely reflects democratic organizing, donor activism, and longstanding strategic ties between the United States and Israel.

Yet critics counter that the scale of financial intervention, the aggressive targeting of dissenting voices, and the near-total bipartisan conformity surrounding Israel policy suggest something far more coercive than ordinary advocacy. To them, the issue is no longer whether AIPAC supports Israel — that is undisputed — but whether any lobby should possess the ability to effectively police political speech inside a democratic system through overwhelming financial force.

That is why the Kennedy-era confrontation continues to resonate more than sixty years later.

The historical significance lies not only in the legal effort itself, but in what it revealed: that senior officials inside the U.S. government once viewed the precursor to America’s most powerful pro-Israel lobby as sufficiently connected to foreign interests to warrant scrutiny under federal foreign-agent laws.

The attempt failed. But the underlying questions never disappeared.

Where does legitimate domestic advocacy end and foreign influence begin? How transparent should lobbying organizations be about funding and coordination? At what point does financial power begin to undermine democratic deliberation itself?

Those questions remain unresolved.

What is undeniable, however, is that John F. Kennedy’s administration undertook a serious and direct attempt to apply foreign-agent laws to the pro-Israel lobbying network in Washington — and that following Kennedy’s assassination, the effort collapsed, while the lobby itself grew into one of the most formidable political forces in modern American history.

Washington Message

Washington – Said Arikat – 29/5/2026

A report by the British newspaper "Financial Times" revealed that the "Peace Council" fund for the reconstruction of Gaza, which was launched with the support of US President Donald Trump and is officially managed by the World Bank, currently contains no money, despite financial pledges amounting to approximately $17 billion.

The newspaper quoted a senior aide in the US Congress as saying that "none of these funds have been transferred to the Council, nor are they managed through it, and the US State Department does not intend to place these funds under the Council's supervision."

In this context, Al-Quds newspaper's correspondent in Washington learned from a responsible source that there are two accounts linked to the project, one of which contains the required amounts of money, without revealing the size of those funds or the nature of their management.

According to the report, the main dispute revolves around where the funds are held, as sources indicate that the official UN-backed fund remains empty, while donations have been directed to a private bank account at "J.P. Morgan" bank, which has drawn criticism due to the absence of transparency standards and independent oversight adopted in World Bank mechanisms.

The report indicated that some limited funds, including $3 million from Morocco and $20 million from the UAE, were used to cover staff salaries, while major allocations related to security and infrastructure remained frozen or unused.

Trump personally chairs the "Peace Council," retaining ultimate authority in its management even after his presidential term ends, according to the Council's internal regulations, which require a payment of $1 billion to obtain "permanent membership."

Despite some allied countries to Washington and small countries seeking to gain Trump's support joining, major European powers such as France and Britain refrained from joining the initiative.

The report also noted criticisms from members of Congress, including Senator Brian Schatz, who compared the US State Department's description of the Council as a UN-like body to Trump's description of it as a "royal court."

Despite estimates indicating Gaza needs approximately $71 billion for reconstruction over the next decade, no funds have yet been allocated for actual reconstruction projects.

A spokesperson for the Council explained that contracts have not yet been awarded because the institution has not started operating within Gaza, accusing "Hamas" of refusing to disarm, which he considered the main obstacle to the project's launch.

The report also stated that the Palestinian technocratic committee formed to manage the sector is still unable to implement any field projects due to the lack of full funding.

In light of the significant financial deficit, the newspaper reported that Washington pressured Saudi Arabia to fund a large part of the project, after several countries that had pledged to contribute began to backtrack on their commitments due to the faltering political process and the ongoing American-Israeli war on Iran.

It added that the US administration is also considering the possibility of deducting a portion of the Palestinian tax funds held by Israel, amounting to approximately $5 billion, to finance the Council's operations, provided that the remaining funds are transferred to the Palestinian Authority only if it agrees to implement specific reforms demanded by Israel.

Observers believe that the current crisis reveals the extent of the disparity between the political ambitions that accompanied the launch of the "Peace Council" and the financial and administrative reality facing the project on the ground. The absence of actual funding, despite huge pledges, reflects international hesitation to engage in initiatives that still lack a clear legal framework and transparent oversight mechanisms. Moreover, linking reconstruction to complex political and security conditions increases the difficulty of implementing any real projects in Gaza, especially in light of continued regional tensions and differing international positions regarding the future of the sector and its political and security administration in the coming period.

Western diplomats believe that the project's heavy reliance on Gulf countries may weaken its long-term success, especially with the absence of broad international consensus on the proposed administration for Gaza after the war. The reluctance of major European countries to join the initiative also reflects growing concerns about turning the reconstruction file into a tool of political influence linked more to Trump's person than to stable international institutions. They point out that the continued ambiguity regarding fund management and disbursement mechanisms will lead to further hesitation among donors, complicating any future efforts to secure sustainable funding for humanitarian and development projects in the sector.

Economic experts warn that any attempt to use Palestinian tax funds held by Israel to finance transitional arrangements in Gaza could open the door to a wider political and financial crisis between the Palestinian Authority, Washington, and Tel Aviv. They believe that transferring these funds to alternative parties or linking their release to Israeli political conditions could weaken the fragile financial situation of the Palestinian Authority and increase internal Palestinian division. Moreover, the continued obstruction of reconstruction projects will exacerbate the humanitarian and economic crisis in Gaza, where infrastructure and basic services continue to suffer from widespread destruction and a lack of resources.

The scenes from Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis city, south of the Gaza Strip, painted a tragic picture of the humanitarian reality during the blessed Eid al-Adha days. Hundreds of injured people are forced to spend Eid on hospital beds, enduring the pain of their wounds and a severe shortage of essential medicines and medical consumables necessary to save their lives.

Field sources reported that this Eid is the third that the residents of the Strip have experienced since the start of the genocide war, where greetings and social visits are now confined to surgical rooms and crowded corridors. The sources indicated that the overcrowding in surgical departments has reached unprecedented levels, to the extent that a single room now accommodates more than one injured person at a time.

Wounded individuals and their companions recounted horrific stories of their daily suffering. One patient spoke about the moment he was targeted by occupation bullets while sitting with his family inside a displacement tent. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of his brother's wife and the injury of an infant, not more than forty days old, with an amputation in his foot, which later led to him entering a serious state of blood poisoning.

Under the tight siege, the hospital administration follows a strict 'rationing' system in distributing available medical dressings and medicines, which puts patients before difficult choices. Many relatives of the wounded are forced to search for medicines and supplementary supplies in external pharmacies, which becomes increasingly difficult with the continued closure of crossings and the scarcity of supplies.

Among the cases monitored by the sources is the story of the injured Wasim Abu Tilakh, who waited for about five months for a second surgical operation that was scheduled for him. Due to the severe shortage of surgical tools, the medical intervention was delayed, causing health complications and swellings that significantly affected his psychological and physical condition and his ability to lead his daily life.

_The effects of the war were not limited to the physical aspect, but also extended to the educational journey of the young generations in Gaza, as families live in harsh conditions inside displacement tents. The mother of one of the outstanding students explained that her son, who aspired to perfect scores in high school, is now struggling to continue his studies in an environment lacking the most basic necessities of life.

The Abu Tilakh family embodies the tragedy of the Palestinian family, as the mother herself suffers from five shrapnel pieces in her body, one of which settled in the kidney area and causes her constant pain. The family confirms that Eid days have turned into mere numbers on the war calendar, as they spend their time in hospital corridors searching for treatment or visiting an injured person.

Official statistics indicate that the ongoing aggression since October 2023 has resulted in more than 72,000 martyrs and over 172,000 injured, amid massive destruction affecting 90% of the infrastructure. Despite talks of ceasefire agreements, the reality on the ground in Gaza continues to witness continuous targeting, increasing the toll of blood and humanitarian suffering.

Eid passed us by more harshly than ordinary days, and our relatives came to congratulate us inside the hospital corridors because they did not find us in the displacement tents.

Washington Message

Washington – Said Arikat - 29/5/2026

In an attempt to contain the slide towards an open regional confrontation, US President Donald Trump distributed a draft peace agreement for the war with Iran to a number of Washington's allies, including Israel, amidst accelerated efforts to stabilize the fragile ceasefire and prevent its collapse due to continuous military friction in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

This step comes at a time when political and military paths are intertwined in an unprecedented way, as the US administration seeks to market an interim understanding that eases tension with Tehran, without making strategic concessions that affect the essence of American or Israeli influence in the region. In return, Iran is trying to exploit the state of mutual attrition to extract economic and sovereign gains, especially regarding frozen funds and sanctions imposed on its oil exports.

As an indication of the complexity of the scene, Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar is in Washington to meet his American counterpart Marco Rubio, as part of an indirect mediation also involving Qatar, with the aim of bridging views between Washington and Tehran. However, field developments still cast a heavy shadow on any political progress, after Iran targeted a US base in Kuwait, in response to a US strike that Washington said targeted an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz.

The draft circulating in the corridors of the Middle East indicates an understanding based on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial navigation, lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, and releasing up to $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets. It also includes the start of negotiations lasting about sixty days on the future of Iran's nuclear program, including highly enriched uranium stockpiles, and a temporary suspension of additional enrichment operations, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in exchange for an Iranian pledge not to use nuclear weapons.

However, the draft, despite its calming nature, seems far from meeting complex Israeli demands, as it does not impose immediate and decisive nuclear obligations on Iran, and also links the stabilization of the ceasefire to Lebanon, which Israel is trying to avoid, considering it an unacceptable expansion of the negotiation arena.

In this context, Western diplomatic sources reveal that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading an intense and pressing campaign within Washington and through pro-Israel lobbying groups, with the aim of obstructing any potential understanding between the US administration and Tehran. Netanyahu believes that any agreement, even if temporary, will give Iran an opportunity to rearrange its economic and military cards, and will practically cool down the regional front that he uses to justify the continuation of military operations and security escalation. Netanyahu also fears that Trump's success in concluding an agreement with Iran will reduce Israeli influence in shaping US policies for the Middle East, and revive the path of diplomacy with Tehran at the expense of the option of open confrontation pushed by the current Israeli government.

The draft promoted by Trump reveals a clear shift in US policy priorities in the Middle East, from the logic of "full deterrence" to managing balances and preventing a major explosion. The US administration realizes that the continuation of confrontation with Iran threatens the global economy through the Strait of Hormuz, increases the fragility of energy markets, and places US forces deployed in the Gulf under constant security pressure. Therefore, Washington seems to be trying to produce a "temporary settlement" that gives everyone a chance to catch their breath, without resolving fundamental issues, which makes the proposed agreement closer to a strategic truce than to lasting peace.

At the same time, Tehran is trying to use its geographical location as a negotiating leverage. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard reaffirmed its control over the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that the passage of commercial vessels requires prior permission, and warning against considering any crossing through "alternative routes" as an act disrupting navigational security. It also revealed the interception of four ships that tried to pass without operating their tracking devices.

This Iranian behavior reflects a clear desire to establish a new equation: security in the Gulf will only be achieved through understanding with Tehran, not through military pressure on it. However, this approach raises increasing Western and Gulf concern, because it gives Iran direct influence over one of the most important maritime passages in the world.

In this context, the Sultanate of Oman emerged as a key link in the ongoing contacts, after entering into discussions with Iran about the future of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. But Trump's recent statements, in which he threatened to "destroy" Oman if it agreed to arrangements that include imposing transit fees, sparked anger within Omani diplomatic circles, according to Western reports.

Trump's tone towards Oman also reflects the nature of the approach adopted by the US President, which combines negotiation and political blackmail at the same time. The man wants a quick agreement that gives him a diplomatic achievement, but at the same time he refuses for this agreement to strengthen Iran's economic or sovereign influence in the Gulf. Therefore, his threats to Muscat seem like a double message: the first to Tehran, that Washington will not allow the Strait of Hormuz to become a source of political or financial income for Iran, and the second to Gulf allies, that any regional understandings must pass exclusively through the American umbrella, not through independent arrangements that may reshape the region's balances.

In contrast, the internal situation in Iran does not seem less complex. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called on officials not to turn political differences into internal divisions, warning that the United States and Israel are seeking to "bring the country to its knees" by spreading chaos and division.

These statements come amidst rising criticism within Iran regarding the feasibility of negotiating with Trump, especially after the recent military strikes. Amnesty International also revealed the arrest of more than six thousand people since the start of the US-Israeli attack on February 28, including journalists, lawyers, activists, dissidents, and members of ethnic and religious minorities.

The widespread arrests within Iran show that the Iranian regime is fighting two parallel battles: one external with the United States and Israel, and another internal to control the streets and prevent any political or social cracks. Besieged regimes often resort to tightening their security grip when they feel that external pressures may turn into internal protests. But the paradox is that this approach may weaken Iran's negotiating position instead of strengthening it, because it deepens the image of Iran as a country in internal crisis. In return, Washington exploits this image to justify the continuation of pressure, so that it can obtain a deal that saves President Trump's face.

Israeli occupation authorities today, Friday, completely closed the holy Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank, to Palestinian worshippers until further notice. Local sources reported that army forces forced guards, custodians, employees, and worshippers present to immediately leave the mosque's corridors under threat of arms.

The acting director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, Hammam Abu Markhiya, confirmed that this sudden closure began in the early morning hours and was accompanied by unprecedented military tightening around the Old City. He explained that the occupation had tightened the closure of military checkpoints and electronic gates leading to the mosque, preventing any access for citizens to the area.

Abu Markhiya described the Israeli measures as a blatant assault on the sanctity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and a provocative transgression that affects the natural right of Muslims to practice their religious rituals. He pointed out that this step falls within the ongoing attempts by the occupation to change the religious and historical features of the place and impose absolute control over it.

For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned this closure, considering it a serious violation of freedom of worship guaranteed by international laws. The ministry warned that this policy aims to establish a new reality inside the mosque that serves settlement plans, calling on the international community to intervene immediately to stop these transgressions.

In a related context, occupied Jerusalem witnessed the arrival of about 60,000 worshippers at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers, despite the tightened security measures imposed by the occupation forces. Police elements were heavily deployed at the mosque's gates and in the alleys of the Old City, where they checked the identities of young men and prevented hundreds from entering.

On the ground in Jerusalem, occupation authorities forced citizen Raafat Awadallah to self-demolish his home in the eastern area of Qalandia village, north of the city. The forced demolition came after the citizen exhausted all legal means to protect his home, as authorities threatened him with heavy fines if occupation machinery carried out the demolition.

In the West Bank, occupation forces launched a wide arrest campaign that included a child in Kafr Aqab town, north of Jerusalem, after severely beating him. The forces also stormed the city of Qalqilya and deployed their snipers on the roofs of high-rise buildings, arresting four citizens before withdrawing and leaving threatening leaflets for residents.

Nablus governorate was not immune from the escalation, as occupation forces arrested a citizen and a woman during a raid on Al-Ain camp west of the city. These raids coincided with attacks carried out by extremist settlers at dawn today, targeting Palestinian properties in the towns of Sebastia, An-Naqoura, and Beita, resulting in the smashing of a number of vehicles.

Hamas, in a statement, considered the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque a heinous crime and a blatant assault on Islamic holy sites. The movement said that these practices come within the framework of the systematic Judaization policy pursued by the occupation government to change the Arab and Islamic identity of Hebron, calling on Palestinians to intensify their presence at the mosque.

The movement called on the United Nations and international human rights organizations to take urgent action to stop repeated Israeli violations against places of worship. It also stressed the need for the Palestinian people to confront attempts to impose Israeli control over holy sites, affirming that these measures will not change historical and religious facts.

The Ibrahimi Mosque has been subject to spatial and temporal division since 1994, following the massacre committed by settler Baruch Goldstein, which led to the martyrdom of 29 worshippers. Since then, Israel has controlled about 63% of the mosque's area and allocated it to settlers, while imposing suffocating restrictions on the remaining 37% for Muslims.

The Old City of Hebron lives under exceptional circumstances, where about 400 settlers reside in settlement outposts protected by thousands of Israeli soldiers. These outposts cause a tightening of the noose on the lives of thousands of Palestinians who face daily military checkpoints and continuous attacks aimed at displacing them from the area.

Local reports warned that the closure of the mosque 'until further notice' might be a prelude to broader Judaization steps coinciding with Jewish holidays or political occasions. Sources indicated that the occupation is exploiting current circumstances to accelerate control operations over archaeological and religious sites in the heart of Palestinian cities.

In conclusion, tension remains the master of the situation throughout the Palestinian territories, where demolition and arrest operations intertwine with restrictions on religious freedoms. These developments confirm the continuation of the escalating approach adopted by the occupation authorities in Jerusalem and the West Bank, which portends an explosion of the situation in the absence of any political horizon or international protection.

The closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque is a blatant assault on its sanctity and a provocative transgression of the right of Muslims to access places of worship.

Southern Lebanon witnessed a new wave of bloody Israeli military escalation, as six citizens were martyred in scattered raids targeting border towns and villages. Local sources reported that the shelling focused on the Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr area and the Abbasiyah intersection, leading to the martyrdom of five in an initial toll from those raids.

In a related context, the Israeli occupation army expanded its threats, issuing immediate evacuation warnings to residents of seven southern towns, claiming to be acting against Hezbollah infrastructure. These threats caused a massive displacement of residents towards areas north of the Zahrani River, amidst difficult humanitarian conditions.

Public employees were not spared from targeting, as the municipality of Abba mourned police officer Mohammed Naameh Tarhini, who was martyred due to direct artillery shelling that hit the town. The targeting also struck a motorcycle on the Abbasiyah-Tyre road, resulting in varying injuries among civilians passing through the area.

For its part, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed shocking figures regarding child victims of the aggression, describing the situation as 'horrific'. The organization confirmed the martyrdom of 15 children and the injury of 62 others in the last week alone, reflecting a clear disregard for civilian lives and international law.

UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires explained that the rate of child casualties reached 11 children every 24 hours, a figure that reflects the extent of the violence. He pointed out that one day alone saw the martyrdom of seven children, bringing the total number of young victims since mid-April to 55 martyrs.

On the ground, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his forces had crossed the Litani River and established positions in what he described as 'strategic locations'. Netanyahu affirmed that military operations would not stop but would continue in Beirut, the Beqaa, and along the front line to ensure the achievement of Israeli security objectives.

In this context, media sources quoted the Hebrew newspaper 'Haaretz' as saying that the Israeli air force is currently carrying out about one hundred raids daily on Lebanese territory. This aerial escalation is accompanied by new ground incursions that go beyond the points reached by Israeli forces in previous stages of the confrontation.

In parallel with this field escalation, the second round of direct military negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began at the headquarters of the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon). This meeting, sponsored by Washington, aims to discuss technical arrangements for consolidating the ceasefire and preventing a slide towards a wider confrontation.

The Lebanese negotiating delegation includes five high-ranking officers from the army command, in addition to the military attaché in Washington, carrying files documenting the violations. The Lebanese file includes accurate maps of the areas occupied by the occupation army, and documents proving the Lebanese army's fulfillment of its security commitments by 80%.

Through these negotiations, Beirut seeks to extract a clear timetable for the Israeli withdrawal from all recently occupied villages and towns. The Lebanese delegation stresses the necessity of stopping all hostile acts affecting civilians, medical teams, and journalists before entering into the details of complex security arrangements.

On the other hand, the American administration in this round focuses on the disarmament of Hezbollah in the areas south of the Litani River. Washington believes that addressing 'Israeli concerns' regarding the party's military infrastructure is the key to sustaining any future ceasefire agreement.

Reports from Washington indicate the possibility of a high-level diplomatic meeting next week to complete what was discussed at the Pentagon. The upcoming meeting will focus on the technical mechanisms that the Lebanese army will adopt in dealing with Hezbollah facilities and alleged tunnels in the border area.

Political observers link the fate of these military negotiations to the broader diplomatic track between the United States and Iran, amidst leaks about understandings that include the Lebanese arena. It seems that the current field escalation aims to improve the negotiation terms for both parties before reaching a final solution formula.

Amidst this raging conflict, the southern Lebanese villages remain at the mercy of intense raids that targeted the areas of Al-Ghandouriyah, Fron, Sarafand, and Kharbet Selem. Rescue teams continue their attempts to retrieve victims from under the rubble, at a time when the occupation insists on continuing its military pressure to achieve political gains.

The toll is horrific; 15 children were martyred and 62 others injured in Lebanon in just one week, at a rate of 11 children per day.

US Congressman Ro Khanna issued an urgent appeal to his Democratic Party colleagues, urging them to stop trying to outdo President Donald Trump in adopting hawkish policies towards Iran. Khanna stressed that the party's natural role should be based on ending armed conflicts and supporting negotiation paths, rather than being drawn into escalatory rhetoric that could lead to open military confrontations in the region.

In statements to American media, Khanna emphasized the need to send a clear message to the incoming administration calling for an end to war and a commitment to diplomacy as the sole strategic option. He pointed out that the Democratic Party's grassroots base looks forward to political leadership that rejects future wars and adheres to principles that prioritize global peace above narrow partisan interests.

The Democratic representative strongly criticized some of his congressional colleagues who send signals pushing for military escalation, questioning the utility of demanding more destruction in Iran. Khanna considered that this approach does not represent the true principles of Democrats, affirming his full alignment with the negotiated settlement current that seeks to extinguish raging fires rather than fuel them.

In a practical step to reduce the likelihood of confrontation, Khanna revealed that he had introduced a joint resolution with Republican Representative Thomas Massie aimed at restricting the war powers granted to the president. This legislation seeks to prevent unauthorized military strikes against Iranian territory, in a legislative attempt to impose strict oversight on any military movements that could get out of control.

On the other hand, opposing Democratic voices emerged against this trend, with prominent lawmakers such as Senator Cory Booker and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticizing any potential ceasefire agreement. This wing believes that any current understandings may be insufficient in terms of toughness, warning that easing pressure on Tehran could give it an opportunity to strengthen its military and missile arsenal.

Reports indicate that these lawmakers opposing de-escalation receive significant financial donations from Israeli lobbying groups, raising questions about the extent of these funds' influence on their political stances. This current appears to be largely consistent with Israeli rhetoric that calls for continued maximum pressure on Iran and the rejection of any formulas for freezing the conflict that do not guarantee a complete dismantling of Iranian capabilities.

This division within the Democratic Party reflects a deeper struggle between a progressive wing pushing for diplomacy and a traditional wing trying to avoid appearing lenient on national security issues. Observers believe that some Democrats' attempt to adopt a tougher rhetoric than Trump aims to protect themselves from right-wing criticism, but at the same time weakens the party's position as a peaceful alternative.

Khanna concluded by emphasizing that the top priority must remain avoiding being drawn into new regional conflicts that could cost the United States many resources and lives. He stressed that the only sustainable solution to the Iranian issue lies at the negotiating table, warning that military escalation will only lead to more instability in the Middle East and the world.

People want a Democratic Party that adheres to its principles and is an anti-war party, and we must support the negotiation path instead of pushing for further escalation.

The international media system faces sharp criticism for adopting editorial language that clearly avoids using terms with legal and ethical implications when describing Israeli violations in Palestine. Major journalistic institutions resort to replacing concepts such as 'occupation' and 'war crimes' with vague expressions that mislead global public opinion and diminish the scale of human suffering.

Analytical readings of these media outlets' discourse indicate a deliberate use of words like 'military operation' and 'security measures' instead of 'aggression' or 'invasion,' reflecting an approach contrary to historical and legal truth. This style contributes to 'whitewashing' the occupation that has continued since 1948, transforming the issue from a liberation struggle into merely a 'crisis' or a 'border dispute.'

In a recent monitoring of American media trends, media sources described the escalation of attacks on the Gaza Strip as an 'expansion of military operations,' while the forced displacement of residents was portrayed as 'evacuation orders.' This verbal manipulation seeks to strip the criminal act of its coercive context and present it as a regulatory measure within a legitimate war context.

Internal reports revealed that the management of 'The New York Times' imposed strict censorship on its journalists to prevent the use of terms like 'genocide' and 'ethnic cleansing.' This editorial directive aims to protect the Israeli narrative and prevent accurate legal descriptions adopted by international human rights organizations from reaching the Western reader.

For its part, the 'BBC' continued to use expressions such as 'areas controlled by Israel' instead of 'occupied territories,' which is a circumvention of international law. In its coverage of land theft in the West Bank, the network used terms like 'acquisition' and 'seizure,' which mitigates the severity of the crime and portrays it as a property dispute.

'The Associated Press' was not far from this approach, describing the occupation's measures to strengthen its grip on the West Bank as mere 'control measures.' These formulations contribute to normalizing the presence of the occupation and transforming it into an acceptable administrative reality, far from being a blatant violation of Palestinian sovereignty and national rights.

Statistical studies highlight a huge gap in the use of the term 'retaliation,' where it is employed in nearly 80% of discussions about Israeli attacks in American and British media. In contrast, this percentage drops to less than 10% when addressing Palestinian actions, reinforcing the impression that Israel is in a constant state of self-defense.

Western media also adopts the strategy of 'equality between victim and perpetrator' by repeatedly using the phrase 'both sides' in its news coverage. This discourse suggests a balance of power and legitimacy, ignoring the structural reality of an armed military occupation force against an unarmed people demanding their freedom.

Regarding the ongoing war of extermination in Gaza, the term 'Israel-Hamas war' is intensively promoted to reduce the conflict to a single political faction. This description aims to isolate Gaza from its comprehensive Palestinian national context, and justifies targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting a specific organization, ignoring the targeting of the Palestinian existence as a whole.

Presenting Palestinian resistance movements as parties parallel to the Israeli state in power and responsibility is a deliberate distortion of the historical context. Resistance is a natural product of occupation according to international laws, but Western media insists on portraying it as a party in an 'equal war' to hide the reality of systematic oppression practiced by the occupation.

These media outlets continue to portray Israel as the 'only democracy' in the region, while describing its army as a 'defense force,' ignoring its extensive record of violations. This propaganda contradicts reports by international legal experts who describe Israeli practices as 'apartheid' and 'ethnic cleansing' in all their elements.

This biased coverage has sparked widespread waves of anger, reaching the point of painting the facades of international media headquarters red as a symbol of the victims' blood ignored by journalistic discourse. These protests reflect a growing awareness among the global public of the extent of the media machine's involvement in obscuring facts and falsifying collective consciousness.

Ignoring terms such as 'massacre,' 'siege,' and 'genocide' is not just a professional lapse, but a deliberate editorial decision aimed at protecting political interests. According to human rights sources, this media behavior makes these institutions partners in covering up crimes by depriving victims of their right to the correct naming of their suffering.

In conclusion, the 'war of terms' remains an integral part of the comprehensive battle on the land of Palestine, where the Western-backed Zionist narrative seeks to obliterate national identity. It seems that breaking this media blockade requires a counter-effort to impose correct legal and historical terms in international forums and alternative digital platforms.

Using the term 'retaliation' in 79% of Western coverage of Israeli actions aims to imply that its aggression is a legitimate and necessary response.

Official data released by the US Treasury Department showed the re-listing of Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, among individuals subject to sanctions. This move comes shortly after the administration of President Donald Trump described the decision to remove her name previously as a temporary measure, reflecting continued tension between Washington and the UN official.

This latest action is based on an administrative decision issued by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia last Friday, where the judicial body ruled to halt the implementation of a previous ruling that protected Albanese from sanctions. This new judicial decision allowed the US government to resume classifying the UN rapporteur as a foreign national subject to strict financial and legal restrictions.

Federal Judge Richard Leon had previously intervened to suspend these sanctions, considering that the measures taken by the Trump administration violated constitutional rights related to freedom of expression. The judge, in his ruling, found that targeting Albanese was a result of her public criticism of Israeli policies and military operations in the Gaza Strip, which he considered an illegal restriction of opinion.

The crisis dates back to July 2025, when Washington imposed severe sanctions on the Italian lawyer, including banning her from entering US territory and freezing her ability to conduct any international banking transactions through the US financial system. The administration at the time justified these steps by Albanese's statements, which Washington considered hostile to its foreign policies regarding the conflict in the Middle East.

In a related context, Albanese's family fought a legal battle against the US administration, with her husband and American-citizen daughter filing a lawsuit last February. The family asserted in their lawsuit that the sanctions made daily life and securing basic needs impossible, given the comprehensive banking restrictions that affected all of the UN rapporteur's transactions.

It is worth noting that Francesca Albanese, who assumed her duties at the United Nations in 2022, is considered one of the most prominent international voices that have accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip. She also called in her official reports for the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli and American officials on charges of committing war crimes, which put her in direct confrontation with the current US administration.

The Trump administration sought, by imposing these sanctions, to restrict freedom of expression because of the idea or message expressed by Albanese.

Colonel (res.) Oren Zini of the Israeli occupation army issued strong warnings about the growing threat of explosive drones and their transfer to new fronts. The former brigade commander in the occupation army explained that the technology used by Hezbollah in the occupied Palestinian north will not remain confined there, but will soon find its way to the resistance in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Zini affirmed in statements reported by Hebrew media sources that this aerial threat represents a real and tangible danger to the Israeli interior, noting that these drones are capable of reaching vital areas such as 'Kfar Saba'. He stressed that the expansion of the use of these combat means is inevitable and a matter of time, given the rapid transfer of military expertise between fronts.

The retired officer, who had long field experience during his service in the Gaza Strip, described what is currently happening as a clear 'Lebanonization' process of the Strip from a military perspective. He pointed out that during his years of service, he observed how explosives technology and offensive tactics were transferred from the Lebanese front to Palestinian factions in Gaza, making the current threat an extension of a known historical context.

Zini warned against being deceived by the relative calm that may appear on some fronts, stressing that not fully completing the military mission means the threat remains present and capable of exploding at any moment. He called on the Israeli leadership to take proactive and decisive decisions to deal with this development, instead of waiting until these suicide drones reach the heart of settlements and occupied cities.

These statements come at a time when the northern front is witnessing a significant escalation in the use of drones, which have proven their ability to bypass Israeli air defense systems. Fears are growing among security circles in Tel Aviv of this experience being replicated in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which could impose a complex security reality that is difficult to deal with by traditional means.

There is no doubt that the deadly drones will reach Gaza and the West Bank, and even Kfar Saba. This is only a matter of time.

The Israeli occupation army announced that it had carried out an airstrike, described as violent, targeting a residential home in the center of Gaza City, indicating that the target was the prominent military commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades, Izz al-Din al-Baik. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday evening, resulted in a massacre that killed 10 martyrs, including 4 children, in addition to injuring more than 20 citizens with varying degrees of wounds.

The occupation army's statement claimed that the airstrike did not target al-Baik alone, but also included Imad Aslim, who holds the position of deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade and commander of the Al-Zaytoun Battalion. This operation comes as part of the occupation's continuous attempts to undermine the leadership structure of the Palestinian resistance in areas witnessing intense military operations.

Izz al-Din al-Baik, born in 1981, is considered one of the most important military pillars of the Al-Qassam Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, having risen through the leadership ranks since joining the movement in early 2000. Al-Baik grew up in a resistance environment at Al-Awda Mosque in Jabalia refugee camp, and in his early days accompanied historical leaders such as Abu Anas Al-Ghandour and Suhail Ziyada.

Al-Baik's name prominently emerged as the commander of the first special unit in the Northern Brigade, where he oversaw the implementation of qualitative operations and 'commando' missions that disrupted the occupation's calculations on the ground. He played a pivotal role in confronting the widespread Israeli attack on northern Gaza in 2004, which was then known as the Israeli 'Days of Regret' operation and was met by the resistance with 'Days of Rage'.

During his long career, Al-Baik commanded the 'Martyr Imad Aql Battalion' for a full decade, which is the battalion responsible for securing the western front of Jabalia camp. He actively participated in managing combat operations during the wars of 2008 and 2012, where he demonstrated superior capabilities in defensive planning and managing ambushes against invading forces.

Al-Baik later moved to serve as the military intelligence officer in the Northern Brigade, a position that enabled him to gather accurate information about the movements of the occupation army and its vital targets. Sources reported that Al-Baik was one of the main planners of the intelligence and operational aspects of the October 7, 2023 attack, making him a constant target for Israeli security agencies.

The occupation authorities accuse Commander Al-Baik of being behind the operation to target a military jeep with a 'Kornet' guided missile east of Gaza during the 'Sword's Edge' events. That operation came in response to the infiltration of the 'Sayeret Matkal' special unit into Khan Yunis, and at the time led to a wide military escalation that revealed the development of the resistance's missile capabilities.

Following the martyrdom of Commander Ahmed Al-Ghandour in November 2023, Al-Baik officially assumed command of the Northern Brigade, leading defensive operations in the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia camp. Under his leadership, Al-Qassam fighters succeeded in inflicting heavy losses on the occupation forces, which hindered what is known as the 'Generals' Plan' aimed at displacing the residents of the north.

Circles close to the resistance describe Izz al-Din al-Baik as the field engineer who thwarted the recent Israeli plans to control the northern sector. Despite the intensity of fire and military pressures, Al-Baik continued to manage the battle from the field until the moment the house he was in was targeted, leaving behind a long military legacy within the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Hamas describes Commander Izz al-Din al-Baik as the 'Generals' Plan Breaker', in reference to his success in thwarting plans for displacement and control over the northern sector.

Gaza City today bid farewell to the prominent leader Imad Salim, Deputy Commander of the Northern Brigade in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Commander of the Al-Zaytoun Battalion, who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential building. Large crowds marched in the funeral procession of the martyr amidst angry chants demanding retaliation and affirming adherence to the option of resistance. The funeral procession headed towards the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the eastern part of the city with wide popular participation.

In emotional statements, Souad Salim, the martyr's sister, confirmed that her brother had lost all his sons in previous battles, noting that his martyrdom represents the loss of a man who dedicated his life to raising generations on the path of struggle. She clarified that the family will not be broken by these assassinations, but will continue on the same path that the martyr paved with his blood, pointing out that his granddaughter, Sarah Rajab, is the only survivor of his family members.

For its part, the Israeli occupation army officially announced its responsibility for the attack, explaining that its warplanes carried out a violent raid targeting what it described as a 'leading target' in the heart of Gaza City. This raid resulted in a massacre that claimed the lives of 10 Palestinian citizens, including 4 children, in addition to injuring more than 20 others with varying degrees of wounds, leading to widespread destruction in the targeted area.

Media sources quoted Israeli intelligence reports claiming that the targeted meeting was intended to discuss the selection of a successor to Mohammed Awda, the Chief of Staff of the Al-Qassam Brigades who was recently assassinated. This operation comes in the context of a series of systematic assassinations targeting the leadership structure of the resistance in the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to undermine its military and organizational capabilities.

Field data indicates that the occupation is intensifying its intelligence operations to pursue individuals associated with the October 7 attack, in implementation of the threats made by Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant. The assassination of Salim comes shortly after the targeting of other prominent leaders such as Izz ad-Din al-Haddad and Mohammed Awda, reflecting a significant Israeli escalation in the pace of qualitative assassinations.

Despite the successive blows, observers believe that the Palestinian resistance has the ability to quickly rebuild its leadership ranks, which was evident in the swift appointment of replacements for previous leaders. The situation in the Gaza Strip remains prone to further escalation given the occupation's insistence on the policy of assassinations, and the Palestinian factions' pledge to respond to these crimes and continue to confront the ongoing aggression.

My brother raised us to be men, not women, and his loss today is the loss of a man who sowed well, and we will continue the journey after him with steadfastness.

A violent explosion rocked the Choueifat area, located south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, this Thursday afternoon, due to an airstrike carried out by Israeli occupation aircraft. The raid directly targeted a residential apartment in 'Al-Rayyan Project' behind Al-Amana station, leading to thick columns of smoke covering the sky of the area and the neighboring southern suburbs.

Field sources reported that ambulances and civil defense teams immediately rushed to the target site, while security forces imposed a tight cordon around the area. The attack coincided with intense and low-altitude Israeli warplane overflights above Beirut and its surroundings, causing panic among residents in densely populated areas.

For its part, the Israeli army issued a brief statement confirming the execution of what it described as a 'precise attack' in the Beirut area, without officially revealing the identity of the target. However, Hebrew media, including Channel 12 and Yedioth Ahronoth, quoted military sources as saying that the raid was an assassination attempt targeting a high-ranking cadre in Hezbollah's missile unit.

This raid comes in the context of a broad escalation, as the occupation army announced attacking more than 135 targets in Lebanese territory during the past twenty-four hours. These attacks included sites in the coastal city of Tyre and the Beqaa region in the east of the country, in addition to a training camp in the Brital area, allegedly used by Hezbollah to carry out military operations.

In the Gaza Strip, the bloodshed did not stop, as medical sources reported 5 martyrs and 18 injured in an Israeli raid that targeted a house on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in the heart of the city. The occupation authorities claim that these operations target central elements of Palestinian resistance factions, amid the ongoing comprehensive aggression on all fronts.

In recent days, the prominent leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Muhammad Ali Khalil Odeh (Abu Amro), was assassinated, martyred along with his wife and two of his children in a raid on the Al-Rimal neighborhood. Israel considers Odeh to have held the position of chief of staff of the brigades, succeeding Izz al-Din al-Haddad, indicating an intensive Israeli strategy to eliminate field leaders.

Official statistics indicate that the total number of victims of the Israeli aggression since October 2023 has exceeded 72,797 martyrs, in addition to more than 172,000 injured. These figures reflect the scale of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, at a time when Israeli violations of previously reached internationally sponsored ceasefire agreements are increasing.

Observers believe that the latest raid on Choueifat represents a new تجاوز (transgression) of the rules of engagement, and puts the fragile truce agreement at stake, especially with the occupation's insistence on pursuing military cadres deep within residential areas. Anticipation remains the order of the day, awaiting an official statement from Hezbollah clarifying the nature of the losses resulting from this aerial targeting.

The occupation army announced a 'precise attack' in Beirut, while Hebrew reports indicated that the operation targeted a high-ranking official in Hezbollah's missile unit.

Official Palestinian circles expressed their categorical rejection of the escalating steps taken by the Israeli occupation authorities by initiating new procedures for registering lands in the occupied West Bank. The competent authorities called on all citizens, whether residing within the homeland or in the diaspora, to refrain from dealing with any Israeli platforms or committees related to real estate, emphasizing the necessity of referring to official Palestinian institutions before taking any action.

The occupation authorities launched an electronic platform dedicated to updating ownership data in the West Bank, a step described by the Jerusalem Governorate and the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission as an attempt to legitimize control over the land. The Palestinian Land Authority affirmed that this platform constitutes a direct assault on the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people, describing it as a dangerous colonial step aimed at liquidating the Palestinian presence in areas classified as (C).

The Palestinian authorities demanded that citizens refrain from submitting any documents or disclosing information related to their real estate properties to the Israeli side. They stressed that any inventory of properties or data update must be carried out exclusively through official Palestinian channels, to ensure the protection of rights from falsification or systematic confiscation that the occupation seeks to implement through its new technical tools.

In a related context, the Palestinian leadership issued urgent appeals to the international community, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court to intervene immediately to stop these violations. Official statements affirmed the necessity for international human rights institutions to assume their responsibilities in holding the occupying state accountable for its illegal actions that disregard all international conventions and resolutions related to the occupied territories.

For his part, the head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, Moayad Shaaban, explained that the new electronic system, which the occupation described as a 'hand grenade,' is not just a technical update of records. Shaaban indicated that this system represents a central tool for reshaping the real estate map in the West Bank to serve the colonial vision, and transfers the conflict from the field to the corridors of digital and legal administration to impose Israeli sovereignty.

These moves come in implementation of the Israeli Ministerial Security Council decision issued in May 2025, which stipulated the start of a comprehensive settlement of land ownership throughout the West Bank. This decision, according to Palestinian reports, aims to complete the legal and administrative annexation of the occupied territories by fully subjecting them to direct Israeli authority and bypassing any role of the Palestinian Authority in this sovereign file.

Informed sources revealed that the occupation allocated a huge budget of about 244 million shekels, equivalent to 84 million US dollars, to transfer land registration powers to the Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Survey Department. This budget aims to accelerate the permanent acquisition of approximately 58% of the areas classified as (C), which collectively constitute about 35% of the total area of the West Bank, excluding occupied Jerusalem.

The new Israeli procedure allows for the initiation of registration of Palestinian lands within what is known as the Israeli 'Tabu,' which is the first time such a measure has been taken since the 1967 occupation. The danger of this step lies in that it grants ownership a final status that makes it very difficult to challenge in courts, thus closing the door for Palestinians to reclaim their lands that may be leaked or confiscated.

Under the announced plan, the 'Land Registration' unit of the Israeli Government Coordination of Activities Department will assume all regulatory tasks in Area (C), including issuing sales permits and collecting fees and taxes. This explicitly prevents the Palestinian Authority from exercising any administrative or legal role in these areas, which reinforces complete administrative separation and paves the way for their de facto annexation to Israeli sovereignty.

The plan's timelines indicate that the commander of the Central Command in the occupation army is tasked with completing the settlement of 15% of West Bank lands by the end of 2030. This strategy focuses on areas under full Israeli security and administrative control, as part of the occupation's endeavor to amend the legal status of Palestinian lands and impose a new reality that will be impossible to change in any future negotiations.

The launch of the platform represents a transition from traditional field control policies to digital colonial engineering aimed at imposing permanent legal realities.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported the martyrdom of 16 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 39 others during the past forty-eight hours, as a result of attacks carried out by Israeli occupation forces in various areas of the Strip. The Ministry of Health stated in its daily statistical report that hospitals received these victims under difficult field conditions, noting that Israeli targeting has not stopped despite the declared understandings.

With this new toll, the total number of martyrs in the genocide war waged by the occupation since October 2023 has risen to 72,819 martyrs, while the number of wounded and injured has reached 172,894 people. These figures reflect the scale of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy experienced by the residents of the besieged Strip, amidst a severe shortage of necessary medical capabilities to treat thousands of critical cases.

In a related context, the Ministry confirmed that the Israeli occupation continues to violate the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2025. Sources stated that the number of victims of these violations alone has risen alarmingly to 922 martyrs and 2,786 injured, as a result of artillery shelling and direct gunfire targeting residential areas and displaced persons.

Regarding material destruction, human rights and international reports indicate that the Israeli war machine has caused the destruction of approximately 90% of the civilian infrastructure in all governorates of Gaza. This systematic destruction included residential neighborhoods, educational facilities, hospitals, as well as water and electricity networks, making vast areas of the Strip uninhabitable at present.

For its part, the United Nations has made initial estimates for the cost of reconstructing what the occupation destroyed, suggesting that the required budget could reach about 70 billion dollars. This huge figure comes amid a complete disruption of the economic cycle and the spread of poverty and unemployment, placing the international community before grave responsibilities to end the human suffering and begin reconstruction and recovery operations.

The death toll from Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement has risen to 922 martyrs and 2,786 injured due to continuous shelling.

The Israeli government officially announced the freezing of all its diplomatic relations with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in an escalating move that reflects the depth of the crisis between Tel Aviv and the international organization. This decision came after Israel was included in the 'blacklist' of countries and organizations involved in practicing sexual violence during armed conflicts, which Israeli circles considered a crossing of red lines.

The Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that his country will no longer cooperate with Guterres, describing the UN decision as 'purely political' and devoid of factual realities. Danon added in a post that equating Israel with organizations such as 'Hamas' and 'ISIS' on this list represents a moral failure for the international organization, stressing that Tel Aviv will wait for the election of a new Secretary-General in the coming months to change this approach.

For its part, Hebrew media revealed that this UN decision was not entirely surprising, as the Israeli Foreign Ministry had made strenuous efforts behind the scenes in recent weeks to obstruct this step. The 'Israel Hayom' newspaper indicated that diplomatic pressures failed to prevent the decision from being issued, which prompted the Israeli leadership to take punitive measures against the head of the United Nations.

The UN move is based on a series of field reports issued by international investigation committees and human rights organizations, which documented grave violations within Israeli detention centers. These documents included live testimonies of cases of rape and systematic sexual harassment suffered by Palestinian detainees, especially in the 'Sde Teiman' camp, which has become a symbol of legal and humanitarian violations since the beginning of the last aggression.

The reports were not limited to detention centers but also extended to documenting sexual assaults and intimidation practiced by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. Sources reported that these assaults often occurred under security protection and included raiding homes and terrorizing women and children, which strengthened the position of international organizations demanding accountability for those responsible for these crimes.

In a related context, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, referred to a report prepared by the Norwegian Refugee Council, which highlights the increasing pace of sexual violence and intimidation in the Palestinian territories. The report confirmed that these practices have become a tool for pressure and forced displacement, which prompted international human rights bodies to raise their recommendations on the necessity of including Israel in international shame lists.

Observers believe that freezing relations with Guterres represents an Israeli attempt to escape international legal obligations and pressure the UN organization to change its standards. However, the shocking testimonies of torture and rape victims in Israeli prisons continue to exert significant moral and legal pressure on the international community, which puts relations between Tel Aviv and the United Nations at stake.

There will be no relations with the UN Secretary-General, and we will work to correct this mistake with the election of his successor.

The European Union announced on Thursday that it has expanded its sanctions list to include four organizations and three Israeli settler individuals, due to their involvement in serious human rights violations against Palestinian citizens in the occupied West Bank. The Council of the European Union clarified in an official statement that this step comes to confront extremist practices that target the Palestinian presence and hinder decent livelihoods in the region.

The new list included the settlement movement 'Nachala', known for its intensive activity in encouraging illegal settlement, in addition to its head, Daniela Weiss. European reports indicated that this movement plays a pivotal role in the forced displacement of Palestinians, through the establishment of settlement outposts that isolate farmers from their historical lands and pastures.

The sanctions also included the Israeli non-governmental organization 'Regavim' and its director Meir Deutsch, as the organization is accused of systematically working to demolish Palestinian properties and expand the scope of Israeli control in the West Bank. It is noteworthy that the organization directly sought to demolish a Palestinian primary school near Bethlehem, despite being funded by the European Union itself.

In a related context, the Union included the organization 'Hashomer Yosh' and its head Avichai Swissa on the blacklist, due to the logistical support it provides to settlers involved in acts of violence. This organization works to organize armed volunteers and provide protection for security elements involved in direct attacks against Palestinian villages and towns.

The 'Gush Emunim' cooperative, commercially known as 'Amana', was not absent from the new sanctions list, as the statement described it as one of the main financial drivers of settlement. This cooperative has directly contributed to the establishment and financing of at least 30 illegal settlement outposts, which has contributed to tearing apart the Palestinian geography in the West Bank.

The punitive measures taken stipulate the freezing of all financial assets and economic resources belonging to these individuals and entities within the European Union countries. Any European entity is also prohibited from providing financial resources to them directly or indirectly, to ensure the drying up of funding sources for extremist settlement activities.

In addition to financial sanctions, the European Union imposed a comprehensive travel ban on individuals included in the list to all member states of the Union. This step aims to internationally isolate figures who lead incitement and field operations against Palestinians and restrict their diplomatic and personal movement.

With this new decision, the total number of individuals and entities listed under the European Union's 'Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime' rises to 177 names. This increase reflects growing international concern about the escalating pace of settlement violence and policies aimed at changing the demographic reality in the occupied territories.

It is worth noting that the European Union began imposing sanctions on settlers in April 2024, in a remarkable shift in its foreign policy towards the Palestinian issue. This was followed by an expansion of the lists in July of the same year, which confirms the continuation of the European approach in pressuring extremist groups that hinder the two-state solution.

Individuals and entities covered by the sanctions are responsible for serious and systematic human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed his government's intentions to expand the military occupation within the Gaza Strip, confirming that the army currently controls about 60% of the total area of the Strip. Netanyahu clarified during a conference held in a settlement in the Jordan Valley that instructions were issued to the forces to work on raising this percentage to 70% in the next phase.

These statements come at a sensitive time witnessing repeated breaches of the ongoing ceasefire agreement, as Hebrew media broadcast video clips of Netanyahu confirming the tightening of the siege on Hamas from all sides. The Israeli Prime Minister did not provide specific details about the new geographical areas the army intends to seize or the mechanism by which this field expansion will be implemented.

On the ground, local sources reported that the occupation forces issued new forced evacuation warnings targeting a residential block in the Al-Shati camp west of Gaza City, raising fears of a new wave of displacement. These threats coincide with the continuation of limited military operations that result in casualties among civilians attempting to return to their areas or remain in shelters.

In the context of the field escalation, a Palestinian citizen was martyred and several others were injured to varying degrees as a result of Israeli shelling that targeted a gathering of civilians in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City. These attacks reflect the fragility of the security situation amid the Israeli leadership's insistence on continuing military pressure despite existing international understandings to end the war.

The Israeli army had announced earlier in October last year its retreat to what is known as the 'Yellow Line', then controlling 53% of the Strip's area. This move came as part of the first phase of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which assumed additional gradual withdrawals in subsequent phases.

The 'Yellow Line' is considered a temporary virtual border separating areas of Israeli military presence and areas where Palestinians are allowed to move under the truce agreement. However, recent statements by Security Minister Yisrael Katz confirmed Israel's refusal to budge from this line 'by a millimeter' before achieving the condition of complete disarmament of Palestinian factions.

On the international political front, the White House announced last January the adoption of administrative structures for the transitional phase in Gaza, including the formation of a peace council and a national committee for administration. These plans include the deployment of an international stabilization force to undertake security tasks and secure humanitarian aid, which seems to contradict Netanyahu's current directions to expand the occupation.

These complex arrangements fall within a comprehensive 20-point vision for ending the conflict, a vision that was supported by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 issued in November 2025. However, recent Israeli actions on the ground put these international agreements at stake and threaten the collapse of the fragile de-escalation path that began months ago.

It is worth noting that the ceasefire agreement came into effect in October 2025, putting an end to a two-year continuous genocide war. That war left an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 72,000 martyrs and over 172,000 Palestinians injured, the heaviest toll in the history of the modern conflict.

In addition to human losses, the war caused the destruction of about 90% of the infrastructure and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip, making most areas uninhabitable. UN reports estimate that the cost of rebuilding what was destroyed by the Israeli military machine exceeds $70 billion, a huge challenge facing the international community amid continued threats of expanding the occupation.

My directives are to move from controlling 60% of the Strip's territory to 70%. We are besieging them from all sides and we will take care of the rest.

With the sunrise of the blessed Eid al-Adha, the elderly Palestinian woman Nadia Abu Jalhoum did not go to her family's home to celebrate, but rather left her tent in Jabalia camp with a heavy heart towards the Faluja cemetery north of the Gaza Strip. There, among the silent tombstones, the lady searches for her children and grandchildren who were taken by the war, to recite Al-Fatiha for their souls and pray to her Lord in a scene that summarizes the pain of Palestinian families.

Nadia sadly recalls how Eid rituals turned from warm gatherings in her destroyed home to sad stops in cemeteries, where visiting has become an integral part of her new routine after the war. She confirms that the absence of children and grandchildren not only left a void in the place, but also changed the features of the family's daily life, which was full of life before death separated them.

The list of losses in the Abu Jalhoum family is long and painful, including her sons Anwar, 42 years old, Ahmed, 30 years old, and Khamis, who was not more than 26 years old, in addition to her young daughter Sahera, 19 years old. The tragedy did not stop there, but extended to snatch her grandson, the child Moaz, who was martyred at the age of five, leaving behind indelible memories.

The bereaved mother recounts harsh details about the martyrdom of her children, explaining that they were not killed at the same time, but rather fell successively in very close time intervals during military operations. She bitterly wonders about the ability of any mother to bear the loss of her beloved children with only ten days between one martyr and another, which made grief a permanent resident in her heart.

This loss was directly reflected in the surviving children of the family, who constantly ask about their fathers, especially on occasions and holidays when they miss the touch of tenderness. Nadia describes the state of the children as they watch their peers with their fathers, which deepens their wounds and makes Eid an occasion to recall painful memories instead of joy.

In addition to the psychological pain, Nadia's family suffers from harsh living conditions inside a displacement tent that lacks the most basic necessities of life after the occupation completely destroyed their home. The family faces daily challenges represented by the sharp rise in temperatures and the lack of potable water, which makes staying inside the tent a continuous journey of torment.

Security risks increase the family's suffering, as their tent is located in an area close to the 'Yellow Line' north of the Strip, an area that witnesses an intense presence of Israeli occupation forces. Sources reported that residents in that area live in a state of constant terror due to repeated gunfire and non-stop military movements, which threaten their lives at every moment.

Despite all these difficult circumstances and security threats, Nadia insists on continuing to visit the cemetery every Eid, considering it a duty towards her children who sacrificed their lives. She ends her visit calmly to return to her tent, where she tries to gather what remains of her surviving family, in a reality that is becoming more complex with the continuation of the aggression on the besieged Strip.

In a related context, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced a horrific increase in the number of victims, as the number of martyrs reached 72,819, while the number of injured exceeded 172,000 since the beginning of the aggression. Recent statistics indicated that the period since last March witnessed a significant escalation that led to the martyrdom of an additional 922 people, reflecting the scale of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

Which mother can bear this? Ten days between one martyr and another, and the last one I lost was my grandson, the child Moaz.

Sadness and pain overshadowed the Eid atmosphere in the Gaza Strip, where the usual celebrations were absent, replaced by rituals of loss and deprivation. Instead of heading to public squares, crowds of citizens flocked to cemeteries in Nuseirat and Khan Yunis to visit their loved ones who perished during the ongoing war. The signs of heartbreak were evident on the faces of mothers and widows who found nothing but tombstones to address their sons and husbands on a day that was supposed to be for joy.

In the Nuseirat cemetery, Umm Muhammad Attia recounted her tragedy, embracing her orphaned grandchildren over the grave of her eldest son, recalling how he was the first to congratulate her every Eid. This story is repeated in every corner of the Strip, where holidays have turned into occasions to reopen wounds and evoke memories of families scattered between martyrs and displaced persons. Local sources confirmed that the absence of providers and homes dispelled any sense of joy, especially in the dilapidated displacement tents that lack the most basic necessities of life.

Regarding living hardships, thousands of families live in cramped tents in the Al-Mawasi areas, such as the Al-Masri family, who were displaced 14 times before settling in a tent no larger than 16 square meters. These families face extreme difficulties in providing basic needs for children, as exorbitant prices and a lack of cash prevented them from buying Eid clothes. Some resorted to bank transfers to give Eidiyah due to the deterioration of circulating paper currencies and the prevention of new quantities from entering.

Official statistical data indicate the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe, as the number of widows in the Strip has risen to more than 22,000 women, while women now head about 18% of Gazan households. For its part, UNICEF warned of the psychological and physical consequences of the war on children, confirming that more than 56,000 children have lost one or both parents, leaving an entire generation facing an unknown future filled with orphanhood and malnutrition.

Regarding religious rituals, the occupation authorities deliberately deprived the residents of the Strip from performing the ritual of sacrifice by closing crossings and preventing the entry of livestock. The government media office reported that the occupation prevented the entry of about 41,000 heads of calves and sheep that were designated for the Eid season. This measure was considered by human rights sources a blatant violation of religious and human rights, and a step aimed at tightening the siege and starving the population amidst the genocide war.

As for the children of Gaza, amusement parks and gardens were absent, leaving them to play on the rubble of destroyed homes or busy helping their families transport water and manage tent affairs. Despite the sounds of Takbir echoing from the ruins of mosques, the sounds of Israeli shelling continued to pursue the displaced, confirming that Gaza is experiencing an exceptional Eid where steadfastness mixes with pain, and sacrifices are absent, replaced by the blood of victims and the patience of the bereaved.

While the world draws closer to God with sacrifices, the people of Gaza draw closer with the blood of their children and women, and with their patience under bombing, hunger, and abandonment.

Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip continued on Thursday evening, resulting in the martyrdom of a number of people and the injury of dozens in various geographical areas. These field developments come at a time when occupation forces continue to violate ceasefire understandings through concentrated aerial and artillery shelling, in addition to systematic demolition operations of residential buildings in what is known as the 'Yellow Line'.

Medical sources reported the martyrdom of three citizens as a result of occupation aircraft targeting a police point in the Mawasi Khan Yunis area, south of the Strip. The shelling also hit the Namaa camp for displaced persons in Hamad City, leading to injuries among civilians and widespread destruction of tents and properties of displaced persons who are already suffering from harsh humanitarian conditions.

In Gaza City, 24-year-old Abdullah Ashraf Abdel Wahab was martyred following an airstrike that targeted the vicinity of Imam Al-Shafi'i Mosque in the Zeitoun neighborhood. This coincided with the targeting of a house in Al-Shati refugee camp northwest of the city, as part of a policy of destroying residential blocks that also affected parts of Deir al-Balah city in the central Strip.

The northern areas were not spared from the aggressions, as a Palestinian citizen was injured by occupation forces' bullets in the Al-Salateen area west of Beit Lahia. Israeli forces impose strict restrictions on the movement of individuals and goods, exacerbating the living crisis amid ongoing limited military operations and incursions into border areas.

These massacres complete a bloody day witnessed around Al-Isra Tower on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street, where 10 Palestinians, including two young girls and two women, were martyred on Wednesday. That raid, which targeted an inhabited house, left more than 18 injured, at a time when citizens were celebrating the first days of Eid amidst the rubble of their destroyed homes.

According to government media office data, the toll of Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement came into effect seven months ago has reached 910 martyrs. Medical teams also recorded injuries to approximately 2,747 others, indicating the occupation's non-compliance with the truce and its continued targeting of civilians directly and regularly.

Regarding the total toll since October 2023, the number of martyrs has exceeded 72,000, while the number of injured has surpassed 172,000, most of whom are women and children. Field reports indicate that the Israeli war machine has destroyed nearly 90% of the infrastructure and vital facilities in the Strip over two years of aggression.

The humanitarian suffering in Gaza continues with the occupation's insistence on closing crossings and obstructing the delivery of essential medical and food aid. Residents face immense challenges amid food insecurity and a dilapidated health sector, making every violation of the ceasefire agreement an existential threat to thousands of displaced families.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect more than 7 months ago, the Israeli army has killed approximately 910 Palestinians as part of its violations.

The Israeli occupation authorities have approved a new structural plan aimed at expanding the 'Mitzpe Jericho' settlement, which is located on Palestinian citizens' lands in the Al-Fara'a area of Jericho Governorate. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that this project comes within an accelerated strategy to enhance colonial control over the Jordan Valley region in the eastern West Bank.

The approved plan includes the construction of 517 new settlement units, extending over a geographical area of 1692 dunams of Palestinian land. This expansion aims to transform the settlement from a small focal point into a massive urban bloc that devours vast areas of agricultural and pastoral lands in the region.

The settlement project is not limited to residential units but also extends to include the establishment of an integrated network of infrastructure, public institutions, and operational facilities. Through this step, the occupation authorities seek to create a new geographical reality that ensures the continuity of the settlement presence and its potential for future expansion without obstacles.

Official sources warned that these plans fall under the policy of 'creeping annexation' which aims to demographically and geographically isolate the Jordan Valley region from its Palestinian surroundings. These measures also aim to prevent any possibility of natural urban expansion for Palestinians in these vital areas, which constitute the food basket of the West Bank.

In a related context, statistical data indicate an unprecedented escalation in settlement activity, with the number of settlements and outposts in the West Bank exceeding 542 locations. More than 780,000 settlers reside in these settlement entities, distributed among official settlements, pastoral outposts, and military outposts.

Reports revealed that the year 2025 alone witnessed the establishment of 59 new settlement outposts, while approximately 390 structural plans have been studied since late 2023. These figures reflect an Israeli government trend to impose final facts on the ground that prevent the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.

On the ground, a Palestinian young man was injured by Israeli occupation army bullets on Thursday evening during a large-scale incursion into the city of Al-Bireh in the central West Bank. Local sources reported that violent confrontations erupted in the city's neighborhoods after the entry of Israeli forces, leading to the young man's injury and his transfer for treatment.

In occupied Jerusalem, groups of settlers carried out attacks targeting citizens' property at the entrance to the town of Mikhmas, northeast of the city. The settlers threw stones at passing Palestinian vehicles, causing material damage to several of them and creating a state of panic among the passengers.

These attacks come under the direct protection of the occupation army, which provides cover for settlers to carry out their attacks in rural and desert areas. The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed that these attacks have significantly increased recently, targeting bypass roads and main entrances to Palestinian towns.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission called on the international community to urgently intervene to stop this settlement escalation that violates international laws. The commission stressed that international silence encourages the occupation to proceed with seizing more land and displacing indigenous residents from their areas.

The West Bank has been experiencing a state of severe tension for several months, with military incursions coinciding with an escalation of organized settler attacks. Settlement outposts often turn into launching points for attacks on neighboring Palestinian villages and towns under the watchful eyes of the occupation forces.

Observers confirm that the intensification of settlement projects in the Jordan Valley primarily aims to control water resources and fertile lands. This area is one of the most targeted areas for demolition and forced displacement, in an attempt to empty it of Palestinian presence in favor of the urban expansion of settlements.

The new settlement plan aims to transform the colony into an integrated colonial bloc capable of future expansion in the Jordan Valley region.

The Israeli occupation army committed a new massacre late on Thursday-Friday night, when a drone targeted a security checkpoint in the Mawasi Khan Yunis area, south of the Gaza Strip. Medical sources at Nasser Hospital confirmed the arrival of the bodies of three martyrs and a number of wounded as a result of this direct targeting, which comes amid continuous escalation affecting areas crowded with displaced persons.

In a related context, civil defense crews reported that they dealt with a large fire that broke out in the tents of displaced persons in the Mawasi Al-Qarara area, affiliated with Khan Yunis, following an Israeli airstrike that targeted the area. The fires caused a state of panic among displaced families who lack the most basic safety requirements, at a time when the war machine continues to target shelters and areas previously classified as safe.

The field in the central sector was not spared from the aggression, as field sources reported that an Israeli raid targeted the immediate vicinity of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. This shelling came shortly after the area was evacuated of residents, indicating the occupation's insistence on destroying infrastructure and vital facilities surrounding the remaining medical institutions in service.

These bloody developments come on the second day of the blessed Eid al-Adha, to deepen the wounds of Palestinians after a first day witnessed intense raids on Gaza City that resulted in the death of 10 martyrs, including women and children. These attacks reveal serious violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 2025, which places the international community before its responsibilities regarding the continuation of the war of extermination in various forms.

On the political front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked a new wave of anger by announcing that he had issued instructions to the army to expand the area of field control to include 70% of the Gaza Strip. This announcement represents a clear challenge to existing agreements, and confirms the occupation's intention to impose a new geographical and military reality that devours most of the besieged Strip's lands.

Orders were issued to the army to expand the areas it controls in the Gaza Strip to reach 70% of the total area.

A recent report by the British magazine "The Economist" highlighted the severe deterioration in the conditions of Israeli prisons since the National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, took office. The report indicated that the extremist minister openly boasts about the system of repression and starvation he imposes on detainees, using the suffering of prisoners as a platform for his Jewish Power party's election propaganda.

The magazine cited a video clip published by Ben Gvir himself, in which he is seen mocking activists from the Freedom Flotilla who were arrested in international waters. The activists appeared in the video handcuffed and forced to kneel in Ashdod port, while the minister addressed them with condescending remarks, saying: "We are the masters of the land," amidst encouraging officers to continue abusing the detainees.

Although these scenes sparked a wave of international condemnation from Western governments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction did not go beyond verbal reprimand. Netanyahu considered his minister's actions inconsistent with what he described as "Israel's values," but he refrained from taking any punitive action or threatening to dismiss him from his post.

The report affirmed that Ben Gvir is fully aware of Netanyahu's political need for him, which gives him a green light to overlook his extremist actions. Since Netanyahu's return to power in 2022, Ben Gvir has become a key pillar in the government coalition, having received the National Security portfolio as a reward for his political support.

Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, Ben Gvir has initiated widespread retaliatory measures, including stripping prisoners of their most basic belongings and reducing food rations. The Israeli Supreme Court described these food portions as insufficient for the minimum requirements of human life, leading to severe emaciation among those released.

The magazine quoted the organization "Physicians for Human Rights" with shocking data indicating the death of at least 98 Palestinian prisoners during the first two years of the war. The organization attributes these deaths to severe beatings, systematic deprivation of medical treatment, and prevention of Red Cross and lawyer visits.

In a move to consolidate his control, Ben Gvir prevented legal inspections of prisons mandated by Israeli law, replacing them with tours for journalists loyal to him. The aim of these tours is to portray prisoners in humiliating situations, handcuffed for long hours under the influence of loud music intended to break their morale.

On the judicial front, the report revealed an almost complete absence of legal accountability for deaths inside prisons, as authorities opened only very limited investigations. These investigations resulted in only one indictment, reinforcing the policy of impunity enjoyed by prison service and army personnel.

The report touched upon the incident at the "Sde Teiman" camp, where five soldiers were accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee in July 2024. However, the case ended with the dismissal of the military prosecutor who initiated the file, and the charges against the implicated soldiers were later dropped.

Instead of investigating these crimes, Netanyahu chose to attack the parties that exposed them, describing the video leaks as a "blood libel" against the army. He also threatened to sue the "New York Times" after it published detailed reports of sexual assaults, even though the newspaper stood by the accuracy of its documented information.

Political data indicates that Ben Gvir will continue in his position without any real obstacles, given that Netanyahu's political future depends on the support of the far-right. This was clearly demonstrated when Netanyahu rejected an offer from the opposition to join an emergency government in exchange for Ben Gvir's dismissal, preferring to maintain his current coalition.

Even when Ben Gvir temporarily resigned in January 2025 in protest of a short truce, Netanyahu kept the National Security portfolio vacant awaiting his return. This behavior reflects the extent of Ben Gvir's influence within the Israeli government and his ability to impose his extremist agenda unchecked.

Observers believe that Netanyahu's need to win the upcoming elections outweighs any considerations related to international norms or human rights. Staying in power requires satisfying the far-right's electoral base, which views Ben Gvir's practices as necessary "firmness" towards Palestinians.

"The Economist" concluded in its report that responsibility for the serious violations in prisons lies with both Ben Gvir and Netanyahu. While the former directly practices repression, the latter provides the necessary political and legal cover for these crimes to continue away from international accountability.

Welcome to Israel, we are the masters of the land.

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, submitted his annual report on conflict-related sexual violence to the members of the Security Council, documenting a series of grave and horrific Israeli violations against Palestinians. Guterres affirmed in his report that the international organization observed recurring and systematic patterns of sexual assaults targeting Palestinian detainees within the occupation's detention and interrogation centers during 2025.

Based on the report's findings, the United Nations decided to officially include Israeli forces in the blacklist of states and entities involved in practicing sexual violence in conflict zones. This step is a significant legal and international escalation against Israeli security practices, reflecting the extent of evidence collected by UN teams regarding the nature of these crimes that targeted civilians and detainees alike.

The report included shocking details about Israeli forces and security agencies committing sexual assaults against men, women, and even children from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. Sources clarified that these violations included cases of rape and gang rape, in addition to violent practices targeting the genitals of detainees, reflecting a deliberate policy of intimidation practiced behind bars.

The Secretary-General strongly criticized the Israeli authorities' failure to open serious and transparent investigations into these reports, indicating that the absence of accountability gives a green light for these crimes to continue. Guterres considered that the Israeli judiciary's decision to drop charges against soldiers involved in brutal assaults within the notorious 'Sde Teiman' camp directly contributes to entrenching a climate of impunity and protecting perpetrators.

In an angry reaction to this report, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the severance of its official relations with the Office of the UN Secretary-General, describing the UN move as biased against it. The ministry claimed in a statement that Guterres is using his last term in office to fabricate baseless accusations, considering the blacklisting of its entities as a purely political decision aimed at distorting its international image.

For his part, Guterres did not back down from his positions, reiterating his strict demand for Israel to immediately cease all forms of sexual and physical violence against Palestinians. He stressed the importance of allowing UN teams and bodies unrestricted access to detention centers and occupied territories to conduct independent field investigations that ensure the uncovering of facts and the prosecution of those involved in these international crimes.

Violations were not limited to regular forces but also extended to settler attacks in the West Bank, where previous human rights reports cited by the United Nations indicated that settlers resorted to methods of harassment and sexual intimidation. UN sources reported that field reports, including one prepared by the Norwegian Refugee Council, proved that Palestinian families were subjected to attacks inside their homes, exacerbating the suffering of civilians under occupation.

Israel dropping charges against soldiers involved in serious assaults in the Sde Teiman camp perpetuates a climate of impunity for sexual violence.

Federal Judge Thomas Hardiman, of the US Court of Appeals, issued a decision allowing Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to remain outside detention centers on a temporary basis. This judicial move comes as Khalil continues his legal efforts to challenge the Trump administration's actions before the Supreme Court, granting him an additional opportunity to pursue his legal case without the constraints of immediate detention.

Judge Hardiman's decision, who was appointed during the tenure of former President George W. Bush, included a stay of execution of a previous ruling by the Court of Appeals that aimed to transfer Khalil's case to the jurisdiction of immigration courts. This judicial intervention followed a legal opinion issued last Friday questioning the authority of federal court judges in New Jersey to make decisions regarding release or prevention of deportation in such cases.

The roots of the case date back to last year, when US immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil while he was pursuing his postgraduate studies at the prestigious Columbia University. The arrest came against the backdrop of his involvement in student activism and protests that swept American universities condemning the ongoing Israeli war of extermination in the Gaza Strip since 2024, which sparked widespread debate about freedom of expression.

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio entered the crisis, considering Khalil a direct threat to US national security, despite his status as a permanent resident in the country. These statements reflect the intensity of the political stance towards Palestinian activists and human rights defenders who face strict administrative and legal measures under the current administration.

It is worth noting that Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz had ordered Khalil's release last June after he spent more than a hundred days behind bars in harsh detention conditions. Farbiarz at the time described the steps taken by federal authorities as lacking constitutional cover, emphasizing the activist's right to freedom pending the completion of the legal procedures in his case.

The actions taken by the US administration against activist Mahmoud Khalil are unconstitutional.

The Israeli occupation army escalated its aggression on southern Lebanon this Friday morning, with its aircraft carrying out a series of intense raids targeting the city of Nabatieh and the towns of Shoukin and Kfarroman. This shelling coincided with the occupation's announcement of intercepting a suspicious aerial target over areas where its forces are deployed in the south, amidst ongoing fierce field confrontations.

The Israeli occupation army command issued new warnings to the residents of Ain Qana, demanding their immediate evacuation and movement northward, a measure described by field sources as paving the way for a new wave of destruction. These orders come within the context of a systematic displacement policy that has affected more than half of the villages in southern Lebanon, which are now either completely destroyed or devoid of their inhabitants.

Sources reported that the relative calm that prevailed for several hours from midnight yesterday until morning does not inspire confidence, but rather raises serious concerns about Israeli preparations for a broader ground operation. Observers believe that the repetition of evacuation orders in previously targeted areas, such as the city of Tyre and Palestinian refugee camps, aims to secure routes for military advancement.

The early hours of this morning witnessed intense artillery and aerial bombardment targeting the town of Debbine, in an attempt to clear the way for the encroaching ground forces. The most prominent field development is the occupation army's attempt to move from south of the Blue Line to its north, in an effort to expand the scope of geographical control within Lebanese territory.

Satellite images circulated by local entities in Nabatieh showed Israeli military vehicles stationed at the outskirts of the town of Yahmar and around its main entrances. This positioning indicates the occupation's success in moving its forces from the eastern Zawtar axis towards Yahmar, reinforcing the hypothesis of ground expansion in the central sector.

Field reports indicated that the occupation army made direct contact with residents of villages in the Marjayoun district, accompanied by maps defining red lines that must not be crossed at the borders of the town of Debbine. These movements aim to isolate villages from each other and facilitate the advance towards the strategic town of Blat, which overlooks vast areas.

The town of Ain Qana acquires paramount military importance due to its geographical location overlooking the towns of Arabsalim, Jbaa, Sajed, and the heights of Rihan. Military experts believe that controlling these heights gives the occupation a significant fire advantage and field surveillance of the surrounding areas, which explains the insistence on evacuating its residents.

On the other hand, Hezbollah announced in successive statements the targeting of gatherings of occupation soldiers and their vehicles in the axes of advance, confirming direct hits. The resistance uses drones and guided missiles in its operations to obstruct the Israeli incursion, which has reached in some points up to 10 kilometers inside the borders.

These field developments come at a time when official data indicate that the number of martyrs has exceeded 3269 people, and about 9840 others have been injured since the beginning of the aggression. The continuous shelling and ground operations have also led to the displacement of more than one million Lebanese, most of whom live in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions in shelters.

Politically, Israel continues its strategy of dividing southern Lebanon into military operation zones extending to the Litani and Awali rivers, with the aim of imposing a new field reality before any settlement. Negotiations are currently underway under American patronage, amidst Israeli insistence on achieving security conditions that guarantee the withdrawal of resistance weapons from the border area.

The repetition and expansion of evacuation orders reflect the Israeli army's continued attempts to expand its operations north of the Blue Line, pushing more residents towards forced displacement.

Israeli occupation forces continued to escalate their military operations in the Gaza Strip, launching a series of intense aerial raids and artillery shelling targeting various areas. Field sources reported that a Palestinian citizen was injured by occupation bullets in the town of Al-Zawiya, located in the central part of the Strip, this Friday morning, as part of the direct targeting of civilians.

In another incident, Israeli military vehicles fired their machine guns at citizens on the vital Salah al-Din Street, specifically near the Gaza Valley bridge. This targeting resulted in a second injury among Palestinians, reflecting the severe security tension imposed by the occupation on major movement axes.

On the ground in the southern part of the Strip, sources stated that occupation artillery shelled the eastern areas of Khan Yunis city with several projectiles, causing panic among residents. This shelling coincided with intense and prolonged flights of Israeli drones that did not leave the Strip's skies, signaling more imminent attacks.

Gaza City experienced a harsh night, as occupation aircraft carried out violent raids targeting Al-Shati camp west of the city, leading to the complete destruction of a residential block, leveling it to the ground. The aerial raids also targeted residential homes in Deir al-Balah city, causing massive destruction to infrastructure and private property of citizens.

The tents of displaced persons in the southern areas were not spared from the Israeli war machine, as aircraft launched a raid targeting tent gatherings crowded with thousands of displaced families. This raid resulted in the destruction of large parts of temporary shelters, exacerbating the suffering of displaced persons who are now homeless, without shelter to protect them from fluctuating weather conditions.

These continuous violations and night attacks have led to new and forced waves of displacement for Palestinians trying to escape imminent death. Displaced families face extreme difficulties in finding safe places, in light of the lack of alternative tents or shelters that can accommodate the increasing numbers of displaced persons.

The occupation imposes strict geographical restrictions by expanding what is called the 'Yellow Line,' which has practically led to the confiscation of more than 60% of the total area of the Gaza Strip. This spatial constriction crowds more than two million people into very narrow areas that lack the minimum necessities for a dignified life and are filled with waste and rubble.

These developments come amidst a catastrophic humanitarian reality experienced by the residents of the Strip, as the occupation continues to destroy basic living conditions through the systematic targeting of homes and tents. Options for civilians remain very limited with the continued siege and closure of all crossings that could provide them with protection or urgent relief.

The Israeli occupation has confiscated more than 60% of the Gaza Strip, where more than two million Palestinians live, amidst a pile-up of rubble and waste.

The Israeli occupation army announced today, Friday, the assassination of Imad Hassan Hussein Aslim, who holds the position of deputy commander of the Gaza City Brigade and commander of the Al-Zaytoun Battalion affiliated with the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The military statement clarified that the operation was carried out last Wednesday in cooperation with the General Security Service (Shin Bet), targeting one of the most prominent field commanders in the military wing of the Hamas movement.

The occupation's statement claimed that the martyr Aslim was responsible for leading the infiltration operations carried out by the battalion's fighters inside the settlements during the October 7, 2023 attack. The army also claimed that the targeted leader supervised dozens of military plans that targeted Israeli forces infiltrating the Gaza Strip in recent months, describing him as an 'immediate threat'.

The occupation army indicated that the air attack that targeted Aslim also hit another field commander in the Hamas movement, but the results related to the second individual are still under examination and scrutiny. In contrast, no official comment has been issued by the Hamas movement or its military wing regarding the details of this operation until the moment of preparing the news.

In Gaza City, hundreds of Palestinians mourned the body of the martyr Imad Aslim amidst a state of anger and condemnation of the ongoing occupation crimes. The mourners raised slogans emphasizing the continuation of resistance, considering that assassinations will not weaken the Palestinian people or end the presence of military formations in the Strip.

On the ground, nine Palestinians were injured since dawn today, Friday, as a result of a series of scattered Israeli attacks that targeted several areas in the Gaza Strip. Medical sources reported that the injured arrived at hospitals, where their injuries ranged from moderate to serious due to shelling and direct gunfire by occupation forces.

In detail of the attacks, a Palestinian woman was shot by occupation forces near the entrance to the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Strip. Local sources also confirmed the injury of another citizen by sniper fire from occupation snipers stationed near the Wadi Gaza bridge, amidst suspicious military movements of Israeli vehicles in that area.

Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip witnessed a limited incursion by occupation army vehicles that fired their heavy machine guns at citizens and their homes. This incursion coincided with artillery shelling that targeted the courtyard of a house in 'Block 9' in Al-Bureij camp, causing panic without any human casualties at that location.

At dawn today, an Israeli helicopter targeted commercial warehouses located below the 'Harz' residential building near Al-Yarmouk Stadium in the heart of Gaza City. The raid resulted in the injury of seven citizens with varying injuries, who were subsequently transferred to Al-Shifa Medical Complex to receive necessary treatment due to shrapnel and flying debris.

For its part, the Civil Defense Directorate in Gaza announced that its crews rushed to the site of the raid in the vicinity of Al-Yarmouk Stadium to control a massive fire that broke out in the targeted warehouses. The teams managed to extinguish the fire and prevent its spread to adjacent residential apartments in the building, which was partially damaged by the aerial bombardment.

At sea, Israeli warships continued their violations by firing shells and bullets at fishing boats off the coast of Gaza City. Local sources stated that the shooting aimed to force fishermen to retreat towards the shore and prevent them from carrying out their work, exacerbating the living suffering of the Strip's residents.

On the ground, Israeli artillery heavily shelled the eastern areas of Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The artillery shelling was accompanied by intense gunfire from military vehicles stationed behind the security fence, causing material damage to citizens' property without recording new injuries in that area.

These field developments come in the context of repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2025. According to Ministry of Health data, these violations since the signing of the agreement until yesterday have led to the martyrdom of 922 Palestinians and the injury of more than 2,700 others.

It is worth noting that the ceasefire agreement came after a long period of comprehensive aggression and the war of extermination launched by Israel with American support since October 2023. That war left massive destruction affecting about 90% of the infrastructure in the Strip, turning it into an uninhabitable area due to a severe shortage of basic resources.

Official statistics indicate that the total number of victims of the Israeli aggression since its beginning has exceeded 72,000 martyrs and more than 172,000 injured. Despite reaching truce agreements, the field reality indicates the continuation of systematic targeting of Palestinian military and civilian personnel in various governorates of the Gaza Strip.

The occupation claims that the martyr Imad Aslim led infiltration operations on October 7 and posed an immediate threat to its forces through intensive military plans.