The Israeli occupation army announced today, Sunday, the execution of an aerial targeting operation against a group it described as armed, claiming they attempted to approach its military positions. The official narrative of the occupation claimed that monitoring and surveillance systems tracked the group's movements before the decision to attack was made, noting that the incident occurred within what the army describes as defense of sensitive security areas.

Sources reported that the occupation's air force launched a direct raid on the targeted site, which, according to Israeli claims, resulted in the death of one of the group's members. Despite the official statement, the occupation authorities did not provide any concrete evidence or field documentation proving the nature of the threat posed by that group or the identities of the individuals targeted in the raid.

The military statement was vague regarding geographical details, as the exact location where the targeting operation took place or the front that witnessed this security tension was not disclosed. The military censor also imposed a blackout on the identity of the person whose death was announced, merely referring to the incident within a general context lacking the detailed information customary in such operations.

The occupation army uses the term 'Yellow Line' to refer to hypothetical security boundaries or buffer zones, considering their crossing as a transgression of red lines that necessitate an immediate military response. These developments come amidst a state of continuous security alert, as the occupation seeks to impose new field equations under various security pretexts on different fronts adjacent to its military positions.

Surveillance systems tracked a group of armed individuals who crossed what is called the Yellow Line and approached military points.

The fifth batch of wounded and sick individuals from the Gaza Strip departed today, Sunday, via the Rafah land crossing, heading to the Arab Republic of Egypt to receive necessary medical treatment. This batch includes 44 critical Palestinian cases requiring medical intervention unavailable within the Strip due to the deterioration of the healthcare system.

The transfer of the injured took place after they were gathered at the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Khan Yunis city, south of the Strip, where they were accompanied by World Health Organization teams to ensure their safety during the journey. This step comes amid an urgent need for thousands of wounded to travel after two years of continuous war.

Coinciding with the departure of the wounded, field sources reported the arrival of a group of returning Palestinians to the Egyptian side of the crossing to complete their entry procedures into Gaza. The sources confirmed a state of high alert at the border facility to facilitate the movement of travelers and injured individuals coming from various areas of the Strip.

Regarding technical commitments, reports revealed that the Israeli occupation authorities have not adhered to the agreed-upon agreement for operating the crossing, which stipulates allowing 150 people to depart and 50 others to return daily. Data indicated that the occupation is imposing technical and security obstacles that prevent the full implementation of these understandings.

A recent Palestinian statistic showed that the number of departures over the past four days did not exceed 138 people, while only 77 Palestinians were allowed to return to their homes. These figures reflect a significant gap between what was agreed upon and the reality on the ground imposed by the occupation army at the crossing.

The occupation army had abruptly closed the crossing last Friday and Saturday without providing any official justifications, leading to a backlog of travelers. Returnees also reported harsh testimonies about being subjected to field interrogations and deliberate insults while passing through Salah al-Din Street and on the Palestinian side of the crossing.

It is worth noting that the Rafah crossing resumed its activity on February 2nd, marking the first time the crossing has operated regularly in nearly two years. This operation comes as part of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan concerning the Gaza Strip, which was announced in mid-January.

These developments come at a time when Gaza is still recovering from a genocidal war that began in October 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of approximately 72,000 Palestinians and the injury of 171,000 others. Military operations also caused near-total destruction of infrastructure and civilian facilities in various governorates of the Strip.

The occupation did not adhere to the agreement for operating the Rafah crossing, which stipulated allowing 150 Palestinians to travel daily.

On Friday evening, the Omani capital, Muscat, witnessed the launch of the first round of direct nuclear negotiations between the Iranian and American delegations, in a step aimed at breaking the deadlock surrounding the nuclear file. Despite positive statements from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Badr Al Busaidi, leading to optimism expressed by US President Donald Trump, the situation on the ground remains tense.

These negotiations are taking place at a time when the United States continues to strengthen its military presence in the region, with the aircraft carrier 'Abraham Lincoln' showcasing its combat capabilities off the Iranian coast. This intense military presence reflects the Trump administration's doctrine of 'peace through strength,' indicating that the military option remains strongly on the American table.

For its part, Tehran did not stand idly by, but rather showcased its missile power in conjunction with the diplomatic movement, revealing the 'Khorramshahr 4' ballistic missile. This missile features hypersonic capabilities reaching 16 times the speed of sound and a range of 3000 kilometers, making it capable of hitting strategic targets deep within and beyond the region.

Field skirmishes were not absent from the scene, as sources reported that an American aircraft shot down an Iranian reconnaissance drone that attempted to approach American naval vessels. The negotiations were also preceded by Iranian attempts to intercept a commercial ship flying the American flag in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the high state of tension preceding any potential political understandings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed that his country is entering this round with 'open eyes,' in reference to Tehran's incomplete trust in American intentions based on previous experiences. Araghchi clarified that Iran is prepared for all scenarios, including the option of war, despite its preference for diplomatic solutions that guarantee its peaceful nuclear rights.

In contrast, statements by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlight the ideological dimension of the current administration, as he stressed that American power derives its momentum from faith-based values and a sacred duty. This rhetoric reinforces the conviction that Washington will not hesitate to use force if it believes that the diplomatic path does not achieve its goals of fully curbing Iranian capabilities.

Political readings indicate that the Trump administration, driven by intense Israeli pressure, seeks to impose quick and comprehensive deals that are not limited to the nuclear file alone. Washington insists on including Iran's ballistic missile program and regional influence in any future agreement, which Tehran considers a red line that cannot be crossed.

Tehran understands that Washington's acceptance of negotiations may be part of a broader strategy aimed at gaining time or justifying future military action if talks fail. Therefore, the Iranian leadership is keen to demonstrate its high military readiness, while hinting at its missiles' ability to penetrate the latest Israeli and American defense systems.

Despite the damage inflicted on the Iranian nuclear program during the June 2025 confrontations, reports indicate that those operations failed to achieve their ultimate goal of completely destroying the project. This relative military failure forces the US administration to carefully review its calculations before embarking on any new military adventure that could ignite the region.

Iran, for its part, appears ready to make technical concessions, such as reducing uranium enrichment levels to internationally acceptable levels, or freezing some activities for a specified period. Tehran bases this on religious fatwas that prohibit the possession of nuclear weapons, while at the same time affirming its adherence to the peaceful uses of atomic energy in accordance with international standards.

On the Israeli side, developments in Muscat are being closely monitored, as it views the Iranian regime as an existential threat that must be eradicated or radically curbed. Washington has tried to exploit internal unrest in Iran to pressure the regime, but these attempts have not yet led to tangible political change in the structure of governance in Tehran.

The current conflict is a conflict of wills par excellence, where each party seeks to use negotiations to serve its own agenda; Tehran wants to lift sanctions and develop its capabilities, while Washington wants to dismantle the Iranian threat. The question remains whether this round will lead to a historic agreement or whether it is merely a warrior's respite before a broader confrontation.

Negotiations in Muscat will not be easy by any means, especially with Washington's insistence on linking the nuclear file to regional proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. This linkage represents a major dilemma for the Iranian negotiator, who views these proxies as a strategic depth that cannot be compromised under any political or economic pressures.

In conclusion, the coming hours and days remain crucial in determining the course of the relationship between the two poles, either reaching understandings that ensure a minimum of stability, or returning to the square of escalation. In both cases, the region stands on a hot plate, as the outbreak of an open confrontation will have catastrophic repercussions that extend beyond the borders of the two countries concerned.

Iran enters the diplomatic arena with open eyes and a firm memory, and it wants to conclude an agreement but is at the same time ready for war.

Various areas of the occupied West Bank witnessed a new escalation on the ground, as two Palestinian citizens were injured by Israeli occupation forces' bullets during widespread incursions. These attacks coincided with assaults carried out by groups of settlers targeting citizens' homes in the Musafir Bani Na'im area, east of Hebron.

Field sources reported that the occupation forces carried out an arrest campaign targeting at least 12 Palestinians, concentrated in the governorates of Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. These actions come within the framework of the daily raid policy pursued by the Israeli army in Palestinian cities and towns under the pretext of security pursuit.

Regarding the incursions, Israeli forces raided the Al-Nour and Rafidia neighborhoods in Nablus city, in addition to the town of Asira al-Qibliya, where they arrested five citizens after searching their homes and tampering with their contents. Arrests also targeted five others from the town of Shuyukh and Al-Arroub refugee camp north of Hebron after similar raid operations.

At military checkpoints, occupation forces arrested a Palestinian citizen while he was passing through the Jabara military checkpoint south of Tulkarm. In the central West Bank, a military force stormed the village of Aboud northwest of Ramallah and arrested a young man from his home, raising the level of tension in the area which suffers from continuous restrictions.

Coinciding with these developments, a high-level international diplomatic delegation began a field visit to Hebron Governorate to examine the extent of Israeli violations. The delegation includes 24 consuls, ambassadors, and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations, including the European Union, UNRWA, and the World Food Program.

The international delegation's tour aims to observe the difficult living conditions faced by the residents of the Old City of Hebron, in light of the tightened military measures and restrictions on movement. The diplomats were briefed on the escalating humanitarian and economic challenges resulting from the policies of closure and settlement expansion surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Human rights reports indicate that Hebron city has recently been subjected to a series of repressive measures, including the imposition of curfews and the closure of streets with iron gates. Local officials believe that these practices aim to displace the indigenous population and expand the scope of Israeli control in the heart of the historic city.

In a related context, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed in a recent statement that the number of prisoners in occupation prisons has exceeded 9,300 prisoners as of early February. This total includes 56 women and 350 children, living in harsh detention conditions lacking the most basic humanitarian and legal requirements.

Official statistics indicate that the occupation's attacks in the West Bank since October 2023 have resulted in a tragic reality, with 1,112 martyrs and approximately 11,500 injured. The number of recorded arrests during this period reached more than 21,000 cases, in an unprecedented escalation affecting all segments of Palestinian society.

Israel continues its settlement expansion policy in the West Bank, practices that the United Nations and international organizations describe as illegal and in violation of international law. Observers believe that this policy falls within the de facto annexation plans that the current Israeli government seeks to implement on the ground.

Popular and official concerns are growing about the occupation's exploitation of the current situation to change the geographical and demographic features in the West Bank. The Hebron area stands out as one of the most targeted areas, where settlers, with the support of the army, seek to tighten the noose on Palestinians in their residential neighborhoods.

Palestinians affirm that intensifying arrest campaigns, killings, and displacement aims to break popular will and pave the way for imposing full Israeli sovereignty. In the absence of international deterrence, these daily violations continue, turning the lives of citizens in the West Bank into a series of successive humanitarian crises.

The occupation fuels the alleged chaos in Hebron to pave the way for de facto annexation operations and the expansion of closed areas surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque.

A state of anticipation prevails within political and security circles in Israel ahead of the snap visit that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to make to Washington next Wednesday. This sudden move comes at a sensitive time, as speculations increase about the nature of the ongoing understandings between President Donald Trump's administration and the Iranian regime.

The office of the occupation government's prime minister clarified in a brief statement that the primary goal of the visit is to affirm Israel's firm stance on the necessity of including strict restrictions on the ballistic missile project in any negotiations with Tehran. Netanyahu also emphasizes the need to stop Iranian support for proxies in the region, considering these elements vital for Israel's national security.

Observers believe that the timing of the visit raises many questions, especially since Netanyahu has pre-scheduled appointments in the United States within the next two weeks. This urgency is interpreted by some as the existence of dramatic developments behind the scenes of the American-Iranian negotiations that may not satisfy Israeli ambitions to undermine the regime.

For its part, several Hebrew media outlets reviewed several scenarios for this visit, including the possibility of coordinating an imminent military strike against Iranian facilities. Meanwhile, other analyses suggested that Netanyahu is trying to escape increasing internal pressures and demands for accountability for the security failure on October 7th.

In a related context, political analyst Yaakov Bardugo indicated that there are fears of the influence of regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey on the White House's decision. Bardugo warned that the American focus solely on the nuclear file is not enough, stressing that Israel may be forced to act alone to neutralize the ballistic missile threat.

Reports indicate that Netanyahu seeks to hear President Trump's position directly, and not just rely on the meetings his advisors held with American envoys. It appears there is a gap in expectations between what Israel demands and Trump's desire to conclude a 'historic' agreement that ends tension without entering into an all-out war.

Domestically, Netanyahu faces harsh criticism from his political opponents, with outgoing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant describing him as a liar and the primary person responsible for military failures. Some circles consider the intensive foreign visits a way to divert attention from the political and legal crises pursuing him.

In a different reading, analyst Shimon Sheffer believes that President Trump will not be drawn into a direct military confrontation with Iran, but will rather seek a diplomatic solution that he can declare as a political victory. Sheffer recalls Netanyahu's repeated statements for decades about Iran approaching a nuclear bomb, describing them as a scare tactic that has not achieved its goals.

At the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, researcher Raz Zimmt believes that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faces a real dilemma between conceding on missiles or facing collapse. Zimmt believes that missiles represent the regime's only insurance policy, and abandoning them may mean temporary protection but paves the way for the regime's future downfall.

Doubts are increasing about the extent of Washington's commitment to Israel's demands regarding missile range and warhead weights, despite statements from the US State Department about full coordination. It appears that the occupation government is cautiously monitoring Trump's statements, which sometimes ignore the issue of Iranian proxies in the region.

For his part, expert in American affairs Eitan Gilboa considered that the current coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv is limited to military aspects only, without political ones. Gilboa explained that Trump may have abandoned the 'regime change' strategy in Tehran, preferring to reach a permanent agreement that prevents major military escalation.

Media sources indicate that Israel is trying to exploit its strong relations with the Trump administration to ensure that no free concessions are given to Iran on the sanctions file. The Israeli bet remains on Netanyahu's ability to convince the American president that overthrowing the Iranian regime is in the interest of global stability.

Amidst these complexities, a question arises as to whether Tehran will accept Trump's new conditions, which differ from the 2015 agreement. Analysts believe that Iran may be forced to drink the 'cup of poison' and agree to technical restrictions in exchange for guaranteeing the regime's survival and lifting its economic isolation.

In conclusion, next Wednesday's visit remains a pivotal moment in determining the path of confrontation or settlement in the Middle East, as Netanyahu seeks to extract solid security guarantees. International circles await the results of this meeting, which may shape American policy towards Tehran for the next four years.

Israel cannot tolerate a neighboring state possessing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles after the events of October 7th.

Field sources reported the martyrdom of two Palestinians and the serious injury of a third, as a result of military operations carried out by the Israeli army this Sunday morning. Occupation fire and artillery shells targeted the town of Beit Lahia in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, as well as the eastern areas of Deir al-Balah city located in the center of the Strip.

The early hours of dawn witnessed a series of intense airstrikes and artillery shelling that targeted various areas under Israeli army control. These military movements come in the context of repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, with the shelling focusing on the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City and the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the south.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that helicopters and military vehicles fired indiscriminately at residential gatherings in Khan Younis. Witnesses explained that all targeted sites are within the 'Yellow Line', which is the division approved by the ceasefire agreement to separate areas of Israeli troop deployment from areas of Palestinian movement.

On the political front, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump's envoys. Ben Gvir accused Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff of trying to push through the 'Peace Council' plan, which he sees as conflicting with Israeli security interests in the Gaza Strip.

In statements to the Hebrew Broadcasting Corporation, Ben Gvir described the American envoys as 'naive', considering that they are misleading President Trump about the reality on the ground. The extremist minister stressed his absolute rejection of any settlement that allows tens of thousands of armed men to remain within the Strip, in reference to his opposition to the terms of the proposed American plan.

These field and political developments come at a time when the Strip is trying to recover from the effects of a devastating war that lasted for two full years. That war left a heavy toll of more than 72,000 martyrs and 171,000 injured, with women and children forming the largest proportion of victims who fell during the military operations ongoing since October 2023.

International reports indicate that destruction has affected about 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, making life in large areas almost impossible. The United Nations estimates the cost of reconstruction at about $70 billion, amid enormous challenges facing those returning to their areas due to ongoing Israeli restrictions and obstacles.

The Americans are very naive, especially Kushner and Witkoff, because they are planting incorrect ideas in Trump's head about Gaza.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir launched a sharp attack on US President Donald Trump's team, accusing them of adopting inaccurate views on the future of the Gaza Strip. Ben Gvir stated that there are attempts to plant misleading ideas within the new US administration regarding sensitive regional issues.

In statements made to the Hebrew Broadcasting Authority, Ben Gvir specifically named the President's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Stephen Witkoff, accusing them of misleading President Trump. The far-right minister affirmed his categorical rejection of any international plans aimed at rebuilding the Gaza Strip, describing these approaches as unrealistic and unattainable.

Despite his criticisms of the American team, Ben Gvir expressed great confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to influence the White House's stance. He praised Netanyahu's management of the Iranian nuclear file, describing his performance as excellent and his ability to speak on equal terms with the American side as crucial for achieving Israeli interests.

These statements come at a sensitive time, as White House sources revealed President Trump's response to Netanyahu's request to advance the date of his official visit to Washington. The summit between the two parties is scheduled for next Wednesday to discuss developments on the ground in Gaza and increasing Iranian threats.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office clarified that the agenda Netanyahu is taking to Washington primarily focuses on setting strict conditions for any future negotiations with Tehran. These conditions include undermining Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, as well as ending its military and political influence in the region's countries.

In a move reflecting the military and security nature of the visit, press reports indicated that the commander of the Israeli Air Force would be part of Netanyahu's accompanying delegation. This accompaniment suggests the possibility of discussing operational plans or high-level security coordination related to the Iranian file and ongoing military operations.

Concurrently with these movements, the Omani capital, Muscat, witnessed the conclusion of a round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, mediated by Oman. Witkoff and Kushner represented the American side in these talks, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi led the Iranian delegation.

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio set clear parameters for the success of any dialogue with Tehran, pointing to the necessity of addressing the issue of supporting armed organizations. Rubio affirmed that Washington is closely monitoring Iran's seriousness in dealing with outstanding issues, including its human rights record and missile program.

In contrast, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi adopted a rigid stance towards American demands, emphasizing that his country would not compromise its national sovereignty. Araqchi stressed that Tehran only seeks to discuss the lifting of international sanctions that impose immense pressure on the Iranian economy and rejects the inclusion of other issues in the talks.

These political tug-of-wars reflect the complexity of the relationship between the occupation government and the Trump administration, especially with the presence of a right-wing current within Israel that rejects any compromises in Gaza. The upcoming meeting in Washington remains the real test of Netanyahu's ability to balance internal pressures with the aspirations of the new American administration.

The American administration will ultimately realize that rebuilding the Gaza Strip is unrealistic.

Palestinian circles and social media platforms witnessed a heated debate following reports of significant amendments to national school curricula. These allegations included the deletion of content related to national constants and the alteration of established historical and cultural terms, raising widespread fears that official bodies were succumbing to conditional international pressures.

According to activists and local media, the alleged changes affected dozens of textbooks for students from first to tenth grade. Criticisms focused on undermining sensitive issues such as the issue of prisoners, the right of return, and the status of Jerusalem, in addition to replacing educational texts with others said to promote alternative narratives.

For its part, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education promptly issued a comprehensive clarifying statement to respond to these accusations and refute the published documents. The Ministry affirmed that the majority of what is circulated in the digital space has no connection to the official Palestinian curriculum, but rather is the result of forgery and distortion practiced by the Israeli occupation in schools in occupied Jerusalem.

The Ministry explained that the occupation authorities systematically seek to 'Israelize' education in the Holy City by changing evidence and examples in textbooks. It stressed that the attempt to attribute these distorted curricula to the Ministry falls within a disinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the national educational system before the Palestinian public.

In response to the criticisms, the Ministry accused externally funded media outlets of deliberately conflating the State of Palestine's international commitments with educational content. It indicated that these parties are trying to portray the alignment of education with UNESCO standards as a concession of national values, which the Ministry categorically denied.

The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to UNESCO standards related to educational quality and the development of students' scientific and educational skills. It clarified that these standards aim to modernize the educational system and align it with the requirements of the international labor market, without compromising the cultural identity or historical narrative of the Palestinian people.

As part of its development plan, the Ministry revealed the start of implementing an integrated educational system that includes the experience of interactive schools and the development of the teaching profession. It also referred to the new system for the General Secondary Education Examination ('Tawjihi'), which will be held over two years, a system aimed at early specialization and reducing the burden on students.

Despite official clarifications, concern still prevails among parents and educational specialists regarding the limits of the impact of international standards. Concerns focused on issues such as gender equality and the reformulation of family concepts, with critics demanding guarantees that education will not be separated from the system of Islamic values and societal traditions.

Activists and followers demanded the adoption of full transparency by publishing any curriculum amendments before their official adoption. They considered that preserving students' national awareness represents the first line of defense against attempts to erase identity, emphasizing that education under occupation must remain committed to historical rights.

In conclusion of the debate, observers stressed the importance of distinguishing between necessary academic development and ideological change that may be imposed through conditional support. National actors called for the formation of independent review committees to ensure the balance of curricula between global standards and Palestinian specificity, which is affirmed by international laws for peoples under occupation.

What is being circulated mostly relates to examples and evidence that the occupation has changed in the curricula of Jerusalem schools, as part of the policy of Israelizing the Holy City.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday evening that Netanyahu would travel to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning, in an urgent visit that comes just one day after the start of US-Iranian talks in the Sultanate of Oman. Netanyahu is expected to depart for the United States on Tuesday and return on Thursday, in an intensive schedule that reflects the sensitivity of the current phase and the intertwining issues governing the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, primarily the Iranian file, both its nuclear and military aspects. In an official statement, Netanyahu's office stressed that the Prime Minister, against whom an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court in 2024 after being accused of war crimes committed in Gaza, believes that any negotiations with Iran should not be limited to the nuclear issue alone, but should include strict restrictions on the ballistic missile program, in addition to "ending support for the Iranian axis" in the region. The statement implicitly indicated Israeli concerns about the direction of the US-Iranian talks so far, a clear hint that Tel Aviv does not want to be left out of the decision-making room, nor to be surprised by a negotiating path that might lead to understandings that do not meet its security conditions. Experts believe that the timing of Netanyahu's visit is not a mere protocol detail, but a complex political message. Through this meeting, Israel is trying to transform itself into a party present in setting the American ceiling for negotiations, not just a recipient of the results. In contrast, Washington seeks to manage the Iranian file in a way that serves its broader interests, not necessarily Israel's maximum conditions. Therefore, the visit appears to be an attempt to reset the rhythm: Netanyahu wants to prevent an "incomplete settlement," and Trump wants a deal that is marketable domestically and internationally. For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that Tehran would not accept the inclusion of the missile issue in any negotiation process. Araghchi said, in an interview with Al Jazeera while talks were ongoing in Muscat: "The missile program is absolutely non-negotiable," considering these missiles a "defensive matter." This Iranian stance reflects a constant red line for the Islamic Republic and indicates that the gap between the Israeli and Iranian visions is not a technical detail, but a disagreement over the definition of security itself and the limits of national sovereignty. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met in Muscat on Friday with an Iranian delegation led by Araghchi, as part of indirect talks mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Al Busaidi said in a post on "X" that the meeting was "useful for clarifying Iranian and American viewpoints and identifying areas of possible progress," in diplomatic phrasing that suggests both parties laid out their general positions without major breakthroughs. In the same context, expectations speak of the United States and Iran preparing for a second round of nuclear talks in the coming days. The first round focused on Iran's nuclear program, while Araghchi was quoted as saying that his country would not give up its "right" to enrich uranium. Sources also reported that the ballistic missile file was not raised for discussion in the first sessions, which increases Israel's concern, as it considers this file essential to any agreement. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu was scheduled to be in Washington between February 18 and 22, but the date was moved up a week at Netanyahu's request, according to a White House official quoted by "Axios." This is Netanyahu's seventh visit to the United States since Trump began his second term just over a year ago. The last visit was in late December, when Netanyahu spent New Year's Eve at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, indicating the close personal and political relationship between the two men. According to Israeli media, the new Israeli Air Force Commander, Brigadier General Omar Tischler, will join Netanyahu on this trip. Tischler was recently appointed to a role similar to a "military envoy" to the Pentagon, in preparation for taking command of the Air Force next April. Reports noted that he unusually joined Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a previous visit to the United States this month, where they met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kin and other American officials at the Pentagon, suggesting that the military aspect is strongly present in the calculations of this phase. Considering the Air Force Commander's accompaniment on a political visit is not just "escort," but an indicator of the nature of the messages Israel wants to send. When missiles and enrichment are raised, the Air Force becomes the primary tool of pressure: either as a deterrent or as an operational option. Tischler's presence suggests that Tel Aviv does not want the visit to be read as merely a political dialogue, but as a re-establishment of the equation of "negotiation under the ceiling of power." It also places Washington under the responsibility of controlling its ally and preventing a slide into an uncalculated escalation. In contrast, a day after the Oman talks, Witkoff and Kushner visited the US aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" on Saturday morning, a week after its arrival in the region amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The carrier is stationed in the Arabian Sea, accompanied by a battle group including destroyers and naval cruisers, in a military display that reflects that the negotiation process is not separate from a show of force. CNN reported that the visit was at the invitation of the Commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper. Witkoff later confirmed the visit in a post on "X," saying that he, along with Kushner and Cooper, "met with brave sailors and marines" aboard the carrier and its battle group, considering their presence to "support President Trump's message of peace through strength." He added that they met the pilot who "shot down an Iranian drone" that approached the carrier "without clear intent" last week. Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet with Araghchi for the second time next week, as Trump said on Friday, describing the first meeting as "very good." Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on its way to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend: "Iran seems to want to make a deal very badly, as they should." However, Trump, at the same time, continued to brandish options of force to compel Iran to an agreement on its nuclear program, amid a US naval buildup in the region. Thus, the threads of diplomacy intersect with military display at one moment: Washington negotiates and pressures, Tehran refuses to expand the files, and Tel Aviv seeks to raise the bar of conditions. Between these three parties, it seems that any potential progress will not be the product of "good intentions," but the result of precise balances between what can be accepted at the table and what must be rejected.

The countryside of Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate witnessed a dangerous field escalation targeting vital infrastructure, as more than 100,000 Palestinian citizens face the threat of a complete water cut-off. This came after an attack carried out by groups of settlers on Saturday evening, targeting the main station of water wells in the 'Ein Samiya' area, located east of Kafr Malik town, which led to a complete disruption of supplies.

Local sources reported that more than 15 settlers stormed the water facility and physically assaulted employees of the Jerusalem Water Undertaking while they were performing their field work. The assault did not stop at physical intimidation; the attackers also deliberately destroyed the internal contents of the station and sabotaged the operational and technical equipment necessary for pumping operations, before occupation forces stormed the area with military vehicles to secure the withdrawal of the assailants.

For its part, the Jerusalem Water Undertaking issued an urgent statement warning of the catastrophic repercussions of this attack, which it described as brutal, stressing that the repeated attacks recently culminated in the complete cessation of pumping. The Undertaking explained that this forced halt deprives residents of their basic right to access drinking water, especially given the difficult conditions in the region.

According to technical data, this attack directly and immediately affects 19 Palestinian residential communities that rely exclusively on 'Ein Samiya' wells as their sole source of water supply. These wells are considered the main lifeline in the eastern Ramallah countryside, making their sabotage a tool of a systematic 'thirst' policy targeting the Palestinian presence in those areas.

Within the framework of legal and international actions, the Water Undertaking confirmed that it has begun intensive contacts with various relevant international and local parties to pressure for an end to these violations and to provide protection for water facilities. It stressed that the continued targeting of technical teams and equipment threatens Palestinian water security in an unprecedented way, and warns of a humanitarian crisis that will be difficult to control if immediate intervention is not made.

It called on the responsible authorities to provide urgent international protection for water facilities and their crews to ensure the continuity of work, and to immediately begin repairing what the settlers destroyed to restart the wells. These demands come at a time when fears are escalating about the expansion of targeting Palestinian natural resources as part of the tightening policy practiced by settler groups under army protection.

The continuation of this situation poses a serious threat to water security and warns of an exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in the affected areas.

Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas's political bureau abroad, stressed that any attempts to disarm the Palestinian resistance while the occupation continues represent an existential threat to the Palestinian people. Meshaal clarified that disarming Palestinians of their means of defense aims, in essence, to turn them into victims who are easy to eliminate, describing weapons as the 'soul' of the resistance that cannot be abandoned under military or political pressure.

Regarding the proposed security arrangements, Meshaal indicated that the movement adopts a logical approach that links the issue of weapons with providing a safe environment that allows for the relief of the Gaza Strip and the initiation of comprehensive reconstruction operations. He affirmed that the goal is to reach, through international mediators, a system of guarantees that prevents the re-ignition of military confrontations, away from the blackmail conditions that the Israeli government is trying to impose on the field and political reality.

The Hamas leader revealed details of the equation that the movement presents to international parties, which is based on the idea of preserving and securing weapons away from use or ostentatious displays, in exchange for decisive international guarantees against the recurrence of Israeli aggression on the Strip. He also pointed out that the resistance has submitted a proposal for a long-term truce to be a real safety valve, stressing that the real source of danger in the region is the occupation, not Gaza, which is internationally demanded to disarm.

Meshaal expressed optimism about the possibility of convincing the current US administration, led by Donald Trump, of this vision, attributing it to what he described as the 'pragmatic mentality' that currently governs Washington. He clarified that mediators are already engaged in discussions with the American side about this approach, seeking to impose it as a political reality on the Israeli side to end the state of conflict and ensure long-term stability in the region.

Disarming under occupation is an attempt to make our people easy victims to eliminate, and it is like disarming the soul.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán revealed new diplomatic details concerning the future of the Gaza Strip, announcing that he had received an official invitation to participate in the inaugural meeting of what is known as the 'Peace Council'. This council is scheduled to commence its work in the American capital, Washington, in about two weeks, in a step aimed at laying the groundwork for a comprehensive reconstruction process.

Orbán clarified, during an election event in the Hungarian city of Szombathely, that the meeting would be chaired by US President Donald Trump and attended by international leaders. The Hungarian leader confirmed that he would personally attend the session to meet Trump, noting that the invitation arrived in Budapest last Friday, reflecting the acceleration of American diplomatic steps in this matter.

Reports from Washington indicate that the United States Institute of Peace will host this summit on February 19th. The primary focus of the attendees will be on activating the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which aims to end the ongoing conflict and transition to a phase of permanent stability.

This summit represents an international platform for mobilizing a massive funding campaign, as the US administration seeks to raise billions of dollars from international donors. These funds are intended to initiate the reconstruction of infrastructure and residential areas that suffered widespread destruction during recent military operations in the Strip.

The list of founding members of the council includes a group of influential regional and international powers, among them the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. Major countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia also participate in this body, giving the council significant political and economic weight on the international stage.

According to informed sources, the council's structure allows some countries to obtain permanent membership in exchange for providing major financial contributions to support the reconstruction fund. Some of these proposed contributions have reached approximately one billion dollars, reflecting the seriousness of the participating parties in achieving tangible results on the ground in Gaza.

This diplomatic movement coincides with an anticipated visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on February 18th, one day before the council meeting. Gaza and regional negotiations are expected to top the agenda of bilateral discussions between Trump and Netanyahu in Washington.

The 'Peace Council' derives its international legitimacy from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 of 2025, which granted it an explicit mandate to oversee the stability of the Strip. The body operates according to a comprehensive 20-point American vision, aimed at ensuring sustainable security and providing a suitable environment for economic growth in the region.

The charter of this international body was officially signed during the Davos Economic Forum last January, in the presence of a constellation of international leaders and officials. Although the initial goal of the council was limited to the Palestinian issue, there are indications of the possibility of expanding its tasks to include other international conflicts in the future.

These moves raise questions about the nature of the future relationship between the 'Peace Council' and the United Nations, amid concerns about the emergence of a parallel entity to the international organization. However, Washington affirms that the council works in coordination with international legitimacy to ensure rapid implementation and effective results in conflict areas.

In a related context, the region is witnessing parallel moves to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran, with diplomatic sources reporting direct meetings in the Sultanate of Oman. These meetings brought together Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with close advisors to President Trump, to discuss ways to avoid direct military confrontation.

The sources indicated that President Trump is currently inclined towards adopting peaceful solutions to the conflict with Iran, while maintaining a 'message of strength' that guarantees American interests. This approach comes within a broader strategy aimed at resolving crises in the Middle East to focus on development and reconstruction issues in Gaza and elsewhere.

On the ground, Israeli forces continue their operations in various areas of the West Bank, with incursions recorded in Wadi al-Far'a and Bethlehem. These developments come at a time when the Palestinian street awaits the results of political moves in Washington and their impact on the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

The main bet in the upcoming Washington meeting remains on the ability of international parties to translate financial commitments into real projects. Observers believe that the success of the 'Peace Council' in its first test in Gaza will determine the effectiveness of this new model in managing major international crises during the current US administration's era.

I received an official invitation; in two weeks, we will meet again in Washington, because the Peace Council will hold its inaugural meeting under the patronage of President Trump.

The Israeli occupation authorities continue to implement large-scale settlement plans in the occupied West Bank, having already begun constructing a new 6-kilometer-long settlement road in the northern area of Jerusalem. This vital project for settlers connects the town of Mikhmas to the east with Qalandia village to the west, threatening to completely isolate the holy city from its Palestinian geographical surroundings and fundamentally alter the region's landscape.

Local sources in Jerusalem Governorate reported that this road is part of a broader strategy to build a massive network of bypass roads surrounding occupied Jerusalem. These moves aim to tighten security and demographic control, and prevent any future geographical connection between Palestinian neighborhoods, thereby establishing a new reality that will be difficult to reverse in any future political settlements.

In a related context, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, affirmed that the current pace of settlement construction is unprecedented since 1967. He explained that the occupation systematically seeks to transform the Palestinian presence in the West Bank into mere 'foreign bodies' within a dominant settlement environment, rather than the settlements being the intruders on Palestinian land.

Field data indicates that the number of settlement outposts and colonial settlements has risen to approximately 500, spread across various hills of the West Bank. This increase is accompanied by tightened restrictions on the movement of Palestinian citizens through 1,100 military checkpoints and over 200 iron gates, turning villages and towns into open-air prisons that sever the Palestinian community.

For his part, academic and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Mohannad Mustafa, believes that the ruling right-wing in Israel is exploiting the international silence to accelerate forced displacement operations. He pointed out that the current focus is on emptying 'Area C' of its indigenous inhabitants, and transforming Palestinian population centers into isolated 'ghettos' lacking any elements for expansion or growth.

An integrated Israeli system, comprising the army, government, and settlers, plays a coordinating role in imposing this reality; protection and logistical support are provided to settlers during their attacks. Reports confirm that there are 151 settlement outposts classified by Israeli laws themselves as 'illegal,' yet the government supplies them with water, electricity, and tight security.

On the international level, there are differing stances towards these moves. Adolfo Franco, a strategic analyst for the American Republican Party, considered the Israeli actions to stem from purely security motives. Franco claimed that Washington still officially opposes any plans to annex the West Bank, referring to previous statements by President Donald Trump who threatened to halt support if unilateral annexation steps were taken.

However, Palestinian observers refuted these claims, asserting that the current right-wing government's project is a religious ideological one that goes beyond security pretexts. Israeli officials openly declare their belief that Palestinian land is a 'promised land,' and consider settlement expansion a religious and national duty not subject to negotiations or traditional international pressures.

The United Nations Human Rights Office warned of the catastrophic repercussions of these policies, emphasizing that military operations accompanying settlement expansion undermine the Palestinians' right to self-determination. The UN office stated that the unprecedented pace of expansion clearly indicates that it is a prelude to major settlement projects aimed at eliminating any chance for the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.

Various areas of the West Bank are witnessing an escalation in demolition operations targeting Palestinian homes and structures under the pretext of lacking permits, while settlers are granted full facilities to build new units. This stark contradiction in treatment reflects the policy of racial discrimination pursued by the occupation authorities to impose their full sovereignty over the land.

In light of these developments, the situation in the West Bank remains open to further escalation, as the Israeli right-wing sees the current circumstances as a 'historic opportunity' to resolve the conflict. While road construction and land confiscation continue, Palestinians face existential challenges in preserving what remains of their lands against the relentless settlement machine.

Israel is trying to change the character of the West Bank from Palestinian land with foreign bodies (settlements) to Israeli land where Palestinian villages become the foreign bodies.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the German capital, Berlin, on Saturday, in a large protest march that swept through the streets of the Wedding district to Leopoldplatz, expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people. Participants raised central slogans under the title 'Stop the Genocide,' condemning the continued Israeli military violations in the Gaza Strip despite international agreements.

The march saw Palestinian flags raised and symbolic images of war victims, including the child martyr Hind Rajab and Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, in reference to the targeting of civilians and medical personnel. Protesters called on the international community to intervene urgently to achieve justice and hold accountable those responsible for the crimes committed against Palestinians over the past two years.

The demonstrators directed sharp criticism at the German government, denouncing Berlin's continued military and political support for the Israeli authorities. Participants affirmed that providing Israel with weapons contributes to prolonging the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, demanding an immediate halt to all forms of military cooperation used to suppress civilians.

On the ground, German police imposed strict security measures around Leopoldplatz, where forces intervened to forcibly disperse protest gatherings. Field sources reported that the security intervention was characterized by violence at several points, leading to a tense situation between demonstrators and security forces who cordoned off the area.

The security interventions resulted in the arrest of at least four people, including a prominent member of the 'Jewish Voice' movement active in Germany. Security authorities justified these arrests on the pretext that participants used symbols described as 'forbidden,' which activists considered a restriction on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.

These popular movements come at a time when Gaza is witnessing continuous breaches of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025. Reports indicated that these breaches led to the death of hundreds of new martyrs, coinciding with the continued strict Israeli restrictions on the entry of essential humanitarian and medical aid for the besieged population.

It is worth noting that the genocidal war that began in October 2023 has left a heavy toll exceeding 72,000 martyrs and more than 171,000 injured, the vast majority of whom are women and children. The ongoing military operations have also caused the destruction of about 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the Strip, making life there almost impossible in the absence of basic services.

Demonstrators raised slogans demanding freedom for the Palestinian people and an immediate halt to the genocidal operations carried out by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

The course of Wadi Al-Muqatta' passing through Marj Ibn Amer, a vital artery in "Palestine's Green Basket," is subjected to severe environmental violations, including encroachment on the course's boundaries and the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste and carcasses of dead animals, such as cows and sheep. The presence of these carcasses creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of stray dogs and wild boars, providing them with a sustainable food source. It is worth noting that curbing this phenomenon directly contributes to controlling the numbers of stray dogs. In addition, the dead animals dumped in the wadi's course cause the spread of many diseases in the surrounding agricultural areas, posing a direct threat to other herds grazing in the area and potentially entering the course. These warnings are based on scientific field studies of biodiversity in the region conducted by Dr. Walid Basha, an environmental expert and director of Al-Basha Scientific Center for Studies and Research, and a professor of microbiology and immunology at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences at An-Najah National University, which reveal the serious repercussions of these practices. In light of these facts, Basha issued an urgent and pressing call to all responsible authorities, including municipalities and relevant ministries of agriculture, health, and environment, as well as security institutions, to take immediate action, demanding enhanced monitoring and field follow-up on the course of Wadi Al-Muqatta' and holding violators accountable, along with providing environmentally sound solutions for disposing of waste and dead animals in the area. He also emphasized the necessity of launching sustainable awareness campaigns for farmers and the local community to explain the serious health and environmental risks of such practices. He said: In this context, it is essential to develop a joint and long-term action plan among all relevant institutions to continuously monitor and protect this vital natural resource. He added: Protecting the course of Wadi Al-Muqatta' is a shared responsibility and a national duty, and ensuring its safety directly means preserving the health of citizens and the sustainability of Marj Ibn Amer, so that it remains a vital symbol of food and environmental security and the beating heart of "Palestine's Green Basket."

Today, Israeli occupation authorities forced a Palestinian citizen in occupied Jerusalem to demolish his home with his own hands, under the threat of imposing exorbitant financial fines if the demolition were carried out by the occupation municipality's machinery. This step comes as part of a series of decisions targeting Palestinian residential structures under the pretext of building without a permit, which human rights activists view as a means of forced displacement.

In a related context, local sources reported that occupation forces launched a raid campaign that resulted in the arrest of a director in the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The targeting of the commission's cadres comes amid an escalation in settlement activity in the West Bank, where the commission works to document violations and support the steadfastness of citizens in areas threatened with confiscation.

The city of Jerusalem and the West Bank are witnessing an escalation in home demolitions and arrests targeting activists and officials, in an attempt to undermine Palestinian institutional work against settlement expansion. The occupation authorities impose strict restrictions on granting building permits to Palestinians, forcing them to build to meet the needs of natural population growth.

The policy of self-demolition represents an Israeli pressure tool to displace Jerusalemites and empty the city of its indigenous inhabitants.

The Russian presidency (Kremlin) reported that the recent round of trilateral talks held in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, was constructive, indicating an agreement to continue these meetings in the coming period to enhance coordination among the participating parties.

The statement issued by the Kremlin did not reveal the precise details of the issues discussed during the meeting, but the positive assessment suggests progress on matters of common interest that prompted this trilateral meeting in the UAE.

These statements come amidst intensive diplomatic movements in the region, as the concerned parties seek to establish dialogue pathways, while informed sources confirmed that the continuation of these talks reflects a common desire to reach deeper understandings on current regional and international issues.

The trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi were constructive and will continue.

Field sources reported the continued Israeli forces carrying out a series of intense aerial and artillery attacks that targeted wide areas in the Gaza Strip, leading to extensive destruction of properties and infrastructure. These developments come amidst a continuous field escalation witnessed in the Strip on various fronts.

The sources clarified that the Israeli army's operations were not limited to traditional shelling, but also included systematic demolition operations of residential blocks and buildings in several areas, a method that has been increasingly repeated recently to change the geographical features in those areas.

In a related context, Israeli artillery continues to randomly target the eastern and northern areas of the Strip, increasing the suffering of displaced persons and residents who face harsh humanitarian conditions, amidst the absence of any immediate signs of de-escalation of military operations on the ground.

Israeli military operations continue to target infrastructure and residential areas through concentrated aerial and artillery bombardment.

On Saturday, settlers continued to escalate their attacks in various areas of the West Bank, targeting livestock herders, farmers, and their properties, pushing residents into difficult situations that threaten their livelihoods.

The attacks included expelling herders from their pastures in the northern Jordan Valley, grazing sheep among residents' homes in the village of Fasa'il al-Wusta north of Jericho, and acts of sabotage in the plain of Al-Mughayyir village east of Ramallah, where settlers attacked agricultural lands and homes, exposing residents to direct dangers.

Palestinian sources reported that settlers forced livestock herders in the northern Jordan Valley to leave their lands and prevented them from grazing there, in a clear continuation of their escalation against citizens and their properties. In the village of Fasa'il al-Wusta, settlers grazed their sheep among the residents' homes and stormed the home of the Abayat family, a move that Hassan Malihat, the general supervisor of the Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights, considered part of a series of escalating violations against residents in the area.

Al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, also witnessed settler attacks on agricultural lands near the Al-Khalayel area, where crops and residents' properties were sabotaged, following a similar attack two days earlier in the southern part of the village, which included a direct assault on residents while they were grazing their livestock.

These attacks reflect a recurring pattern through which settlers seek to impose control over lands and displace residents, in the absence of effective protection mechanisms for those affected.

The escalating violations against residents in the area are part of a series of attacks aimed at imposing control and displacing citizens.

In a highly significant political development, the Prime Minister's Office of the occupation entity announced on Saturday evening that Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington next Wednesday to meet with US President Donald Trump.

This visit comes at a critical moment, coinciding with the progress of the indirect "Muscat" negotiations between Washington and Tehran, where Netanyahu seeks to ensure that the security interests of the occupier are at the core of any agreement America concludes with the Iranian regime.

The occupation's Prime Minister's Office stressed that any negotiations with Iran should not be limited to nuclear enrichment only, but must include an explicit clause to limit cross-border ballistic missiles, and a comprehensive halt to support for those it described as "proxies" in the region.

Netanyahu believes that these conditions are the only guarantee to prevent Tehran from strengthening its regional influence under diplomatic cover.

Any negotiations with Iran should not be limited to nuclear enrichment only, but must include an explicit clause to limit ballistic missiles.

Over the past decade and a half, American strategic policy has witnessed a gradual shift towards focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, a path initiated by Barack Obama in 2011 to counter Chinese influence, and continued by strengthening military and economic alliances with countries in the region.

With Donald Trump's ascent to power in his first term in 2017, this trend solidified through the revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the imposition of technological restrictions on China. This approach also continued under Joe Biden, who strengthened defense relations with the Philippines and affirmed commitment to protecting Taiwan.

However, the current Trump administration is now adopting a different vision; the National Security Strategy issued last November shows that the White House's top priority is to maintain US dominance in the Western Hemisphere, with little space allocated to the strategic importance of Asia, to the extent that China was only mentioned on the nineteenth page of the document.

On the ground, relations with India deteriorated rapidly due to fluctuations in tariffs imposed by Trump, in addition to attempts at rapprochement with Pakistan. The administration also raised doubts about the reliability of its defense commitments with Japan, and adopted a more ambiguous stance towards Taiwan by declaring no opposition to unilateral changes in the Taiwan Strait.

In a notable shift, the White House recently approved the sale of advanced electronic chips to China, a move opposed by many regional partners. These indicators have prompted countries like Japan and South Korea to increase their self-military spending, while India has moved towards strengthening its alliances with other powers such as Russia, amidst a growing regional conviction that full reliance on partnership with Washington is not possible.

The United States under the Trump administration is adopting a vision that prioritizes maintaining its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, with a decline in the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region.

Military commentator Alon Ben David reported that the Iranian regime has entered a path of actual decline, an assessment that has become prevalent among most intelligence analysts in the occupation state. He indicated that the regime's survival is a matter of time, whether the United States launches a military attack or not, explaining that the regime will not be able to withstand continuous internal and external pressures, even if the collapse takes months or years.

Sources considered that any agreement Washington might reach with Tehran, whatever its content, would constitute a lifeline for a regime described as collapsing, likening the situation to the final stages of the Soviet Union's life, where external agreements kept a helpless regime alive for additional years. This assessment was recently conveyed to US President Donald Trump's envoys and senior officials in his administration.

The report noted that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 87, may not realize the true state of his regime due to the circle of advisors surrounding him. It explained that Khamenei drifted in 2024 into a direct confrontation with the occupation, attacking it twice from Iranian territory, which enabled the Israeli air force to strip Iran of its defensive capabilities and leave it completely exposed.

Sources revealed that President Trump issued an order on January 14 to launch a targeted attack on Iran, but he backed down hours before execution after consultations with regional leaders. The consultations clarified that a limited strike would not change the regime's behavior but might endanger American interests, prompting Trump's team to prepare options ranging from liquidating the leadership to a broad campaign to strip the Revolutionary Guard of power.

The report pointed to the failure of the "Midnight Hammer" operation targeting nuclear facilities last June, as its results were disappointing, prompting Washington to prepare for broader action. The United States continues to reinforce its forces, despite planners realizing that the current buildup is insufficient to carry out a broad campaign, while Israel currently has more fighter jets ready to strike Iran compared to the current American presence.

Military plans face the obstacle of most regional countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, refusing to allow the use of their airports for launching attacks, while Jordan remains the only country willing to do so alongside aircraft carriers. Analysts suggest that Trump may give negotiations a final chance to gain international legitimacy before resorting to military action, which senior defense officials see as the most likely option to end the crisis.

Any agreement Washington might reach with Tehran will constitute a lifeline for a collapsing regime, similar to what happened in the final stages of the Soviet Union's life.

In the Sultanate of Oman, yesterday, Friday, preparations began for a crucial round of negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Tehran chose to move the negotiation venue from Turkey to Muscat, a move that reflects its desire to benefit from Oman's historical neutrality and ability to mediate successfully, away from geopolitical competition with Ankara, and to maintain the secrecy of sensitive files that will be discussed.

Data indicates that President Donald Trump's administration is dealing with the Iranian file with a 'deal' mentality, having entrusted the task to a team including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Thomas Barrack, who are personal associates of Trump and have major economic backgrounds. Washington is betting in this round on the military and political pressures that Tehran has recently faced, especially after the joint attack on its nuclear program and missiles in June 2025.

These negotiations come at a time when Iran is suffering from a decline in its regional influence, starting with the weakening of its strategic ally in Lebanon and the ceasefire in November 2024, leading to a radical shift in Syria with the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, which forced Iranian forces to withdraw and lose their military and political bases there.

Internally, the Iranian leadership faces a deep rift following the bloody popular protests that erupted last December due to the suffocating economic crisis. Observers believe that these internal pressures are the main motive behind Tehran's compulsion to sit at the negotiating table, in an attempt to avoid any direct American military strikes that could threaten the regime's stability.

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio set the ceiling for American demands, emphasizing that the talks must go beyond the nuclear file to include ballistic missile range and human rights record. In contrast, Tehran is trying to hold on to its missile program as a last line of defense for its regional influence, making these negotiations a major gamble that could determine the future of Iran's role in the region.

It seems that abandoning nuclear ambitions under these circumstances represents the end of Iran's dream of joining the global 'club of powers', while the question remains about its ability to maintain its regional arms and militias in the Arab region in the face of the Trump administration's insistence on achieving a comprehensive deal that ends this influence.

The negotiations must include, in addition to the nuclear dispute, the range of Iran's ballistic missiles and its treatment of its people.

Hebrew press reports confirmed that all indications point to the United States being on track to reach a new nuclear agreement with Iran, noting that the terms of this agreement are currently being drafted. This assessment is based on conversations with veteran commentators in Washington and high-level diplomats at the United Nations headquarters in New York, who confirmed that the current negotiations will continue for several weeks.

Observers believe that the immediate importance of these moves contradicts the assessments of Israeli security officials who see a military conflict between the two sides as inevitable. Sources close to the White House reported that the American attack on Iran has been postponed indefinitely, and that it has been ruled out of calculations for both the foreseeable and distant future.

In the context of diplomatic moves, observers in Washington interpreted the meeting held last Tuesday between Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's envoy, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as a reconciliation step by Trump and a form of compensation in preparation for concluding the agreement with Tehran. The meeting witnessed an Israeli presentation of what was described as 'red lines' and the risks associated with any new agreement.

Despite Israeli attempts to influence, sources indicate that Netanyahu's views did not significantly affect Witkoff's direction, as the focus is currently on the Muscat negotiations that brought the American envoy together with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with the participation of senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman. The sources noted a prevailing concern among the Jewish community in New York due to Witkoff's escalating role as a key player in bilateral relations.

It is worth noting that these developments come at a time when the region is witnessing a rearrangement of diplomatic cards, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to resolve the nuclear issue through direct and regional negotiation channels, which places Israeli military threats in the face of a new political reality.

The American attack on Iran has been postponed indefinitely, and will not happen in the foreseeable future, or perhaps even in the distant future.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that a large number of patients and wounded are dying due to the obstruction of their passage for treatment outside the Strip, with the Rafah crossing closed since yesterday. This comes at a time when Israeli artillery shelled various parts of eastern Gaza City and eastern Jabalia town in the northern Strip, with a demolition operation east of Khan Younis in the southern Strip, which led to the death of a Palestinian in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood east of Gaza City, in an area located outside the areas of army deployment and control according to the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

On the humanitarian front, Zaher Al-Wahidi, director of the Information Center at the Ministry of Health in Gaza, confirmed in an interview with media sources that Israeli complications and security investigations exacerbate the suffering of Gaza residents, pointing to the closure of the Rafah crossing since yesterday. He said: "We lose patients and wounded daily due to the obstruction of their passage for treatment outside the Strip," pointing to a record shortage of medicines and medical supplies.

In this context, the Ministry warned of an imminent collapse of the healthcare system amid widespread depletion of medicines and medical supplies, and the inability of the remaining hospitals to meet the increasing needs of patients and wounded. The Ministry said in a statement that "46 percent of essential medicines, 66 percent of medical consumables, and 84 percent of laboratory materials and blood banks are unavailable in the Strip's hospitals," making the continued provision of healthcare a daily miracle.

The statement affirmed that the remaining operational hospitals in the Gaza Strip "are struggling to continue service and have turned into forced waiting stations for thousands of patients and wounded who face an unknown fate." The Ministry of Health in Gaza appealed to all concerned parties to intervene to strengthen drug stockpiles and save the health situation in the Strip's hospitals, as temporary emergency solutions are no longer effective.

Gazans are suffering tragic conditions due to the repercussions of a two-year Israeli genocide war in the Gaza Strip. Despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025, Israel prevents the entry of agreed-upon quantities of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where about 2.4 million Palestinians, including 1.5 million displaced persons, live in catastrophic conditions. The Israeli occupation army also continues to violate the agreement daily by launching raids on various areas in Gaza, which has led to the death of 574 Palestinians and the injury of 1518, most of them children and women, in addition to material destruction.

In this context, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that 37 Palestinian children have died in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the year amid a fragile ceasefire. The organization indicated in a report that "the situation remains extremely fragile and deadly for many children in Gaza, where children continue to suffer from airstrikes and are affected by the collapse of health, water, and education systems." It stressed the need for the ceasefire to hold and fulfill its promise to end the suffering of children in Gaza.

We lose patients and wounded daily due to the obstruction of their passage for treatment outside the Strip, and the remaining hospitals have turned into forced waiting stations facing an unknown fate.

The Israeli occupation army launched a campaign of raids, arrests, and field investigations at dawn on Saturday, targeting various areas of the occupied West Bank. The Israeli army stormed the village of Azzun, east of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, and arrested about 21 Palestinians from the town, interrogating them on the spot, including a child, during a widespread raid and search of several homes, before releasing them later, according to local sources.

In the neighboring village of Kafr Qaddum, Israeli forces arrested Murad Shteiwi, director of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, according to official sources. The sources stated that the occupation forces stormed the village and arrested Shteiwi after raiding and searching his home. In Nablus, local sources reported that Israeli forces arrested a young man during a raid on a building in the northern mountain area in the center of the city.

Occupation forces also arrested a young Palestinian man in the Mina area of Bethlehem, after assaulting him and confiscating his vehicle. In the southern West Bank, the army stormed the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and arrested a young man after raiding his family's home, according to local sources. Occupation forces stormed the Far'a refugee camp in Tubas and raided several homes. Other areas in the West Bank were also subjected to Israeli night raids and foot patrols, with no arrests reported.

The number of prisoners in Israeli jails reached more than 9,300, including 56 women and 350 children, as of early February, according to a statement by the Palestinian Prisoner's Club. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a teenager was seriously injured by occupation bullets in the town of Al-Eizariya in Jerusalem, and another young man was injured by live bullet shrapnel during clashes in the town of Sa'ir in Hebron, which witnessed heavy firing and tear gas grenades, causing suffocation cases.

In Ramallah, clashes erupted in the village of Aboud and in the city of Al-Bireh, accompanied by gunfire and tear gas grenades. Meanwhile, sources reported that settlers stormed the vicinity of a Palestinian family's home in the village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah, amidst provocations against the residents. Other settlers stormed the vicinity of a Palestinian home in the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, in the northern West Bank.

North of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, settlers released their livestock into the lands of the Hamroush area, east of the town of Sa'ir. Since the start of its war on the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, Israel has intensified its attacks in the West Bank, including killings, arrests, displacement, and settlement expansion. The attacks in the West Bank have resulted in at least 1,112 martyrs and approximately 11,500 injured, in addition to the arrest of more than 21,000.

The number of prisoners in Israeli jails reached more than 9,300, including 56 women and 350 children, as of early February.

The National Security Committee of the Iranian Parliament affirmed that Tehran 'has not and will not back down' from its red lines, following an indirect round of negotiations yesterday, Friday, between the United States and Iran in the Sultanate of Oman. Ibrahim Rezaei, a member of the presidium of the National Security Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, wrote on the 'X' platform: 'The Islamic Republic has not backed down from its red lines and will not back down from them.'

Rezaei added that 'after the failure of all their other military, economic, terrorist, and other options, Americans today have no choice but to accept the legitimate frameworks and rights of the Iranian people.'

These statements by the Iranian official come after US President Donald Trump praised 'very good' talks with Iran on Friday, confirming that the two sides would meet again 'early next week.' Trump considered that the results of the current discussions might surprise many, saying: 'If the Iranians had presented their current offer at the beginning of the negotiations a year ago, my administration would have accepted it.'

Trump added: 'I will not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon, and if we could have achieved that agreement two years ago, we would have completed the deal. But the Iranians did not want to do that, and they are currently in agreement, and they are ready to offer more than they were willing to offer a year and a half ago.'

In this context, sources in Tehran stated that the negotiations did not involve any contentious discussion points regarding the technical aspects of the Iranian nuclear program. The sources clarified that future sessions are expected to include legal and technical experts specializing in nuclear matters, which will confirm whether the negotiation process will continue in its positive trajectory or not.

Despite his positive statements, the US President increased pressure on Iran yesterday, Friday, by using the tariff weapon. Trump issued an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from any country that 'directly or indirectly' purchases goods from Iran, in implementation of his threat issued last month.

According to the text, which comes into effect today, Saturday, additional tariffs can be imposed 'on products imported into the United States that are produced by any country that directly or indirectly purchases or imports or otherwise obtains goods or services from Iran.'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio should determine the percentage these tariffs could reach, while the decree stipulated that they could be 'for example' 25 percent, a percentage mentioned by the US President in mid-January.

These tariffs will affect trade with a number of countries, including Russia, Germany, Turkey, and the UAE. According to World Trade Organization data, more than a quarter of Iran's trade activity in 2024 was with China.

The White House did not specify whether the issuance of a decree regarding these tariffs was linked to the negotiations that took place on Friday in the Sultanate of Oman. These are the first talks since the United States launched strikes last June on key sites of the Iranian nuclear program during the twelve-day aggression initiated by Israel against Iran.

After the failure of all their other military, economic, and terrorist options, Americans today have no choice but to accept the legitimate frameworks and rights of the Iranian people.

In a new escalation that raises concerns in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation army, yesterday, Friday, warned of evacuating a residential building in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, in preparation for bombing it, before its planes later destroyed it, in a move that brings back to the forefront the policy of 'pre-warnings' and expands the scope of targeting within civilian areas. These developments come within a series of escalating violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 2025, amidst fears of entrenching an operational pattern similar to the widespread targeting scenarios applied in Lebanon.

The targeting came shortly after the occupation army issued an urgent warning to the residents of 'Shaaban Building' and its surroundings of the necessity of immediate evacuation, claiming the presence of 'Hamas infrastructure' inside or near the building. The targeted building is located in a populated area and houses dozens of Palestinians, and hundreds of families were forced to flee the neighborhood for fear of being injured.

This is the second building to be destroyed since dawn yesterday, Friday, after the demolition of a building belonging to the 'Abu Hattab' family in Khan Yunis camp, which resulted in at least one Palestinian injury and widespread damage to displacement tents and neighboring buildings. The targeting of residential buildings in the Gaza Strip sparked widespread anger among residents on social media platforms, as they considered these operations not random, but part of a clear plan implemented by the Israeli army.

Observers believed that the goal of this policy is to apply a scenario similar to what happened in southern Lebanon, which allows justifying the bombing of any building or targeting anyone classified as a threat. Activists pointed out that what is happening represents an 'exact replica' of the southern Lebanon model, referring to the similarity of military warnings thrown at villages there with those that have begun to reach Gaza neighborhoods, which they considered an indication of a long phase that may be limited to repeated strikes under the pretext of targeting weapons and military infrastructure.

Activists pointed out that the continuous escalation aims to reproduce the same operational method followed by the occupation in Lebanon, and to undermine the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and evade the obligations arising from it. In the same context, bloggers confirmed that evacuation decisions mean nothing but displacing families and pushing them into the open, considering that forced displacement has become a constant feature of the suffering of Gaza residents.

Bloggers also confirmed that the so-called 'Lebanese model' is no longer just a theoretical proposition, but has actually materialized since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10, 2025, with daily violations continuing through bombing, shooting, and limited incursions despite the announcement of a cessation of hostilities. They added that Israel seeks to establish an equation that allows it to continue targeting Gaza from the air whenever it wishes without announcing the collapse of the truce, similar to its current approach in Lebanon, under the pretext of preventing Palestinian factions from rebuilding their military capabilities.

These developments come despite Washington's announcement that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement came into effect in mid-January, which includes the reopening of the Rafah crossing, an additional Israeli withdrawal, and enabling reconstruction, commitments that Israel continues to evade.

What is happening represents an exact replica of the southern Lebanon model, where military warnings are used to justify repeated strikes under the pretext of targeting weapons and infrastructure.

Potential military scenarios, should the United States decide to bomb Iranian facilities, raise major questions about the expected scale of the response. Estimates suggest that Iran and its allies might target Israel and American bases in the region, with the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and targeting oil facilities in the Gulf. This would leave Washington facing difficult escalatory choices to save face.

In the face of this escalation, two hypotheses emerge; the first is sending hundreds of thousands of soldiers to overthrow the regime, which contradicts President Trump's electoral promises to end foreign wars and drains state resources allocated to confront China. The second hypothesis is resorting to nuclear weapons, which is an unlikely option given that it would legitimize Russia's use of them in Ukraine and open the door to global nuclear chaos.

Economically, the war would be catastrophic; oil and gas prices could multiply several times over if Iran succeeds in disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to global inflation and a crazy surge in basic commodity prices. These costs recall Trump's previous statements about the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which amounted to 7 trillion dollars, an economic absurdity that the American voter will not tolerate.

Past experiences play a role in the current miscalculation; Iranian caution in responding to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani and the bombing of nuclear facilities previously, made Trump believe that Tehran would not go far in its responses. This past might lead the American administration to believe that a blockade or bombing will not have catastrophic consequences, which represents the essence of the risk in current political calculations.

In conclusion, the United States' fear of paying the high cost remains the primary deterrent to war so far. If diplomacy succeeds in conveying firm Iranian messages through intermediaries, the escalation may recede. However, any Iranian hesitation or concessions on enrichment or missile capabilities may be understood as weakness that encourages Washington and Israel to demand more under the threat of arms.

Trump, like his predecessors, knows the cost and does not want to pay it, but the difference is that he first experimented by assassinating Soleimani, and when nothing happened, he dared to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities.

Media sources, quoting a US official and diplomats, reported that the White House plans to hold a meeting of the "Gaza Peace Council" leaders on February 19, as part of pushing for the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. According to the sources, the anticipated meeting will be the first official meeting of the Council and will include a donors' conference dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza.

The sources pointed out that preparations are still in their early stages and may be subject to changes, while the White House declined to comment officially. The administration of President Donald Trump has begun communicating with dozens of countries to invite their leaders and participate in the logistical arrangements for the meeting scheduled to be held in Washington D.C.

In a related context, sources quoted Israeli officials as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may meet President Donald Trump at the White House on February 18, one day before the expanded meeting.

The sources quoted the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, as saying that Washington seeks to launch an "agreed-upon disarmament process," which includes the complete destruction of military infrastructure and tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

The announcement of the "Gaza Peace Council" last month was met with widespread skepticism, as Western countries refrained from joining it due to its broad powers and the exclusive veto right granted to US President Donald Trump over its decisions, which led some countries to believe that it was an unofficial alternative to the UN Security Council.

The "Gaza Peace Council" currently has 27 members chaired by Trump, and it has received a mandate from the Security Council to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire and work on governance and reconstruction files. The implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect last October, is proceeding very slowly, as Israel has allowed the limited reopening of the Rafah crossing, while the technocratic Palestinian government is still operating from Egypt without entering Gaza.

Washington seeks to launch an agreed-upon disarmament process, which includes the destruction of military infrastructure and tunnels in the Gaza Strip.