Fatah official: Israel, Hamas in direct talks

A Fatah official has confirmed claims by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about Israel and Hamas holding direct talks, claiming that the two sides are engaged in security cooperation.

Palestine

Trapped Palestinian students demand Gaza crossings reopen

Approximately 1,500 Palestinian students enrolled in foreign universities are stuck in Gaza, and are protesting for the reopening of the Rafah or Erez crossings.

Palestine

Hamas in Turkey on alert after Israeli complaint

Hamas officials in Turkey are taking precautions after Israel’s complaint to NATO against Ankara for hosting the Palestinian Islamist group, fearing that Israel might resume assassinating its leaders abroad.

Palestine

France promotes regional framework for Mideast conflict

French President François Hollande has decided to promote an initiative to convene an international Middle East peace conference out of concern that the current political stalemate might lead to further escalation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Palestine

Gaza writers receive death threats from IS

A statement purporting to come from the Islamic State in Gaza listed 18 writers and poets who it says the radical group will kill if they do not cease insulting Islam in their work.

Palestine

Concern grows over Abbas’ autocratic tendencies

Several Fatah figures are worried that President Mahmoud Abbas is overstepping his authority and trying to impose his rule over the legislative and judicial branches.

Palestine

Hamas wants to extend unity government but with conditions

Hamas wants changes for the unity government as its six-month term has come to an end, criticizing President Mahmoud Abbas for failing to address Gaza’s woes.

Palestine

Gaza engineer develops new technology to replace cement

Engineer Imad al-Khalidi has developed a replacement for cement to help the Gaza Strip deal with its housing crisis, after the Israeli war left many homes damaged or destroyed and in the face of Israel continuing to prevent the entry of construction materials.

Palestine

Gaza war leaves students with ruined classrooms

Israel shelled dozens of schools during the recent Gaza war, destroying and damaging classrooms and leaving many students to study in impossible conditions.

Palestine

Israel's unexploded ordnance endangers Jordan Valley residents

The Israeli army leaves behind unexploded devices and mines each time it conducts military drills in the Jordan Valley, and prevents local Palestinian forces from performing demining activities.

Palestine

Arab virtuoso transcends musical boundaries

Simon Shaheen, a Palestinian considered one of the foremost Arab musicians of his time, has earned international fame — and 11 Grammy nominations — by creating a fusion of classical Arabic, jazz and Latin music.

Palestine

Tensions rise between Egypt, Hamas

Tensions have surged between Egypt and Hamas following the deadly October attack in the Sinai Peninsula against Egyptian soldiers, which prompted an Egyptian media campaign against Hamas.

Palestine