Palestine - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Palestine cover image

Palestine

July 21, 2026

Ramallah 4:11 am

23°C

Flags of Spain and Argentina

Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

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

Explainer

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

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

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

Interview

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

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

Ayman Odeh

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

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

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

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

Latest News

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

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

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

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

Record Israeli arms exports highlight global rush for air defense

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

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

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

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

Norway's Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide greets Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi during a session of the International Donor Group for Palestine at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, January 31, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir - RC15AF17F6A0

Will EU propose new Mideast initiative?

The European Union hopes that minor additions to the Iran nuclear deal might pave the way for greater dialogue with the Trump administration on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

African migrants painted in white hold signs during a protest against the Israeli government's plan to deport part of their community, in front of the Rwandan embassy in Herzliya, Israel February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1E0E1052F0

Is interior minister deceiving Israelis about deportation of migrants?

Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri claims that additional working permits will be issued for Palestinians to replace deported African migrants.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives to attend the meeting of the Palestinian Central Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC1616E526F0

Palestinian council seeks to revive Jerusalem Secretariat

Palestinians have expressed skepticism about the Palestinian Central Council’s ability to reactivate the Jerusalem Secretariat and have it work as a shadow municipal council in East Jerusalem.

Leaks on 'deal of the century' aimed at taking Palestinian pulse

Observers viewed that while leaked details of the "deal of the century" are obviously designed to take the pulse of the Palestinians, the deal itself is a blow to the Palestinian cause.

A Palestinian Fatah supporter takes part in a rally marking the death anniversary of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in Gaza City November 11, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC16BE106770

Trump policies forge fragile truce among Palestinian factions

Although the US decision on Jerusalem has brought views within the PLO closer, a recent dispute between Fatah and PFLP members threatens the uneasy rapprochement.

Israeli census on Jerusalem a political game ahead of elections

Reports that Arabs could become 50% of population of Jerusalem in the coming decade have major implications as Jerusalem's municipal elections approach.

A Palestinian man displays an old Palestinian coin in his shop in the West Bank city of Hebron June 8, 2008. The Palestinian Authority has delayed paying its workers this month after Israel withheld tax funds in anger over Palestinian attempts to block upgraded European Union-Israeli ties, officials said on Sunday. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK) - GM1E469047K01

Will the Palestinian Authority dump the shekel?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is taking steps toward complete disengagement from Israel, including examining replacing the Israeli shekel.

Gaza businesses forced to close

The economic and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip have left stores with no option but to shut down.

Has Israel opened the Lebanese front in its battle with Hamas?

An assassination attempt in Sidon against a Hamas military leader appears to have been a pre-emptive Israeli strike warning his movement against attacking it from Lebanon.

Gaza suffering makes Israeli headlines at last

Following his regular modus operandi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has preferred so far to ignore the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Israel needs Abbas to solve Gaza crisis

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could perhaps solve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, but he would rather let Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handle the terrible situation he created.

Solar-powered mosque answers prayers in West Bank

Palestinians are making deep inroads into renewable energy and looking forward to much greater independence as more solar power projects pop up all the time.