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Palestine

July 27, 2026

Ramallah 8:08 am

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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

Latest News

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

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

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.

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

Pictures of Palestinian Hamas militants held in Israeli jails are seen through a fence during a rally marking Palestinian Prisoner Day, in Gaza City April 17, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RTX2AAQR

Israel dangles Gazan operatives, but Hamas won't negotiate

Despite multiple offers by Israel, Hamas refuses to make a deal for the release of three Israelis before Israel releases 50 prisoners it recaptured in 2014.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas meet at Netanyahu's residence September 15, 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. Netanyahu and Abbas are deadlocked in peace negotiations over Israeli settlement building. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi-Pool/Getty Images)

Is Netanyahu trying to kill Russian summit initiative?

Palestinian sources believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's release of his ''ethnic cleansing'' video is part of an attempt to sabotage a Russian-backed summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

A Palestinian boy holds a sign that reads "we demand our dignity" in front of Israeli soldiers during a protest calling for the reopening of a closed street in the West Bank city of Hebron August 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma - RTX2MW1E

Why referendum on West Bank is unlikely to change anything

Instead of going to the streets, the Israeli peace camp prefers an online campaign that is unlikely to change anything within Israeli public opinion.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas heads a Palestinian cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah July 28, 2013. REUTERS/Issam Rimawi/Pool/File Photo - RTX2O7X6

Hamas accuses Abbas of blocking local elections to protect Fatah

The Palestinian High Court of Justice has suspended the local elections slated for Oct. 8, citing concern that Jerusalem was left out of the electoral process and that Fatah lists were being disqualified by Hamas-run courts in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu cries 'ethnic cleansing' after offering to negotiate

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he is willing to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but then quickly released a video clip accusing those who call for the evacuation of the settlements of supporting ethnic cleansing.

Palestinian women take to social media to reveal their names

The non-identification of women’s names in electoral lists and wedding cards triggered a campaign on social media calling for the empowerment of Palestinian women.

A Palestinian stone-thrower looks on as he stands in front of a fire during clashes with Israeli troops following the funeral of Palestinian Riham Dawabsheh at Duma village near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, September 7, 2015. The mother of a Palestinian toddler killed in a July arson attack in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, died on Monday of her burns, the third fatality after her husband succumbed to his injuries last month. Suspected Jewish attackers torched the family's home in the northern We

One year into Palestinian uprising: What’s the status today?

The popular uprising in the West Bank has significantly waned, but not disappeared, in recent months in the absence of organized political support.

A Palestinian man holds up a vase in a glass factory in the West Bank city of Hebron December 15, 2007. Picture taken December 15, 2007. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK) - RTX4SNC

Hebron's handicrafts honored with top award

The West Bank city of Hebron won the World Craft City award, which officials hope will encourage cultural exchange and trade with other parts of the world.

A Palestinian marching band parades during a Christmas procession at Manger Square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 24, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX1ZYV3

Why Palestine's 'Merry Christmas people' are not so merry

A Palestinian official caused an uproar when he described Palestinian Christians as the “Merry Christmas people.”

Hamas security forces stand guard at the entrance of the cabinet headquarters of Gaza's Hamas rulers on December 30, 2014 in Gaza City before a meeting of Palestinian unity government officials to launch reconstruction of the territory devastated by a 50-day summer war with Israel. Speaking late on December 29 shortly after a ministerial delegation from the West Bank arrived in Gaza, former Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya accused the government of failing "to keep its commitments, by not carrying out rec

Hamas hampering persistent press

The Foreign Press Association accused Hamas of imposing restrictions on foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip, which the government denied.

Palestinians are seen behind flame from burning tyres during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Qabatya, near Jenin February 22, 2016. Israeli forces closed the main entrance of the town on Monday a day after a Palestinian from Qabatya was shot dead by Israeli troops after he tried to stab a soldier, Palestinian witnesses said. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX2829U

Will Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalate in December?

Both Israel and the Palestinians are using the period of international deadlock at the end of 2016 to consolidate their support bases instead of advancing dialogue initiatives.

Culinary training program cooks up job training for Gaza

To meet the growing needs of Gaza's flourishing restaurant industry, one woman has created a first-of-its-kind project to teach the culinary arts in partnership with the Smile Training and Development Center.