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Palestine

December 27, 2025

Al Bīrah 2:14 pm

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Analysis

Gaza realities test Trump’s 2025 Middle East ambitions

During its first year, the second Trump administration confronted wars in Gaza and Sudan, forged new ties with Syria and grappled with the growing nuclear threat from Iran.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not seen) in the State Dining Room at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon

With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat

A ship sails along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia, April 16, 2025.

Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force

Saeed Jaras / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

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

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas considers creating Christian media center

A Christian leader in the Palestinian territories has called on Hamas to establish a media center to counter Western propaganda about the movement’s ties with Christians.

Palestinian students gather in front of a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, on the first day of school after local authorities eased some of the restrictions that were imposed in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, on Aug. 8, 2020.

Senate Republicans: condition aid to Palestinian refugee agency on reforms

A group of 21 senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tie funding to UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, to "much-needed and meaningful reforms."

Netanyahu and Gantz at Knesset swearing-in

A tale of two elections: Netanyahu, Abbas face the abyss

The Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president are both losing control of their traditional coalitions.

Employees of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission display electoral lists ahead of the upcoming general elections, at the commission's district offices in the city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on April 6, 2021. Palestinian legislative elections are scheduled for May 22, with a presidential vote to follow on July 31.

Palestinian candidates attacked, threatened ahead of elections

Candidates for the Palestinian legislative elections are facing attacks on their properties and threats in an attempt to prevent them from running in the elections.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the United Nations Security Council, New York, Feb. 11, 2020.

Abbas faces tough decision on Palestinian elections

The pressure is intensifying for President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone the elections, which are becoming a dangerous game for the Israelis and other concerned parties.

Staff of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission display electoral lists ahead of the upcoming general elections, at the commission's local offices in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on April 6, 2021.

Palestinian women still underrepresented on electoral lists

Although the Palestinian electoral law has been amended to raise the quota for women's participation in the Palestinian elections from 20% to 26%, Palestinian women continue to be unfairly represented on electoral lists.

Gaza testing clinic

Gazans with COVID-19 symptoms refuse testing

Some people in the Gaza Strip are hiding their COVID-19 symptoms and avoiding testing in order to keep their jobs.

checkpoint near Bethleham

Palestinians attend prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque amid Israeli virus restrictions

Israeli officials controlling access to the mosque had limited the number of Palestinians able to worship on Friday, citing coronavirus concerns.

Former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qudwa, a nephew of Yasser Arafat, holds a slab bearing an engraving of a portrait of the late Palestinian leader during a press conference he held in Ramallah, West Bank, Nov. 8, 2009.

Hamas welcomes Abbas’ rivals in Gaza Strip

As the Palestinian elections near, dismissed Fatah leader Nasser al-Qudwa arrived in the Gaza Strip in a rare visit after obtaining the approval of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, as President Mahmoud Abbas’ rivals step up their moves to build counterelectoral lists.

Portraits of Palestinian prisoners held by Israelis

Israel cracks down on Hamas as Palestinian election nears

Israel continues to pursue leaders of the Hamas movement in the West Bank, namely Hamas candidates in the legislative elections in a bid to undermine the movement's chances to win the vote.

Settlers and Palestinians

UN experts warn of uptick in settler violence against Palestinians

In the first three months of 2021, the UN human rights experts documented 210 incidents of violence against Palestinians.

Sulala Association

Gaza animal shelter gets stray dogs off streets

With help from the Gaza municipality, a rescue group has established a rare animal shelter in the enclave.