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

Palestine cover image

Palestine

October 30, 2026

Ramallah 8:04 am

16°C

Tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Hamas-Israeli war are pitched between the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 20, 2026.

Analysis

What Israel's election could mean for Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

The ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could provide Palestinians some relief, but is unlikely to improve their prospects for statehood.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

American freelance photojournalist Heidi Levine lies on a gurney in the emergency room of the government hospital in the Israeli-occupied city of Ramallah, as she is treated after being attacked by Israeli settlers while photographing Palestinian farmers harvesting their olives, in the Palestinian village of Abu Falah on Oct. 16, 2026.

Washington Post journalist hospitalized after Israeli settler attack in West Bank

The assault was one of several attacks on Friday as Palestinians gathered to harvest olives across the West Bank.

Israel's Chief of the Mossad David Barnea (R) and Security Agency director Ronen Bar, attend a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 27, 2024. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sues Netanyahu for nearly $1M over Oct. 7 claims

Bar is suing for 3 million shekels ($970,000) over a Sept. 28 post on X in which Netanyahu blamed the former Shin Bet chief for Oct. 7 intelligence failures and accused him of withholding warnings.

The British Consulate General in east Jerusalem represents the British government in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza during a protest against the recently announced British sanctions, aimed at economic activity in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, on Sept. 14, 2026, in Jerusalem.

Explainer

Israel-UK relations hit new low over settlements, Gaza: What to know

Despite Britain’s ban on goods from Israeli settlements and Israel’s closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, both countries are seeking to keep communication channels open.

Latest News

West Bank olive harvest begins amid settler attacks on Palestinians, groves

Palestinian men sitting in and by a tractor look on after another man was injured by gunfire whilst being chased away by Israeli forces, in Aqraba in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Oct. 6, 2026.

Analysis

Three years after Oct. 7, Hamas’ grip on Gaza tests Netanyahu’s ‘total victory’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the state memorial ceremony for the third anniversary of Oct. 7 attack, at Mount Herzl military cemetery, Jerusalem, Oct. 5, 2026.

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

Israel bars UK Greens leader over Zionism-racism resolution: What to know

Green Party leader Zack Polanski delivers his speech during day one of the Green Party annual conference at Brighton Centre on Oct. 2, 2026, in Brighton, England.

West Bank settlers attack Israeli activists as Netanyahu claims 'hoax'

Erik Marmor/Getty Images

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

Fatwa banning trade of flour for bread stirs anger in Gaza

A controversial fatwa has been overruled after it forbade the exchange of flour for bread at local bakeries in Gaza, where power cuts make it difficult to bake at home.

A Palestinian woman inspects the damage at her house following Israeli bombing in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, Aug. 29, 2021.

Palestinian NGO to form network in Gaza for women affected by war

The Center for Women's Affairs in the Gaza Strip announced that it will establish a national network to develop plans to support women in times of crisis and war.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Jewish prayer continues to rile Al-Aqsa Mosque

Recurrent prayer by Jews at Al-Aqsa Mosque against regulations can be expected to continue to spark clashes at the site.

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Tribal courts rule Palestine with unforgiving traditions

Palestine's tribal court system may offer speedy justice, but it is also known for harsh penalties that amount to collective punishment and other human rights violations.

A Palestinian girl stands on a beach near a pink ribbon as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Oct. 10, 2012.

Breast reconstruction surgery on the rise in Gaza

Pink October is painful for breast cancer survivors in the Gaza Strip with marginalized and poor women unable to get breast reconstruction due to social unawareness or poor economic conditions.

Al-Nawras Tourist Resort swimming area.

Gazan women find haven at ladies-only pools

More resorts in the Gaza Strip are offering ladies-only swimming pools, allowing women to relax and enjoy the sun away from public eyes.

Palestinian brides are seen during a mass wedding ceremony, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Feb. 4, 2014.

Gaza's few beauty salons struggle to meet demand

Demand for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures is rising in the Gaza Strip despite a lack of clinics.

EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian Authority asks AU to revoke Israel's observer status

Israel gained observer status in the supranational African organization in July.

A general view shows a section of Israel's controversial separation wall near Qalandia crossing between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Israel-annexed East Jerusalem. The tarmac of the former Atarot airport, which has been closed to civilian traffic since the breakout of the second Palestinian intifada in 2000, can be seen in the center, July 28, 2016.

Palestinians alarmed by Israel settlement plan on Jerusalem airport

Israel's Greater Jerusalem Project is taking shape with the construction of thousands of new settlement units on the land of Jerusalem airport, setting off alarm bells with the Palestinians.

SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas says Gaza crisis linked to Jerusalem

A delegation of high-ranking Hamas representatives met with Egypt's intelligence chief to discuss a prisoner exchange deal with Israel and a potential truce in Gaza, but Hamas wants to include Jerusalem as well.

Palestinian residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem attend a hearing at Israel's Supreme Court, Jerusalem, Aug. 2, 2021.

Israel offers Sheikh Jarrah residents to remain tenants for 15 years

Israel's Supreme Court gave four families facing eviction in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem until Nov. 2 to respond to a settlement agreement.

Palestinian children wearing protective face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus play video games in Rafah, Gaza Strip, March 22, 2020.

Palestinian video game strikes Israel’s nerve

A new video game developed by a Brazilian of Palestinian origin has raised controversy among Israelis who claim the game encourages the killing of Jews.