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July 31, 2026

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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.

Latest News

Interview

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

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

Ayman Odeh

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

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.

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

HEBRON, WEST BANK - MAY 13: Palestinians carry the coffin of 15 years old Palestinian Zaid Fadl Qaisia, who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier in a raid to Al-Fawar refugee camp, during his funeral ceremony in Hebron, West Bank on May 13, 2020. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Israeli soldier kills Palestinian teen in West Bank clash

Teenager Zaid Qaysia was killed during clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian residents of the Al-Fawar refugee camp Wednesday morning.

Gaza municipalities suspend services amid coronavirus crisis

Municipalities in the Gaza Strip issued a decision to reduce some services provided to citizens in light of the coronavirus crisis.

Palestinians look out a window of a building damaged by an Israeli air strikes in the past during a rally marking the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), in Gaza City December 7, 2013. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - GM1E9C71LLS01

How a jailhouse letter to Abbas could fast forward Palestinian unity talks

It remains unclear whether tentative steps will lead to a genuine unification of the fractured Palestinian national movement.

Former US Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden speaks about COVID-19, known as the Coronavirus, during a press event in Wilmington, Delaware on March 12, 2020. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Intel: Progressive coalition pushes Biden on Middle East policy

More than 50 progressive advocacy groups on Monday sent a letter to former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, urging him to make concessions to the left on Middle East policy.

A Palestinian runs away from tear gas fired by Israeli forces during a raid after an Israeli soldier was killed by a rock, in Yabad near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 12, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RC2YMG9FT10W

Israeli soldier killed by rock in West Bank raid

An Israeli soldier was killed during a pre-dawn raid near Jenin when a large rock was dropped on his head, the first IDF death during military operations this year.

A Palestinian waves the national flag as he stands near the border wall between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, during a protest calling for an end of Israel blockade to the Gaza Strip, April 10, 2008. . REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) - GM1E44B08HW02

Why is Egypt building more walls around Gaza?

Although Hamas has taken several measures to boost security on the border with Egypt and prevent any attempt to infiltrate into the Egyptian territory, Egypt continues to build walls and destroy the tunnels.

Will EU sanction Israel over annexation plans?

European Union foreign ministers might consider threatening Israel with sanctions, in an effort to thwart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank.

UN calls on Israel to release Palestinian children from jails amid coronavirus

Three UN officials urge Israeli authorities to free detained Palestinian children to protect them from COVID-19.

A Jewish shepherd wears a prayer shawl as he stands near houses in the Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Yericho in the Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC2COE9DADQT

Poll: Most Israeli Jews support annexing parts of West Bank

The poll for April from the Israel Democracy Institute found differing opinions between the left and right and Jewish and Arab Israelis.

A Palestinian woman sits outside her home in Jabalia refugee camp, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the northern Gaza Strip May 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC2CIG93IB6K

Intel: Amid US funding gap, UN Palestinian refugee agency seeks $93M in coronavirus aid

As the coronavirus continues its spread through the impoverished West Bank and Gaza Strip, the United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians is seeking emergency funding to help with what it calls the worst financial crisis in the organization’s 70-year history.

The Muslim Ibrahimi Mosque, adjoining the Jewish Tomb of the Patriarchs, is seen closed during Friday prayer over concerns of the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma - RC2ONF9J9POW

Israel expands settlement projects around Hebron’s mosque

Israel has approved a project near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in another step toward annexation.

Netanyahu’s future coalition, without the settlers?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got the recommendation of 72 Knesset members for him to form and lead Israel’s next government, but the list does not include the signatures of his allies from the Yamina party.