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Palestinian Authority

The latest news and top stories on the Palestinian Authority. A prominent West Bank-based governmental body, the Palestinian Authority (PA) was established in 1994 through the Oslo Accords as an interim self-government. Its primary mission is to exercise partial civil control and internal security over designated Palestinian territories. Headquartered in Ramallah, its main areas of activity include civil administration, public services and building state institutions. The PA, which also seeks international recognition for Palestine, holds non-member observer state status at the United Nations, signifying its role in Palestinian self-governance despite facing significant challenges and limited sovereignty.

Palestinian Authority

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Egypt trains hundreds of Palestinian officers to police post-war Gaza

Israeli generals dismissed over failures from Hamas’ deadly attack

The firings come amid growing pressure for an inquiry and revelations of systemic military flaws to prevent the October 7, 2023, assault.

Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering

The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation.

UN Security Council approves Trump plan for the future of Gaza

There were 13 votes in favour of the Gaza resolution, but both Russia and China abstained.

Netanyahu faces backlash for leading Israel’s October 7 probe

Critics claim the probe lacks independence, and that Netanyahu is evading responsibility by overseeing the probe himself.

Israeli strike in Lebanon kills Hezbollah operative amid tensions with UN peacekeepers

Strike kills a school principal with Hezbollah links on the same day Israeli forces mistakenly fired near UN peacekeepers.

Netanyahu faces backlash over US-backed statement on Palestinian independence

The statement indicating support for a pathway to a Palestinian state infuriated Netanyahu’s conservative and ultranationalist allies.

‘Head in the sand’: Palestinian leader Abbas, 90, struggles for role in Gaza

Abbas has become a ‘liability’ and his weakness has left Palestinians leaderless, critics say, at a time when they face an existential crisis.

Hamas tightens grip on Gaza despite Trump’s ceasefire plan

Hamas reasserts control in Gaza with price controls and fees, raising doubts over Trump’s transition plan and its promise to disarm and step down.

Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque sparking US concern

Israeli settlers torched a mosque, defacing it with hateful graffiti, prompting rare condemnations from officials amid rising tensions.

Trump urges Israel to pardon Netanyahu, sparking concerns over US influence

Trump wrote to Isaac Herzog claiming the case against Netanyahu was a ‘political, unjustified prosecution’, defending his long-time ally.

Unicef says Israel denying entry to baby milk formula, vaccines for Gaza children

Israel claims to allow food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza, while accusing Hamas of stealing humanitarian aid, which Hamas denies.

Gaza risks permanent partition between Israel and Hamas as Trump plan falters

Gaza reconstruction may be limited to Israeli-controlled areas, risking long-term division and placing Palestinian sovereignty in limbo.

Israel confirms receiving remains of soldier killed in 2014 Gaza war

The return of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin’s remains closes an 11-year chapter that has haunted both his family and the nation.

Turkey and Muslim allies say Palestinian self-rule is key to Gaza’s future

Turkey hosts ministerial meeting to discuss US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and long-term solutions to the conflict.

Israel receives remains of 3 more Gaza hostages as fragile ceasefire holds

The return of remains has been the central part of the initial phase of the US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

Israel confirms 3 bodies received from Hamas are not hostages

The Gaza truce is in danger as Israel says three bodies returned are not hostages, and Hamas reports new strikes on Khan Younis.

‘War ongoing’: Israel launches ‘precise’ Gaza strikes despite ceasefire pledge

The Israeli bombardments in Gaza come as Hamas returned two more hostage bodies amid mounting civilian casualties and displacement.

Netanyahu says Hamas returned remains from previously retrieved body

The Israeli prime minister said the remains were from a body found two years ago rather than that of the 13 missing hostages.

Gaza peace in limbo as US plan fuels fears of prolonged division

The plan risks prolonging Israeli control and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, analysts warn.

Videos show Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian olive harvesters in West Bank

A masked man was seen in one video running through an olive grove, hitting at least two people with a club, including a woman lying motionless.

Trump’s envoys arrive in Israel as Gaza ceasefire teeters after deadly strikes

The visit by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner follows a brief closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing for aid, after two Israeli soldiers were killed.

As fragile Gaza ceasefire holds, world powers plan stabilisation force

Future stabilisation force is unlikely to be a formal UN peacekeeping mission, but could be modelled on action for Haiti, diplomats say.

Israel, Hamas trade blame over truce violations, Rafah reopening in limbo

With the Rafah crossing uncertain, disputes over the return of hostages and disarmament reveal a rift threatening the US-brokered plan.

‘Not a chance’: experts dismiss Trump’s Gaza peace declaration as temporary fix

Trump has brought together nations willing to work with Washington to stabilise the Middle East but not tackled the real cause, analysts say.

Aid resumes in Gaza with Rafah crossing set to reopen after hostage body dispute

The dispute over the return of bodies still has the potential to upset the ceasefire deal, along with other yet to be resolved issues.