For the Israeli activist, who mediated the release of Gilad Shalit after five years of Hamas captivity, Israel’s prime minister is using antisemitism to cover up domestic scandals and exploiting the war for his own self-interest. He also criticises the Palestinian side, which must prepare the ground for elections postponed for far too long. Qatar's step back should be used to restart negotiations.
In the shadow of the conflict in Gaza (and with the Lebanese Hezbollah in the north) the Israelis are perpetrating a ‘policy’ of violence against farmers and land. A state ‘policy’ that combines pro-occupation movements and institutions. With Ben Gvir a real task force against foreign activists who support the Palestinians, by means of arrests and expulsions.
A new scandal is developing over a 32-year-old member of Netanyahu's staff. By leaking fake information to the media, the aide contributed to derailing hostage negotiations and escalating the war. For opposition leader Lapid, the PM is either “incompetent” or “complicit”.
Hezbollah’s new chief does not rule out negotiations, but warns that it will take weeks or months. Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati is optimistic, waiting for developments from Hochstein's mission to Israel. But opposition remains on both sides. Meanwhile, the Saudi capital hosts a two-day meeting of the “International Alliance to implement the Two-State Solution".
With a margin of 92 to 10, the Israeli parliament approves two bills to end the activities of the UN agency for Palestinians, accused of covering for Hamas. This has sparked criticism from the international community. For UNRWA commissioner-general, the bill is “unprecedented”, while UN chief Guterres calls the agency’s work “essential”. Meanwhile, Israel plans to expropriate UNRWA’s compound to build homes for settlers in East Jerusalem.
For the Palestinian activist, the struggle is bound to continue, because it has "deeper roots" than the leaders who fight. Netanyahu claims a victory to offer to the Israeli people, but killing a man “does not eliminate an idea". Sinwar’s death will likely have repercussions for the talks on a truce and the fate of the hostages still held by Hamas.