Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree Monday “to end” a system of payments to families of Palestinians imprisoned or killed after carrying out attacks against Israel, but critics called it window dressing as disbursements would continue under a new scheme.

Tensions were rising in the Middle East on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald J. Trump warned Jordan and Egypt he could “conceivably” withhold aid to them if they don’t take Palestinian refugees he seeks to relocate from the Gaza Strip, which was partly destroyed in the Israel-Hamas war.

With the ceasefire at risk due to Hamas’ refusal to release hostages, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have raised readiness levels in the Southern Command and postponed leave for combat soldiers and operational units, the Israeli military announced Monday night.

President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Monday, demanding the release of all hostages in Gaza by noon Saturday. “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock — I think it’s an appropriate time — I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” Trump stated, threatening to cancel the ceasefire deal.

In a warning to Israel, Egypt announced Sunday that it would host “an emergency Arab summit” this month to discuss what it called “serious” developments for Palestinians.

President Trump expressed frustration with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire after footage showed gaunt and frail Israeli hostages being released, comparing their appearance to Holocaust survivors. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he warned, “At some point, we’re gonna lose our patience.”

Iran’s supreme leader has appeared to condemn United States President Donald J. Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel will withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), following the Trump Administrations withdrawal from the Council this past Tuesday . Saar accused the council of systematic bias against Israel while neglecting real human rights issues worldwide.

Jordan is reportedly preparing for war with Israel if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempts to expel Palestinians into its territory.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced Wednesday that President Donald J. Trump’s plan to “take over Gaza” was intended “to pressure” neighboring Arab nations to propose their own solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Saudi Arabia warned Wednesday it would not establish ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state after U.S. President Donald J. Trump suggested again that the United States should take over Gaza.

President Trump proposed Tuesday that the U.S. could take over the Gaza Strip, suggesting it could “own it” and even remove Palestinians from the area. Without ruling out the possibility of deploying American troops, he envisioned transforming Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, his first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration.

The Trump administration has requested congressional approval for a $1 billion arms transfer to Israel, including 4,700 1,000-pound bombs worth over $700 million and Caterpillar-built armored bulldozers valued at $300 million, even as the White House works to maintain a fragile Gaza ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with evangelical leaders, including the designated U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, in Washington, D.C., as he met with Evangelical American community leaders ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday evening ahead of his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The two leaders are set to discuss key issues, including redrawing the Middle East, the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire, the future of the Gaza Strip, and the Iranian nuclear threat.

Israel has released the Palestinian manager of the Gaza branch of World Vision, a prominent Christian aid organization, who had been behind bars since 2016.

Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners Thursday after Hamas fighters freed seven hostages – two Israelis and five Thais.

President Trump’s plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt expands on a contentious proposal previously rejected by Arab states, potentially indicating a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, according to the Wall Street Journal.