Middle East Crisis Peace Talks

Palestinian factions agree on new Gaza government

The largest political factions in Gaza, including Hamas, have agreed to hand over governance to a technocratic government at the end of the war. This is reported by TT.

“The governance of the Gaza Strip will be temporarily handed over to a Palestinian committee consisting of independent ‘technocrats’ who will handle issues of (daily) life and basic services,” a joint statement reads.

Technocracy is a form of government based on rulers being elected based on their scientific and technical expertise.

Rubio: Hamas and Unrwa must not have a role in Gaza

If Hamas refuses to disarm, it would constitute a violation of the ceasefire. This is what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting Israel, says, according to Israeli media.

– Hamas must not govern and must not be involved in shaping the future of Gaza, he adds.

He added that the UN's Palestinian relief agency, Unrwa, will also have no role in Gaza after the war.

Rubio did not clarify how the US and Israel would act if the ceasefire was broken. When asked whether Israel is allowed to take military action in Gaza, he replied that if the IDF resumes fighting "it would mean that the agreement has been broken, and we are not there yet". 

Palestinian Leader's Wife Appeals to Trump for Help

Fadwa Barghouti, wife of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, who is being held by Israel, is appealing to US President Donald Trump to release her husband.

Marwan Barghouti "shares the dream of a just and lasting peace in the region", according to a statement shared with Time.

“For the freedom of the Palestinian people and for peace for all future generations – help free Marwan Barghouti.”

Marwan Barghouti, 66, has spent more than two decades in Israeli prison, convicted of ordering attacks during the second intifada, a Palestinian uprising in the 1990s. He denied involvement but refused to defend himself because he did not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli court. Barghouti still leads opinion polls on who should be the next leader of the Palestinian Authority.