Less than 5% of Gaza’s agricultural land is useable, UN assessment finds – Middle East Monitor

An Arab-Islamic ministerial delegation held a virtual meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Israel prohibited their visit to Ramallah, aiming to promote a just peace amidst ongoing conflict. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned Israeli actions as destructive to the two-state solution and called for urgent international intervention to halt the Gaza war, citing horrific humanitarian conditions. The delegation, which included foreign ministers from various countries, sought to address Palestinian statehood and the crisis...

SummarySaudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, criticized Israel's refusal to permit an Arab ministerial delegation to the West Bank, labeling it a sign of "extremism and rejection of peace." This statement was made during a press conference in Amman with Jordanian, Egyptian, and Bahraini counterparts, following the blocked visit intended to discuss Palestinian statehood. The situation underscores Israel's resistance to diplomatic efforts and the increasing pressure for a two-state solution from the...

Israeli gunfire reportedly killed at least 31 Palestinians at an aid distribution site in Rafah, Gaza, prompting condemnation of Israel over the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with the UN warning of famine. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has begun distributing aid in collaboration with Israel, denied any incidents of violence, claiming all operations proceeded without issue. Amidst chaotic scenes and rising casualties, negotiations for a ceasefire continue to falter, with significant loss of life reported...

A Palestinian father, Hamdi Al-Najjar, died from wounds sustained in an Israeli air strike on May 24 that also claimed the lives of nine of his children in Khan Younis. His wife, pediatrician Alaa Al-Najjar, received their charred bodies at Nasser Medical Complex while on duty, leaving only their child Adam and Hamdi as survivors, both injured. The Israeli military stated it would investigate the drone strike, amidst ongoing violence in Gaza that has resulted...

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Egypt is intensifying efforts to halt the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian aid access. He condemned the use of hunger as a weapon against Palestinians, with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara noting the dire situation in Gaza due to ongoing Israeli aggression. Since October 2023, Israeli offensives have led to the deaths of nearly 54,400 Palestinians, prompting international legal...

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff deemed Hamas' response to the proposed Gaza ceasefire “totally unacceptable,” stating it regresses progress and urging Hamas to accept the US framework for talks. Witkoff emphasized that this framework could facilitate a 60-day ceasefire, allowing for the return of hostages and deceased individuals to their families, alongside substantive negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. Hamas, in its response through mediators Egypt and Qatar, called for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal...