International News
Gaza War: Palestinian Prime Minister Steps Down
Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh has announced the resignation of his government ruling parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Monday.
The decision, attributed to the need for change after the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, was submitted to Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, who accepted it.
The move aligns with calls from the United States and other powers for a reformed Palestinian Authority to oversee all territories post the conflict sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Shtayyeh cited developments related to the aggression against the Gaza Strip and the escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem as reasons for the resignation.
Shtayyeh revealed that he had initially presented his resignation to President Mahmud Abbas last Tuesday, emphasizing that he officially submitted it “in writing” on Monday.
In concise remarks, the 66-year-old Shtayyeh emphasized that “the next stage and its challenges require new governmental and political measures that take into account the new reality in the Gaza Strip.”
He advocated for intra-Palestinian consensus and urged for the “extension of the Authority’s rule over the entire land of Palestine.”
Responding to the resignation, President Abbas issued a decree accepting it and entrusted Shtayyeh’s government to continue “temporarily until a new government is formed,” as stated in a release from the presidency.
Israel has firmly rejected any prospective political role for the Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza.
However, it has suggested the possibility of local Palestinian officials playing a role in the region.
President Abbas, 88, faces widespread unpopularity in the West Bank, with mounting anger since the Gaza war commenced on October 7.
Criticism revolves around his perceived failure to strongly condemn the Israeli offensive in Gaza and address the escalating violence in the West Bank.
According to Khalil Shikaki from the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research, a think tank, Abbas has been criticized for failing to protect his own people.
Shikaki pointed out, “Now he wants to be present for the day after, but he didn’t do anything during the war. Most Palestinians are harsher than I am. Abbas is going to have a government that is loyal to him. He is a one man show.
On the streets of Ramallah, Palestinians express skepticism about the potential government change.
Basil Farraj highlights the Palestinian Authority’s shortcomings, citing corruption, lack of security, and suppression of freedom and resistance as contributing factors.
Another resident, Rula Abu Daho, asserts, “Whether the government changes or not, it is appointed by American and occupation decisions,” alluding to Israel.
The divide between the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has persisted since 2007, creating a complex political landscape.
The Gaza war erupted after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The retaliatory Israeli military offensive in Gaza has claimed at least 29,782 lives, with the majority being women and children, as reported by the territory’s health ministry.
Throughout the conflict, violence in the West Bank surged to levels not seen in nearly two decades. Israeli troops and settlers have been responsible for the deaths of at least 400 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Gaza war began, according to the health ministry in Ramallah.
There are indications that Mohammed Mustafa, an executive committee member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation dominated by the ruling Fatah movement, might be named to head the new cabinet, according to Palestinian media reports.
Mohammed Mustafa, who has previously served as deputy prime minister and a senior adviser to Abbas on economic affairs, emerges as a potential candidate for heading the new cabinet.
International mediators are actively engaged in discussions for a ceasefire in Gaza, and Washington, as Israel’s top ally, is exploring potential governance structures for post-war Gaza.
Palestinian analyst Ghassan Khatib sees Abbas’s resignation as a demonstration of flexibility, signaling readiness for a government of technocrats that could operate in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip post-war.
Khatib suggests that if Abbas and Hamas can reach an agreement, it would mark a significant and new phase in the internal political scene.
Prime Minister Shtayyeh defended his record, highlighting that despite significant challenges, his government managed to fulfill its responsibilities.
Speaking about the achievements during his tenure that began in 2019, he stated, “The government was able to achieve a balance between meeting the needs of our people and providing services like infrastructure.”
Shtayyeh expressed determination, affirming, “We will continue to struggle to establish a state on the lands of Palestine.”
International News
US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce
Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.
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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.
Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.
In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.
Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”
Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.
Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.
In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.
However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.
Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”
This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.
As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.
Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”
Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.
International News
Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan
Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.
Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.
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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.
Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.
Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath
Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.
Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.
In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.
First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.
The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.
Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.
A Country on High Alert
Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.
Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.
“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.
Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change
Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.
Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.
Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient
As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.
Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.
Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.
International News
Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death
Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.
The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.
Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.
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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.
Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.
The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.
More to follow……….