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.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
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The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.
In a significant policy move, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, signaling heightened support for the country amid its ongoing struggle against Russian forces.
The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
This announcement follows reports that Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to conduct precision strikes within Russian territory.
These developments have reportedly prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to modify elements of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, further intensifying global scrutiny of the conflict’s escalation.
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In addition to the mines, the U.S. is set to unveil a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. The package is expected to include a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s operational readiness.
This move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to maintain robust support for Kyiv, even as questions loom over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the approaching transition to a new administration.
The U.S. government has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with officials emphasizing that these measures are essential for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty. The provision of anti-personnel mines, however, marks a controversial step, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.
As the conflict continues, the Biden administration’s decisions will likely have profound implications not only for Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, where tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.
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