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Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday watched with cautious hope as preparations got underway to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the territory’s main gateway to the outside world, with Israel saying limited travel would resume from Monday under the ongoing ceasefire with Hamas. Workers were seen readying the crossing, which has been largely shut since Israel seized control of it in May 2024. Many Gazans welcomed the move but voiced frustration over strict limits on the number of people allowed to cross. “Opening the crossing is a good step, but setting a cap on how many people can pass through is a real problem,” said Ghalia Abu Mustafa from Khan Younis. Others stressed the urgent need for medical travel. Suhaila Al-Astal, displaced from Rafah, said her sick daughter required treatment abroad and called for the crossing to be opened permanently and in both directions. Israel said the crossing had been opened on a trial basis and that Gaza residents would be allowed to begin crossing from Monday, though only in small numbers initially. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will allow 50 medical patients to leave Gaza each day. According to an official familiar with the talks, each patient will be permitted to travel with two relatives, while up to 50 Palestinians who left Gaza during the war will be allowed to return daily. Zaher al-Wahidi, head of documentation at Gaza’s Health Ministry, said the ministry had not yet been officially informed about the start of medical evacuations. Around 20,000 Palestinians in need of medical care are hoping to leave Gaza via Rafah, while thousands more outside the enclave are seeking to return. Under the new arrangement, Israel and Egypt will vet those entering and leaving through the crossing, which will be overseen by European Union border monitors. Israeli officials say the number of travelers could increase gradually if the system functions smoothly. The announcement came a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 30 Palestinians, including several children, according to hospital officials, marking one of the deadliest days since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Israel accused Hamas of violating the truce. Nicolay Mladenov, head of US President Donald Trump’s newly established Gaza peace board, urged all sides to exercise restraint and said efforts were under way with a newly selected Palestinian committee to prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, Israel’s Diaspora Ministry said it was moving to end the operations of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza by Feb. 28. Israel had suspended the medical charity’s activities in December after it declined to comply with new registration rules requiring aid groups to submit lists of local staff, arguing the measures could put Palestinian employees at risk. Doctors Without Borders warned that the decision would have a devastating impact on health services in Gaza, where it supports six hospitals, runs two field hospitals, eight primary health centers and clinics, and operates two of the enclave’s five stabilization centers for severely malnourished children. Israel has suspended more than two dozen humanitarian organizations under the new rules, saying they are needed to prevent militant infiltration, while aid groups say the restrictions harm civilians in desperate need. Palestinian security officers crossed through the Egyptian side of Rafah on Sunday to join the EU mission supervising the crossing, according to an Egyptian official. Ambulances were also seen passing through the Egyptian gate. Before the war, Rafah was Gaza’s primary crossing for people traveling in and out of the territory. Israel says its takeover of the crossing last year was aimed at stopping weapons smuggling by Hamas. The crossing was briefly opened for medical evacuations during a temporary ceasefire in early 2025 but remained closed afterward until recent developments, including the recovery of the remains of the last hostage in Gaza. Under the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces continue to control the area between the Rafah crossing and densely populated parts of Gaza. Egypt has repeatedly said the crossing must operate in both directions, amid concerns it could otherwise be used to force Palestinians out of the enclave. The ceasefire paused more than two years of fighting that began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed 71,795 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, including 523 since the ceasefire began. The first phase of the truce includes hostage and prisoner exchanges, increased humanitarian aid and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal. A more complex second phase envisions new governance arrangements for Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas and steps toward reconstruction.

The Trump administration on Friday approved major new arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion and to Saudi Arabia worth $9 billion, the State Department announced, as tensions rise in the Middle East over potential U.S. military action against Iran. The deals were made public after the department notified Congress of its approval earlier in the day. The approvals coincide with President Donald Trump’s push to implement a ceasefire and reconstruction plan for Gaza, aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict and rebuilding the war-torn Palestinian territory, where two years of fighting left tens of thousands dead. Despite relative calm under the ceasefire, significant challenges remain, including deploying an international security force and disarming Hamas. Saudi Arabia arms packageThe $9 billion Saudi deal includes 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment, intended to bolster regional security and support U.S. foreign policy objectives. “This enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the integrated air and missile defense system in the region,” the department said. The announcement followed a meeting between Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Israel arms packagesThe $6.67 billion in arms sales to Israel are divided into four packages, the largest being 30 Apache attack helicopters with advanced targeting systems and rocket launchers, valued at $3.8 billion. Another $1.98 billion is allocated for 3,250 light tactical vehicles to transport personnel and logistics for the Israel Defense Forces. Under the deals, Israel will also spend $740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers in service since 2008 and $150 million on a small number of light utility helicopters to complement existing equipment. The State Department emphasized that none of the sales would affect the regional military balance but would strengthen Israel’s ability to defend its borders, infrastructure, and population centers. “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the department said. Political reactionsRep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticised the administration for rushing the announcement, accusing it of bypassing congressional oversight and failing to consult lawmakers on broader U.S.-Israel policy and next steps in Gaza. The arms sales come as the Trump administration maintains close security ties with both Israel and Saudi Arabia amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing efforts to stabilise the Middle East.

Israel has for the first time acknowledged the Gaza death toll compiled by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which estimates over 70,000 killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. Thousands more remain missing under rubble, and at least 440 people have died of starvation after Israel restricted aid access, reports Al Jazeera. During the conflict, Israel repeatedly denied or downplayed Palestinian figures, issuing its own fluctuating statistics while accusing Gaza authorities of exaggeration. Investigations and eyewitness reports, however, confirmed that a vast majority of those killed were civilians, including children and women. Israeli forces were also implicated in high-profile killings, such as five-year-old Hind Rajab, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and 15 emergency responders whose bodies were found in a mass grave in southern Gaza. In each case, Israel initially rejected responsibility, later attributing the deaths to operational errors, crossfire, or poor visibility. Experts say Israel’s acknowledgment is largely strategic. Sultan Barakat, a public policy professor, told Al Jazeera that international scrutiny, increased UN access, and ongoing rubble clearance made continued denial untenable. Accepting the figures allows Israel to preserve institutional credibility, signal seriousness to allies like the US and European countries, and prepare a legal record for potential future inquiries without admitting wrongdoing. This shift reflects a recurring pattern in Israel’s military operations, where denial and manipulation of casualty figures are followed by selective acceptance once evidence becomes indisputable. Analysts also note that delaying acknowledgment serves both diplomatic and legal purposes, allowing Israel to control messaging and limit accountability in international forums.  

Israel will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people after almost two years of closure. The Israeli military unit COGAT, which coordinates aid to Gaza, said on Friday that only people will be allowed to pass through the crossing. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main link to the outside world, has been mostly closed since May 2024. Israel and Egypt will screen individuals for entry and exit, with European Union border patrol agents overseeing the process. Palestinians who left Gaza during the recent conflict will be allowed to return if they get Israeli security clearance. Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing, but the return of the last hostage from Gaza earlier this week cleared the way for the move, seen as a key step in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday in exchange for the last Israeli captive, whose remains were recovered earlier this week, marking the completion of one phase of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Palestinian authorities are assessing whether the bodies will be released at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis or al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. (Al Jazeera) The transfer comes more than two years after hostilities escalated, including the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 251 Israelis, including policeman Ran Gvili, captured. Gvili’s remains were the last to be held by Palestinian groups. At his funeral on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed him as a “hero” and warned Israel’s adversaries of severe consequences for future attacks. The return of captives and bodies unfolded through ceasefire arrangements, prisoner-swap deals, and limited military rescue attempts. While all Israeli captives have now been repatriated, thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israel, often without formal charges or trial. According to a July 2024 UN Human Rights Office report, Israel holds approximately 9,400 Palestinians as “security detainees,” with documented cases of torture, sexual assault, and other abuses. Human rights group Physicians for Human Rights–Israel reported that at least 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in custody due to mistreatment, medical neglect, or malnutrition. (Al Jazeera) Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza. On Thursday, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians and injured dozens near Makki roundabout in the central Maghazi camp. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, at least 490 Palestinians have been killed due to airstrikes, tank shelling, and gunfire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. (Al Jazeera) The prisoner exchange also paves the way for a political transition in Gaza. Hamas has agreed to transfer governance to a committee of Palestinian technocrats, which will oversee daily administration under the supervision of a U.S.-led Board of Peace. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said protocols and committees are in place to ensure a full handover. Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal warned that the territory faces an “unprecedented catastrophe” due to shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies caused by the ongoing blockade.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Israel said on Sunday its military has launched a large-scale operation in Gaza to locate the last remaining hostage, as international mediators press Israel and Hamas to advance to the next phase of a ceasefire. The announcement came as Israel’s Cabinet met to consider reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a key step tied to the recovery of the final hostage, Ran Gvili. The meeting followed talks a day earlier between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior US envoys on the ceasefire’s next stage. Netanyahu’s office said late Sunday that Israel would open the Rafah crossing after the operation is completed, in line with understandings reached with the United States. Israeli media quoted military officials as saying the search could take several days. The return of all remaining hostages, whether alive or dead, is a central requirement of the first phase of the ceasefire that began on Oct 10. The previous hostage was recovered in early December. The military said it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, separating Israeli-controlled areas. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Gvili may be buried in the Shijaiya-Tuffah area of Gaza City, with rabbis and forensic experts assisting search teams. Gvili’s family has urged Israel not to proceed to the second ceasefire phase until his remains are returned, though the Trump administration has already said the next phase has begun. Separately, the closed headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem was set on fire overnight. UN officials said settlers were seen looting the compound, while Israel’s fire service worked to contain the blaze. UNRWA accused Israel of undermining its operations, a charge Israel denies.

Seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, have agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, according to a joint statement. Israel had earlier confirmed its participation. Trump on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had also accepted the invitation, though Moscow later clarified it was still under consideration. The board, initially linked to ending the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict and overseeing Gaza reconstruction, does not specifically mention Palestine in its charter and appears aimed at taking on functions similar to the UN. Saudi Arabia said the Muslim-majority nations – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar – support efforts for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, reconstruction, and what they called a “just and lasting peace”. The body’s charter will take effect once three states formally agree, with member nations holding renewable three-year terms. Contributions of $1 billion will secure permanent seats. Trump will serve as chairman and US representative with authority to appoint executive board members. The White House last week named seven founding Executive Board members, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov. Phase one of the plan involved a ceasefire, partial prisoner exchange, limited Israeli withdrawal, and increased humanitarian aid. Israel says the second phase, including reconstruction and demilitarisation, will proceed only after the return of the last hostages. Humanitarian conditions remain fragile. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 460 Palestinian deaths from Israeli strikes since the ceasefire, while Israel reports three soldiers killed in Palestinian attacks. The board faces challenges, as Hamas has resisted disarming without recognition of a Palestinian state, and Israel has not fully committed to withdrawing from Gaza.   With inputs from BBC

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused actors linked to the United States and Israel of being responsible for the killing of “several thousands” of people during weeks of antigovernment protests across the country. “Those linked to Israel and US caused massive damages and killed several thousands” during the protests that shook Iran for more than two weeks, Khamenei said on Saturday. He alleged direct involvement by the two countries in the violence and described US President Donald Trump as a “criminal”. “The latest anti-Iran sedition was different in that the US president personally became involved,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying. Iranian authorities have increasingly blamed foreign powers for the unrest, accusing long-time geopolitical rivals, particularly Israel and the United States, of fuelling instability and directing operations inside the country. Khamenei warned that while Iran would avoid escalating tensions beyond its borders, those it considers responsible would face consequences. “We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” he said. Reporting from Tehran via satellite, Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar Atas said Khamenei’s remarks largely echoed Iran’s long-held position but also introduced a new claim about the scale of casualties. Read More: Iran’s supreme leader warns of harsh response as protests continue Khamenei alleged a deeper level of US involvement than in previous unrest. “He said that in previous protests there was a low level of intervention of the Americans, but this time the president of the United States was a central figure in this international plot against Iran,” Atas added. What stood out, however, was the size of the alleged death toll. “One thing that is new in his speech is that for the first time he is actually giving a sense of the numbers of people killed,” Atas said. “He is saying that the violent protesters have killed thousands of people.” There is still no confirmed death toll, though US-based rights group HRANA says a further 3,000 have been killed in the protests. Until now, Iranian officials had publicly acknowledged hundreds of deaths, including members of the security forces. Khamenei’s statement marks the first time Iran’s top authority has spoken of casualties in the thousands. Atas noted that the claim partly aligns with assessments by some international human rights organisations. “They have been saying that the death toll is much higher than what is being publicly announced by the officials,” he said. Iranian officials also say around 3,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Read More: Iran signals swift trials, executions despite Trump warning Khamenei further accused protesters of widespread destruction, “including burning more than 250 mosque and medical facilities”, Atas said. According to Iran’s official account, demonstrations initially began peacefully over rising prices and economic hardship on December 28 in several cities. “The government was acknowledging their demands and the hardships that they are facing,” Atas said, adding that authorities now argue the protests were later “hijacked by the violent protests who were receiving orders from the outside powers”. Iranian officials claim those involved were “equipped, financed, and trained” by foreign actors, with Khamenei placing Trump “in the centre of this plot”. The semiofficial Fars News Agency reported on Saturday that authorities had restored the short messaging service (SMS) nationwide as part of a phased plan following eight days of near-total internet disruption.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called for restraint following the death of an ultra-Orthodox teenage boy who was killed after being run over by a bus during a protest against plans to draft members of the community into the military. In a statement, Netanyahu urged people to avoid further escalation, warning against additional tragedies, and said authorities would fully investigate the incident. The fatal incident occurred Tuesday evening during a demonstration involving thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters. The victim, identified by police as 14-year-old yeshiva student Yosef Eisenthal, was seen in video footage obtained by The Associated Press trapped beneath the bus as it continued moving several meters amid chaos and screams from the crowd. Read More: Israel hits multiple targets in Lebanon ahead of key Hezbollah disarmament talks Police detained and questioned the bus driver, who claimed he was assaulted by protesters before the vehicle struck the boy. Authorities said Wednesday that the driver’s detention has been extended until January 15, though no formal charges have yet been filed. According to police, demonstrators had blocked the roadway and acted aggressively toward officers, throwing eggs and other objects during the protest. The incident highlights rising tensions between Israeli authorities and the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community as the government considers measures to end long-standing exemptions that allow them to avoid compulsory military service. At Israel’s founding in 1948, draft exemptions were granted to a small number of elite ultra-Orthodox scholars. Over time, those exemptions expanded significantly due to pressure from influential religious political parties. Read More: Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad Many secular Israelis support curtailing the exemptions, particularly those who have served repeated military tours during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Efforts to draft ultra-Orthodox men have faced strong resistance from religious groups, who argue that military service threatens their religious way of life. Protests have at times turned violent, complicating the issue for Netanyahu, whose government depends on the backing of religious parties in parliament.

The United Nations on Monday gave strong backing to the Trump administration’s strategy for stabilizing and administering Gaza, offering crucial international support for U.S. efforts to guide the war-torn region toward peace after two years of conflict. The U.S.-sponsored resolution, approved by the U.N. Security Council, authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in Gaza, establishes a transitional governing body to be overseen by President Donald Trump, and outlines a possible future path toward an independent Palestinian state. Trump celebrated the vote on social media, calling it one of the UN’s most significant approvals and a milestone for global peace. The resolution formally supports Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the fragile truce he helped negotiate with U.S. allies. It represents a major step in defining Gaza’s future following the Israel-Hamas war, which left widespread destruction and tens of thousands dead. First major winter rains flood Gaza tent camp, worsen crisis Under the proposal, a new “Board of Peace” would act as a temporary governing authority led by Trump. The stabilization force would receive broad authority, including border control, security operations, and disarmament efforts. Its mandate, along with the board’s, would expire at the end of 2027. Arab and Muslim nations that had indicated willingness to contribute troops had made clear that UN authorization was a necessary condition for their participation. Russia, which had introduced a competing proposal, abstained along with China in the final 13–0 vote, avoiding use of its veto power. Hamas rejected the resolution, saying it fails to meet the political and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. Stronger language on Palestinian statehood helped secure supportU.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said the resolution “marks another significant step toward a stable and prosperous Gaza” and toward ensuring Israel’s security. The measure came after nearly two weeks of negotiations in which Arab nations and Palestinian representatives pushed the U.S. to take a firmer stance on Palestinian self-determination. US pushes for support on Gaza resolution as Russia puts forward competing draft While the resolution acknowledges the possibility of eventual Palestinian statehood, it gives no specific timeline or guarantees. It states that such progress could come after substantial reconstruction in Gaza and reforms within the Palestinian Authority. The revised text says these developments could create “conditions for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” It also promises the U.S. will facilitate talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a long-term political framework. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, even as his coalition expressed concern about the resolution’s endorsement of a “pathway” to independence. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon praised Trump for advancing peace efforts. Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama thanked Trump for helping secure the ceasefire but emphasized that lasting peace in the Middle East requires justice for Palestinians. A coalition of Arab and Muslim nations—including Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey—had issued a joint statement encouraging quick adoption of the proposal. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow abstained because the resolution gives too little power to the Security Council and stops short of firmly supporting Palestinian statehood. The vote bolsters hopes that the fragile ceasefire will hold. The war began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people; Israel’s response has killed over 69,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who say most victims are women and children. Additional elements of the U.S. proposalTrump said the members of the new Board of Peace would be announced in the coming weeks, along with other planned initiatives. The resolution directs the stabilization force to oversee Gaza’s demilitarization and ensure weapons held by non-state groups are permanently removed. Hamas criticized this aspect, saying it compromises the force’s neutrality and aligns it with Israel. The force is authorized to use military measures as needed to fulfill its mandate. Troops will help secure Gaza’s borders alongside a Palestinian police force they will train and vet, and will work with other nations to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians. They will coordinate closely with Egypt and Israel. As the force takes control on the ground, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from Gaza according to benchmarks and timelines tied to the demilitarization process—terms that must be agreed upon by the stabilization force, Israel, the U.S., and ceasefire guarantors.