Interim Israel–Palestine agreements marking the start of a peace process (1993–1995)
The United States is expanding its push to isolate the International Criminal Court, threatening sanctions, travel bans and diplomatic pressure to withdraw from the court. Secretary of State Rubio and government officials say the ICC threatens US sovereignty, while supporters argue the court remains a crucial tool for justice.
The ICC oversight body is set to vote on Karim Khan’s fate after allegations of misconduct toward a female aide. Khan has denied wrongdoing; the UK Bar Standards Board and US sanctions have added pressure as the Assembly of States Parties prepares for a special session at the UN on July 24.
Palestinian banks face a critical disruption as Israel’s Discount Bank and Bank Hapoalim plan to terminate correspondent banking services with Palestinian institutions this autumn, threatening imports, exports, and essential services amid a broader financial crisis and withheld Palestinian revenues.
UNESCO has placed Sebastia in the West Bank and five Mount Amel castles in southern Lebanon on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing ongoing conflicts. Israel opposes the move, calling it politicisation, while Palestinian and Lebanese officials celebrate protections amid tensions.
Multiple mosques in the northern West Bank have been set ablaze in what authorities describe as a wave of settler violence. Officials say two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have died in the broader clashes surrounding Tal and surrounding villages.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.
Settlers have returned to Kadim, north of Jenin, with around 30 pioneer families arriving under military escort. The reopening follows the 2005 disengagement and signals a broader push to revive four northern West Bank settlements, amid a wider surge in settlement activity under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Palestinian residents fear displacement as tensions rise alongside new outposts and tenders in nearby areas.
Rival Fatah factions and allied Palestinian groups are engaging in talks ahead of November legislative elections. Meetings in Egypt and in the Alamein region aim to bridge rifts within Fatah and coordinate broader opposition to the PA leadership, including potential cooperation with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Dahlan’s Reform Current. The developments come as Abbas’s circle seeks to present a united front while preparing for a contested election landscape.
Defence Minister Katz has stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without migration, saying Israel is prepared to relocate Gazans by sea, air, and other means. The idea is being discussed as part of a broader debate over displacement, with international concern growing over humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Palestinian communities in the West Bank report intensified settler violence this week, with multiple killings in al-Mughayyir and Beitillu, while international volunteers recount abductions and clashes with Israeli forces. The High Court and US officials call for accountability as tensions rise.
UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week prepares to address climate action, pandemic preparedness, sea-level rise and racism while marking milestones: 40th anniversary of the Right to Development and 25th Durban Declaration.
Parliamentary hearings have examined the Foreign Ministry’s payments to the International Peace Institute and how links to Jeffrey Epstein’s network have influenced officials. Officials, including former ministers, are testifying as an independent inquiry promises a broader review in 2028.