Latest Palestinian territories government News

Palestinian Authority announces a new Cabinet as it faces calls for reform

Mar. 28, 2024 12:05 PM EDT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinian Authority has announced the formation of a new Cabinet as it faces international pressure to reform. President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades and remains in overall control, announced the new government in a...

Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gaza's Rafah would be a mistake and isn't needed to defeat Hamas

Mar. 22, 2024 00:11 AM EDT

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be “a mistake” and “unnecessary” to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. ...

The Latest | Blinken says he'll talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault

Mar. 21, 2024 18:38 PM EDT

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Friday. Blinken and Arab leaders on Thursday discussed efforts...

The Latest | Airstrike in the West Bank kills at least 3 Palestinian militants, officials say

Mar. 20, 2024 16:37 PM EDT

An Israeli airstrike has killed at least three Palestinian militants traveling in a car in the northern West Bank near the town of Jenin, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The Islamic Jihad militant group claimed the three dead men as members. The airstrike occurred as raids of the...

Blinken adds Israel stop to latest Mideast tour as tensions rise over Gaza war

Mar. 20, 2024 16:04 PM EDT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel this week as part of his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since the Israelis' war with Hamas began in October, as relations between the two countries have soured dramatically in recent weeks. ...

The Latest | Netanyahu remains set on Rafah ground invasion despite US misgivings

Mar. 20, 2024 11:34 AM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he remains determined to carry out a Rafah ground offensive, despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s misgivings. Earlier, Qatari officials said they were “cautiously optimistic” after talks with Israel’s intelligence chief in Doha...

Incoming Palestinian prime minister lays out plans for reform but faces major obstacles

Mar. 19, 2024 14:29 PM EDT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The incoming Palestinian prime minister said on Tuesday that he will appoint a technocratic government and establish an independent trust fund to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. In a mission statement acquired by The Associated Press, Mohammad Mustafa...

Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza

Mar. 17, 2024 23:40 PM EDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu railed Sunday against growing criticism from top ally the United States against his leadership amid the devastating war with Hamas, describing calls for a new election as “wholly inappropriate.” In recent days,...

Biden backs Schumer after senator calls for new elections in Israel

Mar. 15, 2024 16:41 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden expressed support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza. ...

The first ship to use a new sea route delivers aid to Gaza, Israeli miliary says

Mar. 15, 2024 16:28 PM EDT

WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — A ship delivered 200 tons of humanitarian supplies, food and water to Gaza on Friday, the Israeli military said, inaugurating a sea route from Cyprus for aid to help ease the humanitarian crisis brought by Israel’s 5-month-old offensive in the enclave. ...