UN General Assembly upgrades Palestine observer status

Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak ended a 92-day hunger strike after an agreement on his release from detention under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law.

Hasan Safadi was released after repeated hunger strikes challenging administrative detention and renewal of detention orders.

An Israeli airstrike kills Hamas military commander Ahmed al-Jabari; an eight-day escalation follows, involving Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian rocket fire. Civilians on both sides are harmed.

A ceasefire mediated by Egypt takes effect after eight days of hostilities in Gaza and southern Israel. Humanitarian needs remain substantial.

Jafar Azzidine, Tarek Qaadan and Yousef Yassin began hunger strikes after administrative detention orders following their arrests in the Jenin area.

Mahmoud Abbas signed letters seeking Palestinian accession to 15 international treaties and conventions, advancing a strategy of international legal recognition.

The PLO and Hamas reached a reconciliation understanding to form a national consensus government and pursue elections. Implementation and lasting unity remained contested.

Israel announced that it would not negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas, illustrating the political impasse around the reconciliation initiative.

President Abbas swore in a government led by Rami Hamdallah, following the April reconciliation agreement. Its ability to govern Gaza remained constrained.

Israel announced plans for approximately 1,500 settlement housing units, drawing criticism as Palestinians sought self-determination and an end to settlement expansion.