Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Qatar has brokered an agreement between the two leading Palestinian factions. On Feb. 6, leaders of Fatah and Hamas agreed to resume efforts to form a joint government and prepare for elections. Under Qatar’s influence, the two sides supported the selection of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas as head […]
Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has established police stations around Jerusalem, claimed by Israel as its capital. Over the past 18 months, the PA Interior Ministry has quietly set up two police stations along the outskirts of Jerusalem. The first station was established in the Jerusalem suburb of A-Ram just outside the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com GAZA CITY — Hamas has rejected a proposal to halt its war against Israel. A Hamas leader said the Islamic movement has deemed unfeasible a proposal by the rival Fatah to end attacks from the Gaza Strip. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said Fatah’s proposal for what was termed “peaceful resistance” could apply […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Arab League states have been ignoring the Palestine Liberation Organization for the Islamist opposition. Arab diplomats said Hamas has threatened to overshadow the PLO in numerous Middle East capitals. They said Hamas delegations were given the red-carpet treatment in such countries as Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia and Turkey. “Hamas is being […]
Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has begun to reshuffle its security command. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has issued orders to replace several longtime security commanders. The move included the resignation of the commander of the National Security Forces, the paramilitary unit of the PA. On Dec. 26, Abbas appointed Maj. Gen. Nidal […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Jordan faces its most difficult challenge in decades amid internal unrest and revolt in neighboring Syria, a report said. The Institute for National Security Studies asserted that King Abdullah has faced his toughest challenge since he ascended to the throne in 1998. INSS said the Hashemite kingdom could be […]
Special to WorldTribune.com GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has cracked down on major banks in the Gaza Strip. A Hamas court fined two major Gaza banks tens of millions of dollars for refusing to pay taxes to the Islamic regime. The decision, issued in mid-November, said the Bank of Palestine and Palestine Islamic Bank […]
Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The ruling Fatah movement has been studying the feasibility of maintaining the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Officials said Fatah has formed a panel that would determine the fate of the PA amid efforts to establish a state over the next few months. The officials said statehood efforts have […]
Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has been accused of harassing Hamas prisoners released by Israel. The PA has not confirmed the Hamas report. Israel has released 477 Palestinians, most of them transferred to the Gaza Strip, and plans another release of 550 in December. The Hamas prisoner release is said to have […]