Tag

Gaza

All articles tagged with #gaza

Board of Peace Hinges on Trump, Sparking International Legal Debate
middle-east1 day ago

Board of Peace Hinges on Trump, Sparking International Legal Debate

Legal scholars say the Board of Peace concentrates authority in Donald Trump rather than its member states, helping explain why key European powers and the Vatican have stayed out or refused to participate; Italy plans to attend as an observer. Debates persist over whether the Board is a treaty-based international organization or a UN-backed coordination forum. The first meeting announced multi-billion-dollar funding for Gaza reconstruction and humanitarian aid, but the amounts fall short of estimates and the arrangement leaves major questions—Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and governance (NCAG)—unresolved, with substantial oversight and regional risk (notably Iran) shaping feasibility.

Global rights under attack as UN chief urges action and aid funding dries up
world2 days ago

Global rights under attack as UN chief urges action and aid funding dries up

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that human rights are being pushed back worldwide, citing widespread abuses of international law and civilian suffering in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine, while humanitarian needs surge and funding collapses; he urged an end to abuses and highlighted risks to a two-state solution amid Israeli actions in the West Bank.

Gazans push for a nonpartisan police force, contingent on Israeli cooperation
middle-east3 days ago

Gazans push for a nonpartisan police force, contingent on Israeli cooperation

The National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip (NCAG) has begun recruiting thousands of officers for a new, technocratic police force to govern Gaza and manage civil affairs, with training planned in Egypt and Jordan. Applicants must be Gaza residents aged 18–35, in good physical shape, and with no criminal record. Backers argue the force should be independent from Hamas or Fatah, but say its success depends on Israeli cooperation and logistical support. Skepticism remains about the relinquishment of Hamas influence and how existing Hamas police could be reintegrated or accommodated.

Berlinale’s Closing Night Goes Political as Winners Condemn Gaza Actions
world4 days ago

Berlinale’s Closing Night Goes Political as Winners Condemn Gaza Actions

At Berlinale’s charged closing ceremony, winners condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and criticized the U.S. and German governments, with Abdallah Al-Khatib winning Best Feature Debut for Chronicles From the Siege and calling for Palestinian freedom; host Désirée Nosbusch, jury president Wim Wenders, and festival chief Tricia Tuttle framed the night around free speech, dialogue, and solidarity amid geopolitical tensions.

Berlin Film Fest Awards Spotlight Gaza Controversy
entertainment4 days ago

Berlin Film Fest Awards Spotlight Gaza Controversy

At Berlinale's 76th edition, awards and speeches leaned into Gaza politics, with Abdallah Alkhatib accepting Best First Feature wearing a keffiyeh and a Palestinian flag and calling for Palestine’s freedom; other winners and juries highlighted the festival’s political tensions, including open criticism of Berlinale’s silence on Gaza and a defense of free speech by festival leadership. The Golden Bear went to Yellow Letters, while Prosecution and Traces won Panorama Audience Awards, and Someday, a Child earned the Short Film prize.

EU lawmakers condemn Commission over attendance at Trump’s Gaza peace board meeting
politics5 days ago

EU lawmakers condemn Commission over attendance at Trump’s Gaza peace board meeting

European Parliament groups criticized the European Commission for sending Commissioner Dubravka Šuica to a meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington, arguing the move lacked a defined mandate and risks breaching institutional balance. The Commission defended the action, saying many member states participated and that it does not constitute EU membership, while emphasizing the need to engage in discussions affecting Gaza and Palestinians. Only a few EU states have formally joined the board, with others attending as observers, and the incident drew criticism, including from France, as a test of EU institutional norms.

world5 days ago

Trump's Board of Peace Debuts as Allies Hesitate to Join

President Trump launches the Board of Peace, securing roughly $6.5 billion in pledges from several member countries while the U.S. commits $10 billion over 10 years; the World Bank will manage the funds and a stabilization plan for Gaza is underway, with some countries pledging troops and others only sending observers. European powers largely sit out or act as observers, and critics warn the board could sidestep the UN and upset established diplomacy, though Trump casts it as a global effort to rebuild Gaza and empower UN-backed work.

Trump unveils Board of Peace with $10B pledge for Gaza security and reconstruction
world6 days ago

Trump unveils Board of Peace with $10B pledge for Gaza security and reconstruction

In Washington, Trump launched a multinational effort around a new Board of Peace, pledging $10 billion to the board and about $7 billion more for Gaza relief and reconstruction. The plan envisions a International Stabilization Force of up to 20,000 troops and a Palestinian police corps (5,000 trained within 60 days, up to 12,000 total), with funding routed through a World Bank account. Demilitarization would be overseen by a civilian authority, and success depends on Hamas disarming and Israeli cooperation, amid cautious international reactions and concerns about an expanded mandate beyond Gaza.

Berlinale's Spotlight Shifts as Political Debate Eclipses Films
culture6 days ago

Berlinale's Spotlight Shifts as Political Debate Eclipses Films

At Berlinale, almost 300 films are on display, but coverage has been dominated by politics—questions about Gaza, Israeli policy, and democratic rights—sparking backlash over filmmakers’ role and prompting defenses from festival leaders while signees like Arundhati Roy and other stars urge stronger stands; organizers emphasize keeping cinema in focus as heated exchanges and open letters reveal the festival’s fraught relationship with politics.

Trump’s Peace Board mobilizes $7bn for Gaza relief
world6 days ago

Trump’s Peace Board mobilizes $7bn for Gaza relief

Members of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace pledged more than $7bn for a Gaza relief package as part of a US-brokered plan to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza, with the UN contributing $2bn and several Western allies declining to join; the effort faces questions about the feasibility of a new Palestinian police force and whether Hamas will disarm, while Israel emphasizes demilitarisation before reconstruction.

Trump Launches Global Peace Drive With Gaza Reconstruction Push
world6 days ago

Trump Launches Global Peace Drive With Gaza Reconstruction Push

Trump will host the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington to advance a Gaza peace plan that envisions Hamas disarmament, a demilitarized Gaza, and an international stabilization force, with about $5 billion pledged for Gaza reconstruction (against a UN-estimated need of more than $50 billion). The initiative faces skepticism from some European allies and questions at the UN Security Council about the plan’s scope and ongoing Israeli actions in the West Bank. The coverage also notes related domestic events, including a Georgia trip and Trump-branded airport trademark filings.

Trump’s Board of Peace launches as Gaza rebuild debate divides allies
world6 days ago

Trump’s Board of Peace launches as Gaza rebuild debate divides allies

World leaders gather in Washington for the inaugural Board of Peace meeting chaired by Donald Trump to coordinate Gaza demilitarisation and reconstruction, with 45+ countries attending but key allies like the UK, Germany and France declining and no Palestinian representation (Israel sits on the board). The event follows a UN-backed ceasefire, and about $5bn has been pledged for reconstruction—far short of the roughly $70bn needed. The ceasefire remains fragile amid mutual accusations of violations. In other news, reports of possible US strikes on Iran surface.