Palestinian reconciliation

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas in Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow on August 13, 2024.

What PA's Abbas hopes to gain from Russia’s Putin following Moscow visit

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ three-day visit to Moscow this week aimed to shore up Russian support for the Palestinian cause at the United Nations and in post-war international forums.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas meets with Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Palestinian President Abbas meets Erdogan ahead of speech to Turkey's parliament

Abbas’ visit to Turkey comes at a critical time as it remains unclear how relations between the Palestinian Authority and its rival, Hamas, will evolve under Yahya Sinwar's leadership.

Yahya al-Sinwar (C), Gaza Strip chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, shakes hands with a masked fighter of Hamas' Qassam Brigades during a rally marking the 35th anniversary of the group's foundation, in Gaza City on December 14, 2022. Hamas will end talks on securing a prisoner exchange with Israel unless there is progress soon, the militant group's leader in the Gaza Strip said on December 14. Since Israel's 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Islamist group has held the bodies of Israeli so

Analysis

With its ally Haniyeh gone, how will Turkey approach Sinwar-led Hamas?

Hamas’ new political chief, Yahya Sinwar, is seen as hard-line and pro-Iran, which unsettles Turkey, but he is unlikely to turn the armed Palestinian group into a mere instrument of Tehran.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

A view of the destruction by the Israeli military of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on July 29, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

Exclusive

Inside the Palestinian Authority’s day-after plan for Gaza

A proposal obtained by Al-Monitor outlines the Palestinian Authority’s plan for unified governance across the West Bank and Gaza, but its implementation hinges on whether Israel and Hamas can agree to a cease-fire.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Latest News

Abbas to visit Turkey mid August as both condemn Haniyeh’s killing

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas listens as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) speaks during a meeting in Ankara, on March 5, 2024.

Guarded optimism on Palestinian reconciliation ahead of Fatah-Hamas meeting in China

Palestinians lift flags of the Hamas and Fatah groups as they demonstrate in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on November 10, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Palestinian talks in China postponed as Hamas, Fatah trade blame

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2023.

Europe's only Palestine museum sees visitors surge in light of Gaza war

Ron Mendel and Peace, volunteers at the Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre in Bristol, southwest England, stand outside the museum in April 2024.

With second meeting in June, China finds opportunity in Hamas-Fatah talks

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2023. (Photo by Jade GAO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JADE GAO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

A motorcyclist rides past a high school at Panjgur district in Balochistan province on Jan. 17, 2024.

Analysis

China wades into Iran-Pakistan mediation, eyes infrastructure projects

With trilateral action, Beijing hopes to collectively combat terror groups trying to disrupt its mega-project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Demonstrators hold a giant Palestinian flag during the 'Justice for Palestine' rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Brussels on March 17, 2024. (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

Belgium endorses Palestine's UN bid, Spain and Ireland may follow

The State of Palestine is seeking more diplomatic recognition from Western Europe as it seeks to become a full member of the United Nations.

Jade Gao/Getty Images

China hosts Hamas, Fatah delegations for reconciliation talks

The meeting follows a Hamas official's statement that the movement was ready to join the PLO.

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

New Palestinian government sworn in as PA reform prospects dwindle

The new Palestinian government is made up of ministers unaffiliated with political factions but loyal to the Palestinian Authority's longtime president.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks.

Interview

Palestine to bid for full UN membership this month, says ambassador

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour spoke to Al-Monitor about Arab solidarity on Gaza, Palestine’s efforts to become a full member of the UN, reconciliation with Hamas and alleged sexual crimes on both sides of the conflict.

Riyad Mansour

With Riyad Mansour

Palestine Ambassador to the UN

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian UN mission makes small gains as all eyes on Qatar cease-fire talks

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Former Chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund Mohammad Mustafa (L) poses for a photo with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Meet Mohammad Mustafa, likely incoming Palestinian PM

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh stands next to a portrait of the Palestinian Authority's President Mahmud Abbas during a cabinet meeting in which he announced his government's resignation and called for "new political measures" in Ramallah on Feb. 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Internal Palestinian discussions heat up in wake of Moscow meeting

Internal Palestinian discussions are heating up as pressure mounts on Israel and Hamas to produce some sort of truce before the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

In this handout photo provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on January 12, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (Photo by Thaer Ghanaim/PPO via Getty Images)

Abbas in Turkey: Gaza aid, Hamas-Fatah reconciliation on agenda with Erdogan

Analysts believe the pair also discussed post-cease-fire scenarios in Gaza.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas gesticulates during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on August 16, 2022. (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP) (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER/AFP via Getty Images)

As Palestinians head to Russia, Abbas ponders least bad option for PM

A large Palestinian delegation will head to Moscow this week to try and reach consensus on a postwar government that could include Hamas representatives in an expanded Palestine Liberation Organization.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh chairs a cabinet meeting amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Ramallah, West Bank, Feb. 20, 2024.

Palestinian PM Shtayyeh resigns, paving way for technocratic government

Arabic media reports said Mohammad Mustafa, chairman of the board of the Palestine Investment Fund, is likely to be appointed by Abbas as the new prime minister.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a meeting of the Palestinian leadership at the presidential headquarters, Ramallah, on Dec. 2, 2023.

Abbas urges Hamas to complete Gaza deal with Israel as Palestinian reconciliation looms

President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to speed up its agreement on a hostage deal with Israel to prevent more suffering in Gaza, as mediators scramble to secure a deal.