According to the outlet, the nations are demanding the renewal of a functioning parliament in the West Bank, free and fair elections, and a commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. In Gaza, Hamas is required to relinquish control to an elected Palestinian government and undergo complete disarmament.
Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that these conditions are necessary for the Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas to initiate a process leading to state recognition. A Western official stated, "This path is mandatory, and without it, recognition of a Palestinian state will not occur." The conditions emphasize political reform in the PA and the disarmament of Gaza.
These demands are aimed at preparing for a conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations on June 17, which is expected to outline a pathway toward recognizing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, contingent on the fulfillment of specific requirements from the PA and Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority has been informed that political, economic, and administrative reforms are essential, including holding free elections and resuming parliamentary activities to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
Hamas faces demands for total disarmament and the transfer of governance to an independent Palestinian entity, ultimately leading to an elected government. Additionally, if Hamas wishes to participate in elections, it must operate solely as a political party.
A Western official emphasized that these are not merely "conditions," but widespread demands from Palestinian, regional, and international stakeholders. "Recognition of a Palestinian state requires a political system that addresses the people's calls for reform, elections, and accountability. Disarmament is essential to halt the conflict in Gaza," the official stated. Israel has informed all mediators that it will not allow weapons in Gaza or the West Bank and will act against any terrorist groups.
Asharq Al-Awsat noted that officials from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas described these demands as "impossible." PA figures warned of severe implications, while Hamas officials stated that the issue of disarmament is linked to ending the occupation. A senior Hamas official remarked that even if they agreed to disarm, Israel would continue to use it as a justification for ongoing attacks.
On Thursday, French President Macron indicated that France might take a firmer diplomatic stance toward Israel, once again criticizing it for creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and warning of possible sanctions alongside Canada and the UK.
Macron mentioned that discussions are "ongoing" and that the countries will soon decide whether to adopt a tougher tone regarding Israel. France is expected to host a conference on Gaza this month, which will not include Israeli participation, aiming to advance Palestinian statehood.
Israel's Foreign Ministry has rejected claims of hunger and food shortages in Gaza, asserting that a new distribution scheme is successfully providing goods without Hamas's involvement. Israel labeled these accusations as "a blatant lie."
Recently, Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned Macron for allegedly siding with Hamas following his criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, highlighting the diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that these conditions are necessary for the Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas to initiate a process leading to state recognition. A Western official stated, "This path is mandatory, and without it, recognition of a Palestinian state will not occur." The conditions emphasize political reform in the PA and the disarmament of Gaza.
These demands are aimed at preparing for a conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations on June 17, which is expected to outline a pathway toward recognizing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, contingent on the fulfillment of specific requirements from the PA and Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority has been informed that political, economic, and administrative reforms are essential, including holding free elections and resuming parliamentary activities to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
Hamas faces demands for total disarmament and the transfer of governance to an independent Palestinian entity, ultimately leading to an elected government. Additionally, if Hamas wishes to participate in elections, it must operate solely as a political party.
A Western official emphasized that these are not merely "conditions," but widespread demands from Palestinian, regional, and international stakeholders. "Recognition of a Palestinian state requires a political system that addresses the people's calls for reform, elections, and accountability. Disarmament is essential to halt the conflict in Gaza," the official stated. Israel has informed all mediators that it will not allow weapons in Gaza or the West Bank and will act against any terrorist groups.
Asharq Al-Awsat noted that officials from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas described these demands as "impossible." PA figures warned of severe implications, while Hamas officials stated that the issue of disarmament is linked to ending the occupation. A senior Hamas official remarked that even if they agreed to disarm, Israel would continue to use it as a justification for ongoing attacks.
On Thursday, French President Macron indicated that France might take a firmer diplomatic stance toward Israel, once again criticizing it for creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and warning of possible sanctions alongside Canada and the UK.
Macron mentioned that discussions are "ongoing" and that the countries will soon decide whether to adopt a tougher tone regarding Israel. France is expected to host a conference on Gaza this month, which will not include Israeli participation, aiming to advance Palestinian statehood.
Israel's Foreign Ministry has rejected claims of hunger and food shortages in Gaza, asserting that a new distribution scheme is successfully providing goods without Hamas's involvement. Israel labeled these accusations as "a blatant lie."
Recently, Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned Macron for allegedly siding with Hamas following his criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, highlighting the diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Israel orders military to block aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza
Israel’s defence minister on Sunday ordered the military to stop an aid boat belonging to the international nonprofit organisation Freedom Flotilla Coalition and carrying climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and fellow activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.
FRANCE 24
Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday ordered the military to block an aid boat headed for Gaza with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
"I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza," Israel Katz said in a statement from his office.
"To Greta the antisemite and her companions, Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza," Katz said.
Aboard the boat are nationals of Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands.
One of them, French MEP Rima Hassan, has said that more than 200 European lawmakers signed an open letter to Israel calling for the Madleen to be allowed to reach Gaza and for the "immediate entry of its humanitarian cargo".
Hassan voiced concern over the lack of official response from countries whose citizens are part of the crew.
"No state has responded. The message being sent is that Israel is being allowed to act with impunity, without any guarantee of protection for us," she added.
On Saturday, French Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin said that France was obliged to ensure "consular protection" for its nationals aboard the Madleen.
"The six French citizens on this boat are entitled to consular protection," he told a state TV channel.
The organisers of the Madleen's voyage said Saturday they had reached Egyptian waters and were nearing Gaza, where the war between Israel and Hamas has entered its 21st month.
The Madleen, a sailing boat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on June 1 with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid and breaking the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territory.
"Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade of Gaza, which is aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas – a murderous terrorist group holding our hostages and committing war crimes," Katz said.
"Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror groups – by sea, air or land," he added.
In May, another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, reported coming under drone attack.
Israeli fire near food distribution site
In Gaza, the civil defence agency said Israeli attacks killed at least 10 people on Sunday.
"Five martyrs and dozens of wounded were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis after the (Israeli) occupation forces opened fire on civilians at around 6:00 am", said Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the agency.
The civilians had been heading to an aid distribution centre west of Rafah, near a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed group that has come under criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies.
The United Nations refuses to work with the GHF, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality.
The Israeli military said it fired on people who "continued advancing in a way that endangered the soldiers" despite warnings.
It said the area around the distribution point had been declared an "active combat zone" at night.
"Around 4:30 am, people started gathering in the Al-Alam area of Rafah. After about an hour and a half, hundreds moved toward the site and the army opened fire," eyewitness Abdallah Nour al-Din told AFP.
Five dead in strike on tent
Outside Nasser Hospital, where the emergency workers brought the casualties, AFPTV footage showed mourners crying over blood-stained body-bags.
"I can't see you like this," said Lin al-Daghma by her father's body, while a man lay over his brother's corpse.
They gave the same account as Din, and spoke of the struggle to access food aid after more than two months of a total Israeli blockade of Gaza, despite a recent easing.
Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to the civil defence.
Bassal said another five people, including two young girls, were killed in an overnight strike that hit a tent in the Al-Mawasi displaced persons camp in southern Gaza.
Israel's army on Sunday accused Bassal of being linked to Hamas, an allegation he denied.
The army issued copies of what it said were Hamas membership lists to the media, without clarifying where or how the undated documents were obtained.
"I do not work for any military organisation," Bassal told AFP, adding that the agency's mission was guided by international law.
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