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Israeli Lobby Seeks to Restore Jewish Settlement in Gaza

Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary tent camp in the Al-Mawasi area in Gaza. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary tent camp in the Al-Mawasi area in Gaza. (AP)
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Israeli Lobby Seeks to Restore Jewish Settlement in Gaza

Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary tent camp in the Al-Mawasi area in Gaza. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary tent camp in the Al-Mawasi area in Gaza. (AP)

A so-called “Parliamentary Lobby for the Israeli Victory Project,” which operates in Israel and the United States, decided to submit a demand to the US administration and the Israeli government to “seriously consider a project of voluntary transfer of Palestinians,” claiming that it was the best humanitarian solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

The lobby warned of the American plan to allow the Palestinian Authority to rule Gaza and to establish the two-state solution, claiming that this is “a recipe for repeating the Hamas attack on October 7, several times.”

These positions were announced on the eve of the meeting of the Israeli Mini Ministerial Council for Security and Political Affairs, on Thursday, to discuss the post-Gaza war stage. The lobby announced its adoption of the plan drawn up by Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, the author of the official project to deport the people of Gaza.

According to Gamliel, Hamas’ rule of the Gaza Strip should end, along with the complete destruction of its sites and tunnels and the dissolution of municipalities and village councils. She added that the entire agricultural land must become a security belt for Israel, while the Israeli army must remain in control of all border crossings and be able to continue its operations.

Transferring UNRWA materials

Gamliel stressed that transferring governing powers to the Palestinian Authority would be very dangerous for Israel.

She noted that the PA leaders share views as Hamas, saying: “They even expressed their support for the October 7 massacre. We did not fight for all this period and pay the price in blood for the establishment of an authority that is hostile to us.”

The minister emphasized that her project required interim civilian rule in the Gaza Strip, led by the United States, Egypt and Jordan, with the Israeli army maintaining its security control.

She added that among urgent tasks will be a process of complete disarmament and the termination of the Palestinian refugee file, while transferring the resources that go to UNRWA to finance the voluntary migration project so that the refugees can build a new life abroad.

The Israeli Victory Project was founded in 2017 and includes a group of deputies from both the coalition and the opposition.

‘Unrealistic illusions’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a briefing to Israeli media, described calls for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza launched by Israeli ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, as “unrealistic illusions.”

Netanyahu claimed that Israel “does not work to displace the people of Gaza and resettle them in other places in the world.”

“Even if we wanted to, Israel does not have the ability to push the residents of Gaza to leave to another country,” he said, citing legal restrictions.

American figures

Since the creation of the lobby, there have been two American figures in its leadership: Daniel Pipes, president of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, and Gregg Roman, Director General of the same institute, who is a former leader of Jewish institutions and worked as an employee in the Israeli Ministry of Defense and an advisor to the Israeli Foreign Minister.

The lobby believes that the Israeli government and the American administration failed to settle the conflict during 30 years of negotiations, because they “did not deal appropriately with the Palestinian policy” of rejecting proposals, while claiming that the Israelis had to constantly make concessions to the Palestinians.

Similar American lobby

The Israeli Victory Project works in partnership with a similar US lobby that has been established in Congress since 1988. It is led by figures in the American leadership, and funded by American support.

The intense campaign by the Israeli right to promote the voluntary deportation of Palestinians is “unsettling” the American administration and many forces in Israel, who believe it will politically and legally implicate Israel at international arenas.

A political source in the opposition said the call for deportation is no longer limited to a number of far-right ministers and representatives, but is now backed by political, popular and academic forces in Israel and the United States.

These forces are trying to give momentum to this project and refuse in any way to end the war with a political settlement, according to the source.

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Arab World

Sisi Says Egypt Ready for Any Measure to Protect Saudi Arabia

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egyptian Presidency)
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi Says Egypt Ready for Any Measure to Protect Saudi Arabia

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egyptian Presidency)
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt's parliament will meet on Sunday after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked lawmakers to authorize support for Saudi defenses.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, Sisi said on Saturday that it was "inconceivable" for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was "harmed or its security and stability threatened.”

"Egypt, of course, with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will carry out any measure to protect you or defend you," he said.

Sisi said Cairo stood "with full force and support to protect and defend the lands of our brothers in the Gulf,” before asking attendees to stand and give a military salute to Gulf states.

"I'm not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone," he added. "We are speaking only about defense."

Shortly after Sisi's remarks, state media reported that parliament would convene an emergency session on Sunday at the president's request.

Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy said that al-Sisi’s remarks about Egypt’s willingness to take measures to protect its Gulf Arab brethren, if requested, “carry a clear political and strategic message: Egypt views Gulf security as an integral part of Egyptian and Arab national security, and Arab solidarity is not limited to political and diplomatic positions, but extends to a readiness to shoulder responsibility when Arab states face threats to their security and stability.”

Hegazy told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the president’s remarks also underscore that any potential Egyptian action would be defensive and protective in nature, undertaken at the request of its Gulf partners, rather than aimed at attacking any party or entering into an open military confrontation.”

He said this “reflects the distinction between possessing the capability to protect Arab interests and seeking escalation.”

“The president’s remarks affirm that force in this context is a tool of deterrence and protection, not an instrument of war and escalation. This comes within the framework of Egypt’s longstanding commitment to Arab solidarity, while safeguarding security, stability, and the resources of the countries of the region,” he added.

Arab World

UN: Sudan’s Warring Parties Show No Serious Commitment to a Settlement

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (AP)
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (AP)
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UN: Sudan’s Warring Parties Show No Serious Commitment to a Settlement

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (AP)
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (AP)

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said Friday that Sudan’s warring parties showed no serious commitment to a negotiated settlement despite neither side being capable of securing a military victory, raising fears of further escalation in the coming months.

Briefing the Security Council, the UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs painted a bleak picture of a conflict fueled by continued arms supplies, recruitment and foreign support.

Her assessment came a day after Sudanese army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan disclosed that he had sent a message to US President Donald Trump expressing Sudan’s commitment to Washington-backed peace efforts.

Washington has not publicly responded to Burhan’s remarks. The army chief met Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, in Egypt earlier this month.

Civilian toll mounts

DiCarlo told the council that conditions in Sudan continued to deteriorate, with little prospect of a breakthrough and no significant improvement in recent months.

Fighting had been particularly fierce in North Kordofan, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, but violence was spreading well beyond those front lines.

Drone strikes and air raids had killed civilians at a displacement camp in Blue Nile, an artisanal gold mine in Red Sea state and several locations in North Kordofan, including schools, a courthouse, university accommodation and a shelter for displaced families.

She condemned a drone strike on two clearly marked World Food Program (WFP) trucks carrying food aid through an area subjected to repeated attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

One driver was killed in the attack.

DiCarlo identified drone strikes as the leading cause of civilian casualties this year, calling for an immediate halt to such attacks and tighter restrictions on drone use.

She expressed concern that weapons continued to flow into Sudan while both sides recruited fighters, increasing the likelihood of further escalation.

Rather than seeking dialogue, military leaders appeared convinced they could make greater gains on the battlefield and achieve their objectives through force, provided foreign backing continued.

She urged the warring parties to abandon that calculation and called on outside powers to use their influence to end the conflict rather than fuel it.

DiCarlo also drew attention to growing insecurity along Sudan’s borders, particularly given the fragility of several neighboring countries.

Preventing the war from developing into a broader regional crisis must remain a collective priority, she stressed.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Despite the deadlock, DiCarlo reported continued UN coordination with the Quad, which is seeking to secure a humanitarian truce.

The United Nations stood ready to help implement any agreement, she stressed, emphasizing that further delays were unacceptable.

She also pointed to modest progress through the efforts of the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto.

Both warring parties had established committees to consider the unilateral release of detainees and had negotiated prisoner exchanges.

Haavisto was also working with UNICEF to ensure that Sudanese students could take a unified, nationally recognized 12th-grade examination, while talks continued with Chad over arrangements for Sudanese refugee students.

Partners from the Quintet visited Khartoum in early September to consult Sudanese stakeholders, who consistently called for an end to the war and the restoration of civilian rule.

DiCarlo welcomed growing international engagement, citing the first joint meeting between the Quintet and the Quad during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in September.

A Sudan Consultative Group meeting scheduled for Geneva next week would bring together both diplomatic groupings and other mediators.

Referring to the anniversary of the fall of El Fasher, DiCarlo called for much greater pressure on the warring parties and their supporters to end the fighting.

She emphasized that accountability was essential after the immense suffering endured by Sudanese civilians, who deserved peace and a genuine prospect of a better future.

US urges humanitarian truce

US Deputy Representative Jeff Bartos called for a humanitarian truce and an end to weapons flows into Sudan, pledging continued efforts to expand sanctions.

He described the Quintet’s work as the most credible path toward a peaceful political transition under civilian leadership.

 

 

Arab World

Qatar Offers Comprehensive Plan to Ease Lebanon’s Electricity Crisis

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Beirut (AFP/Lebanese Presidency). 
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Beirut (AFP/Lebanese Presidency). 
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Qatar Offers Comprehensive Plan to Ease Lebanon’s Electricity Crisis

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Beirut (AFP/Lebanese Presidency). 
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Beirut (AFP/Lebanese Presidency). 

Lebanon and Qatar are close to reaching an agreement to overhaul Lebanon’s electricity sector, with Doha set to finance, develop and operate the project without requiring any upfront investment from the Lebanese treasury, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Friday.

The announcement came during a visit to Beirut by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who unveiled plans for a major energy investment and broader cooperation, including energy interconnection projects linking Lebanon with Syria and Iraq.

Energy dominated the talks, alongside Israeli attacks in South Lebanon and Qatar’s continued support for the Lebanese Army.

Aoun calls for pressure on Israel

Al Thani began his visit at Baabda Palace, where President Joseph Aoun praised Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Qatari leadership for their efforts to ease regional tensions and restore stability.

Aoun urged Doha to work with Arab and friendly countries to press Israel to halt its attacks in South Lebanon and implement the framework agreement reached through US-sponsored negotiations with Lebanon.

He described the mounting toll of Israeli operations, including casualties and widespread destruction in southern villages, and called for intensified diplomatic efforts to secure an Israeli withdrawal.

Aoun also reiterated Lebanon’s condemnation of attacks on Gulf countries, most recently Saudi Arabia, and reaffirmed solidarity with Gulf states.

Welcoming stronger bilateral ties, he highlighted Qatar’s willingness to help address Lebanon’s longstanding electricity crisis.

For his part, Al Thani reaffirmed Doha’s support for the Lebanese government’s efforts and called for Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory and hand over those areas to the Lebanese Army.

Qatar to finance and operate electricity project

At a joint news conference at the Grand Serail, Salam announced that the two governments were nearing an agreement to rehabilitate, develop and modernize Lebanon’s electricity generation infrastructure.

The proposed project would cover various sources of power generation and the infrastructure needed to support them, with the aim of providing a more reliable electricity supply at a lower cost.

Salam explained that the initiative would follow a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, under which Qatar would finance, implement and operate the project before ownership is transferred.

Crucially, Lebanon would not have to provide any upfront capital investment, helping overcome the financial obstacles that have long hindered improvements to electricity supply.

Salam outlined the government’s priorities as increasing production, reducing costs and improving management, stressing that reliable electricity at affordable prices would encourage investment and help revive the economy.

The discussions also covered securing gas supplies and preparing an intergovernmental agreement to pave the way for a comprehensive solution to the electricity crisis.

Broader energy partnership

Al Thani confirmed that both countries had agreed on a comprehensive framework for energy cooperation, including a major investment project intended to benefit Lebanon’s economy and participating Qatari companies and institutions.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to standing alongside the Lebanese people during a difficult period for the region and expressed hope for closer cooperation across other sectors.

Turning to regional security, the Qatari prime minister urged all parties to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, called for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied positions and stressed the importance of respecting existing agreements.

He also revealed that Doha was coordinating with Washington on reconstruction efforts in South Lebanon to enable displaced residents to return to their homes.

Qatar would continue supporting the Lebanese Army as a national institution responsible for safeguarding the country’s security and stability, he added.

Berri stresses support for army

Al Thani also met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss political and security developments in Lebanon and the region, continued Israeli attacks and bilateral relations.

Berri expressed appreciation for Qatar’s longstanding support, particularly for South Lebanon, and its commitment to Lebanese sovereignty, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced residents.

He welcomed Doha’s willingness to contribute to economic recovery and reconstruction.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening national unity and supporting state institutions, particularly the Lebanese Army and security forces, as guarantors of stability and sovereignty.