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Palestinians Declare ‘Jerusalem Not for Sale’ against Trump Threat to Cut Aid

US President Donald Trump. (AP)
US President Donald Trump. (AP)
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Palestinians Declare ‘Jerusalem Not for Sale’ against Trump Threat to Cut Aid

US President Donald Trump. (AP)
US President Donald Trump. (AP)

US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to halt annual aid of more than $300 million to force them to the negotiating table.

Palestinians slammed the announcement, with President Mahmoud Abbas’ office declaring that Jerusalem was “not for sale.”

"Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP, referring to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The December 6 declaration led Abbas to say the United States could no longer play any role in the Middle East peace process.

"We are not against going back to negotiations, but (these should be) based on international laws and resolutions that have recognized an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital," Abu Rudeina said.

Trump made the funding threat in a tweet on Tuesday, saying: "We pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

"With the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?"

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee, said in response: "We will not be blackmailed."

“Trump ruined our pursuit of peace, freedom and justice and now blames the Palestinians for the consequences of his reckless actions,” she added.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening all of the budget, worth $319 million in 2016, according to US government figures.

The United States has long provided the Palestinian Authority with much-needed budgetary support and security assistance, as well as an additional $304 million for UN programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

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Arab World

Building Collapses Pose Another Threat to People in Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
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Building Collapses Pose Another Threat to People in Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)

Residents of Gaza are taking the risk of living in damaged buildings despite their possibility of collapse, opting to live with a roof over their heads than stay in tents that do little to shelter them from the cold, rain and wind.

The enclave had been under a cold front that brought with it heavy rain and strong winds that led to the collapse of 20 damaged houses and buildings in less than ten days, claiming the lives of over 15 Palestinians.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a Civil Defense spokesman warned against delaying in tackling the issue of damaged buildings.

A building collapsed in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in northern Gaza in the early morning on Sunday, killing a man, his wife, two children and granddaughter, who had lost her father and son during the war.

Civil Defense teams managed to rescue three members of the family from under the rubble of the multi-storey building that had been partially damaged during the conflict.

In just the past ten days, no less than six buildings collapsed in Sheikh Radwan.

Experts believed that the Israeli forces’ demolition operations have raised the risk of collapse of damaged buildings.

The forces are deploying booby-trapped vehicles and remotely detonating them. The strength of the detonations can be felt several kilometers away, even in Israel itself.

Israel is carrying out these operations along the so-called yellow line that is serving as a new military boundary in Gaza.

Civil Defense spokesman in Gaza Mahmoud Basal said over 90 residential buildings are at the risk of collapse because they are partially damaged. Thousands of people live in those houses and have no other shelter.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that specialized teams have carried out field tours and inspections of the buildings, urging residents to evacuate them given the risk.

He added that the Civil Defense is facing a shortage in tools to rescue people from a building in case of a collapse, saying teams are relying on primitive means to rescue people from under the rubble.

Meanwhile, people sheltering in tents can do little to shield themselves from the cold, Basal added. The tents are prone to taking in rainwater and have already been damaged by the elements.

He underlined the need to come to the aid of the people of Gaza and to rebuild the enclave because delays are only putting lives in danger.

Culture

Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Visits Hira Cultural District in Makkah

The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark. SPA
The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark. SPA
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Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Visits Hira Cultural District in Makkah

The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark. SPA
The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark. SPA

Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Dr. Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar visited on Sunday the Hira Cultural District in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah.

During the visit, the Malaysian minister and his accompanying delegation toured the Revelation Gallery and the Museum of the Holy Quran.

Members of the delegation expressed admiration for the historical legacy presented through the use of the latest technologies, as well as for the valuable efforts and purposeful messages aimed at enriching the religious and cultural experience. They also praised the beauty of the cultural and intellectual heritage and the distinctive presentation methods.

The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark and a major attraction for visitors arriving in Makkah from around the world.

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decorated Chief of the Pakistani Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, honoring his distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, wishing him continued success in his new role.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in defense, discussing efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest.