Palestinian PM Urges Int'l Recognition of Palestine

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in his office in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in his office in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
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Palestinian PM Urges Int'l Recognition of Palestine

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in his office in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in his office in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has urged the international community to recognize the Palestinian state and to put an end to Israel's annexation plans.

His statement was made during the meeting of Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine, which was attended by more than 40 states and international institutions, including European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.

The PM said: “The issue of annexation is no more an issue of announcement. Implementation measures have already started on the ground.”

“Israel started to send electricity and water bills to our villages in the Jordan Valley.”

The Israeli move is “in contravention of international law” and would “undermine peace and security in the region”, he said, adding that “annexation, if implemented, will be a grave violation of international law, UN resolutions, and the bilateral agreements we signed with Israel.”

The plans of annexation are in full harmony with the peace plan presented by the US, he said.

“Israel is not committed to the agreements that have been signed with us. Consequently, the Palestinian leadership has decided that we are no more bound to these agreements,” Shtayyeh stated.

He also called the meeting’s attendees to recognize the state of Palestine based on the borders of 1967 with Jerusalem as the capital, stressing that this state should be viable, sovereign and independent.



Fourth Aid Convoy Reaches Syria's Sweida

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on July 28, 2025 shows Syrian Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid arriving at Busra al-Sham in Syria's southern Daraa province before crossing the buffer zone into Sweida province. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on July 28, 2025 shows Syrian Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid arriving at Busra al-Sham in Syria's southern Daraa province before crossing the buffer zone into Sweida province. (SANA / AFP)
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Fourth Aid Convoy Reaches Syria's Sweida

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on July 28, 2025 shows Syrian Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid arriving at Busra al-Sham in Syria's southern Daraa province before crossing the buffer zone into Sweida province. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on July 28, 2025 shows Syrian Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid arriving at Busra al-Sham in Syria's southern Daraa province before crossing the buffer zone into Sweida province. (SANA / AFP)

A fourth humanitarian aid convoy carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies arrived in Syria’s southern province of Sweida this week, amid growing public anger over deteriorating living conditions and a contentious debate between locals and officials over whether the area is under siege.

The delivery, coordinated by the Syrian government, international agencies, and local partners, entered the province via the Busra al-Sham crossing in neighboring Daraa, according to state-run media and the Sweida governorate’s Telegram channel.

Despite official assurances that aid is entering regularly, residents say the convoys remain insufficient to meet the growing needs of a population battered by violence and economic hardship.

Sweida, a Druze-majority province, has been gripped by unrest since mid-July, with deadly clashes, severe shortages, and heightened tensions spilling over onto social media. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated further as nearby Daraa continues to receive waves of displaced tribal families fleeing the violence.

According to Daraa Governor Anwar Taha al-Zohbi, as of July 25, some 5,600 families, mostly from Bedouin tribes, have taken shelter in 61 centers across the province.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), which is overseeing the distribution of the aid, said the latest convoy included 40 tons of flour, medicine, medical equipment, and 27,000 liters of fuel to keep bakeries, hospitals, and water pumping stations running.

“In line with our mission to alleviate suffering, we continue to work closely with government institutions to deliver support based on detailed field assessments conducted by our teams,” said Mohammed Saeed, SARC’s field communications coordinator, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between humanitarian organizations, government bodies, and local communities to ensure an effective and comprehensive response.