US Pressures for Calm in West Bank, Curbs Palestinian Efforts for ‘Full UN Membership’https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3848906/us-pressures-calm-west-bank-curbs-palestinian-efforts-%E2%80%98full-un-membership%E2%80%99
US Pressures for Calm in West Bank, Curbs Palestinian Efforts for ‘Full UN Membership’
US envoy Hady Amr during his virtual meeting with Gaza officials (State Department)
The United States is pressuring the Palestinian Authority (PA) to stop its request for "full UN membership" and pushing a plan to ensure calm in the West Bank, according to a Palestinian source.
The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US envoy, Hady Amr, arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday, ahead of the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, who will visit Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
The source said that the US focuses on two main issues including blocking the Palestinian movement to obtain full membership at the UN because that would embarrass Washington, which may resort to veto at some point.
The second issue is maintaining calm in the West Bank, pushing forward Israeli facilities, and strengthening the Palestinian economy.
Leaf is supposed to arrive in Tel Aviv first, where she will meet Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata.
According to the Israeli Walla website, she will head to Ramallah and meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his aides.
On Wednesday, Amr met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who stressed the need for the US to fulfill its promises towards Palestine and support its move to request "full membership" in the UN.
Shtayyeh stressed that the Palestinian people and leadership are facing considerable pressure.
He explained that Israel is escalating its unprecedented repressive measures, including the incursions into al-Aqsa mosque, arrests, extrajudicial killings, and appropriation of land, and there is no political horizon amid the problematic financial situation on the other.
"We seek to revive the political file again by requesting to become a full state membership at the UN in light of the absence of political initiatives to resolve the Palestinian issue," said Shtayyeh, calling on the US not to disrupt these efforts and recognize the State of Palestine.
The premier briefed the US envoy on the progress in implementing the financial and administrative reform agenda and steps taken in various fields to reduce expenditures and face the financial crisis.
He also discussed the financial challenges caused by the illegal Israeli deductions of Palestinian tax revenues and the drop in international assistance.
Fatah Senior Delegation Heads to Cairo to Meet Palestinian Factionshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309817-fatah-senior-delegation-heads-cairo-meet-palestinian-factions
A member of the Fatah movement attends the 8th General Conference of Fatah, at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Fatah Senior Delegation Heads to Cairo to Meet Palestinian Factions
A member of the Fatah movement attends the 8th General Conference of Fatah, at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City, May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
A senior delegation from the Fatah movement is expected to travel to the Egyptian capital Cairo on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to meet Egyptian officials, as well as Palestinian faction officials and representatives, to discuss legislative elections scheduled for Nov. 28.
The delegation will include Fatah Deputy Chairman and Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Central Committee member Majed Faraj and Palestinian National Council Chairman Rawhi Fattouh.
Electoral Arrangements
An informed source from a Palestinian faction in Cairo told Asharq Al-Awsat that they were informed by some Fatah leaders about this high-level visit, aimed at meeting with various factions to make electoral arrangements.
Meanwhile, a source from a leftist faction said that the initiative to hold national meetings was a proposal from one of the leftist factions, with the aim of broadening options for the success of any elections.
According to the scheduled agenda for the visit, the Fatah delegation is expected to meet with a Hamas delegation, for the first time in a long period, after Fatah had refrained from any meetings for at least the past two years.
Most communications had been indirect, with messages conveyed between the two sides through various parties.
Broad Electoral Alliance
This comes amidst efforts by some Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to form an electoral alliance that includes Islamic Jihad, the Resistance Committees, and the Democratic Reformist Current led by Mohammed Dahlan, a dismissed Fatah leader, as well as another Fatah leader, Nasser al-Qudwa.
Qudwa has formed the National Democratic Forum which also faces disagreements with the movement's current leadership, which controls the Palestinian Authority's key institutions.
Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, affirmed his movement's position to participate in the elections through a broad national bloc comprising Palestinian factions and independent figures. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he indicated that communication has begun with various parties and components, and many bilateral and collective meetings have been held to achieve this bloc.
A Hamas source told Asharq Al-Awsat that an initial agreement has been reached between these factions to form this alliance.
Leftist Factions
It was noted that the participation of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), both factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in this alliance has not been confirmed.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned from a leading source in one of these factions that they have not yet agreed to the proposal to join the alliance, and are internally studying it with their organizational structures, suggesting that the two fronts might form a unified democratic alliance.
Recently, the Hamas leadership held a series of meetings with leaders from various Palestinian factions to discuss issues related to the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the elections.
Islamic Jihad's Participation
Notably, Islamic Jihad has announced it will join the alliance, despite previously refusing to take part in elections, which it viewed as being held under the framework of the Oslo Accords.
Asharq Al-Awsat sought comment from Islamic Jihad leaders and spokespeople, but they did not respond to requests for comment.
A senior movement source in Lebanon said the issue of joining the alliance, or even participating in the elections, had not been decided and that broad consultations were under way within the movement.
Anticipated Postponement and Election Law
The development comes amid talk of a possible postponement of the elections until the end of March next year, with the aim of holding presidential and legislative elections simultaneously. The move is also intended primarily to revisit the political parties law, which has resurfaced after previously being put on hold. The law restricts the participation in elections of Palestinian factions that have armed wings.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas amended the election law, particularly provisions requiring electoral lists to commit to the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the recognized sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The program includes recognition of relevant international resolutions, including recognition of Israel, the renunciation of violence and other conditions that Hamas and other Palestinian factions had previously rejected.
It was unclear whether al-Sheikh and Faraj would discuss the possible postponement of the elections and amendments to the election law with Palestinian faction officials if the visit proceeds.
Arab and Islamic states are working to bridge differences between Fatah and Hamas over elections and other issues, while seeking to reform the Palestinian Authority and establish it as the governing body for the West Bank and Gaza amid continued Israeli attacks.
Khaddam: Despite My Warning, Hariri Stayed in Lebanon for Electoral Reasons, He Was Killed 6 Days Laterhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309807-khaddam-despite-my-warning-hariri-stayed-lebanon-electoral-reasons-he-was-killed
Khaddam: Despite My Warning, Hariri Stayed in Lebanon for Electoral Reasons, He Was Killed 6 Days Later
Abdul Halim Khaddam and Rafik al-Hariri meet in June 2001. (AFP)
Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam reveals new details in his memoirs about a February 2005 meeting with late Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri at his Beirut residence six days before his assassination.
The memoirs, edited and introduced by Ibrahim Hamidi, are due to be published in early September by Raff Publishing, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG).
Khaddam recalled that he and Hariri met over a lunch, where the Syrian official, concerned over the former PM’s life, urged him to leave Lebanon “immediately.”
They met on February 8, 2005. Hariri was killed six days later.
The memoirs are due to be published in early September by Raff Publishing, a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG).
In January 2005, during a Baath party meeting at the Syrian presidential palace, then President Bashar al-Assad told the command members: "There is an American-French conspiracy against Syria, and Rafik al-Hariri is involved in it."
Khaddam said that he and the other members were surprised by this dangerous talk, and that two days later, he sent a verbal message to Hariri through former Lebanese Defense Minister Mohsen Dalloul, warning him that dangers were growing and he must leave Lebanon immediately.
On February 8, 2005, Khaddam traveled to Beirut for a medical appointment and accepted a lunch invitation from Hariri. The former PM was anxious and inquired about the message conveyed by Dalloul. Khaddam explained the situation and advised him to leave Lebanon immediately.
Hariri responded, "I have elections... how can I leave the people?"
Khaddam replied: "Your life is more important than the people, and your family is more important than the elections."
Khaddam and other officials take part in Hariri’s funeral on February 6, 2005. (AFP)
The memoirs note two striking details from that lunch. The first was Hariri’s inquiry about the role of Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother. He revealed that Aouni Al-Kaaki, owner of Al-Sharq newspaper had informed him that Maher was keen on forming ties with him – Hariri - and was ready to resolve the existing disputes between him and Bashar because he is viewed as "a loyal friend to Syria."
Khaddam replied: "You must be careful and leave Lebanon."
The second detail was Hariri’s revelation about his security detail: "I used to have 50 security personnel, but they withdrew them and left only six."
Six days later, on February 14, while Khaddam was attending a Baath meeting in Damascus, he saw the breaking news flash on a television in a colleague's office about a massive explosion in Beirut. It was subsequently reported that the explosion had targeted Hariri's convoy, killing him along with his security guards and several citizens.
Khaddam with Jumblatt at the Beirut hospital where Hamadeh was being treated after the attempt on his life in October 2004. (AFP)
Khaddam recounted that he informed the presidency of his intention to travel to Beirut to offer his condolences. The reply, which came through the president's chief of staff, said "If you wish to go, go in your personal capacity."
He did indeed attend with his wife and two sons, while the Syrian regime decided to boycott the funeral and the wake.
Syrian official newspapers carried the headline "Massive Explosion in Beirut" without Hariri's name appearing on their front pages, merely noting in the report that he was "among" the casualties - a detail Khaddam said further directed the accusation toward Bashar al-Assad.
The memoirs also shed light on an incident that preceded the lunch by four months: the assassination attempt on Lebanese Minister Marwan Hamadeh, an ally of then Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, in October 2004, which Khaddam described as "a warning to all opponents of President (Emile) Lahoud in Lebanon."
He recounted that the following day, he called Rustom Ghazaleh, the head of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon, to inform him that he was heading to Beirut to visit Hamadeh. He was received by Jumblatt at the Beirut hospital, along with his party leaders, and Jebran Tueni, while the injured minister was in the operating room.
Khaddam and then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (C) during a meeting in June 2005. (AFP)
Khaddam noted that his direct contact with the president had effectively ceased since late October 2004, with communications subsequently taking place through his chief of staff or through written letters.
The strength of this testimony lies in its place within a sequence of publicly documented events: the extension of Lahoud’s presidential term on September 3, 2004, the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1559 a day earlier, the assassination attempt on Hamadeh, followed by the political and media campaign against Hariri, and ultimately, his assassination.
The memoirs do not render a judgment; rather, they add an insider perspective, completing a full countdown: an accusation within the command, a warning message, a final lunch, and then the February 14 explosion.
The details of the final lunch and the messages that preceded it appear in full in the chapter titled "The Assassination of Rafik Hariri" in Khaddam’s book.
Lebanon: Israeli Airstrikes, Demolitions Hit Southern Villageshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5309800-lebanon-israeli-airstrikes-demolitions-hit-southern-villages
Smoke rises after Israeli tanks shelled targets in the municipality of Mais al-Jabal, as seen from Chaqra village, in southern Lebanon, 21 August 2026. EPA/STRINGER
Lebanon: Israeli Airstrikes, Demolitions Hit Southern Villages
Smoke rises after Israeli tanks shelled targets in the municipality of Mais al-Jabal, as seen from Chaqra village, in southern Lebanon, 21 August 2026. EPA/STRINGER
Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes on Saturday near the area of Kfar Rumman in southern Lebanon and also struck the vicinity of Ali al-Taher hills.
At dawn, Israeli shelling targeted the town of Mansouri, the outskirts of Buyut al-Siyad and the outskirts of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon.
Overnight, Israeli forces carried out extensive demolitions in the villages and towns of Mansouri, Majdal Zoun and Buyut al-Siyad. Reports said not a single house remained undamaged.
Similar Israeli demolitions were reported in Hadatha, Beit Yahoun and Aita al-Jabal, along with machine-gun fire directed toward nearby valleys. Israeli drones also continued to fly over villages and towns in the western and central sectors.
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