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Palestinians to Raise Flag at WHO for 1st Time after Vote

FILE PHOTO: The World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
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Palestinians to Raise Flag at WHO for 1st Time after Vote

FILE PHOTO: The World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

The Palestinian delegation won the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization after a symbolic victory in a vote on Monday that its envoy hopes will lead to greater recognition within the United Nations and beyond.

The proposal, brought by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and others, at the global agency's annual assembly in Geneva passed with 95 in favor and four against - Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic and Germany - and 27 abstentions.

It follows a successful Palestinian bid for membership of the UN General Assembly last year and comes amid signs that France could recognize a Palestinian state.

In apparent reference to the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Lebanon's delegate Rana el Khoury said the vote's outcome provided "a small ray of hope for the brave Palestinian people whose suffering has reached unbearable levels".

Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote. Its main ally, the United States, which plans to exit the WHO, did not participate.

Even though almost 150 countries have recognized a Palestinian state, most major Western and other powers have not, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Japan.

France and Japan voted in favor of the proposal while Britain abstained.

"It is symbolic and one act but a sign that we are part of an international community to help on health needs," the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, told Reuters. "I hope we will soon have full membership of the WHO and all UN forums."

Palestinians seek statehood in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

They have official observer state status at the WHO, which is currently undergoing a transformation as it looks ahead to life without its biggest donor the United States.

Last week, the Palestinians won the right to receive notifications under the WHO's International Health Regulations - a set of global rules for monitoring outbreaks.

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Arab World

Iraq Majority Bloc Backs Nouri Al-Maliki as Next PM

A general view shows al-Firdous Square in Baghdad, Iraq July 27, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view shows al-Firdous Square in Baghdad, Iraq July 27, 2022. (Reuters)
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Iraq Majority Bloc Backs Nouri Al-Maliki as Next PM

A general view shows al-Firdous Square in Baghdad, Iraq July 27, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view shows al-Firdous Square in Baghdad, Iraq July 27, 2022. (Reuters)

Iraq's main Shiite alliance, which holds a parliamentary majority, endorsed on Saturday former prime minister and powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki as the country's next premier.

The nomination effectively guarantees Maliki, 75, the post that he last held more than a decade ago.

The shrewd politician is set to return to power today amid seismic changes in the Middle East, with Tehran's regional influence waning and tensions with Washington rising.

The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite factions with varying links to Iran, said in a statement that it "decided, by majority vote, to nominate" Maliki for the position "as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc".

The statement spoke of Maliki's "political and administrative experience and his record in running the state."

After Iraq's November general election, the Coordination Framework, which includes Maliki, formed the majority bloc.

Soon after, it held heated talks to choose the next prime minister, along with other discussions with Sunni and Kurdish parties regarding other posts.

Iraq's parliament chose a speaker last month and should convene next to elect a new president, who will then appoint a prime minister to replace the incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

By convention in Iraq, a Shiite holds the powerful post of prime minister, a Sunni is parliament speaker, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

Maliki, has long been a central figure in Iraq's politics and its only two-term prime minister (2006-2014) since the US invasion of 2003, which ended decades of rule by President Saddam Hussein.

- Hard task -

Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, has increased his power and influence despite his controversial past, including widespread accusations of stoking sectarian tensions, and failing to stop the ISIS group in 2014.

He has been involved in forming alliances and his name was regularly put forward as a possible candidate for the premiership.

Seen as close to Iran, Maliki also has a record of coordinating with the US on Iraqi politics, particularly during his previous terms.

In a country that has for decades been a proxy battleground between the US and Iran, Maliki will likely face a daunting task as government formation has always been influenced by the two foes.

He will be expected to address Washington's longstanding demand that Baghdad disarm Tehran-backed factions, many of which are designated terrorist groups by the US.

Iraqi officials and diplomats told AFP last month that Washington had demanded that the eventual government exclude Iran-backed armed groups and instead move to dismantle them.

But most of these groups hold seats in parliament and have seen their political and financial clout increase.

Arab World

Gaza Civil Defense Says Israeli Strike Kills Two Teenagers

Palestinian Hadeel al-Zawarah (front), 33, mother of Salman, 13-years-old is comforted by Asma Al-Zawra, 37, mother of 15-year-old, Mohammed, as they both grieve over the bodies of their sons killed in an Israeli drone strike, at the morgue of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinian Hadeel al-Zawarah (front), 33, mother of Salman, 13-years-old is comforted by Asma Al-Zawra, 37, mother of 15-year-old, Mohammed, as they both grieve over the bodies of their sons killed in an Israeli drone strike, at the morgue of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
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Gaza Civil Defense Says Israeli Strike Kills Two Teenagers

Palestinian Hadeel al-Zawarah (front), 33, mother of Salman, 13-years-old is comforted by Asma Al-Zawra, 37, mother of 15-year-old, Mohammed, as they both grieve over the bodies of their sons killed in an Israeli drone strike, at the morgue of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinian Hadeel al-Zawarah (front), 33, mother of Salman, 13-years-old is comforted by Asma Al-Zawra, 37, mother of 15-year-old, Mohammed, as they both grieve over the bodies of their sons killed in an Israeli drone strike, at the morgue of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on January 24, 2026. (AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli forces killed two teenagers in a drone strike on Saturday, while the military said it eliminated two "terrorists" who planted an explosive device near troops.

The civil defense agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas authority, said the drone killed the two near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza.

The territory's Al-Shifa Hospital said it received the two bodies, adding they were two boys aged 13 and 15.

The military said the pair had posed an "immediate threat" to its soldiers.

"Earlier today... troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip identified several terrorists who crossed the Yellow Line, planted an explosive device in the area, and approached the troops, posing an immediate threat to them," the military said in a statement.

Under a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions behind a so-called "Yellow Line" in Gaza, though they remain in control of more than half of the territory.

"Following the identification, the (Israeli air force) struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat," the military said.

A military press officer told AFP that its troops had "killed two terrorists and not children", without specifying the ages of those killed.

The civil defense said another fatality was also reported in a separate incident when an Israeli quadcopter struck a group of civilians in Jabalia, also in northern Gaza.

It did not provide details on the person killed in that incident.

The press officer said the military had reports of only one incident.

Israeli forces have killed at least 477 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority.

The Israeli army says Palestinian militants have killed four of its soldiers during the same period.

Media restrictions in Gaza and limited access to many areas mean AFP cannot independently verify casualty figures and details provided by either side.

The ceasefire has largely halted fighting between Israel and Hamas, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms.

Arab World

US Envoys Urge Netanyahu to Move into Gaza Ceasefire’s Second Phase

Tents housing displaced Palestinians are erected on empty land near buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, in Gaza City on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
Tents housing displaced Palestinians are erected on empty land near buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, in Gaza City on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
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US Envoys Urge Netanyahu to Move into Gaza Ceasefire’s Second Phase

Tents housing displaced Palestinians are erected on empty land near buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, in Gaza City on January 24, 2026. (AFP)
Tents housing displaced Palestinians are erected on empty land near buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, in Gaza City on January 24, 2026. (AFP)

Top US envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging his government to move into the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East adviser, according to the prime minister's office, which did not give details. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the talks, told reporters the envoys had been working closely with Netanyahu on recovering the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, and on the next steps for demilitarizing the territory.

The US is anxious to keep the Trump-brokered deal moving, but Netanyahu faces pressure to wait until Hamas returns the hostage's remains.

The biggest signal of the second phase would be the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Ali Shaath, the head of a future technocratic government in Gaza that is expected to run day-to-day affairs, said Thursday the border crossing will open in both directions this coming week.

There was no confirmation from Israel, which said it would consider the matter this week. The crossing's Gaza side is currently under Israeli military control.

The family of Ran Gvili, whose body is still in Gaza, urged more pressure on Hamas. "President Trump himself stated this week in Davos that Hamas knows exactly where our son is being held," the family said Saturday. "Hamas is deceiving the international community and refusing to return our son, the last remaining hostage, in what constitutes a clear violation of the agreement it signed."

Hamas said Wednesday it has provided "all information" it has on Gvili’s remains to ceasefire mediators and accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas it controls in Gaza. The ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10.

Egypt pushes for Rafah crossing to open

Egypt’s top diplomat pressed for an immediate opening of the Rafah crossing with the director of Trump’s new Board of Peace in Gaza, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Saturday, including the ability of Palestinians to enter and exit the territory.

Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty spoke by phone with Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza, the ministry said in a statement. They discussed the implementation of the ceasefire's second phase, including the deployment of an international monitoring force, the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip, the statement said.

The Egyptian minister said implementing the second phase is a "key entry point" to launch Gaza’s reconstruction. The statement didn’t say when the crossing will open for travelers and the evacuation of sick and wounded.

Israel is expected to discuss opening the Rafah crossing during Sunday's Cabinet meeting.

Hamas in a statement Saturday said a delegation met in Istanbul with the head of Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization about the ceasefire's second phase and "the fulfillment of the requirements of the first phase."

2 teens killed in Gaza

Also on Saturday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinian teens in Gaza, according to hospital authorities. The boys, cousins aged 13 and 15, were searching for firewood, according to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which received the bodies.

The boys were killed in the area that Israel's military has said is safe for Palestinians, about 500 meters (yards) from the Yellow Line, which separates the Israeli-controlled areas in eastern Gaza from the rest of the strip, said a relative, Arafat al-Zawara.

Israel's military said it had targeted several fighters who crossed the Yellow Line and planted explosives, threatening troops. It denied that those killed were children.

Since the ceasefire, more than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.