Israeli attacks on Iran, what it gained or lost?

No one could believe that the United States or Israel launch attacks on Iran in the middle of a diplomatic process. The sixth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US was scheduled later in the week. There were expectations a breakthrough was possible this time.

US President Donald Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid attacking Iran. Even if Trump is "crazy," many analysts argued, he seemed capable of clear thinking when it came to West Asia, understanding that another war in the region - especially one that involves Iran - would benefit no one.

However, Trump turned out to be just as crazy and ignorant as people knew he was. He provided Israel with logistics and intelligence needed to strike residential buildings, nuclear facilities, and military sites across Iran while a meeting was scheduled in Oman.

Why did Israel attack Iran?  

Netanyahu claims the attacks aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons a justification few accept, even those minimally informed about Iran s nuclear program.  

The IAEA and Western intelligence agencies have confirmed time and time again that despite nuclear advancements, Iran has neither pursued nuclear weapons nor demonstrated political will to do so. If Iran develops such weapons in the future, it will likely be a direct result of Israel s brazen aggression, making them feel such arms are necessary.

Israeli attacks on the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities failed to cause significant damage. As per Iran's nuclear chief's latest announcement, both sites are currently operating normally. This did not come as a surprise, as the whole world had known for a while that the main part of Iran's nuclear facilities are placed deep under the ground, and that it is impossible to destroy them with conventional weapons.. 

To understand why Iran was attacked, we must first examine the Israeli offensive.  

Israeli operation against Iran comprised of three elements: 1) assassinating military leaders, 2) attacking nuclear sites, and 3) terrorizing civilians.  

Israel believed its offensive would result in three things: 1) The assassination of top Iranian commanders would delay or prevent retaliation, 2) All or a significant number of Iran's missile launchers, depots, and military sites would be destroyed through Friday's campaign, and 3) Killing of Iranian civilians and striking the heart of Tehran would pit the people against the government and spur an uprising

All assumptions proved false. While the loss of five of its top military leaders did deal a blow to Iran, it did not cripple the Iranian Armed Forces. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei took only a couple of hours to replace the assasinated generals. 

While analysts don't know how much damage Israel has managed to inflict on Iran's military assets, it is clear that a large part of the country's defensive and offensive calibilties are still in tact. 

Since the conflict began, Iran has launched multiple waves of missile strikes against the occupied territories, hitting critical targets like the Haifa oil refinery, the Mossad and Aman headquarters, military bases, and nuclear research centers. The Iranian Armed Forces claim they have enough missiles to hit Israeli targets every day for two years.  

Another Israeli prediction that proved false was that given the various financial and societal issues gripping Iran in recent years, the people would choose to topple the government in order to "save" their lives.

Netanyahu issued a message to the Iranian people, and later did an interview with a US-based Persian speaking channel to tell them he was only at war with the government, and that he wanted to bring Iranians freedom and prosperity.

The Israeli aggression only made Iranians more united and even prompted well-known individuals with a long history of anti-goverment activisim to rally behind Ayatollah Khamenei.

What Israel gained or lost? 

Netanyahu managed to gain a temporary period of Euphoria. Settlers in the occupied territories are accustomed to waging war not facing existential threats. For the first time in Israel s history, its citizens fear for their lives. Iranian missiles strike at will, a reality Israelis recently confronted. As Hebrew media reports, residents barred by authorities from fleeing now pay smugglers to transport them by boat to Cyprus.

Journalists say they are appalled at what's happening, military analysts say Israel's interceptors, which have so far only downed older Iranian missiles designed to preoccupy air defense systems, will be out soon.

Netanyahu and Trump essentialy entered a war they can not finish. It appears Israel failed in estimating Iranian capabilities. They may have to sit back and watch how Iran writes the ending to their story.

 

France and Britain not likely to recognize Palestinian state

According to the sources, France and Britain will abandon plans to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming conference in New York to be held between June 17 and 20. France had been lobbying the UK and other European allies to recognize a Palestinian state at the conference.

President Emmanuel Macron had described the move as “a moral duty and political requirement”, suggesting it could come in return for Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel at the conference.

The Guardian has reported that French officials briefed their Israeli counterparts this week that the conference would not be the moment for recognition. Instead, it will now focus on outlining steps towards recognition, contingent on a series of measures and concessions from the Palestinians.

These will include a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli captives, reform of the Palestinian Authority, economic reconstruction and the end of Hamas rule in Gaza.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday that recognizing a Palestinian state at the conference would have been a "symbolic" decision and said they had a "particular responsibility" as a permanent member of the UN Security Council not to do so without the support of allies.

Kenneth Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, expressed concerns that the recognition of a Palestinian state could end up being indefinitely delayed by the announced steps.

"Those steps should not be an endless (nonexistent) 'peace process' but pressure on Israel to stop obstructing a state," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Although 147 countries recognize the state of Palestine, much of Europe has been reluctant and long stated that such a move could only come with Israel's approval and reciprocal moves from Arab states.

Ireland, Spain and Norway recognized a Palestinian state last year, and there has been an increasing consensus that recognition should come unilaterally as a means of pressuring Israel to change tack.

Last week, Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told Middle East Eye (MEE) that France's push to recognize Palestine was "serious and has the backing of most of the European Union and Saudi Arabia”.

However, both Britain and France have faced pressure from the United States over the plans, while Israel has said it would expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank in response.

Israeli war minister Israel Katz said plans to build a further 22 settlements in the occupied territory were "a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state".

In July last year, the Israeli parliament voted overwhelmingly to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, with only Palestinian lawmakers and a single left-wing Jewish MP voting in support.

Pinkas told MEE that while there was no meaningful domestic support in Israel or the parliament for Palestinian statehood, the international community’s pitch to Israel over ending the war should be that “we are your friends, we want you to succeed, this cannot go on... Netanyahu is driving you to unmitigated and irreparable disaster. Wake up, we are here to help".

 

Israeli troops have boarded aid ship Madleen

Activists say Israeli troops have boarded a yacht trying to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. "Connection has been lost" on the Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) campaign group said on the Telegram app, reports Saudi Gazette.

The group posted a photo showing people in life jackets sitting with their hands up. Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among those aboard the vessel, which is believed to be off the Egyptian coast.

Israel's foreign ministry said earlier that the country's navy had told the yacht to change course "due to its approach toward a restricted area". Israel says a blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas militants in Gaza.

The FFC said the vessel, which left Sicily on Friday, was carrying humanitarian aid and had been "prepared for the possibility of an Israeli attack".

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had warned that the yacht should turn back and that Israel would act against any attempt to breach the blockade.

He wrote in a post on X on Sunday, "I have instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act to prevent the 'Madeleine' [sic] hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end."

Katz says the purpose of Israel's blockade, which has been in place since 2007, is to "prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas" and is essential to Israel's security as it seeks to destroy Hamas.

The FFC has argued that the sea blockade is illegal, characterizing Katz's statement as an example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians and "attempting to justify that violence with smears".

"We will not be intimidated. The world is watching," FFC press officer Hay Sha Wiya said.

"The Madleen is a civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders from across the globe... Israel has no right to obstruct our effort to reach Gaza."

The Madleen was carrying a symbolic quantity of aid, including rice and baby formula, the group said.

Citizens of Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey are on board.

In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 people when they boarded the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara that was leading an aid flotilla towards Gaza.

Israel recently began to allow limited aid into Gaza after a three-month land blockade, prioritizing distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by Israel and the US but widely condemned by humanitarian groups.

The UN's human rights chief, Volker Türk, said last week Palestinians were being presented with the "grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available".

It is almost 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza. At least 54,880 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

 

Madleen Gaza Flotilla Sailing for Justice

The Madleen Gaza Flotilla, which sailed from Sicily on June 01, 2025, is the latest and most determined international campaign to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance in the context of an escalating crisis. 

The Madleen Flotilla is a symbol of peaceful resistance and international solidarity with Gaza's besieged population, challenging the legality and morality of Israel's blockade while amplifying the plight of Gaza's civilians and calling for justice. Whether the Madleen is intercepted or succeeds in delivering aid, its mission has already succeeded in breaking the silence surrounding Gaza's suffering and drawing attention to the urgent need for peace, dignity, and humanitarian access.

Named in honor of Madleen Kulab, Gaza’s first and only fisherwoman, the boat is loaded with urgently needed supplies, including baby formula, flour, rice, glucose, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination filters, medical tools, crutches, and prosthetics for children.

Twelve activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, are on board the mission, which is being organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international civil society movement dedicated to lifting the blockade.

Historical context and continuity

The Madleen’s journey is part of a decades-long history of flotillas seeking to break Gaza’s blockade, notably bringing to mind the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla. That mission came to a violent conclusion when Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara in international waters, killing nine activists. 

The Madleen steams in the wake of that incident, and more recent attacks like the drone strike in May 2025 that left another FFC ship, the Conscience, heavily damaged near Malta.

These recurrent attempts and interceptions demonstrate the ongoing dangers to relief efforts opposing the blockade and the persistence of nonviolent, civilian-led resistance to the siege of Gaza.

Humanitarian crisis and symbolism

Gaza is experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis. More than 90 percent of its 2.3 million people are struggling to get enough food, with the UN warning that the whole population might face famine because an Israeli blockade has stopped most aid since March 2025. 
Hospitals are overwhelmed, clean water is hard to find, and basic supplies are almost gone. The Madleen, a ship carrying vital supplies, aims to help with these shortages. It represents the strength and determination of Palestinians in the face of long-standing challenges.

Challenging Israel’s blockade policies

The Madleen flotilla opposes Israel's blockade in a number of ways. By sailing straight to the coast of Gaza, it physically tries to break through the naval blockade and directly challenges Israel's maritime restrictions. 

By bringing the blockade's terrible humanitarian effects to the attention of the world, the mission puts pressure on Israel and the international community to reevaluate the legitimacy of the policy. The flotilla mobilizes public opinion and global solidarity against the blockade by enlisting well-known activists and live-streaming its journey.

The Madleen challenges the legal and moral basis for the blockade, which violates international law by punishing the civilian population as a whole. It argues that its mission is non-violent civil resistance. The flotilla highlights the danger of military confrontation, having now pressured Israel to consider the consequences of intercepting a peaceful humanitarian ship in the face of heightened world attention.

Symbolizing peaceful resistance 

In addition to providing aid, Madleen represents nonviolent resistance to the Gaza siege, Palestinian tenacity, and the refusal to accept isolation and starvation as normal circumstances. The flotilla's nonviolent civil disobedience asserts a moral right to humanitarian access and challenges military restrictions without using force.

By seeking to establish a maritime humanitarian corridor, it offers hope for breaking the siege and restoring lifelines to Gaza. The mission highlights international solidarity, bringing international activists and public attention to Gaza's predicament, and it continues a legacy of maritime resistance that started more than ten years ago.

Described as a “lighthouse in a very dark time,” the flotilla calls on the global conscience to act against injustice and uphold human dignity.

Activism and global solidarity

The involvement of well-known activists like Greta Thunberg has contributed to the Madleen mission's considerable international attention. By saving four Libyan migrants who had jumped into the sea to escape being apprehended by Libyan authorities while traveling to Gaza, the flotilla also showed its humanitarian solidarity. 

This action demonstrates the flotilla's wider commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and the interconnectedness of the humanitarian crises in the Mediterranean. The flotilla has become a focal point for advocacy against the blockade. It has awakened public opinion against injustice.

 

US imposes sanctions on ICC judges

President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court, an unprecedented retaliation over the war tribunal's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan.

Washington designated Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, according to a statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"As ICC judges, these four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel. The ICC is politicized and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies," Rubio said.

The ICC slammed the move, saying it was an attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution that provides hope and justice to millions of victims of "unimaginable atrocities."

Both judges Bossa and Ibanez Carranza have been on the ICC bench since 2018. In 2020 they were involved in an appeals chamber decision that allowed the ICC prosecutor to open a formal investigation into alleged war crimes by American troops in Afghanistan.

Since 2021, the court had deprioritized the investigation into American troops in Afghanistan and focused on alleged crimes committed by the Afghan government and the Taliban forces.

ICC judges also issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri last November for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. Alapini Gansou and Hohler ruled to authorize the arrest warrant against Netanyahu and Gallant, Rubio said.

The move deepens the administration's animosity toward the court. During the first Trump administration in 2020, Washington imposed sanctions on then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and one of her top aides over the court's work on Afghanistan.

The measures also follow a January vote at the US House of Representatives to punish the ICC in protest over its Netanyahu arrest warrant. The move underscored strong support among Trump's fellow Republicans for Israel's government.

The measures triggered uproar among human-rights advocates. Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said the punitive measures were a "flagrant attack on the rule of law at the same time as President Trump is working to undercut it at home."

Sanctions severely hamper individuals' abilities to carry out even routine financial transactions as any banks with ties to the United States, or that conduct transactions in dollars, are expected to have to comply with the restrictions.

But the Treasury Department also issued general licenses, including one allowing the wind-down of any existing transactions involving those targeted on Thursday until July 08, as long as any payment to them is made to a blocked, interest-bearing account located in the US.

The new sanctions come at a difficult time for the ICC, which is already reeling from earlier US sanctions against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who last month stepped aside temporarily amid a United Nations investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct.

The ICC, which was established in 2002, has international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in member states or if a situation is referred by the UN Security Council. The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members.

 

Donald Trump: America’s Embarrassment

On July 09, 2017, I read an interesting blog by Margaret Kimberley titled ‘America’s Embarrassment’.  I picked up a few paragraphs from that and copy pasted those. I salute Margaret, her lines look as fresh as written today.

Donald Trump is a national embarrassment. Corporate media pundits have declared this statement to be true and millions of people are in agreement. As a candidate and as president Trump has certainly deviated from the norms of acceptable public behavior, but how much does that really matter?

Many Americans love to brag that theirs is “the richest country in the world.” There are certainly big banks, rich individuals and trillions of dollars in the treasury but the masses of people rarely benefit from this wealth. This country routinely ranks near the bottom when compared to other “developed” nations in any measure of how it treats its people. It is now considered a “second tier” nation in terms of the wellbeing of its citizens.

It is certainly unusual to have such a decidedly boorish president. Trump literally pushes other presidents aside, engages in public feuds with celebrities and makes anyone an enemy who dares to oppose him or his policies. He makes up terms like “bigly” and “modern presidential” and excoriates the press when they criticize him. Condemning this kind of behavior is the lowest hanging fruit.

Trump can be blamed for quite a lot during his first six months in office. His travel ban against citizens of seven nations is an unconstitutional exercise in Islamphobia and has been struck down by federal judges. Trump bans Libyans from traveling to the United States, but Obama destroyed that country and created an ongoing humanitarian disaster.

The concluding remarks are most interesting, “The list of reasons to be embarrassed about America is very long and it existed before Trump was inaugurated. He has surely added to that ledger, but legitimate cause for concern shouldn’t be pushed aside in favor of phony outrage about optics. President Trump is an ill- mannered, impulsive, happily uninformed bigot. Most of his predecessors were better behaved and followed rules of public relations. But they filled the jails, ended the right to public assistance, killed millions of people abroad, kept wages low and used a variety of schemes to make the rich even richer. Despite his obvious shortcomings Donald Trump is not the worst among them. And that is the most embarrassing fact of all”.

Why genocide in Gaza can’t be stopped?

The situation in Gaza is extremely complex and the most tragic. Many around the world view the events as a genocide or use similar language to describe the mass civilian deaths and destruction. However, stopping it has proven exceptionally difficult for several interlocking reasons that include:

Geopolitical Support and Impunity

Israel receives strong diplomatic, military, and financial support from the United State. and some European countries. This often translates into vetoes at the UN, delays or blocks to ceasefire calls, and a general lack of enforcement of international law. Israel has historically not faced major consequences for military actions in Gaza, leading to a perception of impunity.

Power Asymmetry

Israel has one of the most advanced militaries in the world; Gaza, governed by Hamas and containing millions of civilians, is heavily blockaded and lacks basic infrastructure. With no army, air force, or functioning economy, most of Gaza’s population are civilians who cannot flee or defend themselves, which worsens the humanitarian crisis but doesn’t shift the balance of power.

Hamas and Israeli Security Policy

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by many countries. Its attacks on Israeli civilians on October 07, 2023 are used to justify Israel's military campaigns, often without sufficient distinction between combatants and civilians. Israel’s strategy includes weakening Palestinian national aspirations or displacing populations, under the guise of fighting terrorism.

Weak International Institutions

The UN has condemned actions by both sides but lacks enforcement power. Security Council vetoes paralyze action. Many countries call for peace or ceasefire but do not intervene directly, militarily or diplomatically.

Media and Narrative Control

There is intense contestation over how the conflict is framed. Terms like “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing,” or “self-defense” are politically charged, and mainstream media coverage often reflects the stance of powerful governments, making unified international pressure difficult.

Humanitarian Aid Blockages

Even humanitarian ceasefires often collapse or are partial, and aid is restricted or bombed, leading to mass famine, disease, and collapse of health systems, which intensifies civilian suffering.

Lack of Political Will

Regional divisions, internal politics, arms industry interests, and fear of confronting powerful allies all contribute to a lack of coordinated pressure on Israel to halt its military operations. Many legal scholars, UN experts, and human rights organizations argue that the scale and intent of destruction in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide. Genocide is defined not just by killing, but by the intent to destroy a group in whole or in part, through killing, causing serious harm, or creating unlivable conditions. Stopping the violence in Gaza is not only about humanitarian urgency — it is blocked by a mix of political alliances, military interests, narrative control, legal ambiguity, and lack of enforceable global mechanisms. Many around the world are calling for action, but meaningful international intervention remains elusive.

Rulers US hostages

One of the narratives is that Israel is adamant at killing all living in Gaza and occupy the enclave into settlements. It is also being said that the strip in rich in fossil oil/ gas. The situation took a twist when US President Donald Trump expressed intention to convert Gaza into a tourist resort. It is also being said that the rulers of oil rich country are ‘hostage” of United States. They presented a luxury plane worth US$400 million to Trump on his visit to the Middle East, but could not convince him to stop genocide in Gaza.

 

Yemen strikes Ben Gurion Airport once again

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Friday the execution of a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and have warned they will continue enforcing an air and maritime blockade unless the siege on Gaza is lifted. The attack was conducted using a hypersonic ballistic missile, reports the Tehran Times.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed that the operation successfully achieved its objectives.

He said it forced “millions of occupying Zionists to flee into shelters and brought air traffic at the airport to a halt.”

Saree emphasized that the operation reaffirms the Yemeni Armed Forces’ ongoing religious, moral, and humanitarian duty toward the Palestinian people.

He stated that Yemen will persist in enforcing a blockade on Israeli air navigation to and from Ben Gurion Airport and will respond to any Israeli aggression against Yemen with further military support operations in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people.

Israeli media had reported detecting a ballistic missile launched from Yemen, which led to the suspension of air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. This coincided with air raid sirens sounding across wide areas.

Israeli police also reported receiving alerts about fragments from a missile falling in southern Jerusalem (occupied al-Quds) and a nearby settlement.

The government in Sanaa has vowed that the Israeli aggression will not deter Yemen from its ongoing military operations in support of Gaza.

The leader of the Ansarallah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, also declared that “Israeli aggression on Sanaa International Airport will not stop Yemeni operations in support of the Palestinian people.”

He added that the Yemeni Armed Forces are preparing to escalate their operations in the coming phase to increase their effectiveness and impact on the Israeli enemy.

On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, only about ten days after it had resumed operations following a previous Israeli attack.

This latest attack by the Yemeni Armed Forces is part of a series of military actions aimed at imposing an aerial blockade on the Israeli occupation regime. The repeated missile attacks have specifically targeted Ben Gurion Airport.

In recent weeks, these operations have led to repeated disruptions in air traffic and prompted several international airlines to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv.

Yemen maintains that these attacks are being carried out in support of the Palestinians in Gaza and has pledged to continue launching strikes until the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza ends and the blockade on the coastal strip is lifted.

 

Israel announces major expansion of settlements in occupied West Bank

Israeli ministers announced 22 new Jewish settlements have been approved in the occupied West Bank — the biggest expansion in decades. Several already exist as outposts, built without government authorization, but will now be made legal under Israeli law. Others are completely new, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, reports BBC.

Settlements — which are widely seen as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this — are one of the most contentious issues between Israel and the Palestinians.

Katz said the move "prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel", while the Palestinian presidency called it a "dangerous escalation".

The Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called it "the most extensive move of its kind" in more than 30 years and warned that it would "dramatically reshape the West Bank and entrench the occupation even further".

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem — land Palestinians want, along with Gaza, for their hoped-for future state — in the 1967 Middle East war.

Successive Israeli governments have allowed settlements to grow. However, expansion has risen sharply since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in late 2022 at the head of a right-wing, pro-settler coalition, as well as the start of the Gaza war, triggered on 07 October 07, 2023.

On Thursday, Israel Katz and Bezalel Smotrich — an ultranationalist leader and settler who has control over planning in the West Bank — officially confirmed a decision that is believed to have been taken by the government two weeks ago.

A statement said ministers had approved 22 new settlements, the "renewal of settlement in northern Samaria, northern West Bank, and reinforcement of the eastern axis of the State of Israel".

It highlighted what the ministers described as the "historic return" to Homesh and Sa-Nur, two settlements deep in the northern West Bank which were evacuated at the same time as Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

Two years ago, a group of settlers established a Jewish religious school and an unauthorized outpost at Homesh, which reports say would be among nine made legal under Israeli law.

Another settlement will reportedly be built not far to the south on Mount Ebal, near Nablus.

Katz said the decision was a "strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel, and serves as a buffer against our enemies."

"This is a Zionist, security, and national response — and a clear decision on the future of the country," he added.

Smotrich called it a "once-in-a-generation decision" and declared, "Next step sovereignty".

A spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — who governs parts of the West Bank not under full Israeli control — called it a "dangerous escalation" and accused Israel of continuing to drag the region into a "cycle of violence and instability".

"This extremist Israeli government is trying by all means to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," Nabil Abu Rudeineh told Reuters news agency.

Lior Amihai, director of Peace Now said, "The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise, the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal."

This step is a blow to renewed efforts to revive momentum on a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict — the internationally approved formula for peace that would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel — with a French-Saudi summit planned at the UN's headquarters in New York next month.

Last year, the UN's top court issued an advisory opinion saung, "Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful". The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also said Israeli settlements "have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law", and that Israel should "evacuate all settlers".

Israel's prime minister said at the time that the court had made a "decision of lies" and insisted that "the Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land".

Airlines again suspend flights to Israel

Global airlines have again halted flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthis towards Israel on May 04 landed near the country's main international airport, and as Israel continues to carry out strikes across the Gaza Strip, reports Reuters

Airlines had begun to resume flights after a ceasefire deal with Hamas was reached in January.

Israel resumed military operations in the enclave in March and has further stepped these up in May.

Below are airlines that have cancelled flights since early May:

AIRBALTIC

Latvia's airBaltic said it had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 02.

AIR FRANCE-KLM

The group's Dutch arm KLM suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 30.

AIR INDIA

The Indian flag carrier said on May 26 in a post on X that flights to and from Tel Aviv were currently suspended, without specifying a time frame.

IAG

IAG-owned British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until June 14. IAG's low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until May 31.

ITA AIRWAYS

The Italian carrier has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 15.

LOT

The Polish airline has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until May 31.

LUFTHANSA GROUP

The German airline group has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv through June 15.

RYANAIR

Europe's biggest budget airline has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 11.

UNITED AIRLINES

The Chicago-based airline said its flights to and from Tel Aviv may be impacted between May 04 and June 02.

Israel: Ben Gurion Airport Attacked

Yemeni forces persist in striking the Israeli regime with hypersonic missiles in response to its genocidal war on Gaza. In a recent operation, the Yemeni Armed Forces launched a new strike on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, prompting millions of Israelis to seek shelter and leading to a suspension of airport operations.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that the Yemeni forces executed a “qualitative military operation” targeting Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv using a hypersonic ballistic missile. The attack successfully halted air traffic at the airport.

Saree confirmed that the operation achieved its intended goals, causing the suspension of air travel and sending millions of settlers into hiding. 

He warned, “Remaining silent about the daily massacres in Gaza will bring shame and disgrace upon this nation, leaving it more vulnerable to its enemies than ever, unless it acts to fulfill its religious, moral, and humanitarian obligations toward the oppressed Palestinian people.”

General Saree further stated that the Yemeni Armed Forces will continue and intensify their operations until the Israeli genocide in Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.

Following the missile launch from Yemen, air raid sirens were activated in Tel Aviv and throughout large areas across Israel. The Israeli occupation army confirmed, “Air defenses are dealing with a ballistic missile launched from Yemen.”

Israeli media also reported the suspension of flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport as a result of the attack, highlighting the disruption caused to Israeli air traffic.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have issued warnings of an aerial blockade on the Israeli regime, marked by repeated strikes on Ben Gurion Airport.

“In light of the developments in Gaza and the enemy’s escalating crimes against our steadfast and oppressed people, the Yemeni Armed Forces are working to double their capabilities to expand support operations and intensify military action,” Saree stated. 

“This includes maintaining the ban on air traffic at Lod Airport (Ben Gurion), a maritime blockade at Haifa Port, and a restriction on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas.”

A previous strike near the airport in early May, reportedly hitting a car park, also led to the suspension of air traffic and cancellation of several international flights.

Following these developments, international airlines began canceling flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport, causing a notable decline in passenger traffic.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that this was due to the Yemeni Armed Forces’ declaration of a comprehensive no-fly zone over Israeli airspace.

On May 06, the United States reached a ceasefire agreement with the Yemeni government. The near-daily strikes had failed to deter Yemeni retaliation.

Trump stated the ceasefire was “effective immediately” after the US acknowledged that its warships in the Red Sea had been subjected to repeated attacks.

Analysts believe that the US military campaign in Yemen, widely viewed as a measure to protect the Israeli regime, became too costly to sustain.

In less than six weeks, Yemeni forces shot down seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones over their airspace, causing losses totaling approximately US$200 million.

Additionally, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has returned home after losing three fighter jets in the Red Sea.
 

 

Netanyahu accuses France, Britain and Canada of 'emboldening' Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of France, Britain and Canada of wanting to help the Palestinian militant group Hamas after they threatened to take "concrete action" if Israel did not stop its latest offensive in Gaza.

The criticism, echoing similar remarks from Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday, was part of a fightback by the Israeli government against the increasingly heavy international pressure on it over the war in Gaza.

"You're on the wrong side of humanity and you're on the wrong side of history," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli leader, facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, has regularly criticized European countries as well as global institutions from the United Nations to the International Court of Justice over what he says is their bias against Israel.

But as the flow of images of destruction and hunger in Gaza has continued, fuelling protests in countries around the world, Israel has struggled to turn international opinion, which has increasingly shifted against it

"It's hard to convince at least some people, definitely on the far left in the US and in some countries in Europe, that what Israel is doing is a war of defence," said former Israeli diplomat Yaki Dayan.

"But this is how it is perceived in Israel and bridging this gap is sometimes an impossible mission," he said.

Israeli officials have been particularly concerned about growing calls for other countries in Europe to follow the example of Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to resolve decades of conflict in the region.

Netanyahu argues that a Palestinian state would threaten Israel and he has framed the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington on Tuesday by a man who allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" as a clear example of that threat.

He said "exactly the same chant" was heard during the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 07, 2023.

"They don't want a Palestinian state. They want to destroy the Jewish state," he said in a statement on the social media platform X.

"I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others," he said, adding that any moves by Western countries to recognize a Palestinian state would "reward these murderers with the ultimate prize".

Instead of advancing peace, the three leaders were "emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever", he said.

 

Britain suspends trade talks with Israel

According to Reuters, Britain on Tuesday paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador, and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers as its foreign minister condemned a "monstrous" military escalation in Gaza.

The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation last week and medics in Gaza say Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past eight days.

Israel has also blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March, prompting international experts to warn of looming famine, although some trucks were allowed to enter on Monday.

Foreign Minister David Lammy said the offensive was "a dark new phase in this conflict", called for Israel to end the blockade of aid and condemned comments by finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on the possible cleansing and destruction of Gaza and relocation of its residents to third countries.

"It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," a visibly angry Lammy told lawmakers, adding the operation in Gaza was "incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship".

"Today, I'm announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement."

Israel said Britain had not advanced the trade talks, which started formally in 2022 under a previous Conservative British government, for some time.

"The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago," a spokesperson for its foreign ministry said. "External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction."

Lammy said the new offensive would not secure the release of remaining hostages and that January's ceasefire had shown the better path that Israel should follow.

Earlier Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "horrified by the escalation" after issuing a joint statement with France and Canada. Lammy said Britain would take further action if Israel pursued its military offensive.

 

 

 

Houthis announce blockade of Haifa port

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announced on Monday what they called a "maritime blockade" on Israel's Haifa port in response to Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza, reports Reuters

"All companies with ships present in or heading to this port are hereby notified that, as of the time of this announcement, the aforementioned port has been included in the list of targets," the group's spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised address.

The Houthis have continued to fire missiles at Israel including on Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, although they have agreed to halt attacks on US ships.

The missiles launched by the group on Israel were mostly intercepted.

Israel has carried out strikes in response, including one on May 06 that damaged Yemen's main airport in Sanaa and killed several people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel

The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened sanctions against Israel on Monday if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports Reuters.

The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control of the whole of Gaza. International experts already have warned of looming famine.

"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," a joint statement released by the British government said.

"We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions."

In response, Netanyahu said, "The leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities".

He said Israel will defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved, reiterating Israel's conditions to end the war which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarization of the Gaza strip.

Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian militant group took on October 07, 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities.

"We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in the joint statement. They said they would not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursued "these egregious actions."

They stated their support for efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict.

Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as "an important step" in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law.

Israel's ground and air war has devastated Gaza, displacing nearly all its residents and killing more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.

The war began with the October 07, 2023, Hamas-led attack in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

 

Trump once again suggests US taking over Gaza

President Trump has once again suggested the United States would look to take control of the Gaza Strip and turn it into a “freedom zone,” highlighting one of his more controversial foreign policy proposals during a visit to Qatar, according to The Hill.

“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good: Make it a freedom zone. Let the United States get involved, and make it just a freedom zone,” Trump said during a business roundtable.

“I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone, let some good things happen. Put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with,” Trump added.

Qatar has played host to periodic ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to stop the fighting between the two sides, but so far negotiations have been at a stalemate as bombings continue.

The president, earlier this year first proposed the idea of the US taking control of Gaza, which has been devastated by Israeli military strikes. 

Trump has previously suggested Palestinians living in Gaza would relocate elsewhere in the region while the US rebuilt the strip. He has brushed off questions about how the US would take over the territory, though he previously floated that Israel would turn it over at the conclusion of its war with Gaza.

The idea has drawn pushback from the head of the Palestinian National Authority, as well as from US allies such as Saudi Arabia.

 

Suez Canal to lure back container ships

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said in a circular, in response to requests from containership owners and operators, and in light of recent positive developments in the security situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait it would be offering rebate on tolls for large boxships.

A rebate of 15% on tolls will apply to container ships of 130,000 net tonnage or above transiting the canal either laden or in ballast conditions and will be applied directly on transit without need to submit additional documentation.

“This rebate is calculated solely on the normal transit dues stipulated by the transit dues table, in addition to surcharges levied on container tiers,” SCA said.

The rebate applies for containers ships transiting the canal from May 15, 2025 for a period of 90 days.

The Suez Canal has been hard hit by owners and operators diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope over the last 18 months to avoid attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi.

Virtually all large container ships serving the Asia – Europe/Med, and US East Coast trades have diverted via the Cape.

Last week a ceasefire deal was announced between the United States and the Houthi with the group saying it would cease to attack commercial shipping.

Although there have been no confirmed attacks against commercial vessels since late 2024, owners that diverted via the Cape of Good Hope have been reluctant to return to Red Sea and Suez Canal transits due to the uncertainty that surrounds the security situation.

A return is also dependent on the insurance situation and as yet the Joint War Committee in London has not altered its status.

Courtesy: Seatrade Maritime Mews

Saudi Arabia welcomes Trump's visit

The Council of Ministers welcomed on Monday the official visit of US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, expressing optimism that the visit would strengthen and expand cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries across various sectors, in a way serving their mutual interests and visions. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of recent talks with leaders of several friendly nations, focusing on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of State, Cabinet Member for Shoura Council’s Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed said that the Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments and reiterated its firm condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities' announcement regarding their incursion into and control of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories, as well as their ongoing violations of international humanitarian law. The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Cabinet welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, and affirmed the Kingdom’s continued commitment to working with international partners to achieve lasting peace between the two nations.

The Cabinet discussed progress in cooperation with international organizations and forums, emphasizing that the Kingdom's hosting of the Munich Security Conference Leaders' Meeting in the last quarter of 2025 reflects its commitment to supporting multilateral approaches that promote international peace and security and address global challenges.

The Cabinet regarded the Kingdom’s election as the Arab Group’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council as a testament to its leading role and ongoing efforts in advancing the aviation sector at the local, regional, and international levels, in accordance with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

The Cabinet approved the guidelines for green investments. It approved the regulations to organize the General Authority of Civil Aviation. The Cabinet endorsed formation of a working group, headed by the General Directorate of Civil Defense and including members from several entities, to implement a program to raise awareness of meteorological phenomena, the mechanism for avoiding their risks, and the implications of alerts and warnings.

The Cabinet decided that the state would bear the taxes and customs duties on live livestock shipments from Dhul Qada 11, corresponding to May 9, until the end of this year's Hajj season.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security for cooperation in the field of energy, and a general cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Eswatini.

The Council authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Vanuatuan side a draft general cooperation agreement between the two governments, in addition to authorizing the minister of education or his deputy to discuss and sign with the US side a draft MoU for cooperation in the field of education and training.

The Cabinet approved a MoU between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Chinese National Medical Products Administration for cooperation in the field of regulating drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics, and another MoU between the Saudi Human Rights Commission and Tajikistan's Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Council approved a MoU between the Saudi Presidency of State Security and the Omani General Secretariat for Communications and Coordination in the field of combating terrorism crimes and their financing, and another MoU for cooperation and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency and the Senegalese Press Agency.

 

Gaza people dying of thirst

The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) on Saturday warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, declaring that water and sanitation systems have nearly collapsed amid Israel’s ongoing offensive, reports Saudi Gazette.

The authority described the besieged enclave as “a region dying of thirst,” accusing Israel of committing a “grave and systematic war crime by using thirst and starvation as tools of genocide.”

According to the PWA, water extraction in Gaza has declined by 70 to 80 percent since the war began. “Current water consumption has dropped to an alarming 3–5 liters per person per day—far below the World Health Organization’s emergency minimum of 15 liters,” it said.

An Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) found that 85% of Gaza’s water and sanitation facilities have suffered severe damage. The PWA added that power outages, fuel shortages, and military restrictions have paralyzed efforts to restore critical infrastructure.

“Wastewater systems are non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated sewage into residential areas and overflowing storm water basins—posing grave public health threats,” it stated.

With access to clean water dwindling, many Gazans are resorting to brackish agricultural wells, which the authority warned is leading to widespread exposure to waterborne diseases.

The PWA urged the international community to act immediately to stop what it called “a deliberate and systematic campaign to exterminate the civilian population of Gaza through thirst, hunger, and disease.”

Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, told Anadolu Agency earlier this week that cutting off water to civilians is akin to “dropping a terrible silent bomb on them... silent but lethal.”

Citing UNICEF data, Arrojo-Agudo noted that cases of diarrhea among children under five in Gaza surged from 40,000 to more than 70,000 in a single week in early December.

Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, breaking a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement reached on January 19. Since the war began in October 2023, more than 52,800 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Trump’s Saudi visit and changing regional power dynamics

US President Donald Trump begins his second term with a symbolic return to Saudi Arabia, echoing his 2017 debut. His visit comes amid heightened regional tensions: the Gaza conflict, stalled Iran nuclear talks, and evolving alliances. Trump's hallmark approach—transactional diplomacy and personal ties with authoritarian leaders—aims to reposition US influence in West Asia.

Coinciding with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on May 14, the trip gathers Persian Gulf Arab leaders and the US president to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and key geopolitical challenges.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) sees the summit as an opportunity to bolster US ties while managing sensitive issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict and potential normalization with Israel.

A pivotal topic is a potential US-Saudi civil nuclear deal. Unlike past administrations, Trump reportedly dropped the requirement for Saudi-Israeli normalization before advancing nuclear talks.

This shift signals a pragmatic decoupling of nuclear cooperation from the Palestinian issue, aligning more closely with Saudi interests.

However, the move has alarmed Israel. Officials fear a nuclear-capable Saudi Arabia could destabilize the regional balance, particularly if Riyadh pursues uranium enrichment.

With insufficient Senate backing to block the deal, the Netanyahu government is wary of being sidelined, as the US seems poised to proceed despite objections.

This policy recalibration reflects Trump's broader strategy: strengthening ties with Riyadh while accepting friction with Israel. It may reshape the region’s power dynamics, compelling Israel to reassess its security posture.

Trump aims to expand the Abraham Accords, pushing for broader Arab-Israeli normalization. Yet, ongoing Gaza violence and accusations of Israeli genocide—echoed by MBS—have revived demands for Palestinian statehood as a precondition.

Choosing Saudi Arabia as his first post-reelection stop underscores the region’s centrality to US strategy. The trip aims to reset partnerships, advance nuclear and defense deals, and navigate the complex Israeli-Palestinian landscape.

More than a diplomatic visit, it marks a strategic shift with lasting implications for West Asia's security, politics, and economics.

 

 

 

 

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President Donald Trump is embarking on his first international trip of his second term, returning to Saudi Arabia—a symbolic echo of his 2017 debut on the world stage. The visit, however, unfolded against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including the ongoing Gaza conflict, the uphill Iran nuclear negotiations, and shifting alliances. 

Trump's approach, characterized by transactional diplomacy and personal rapport with authoritarian leaders, aimed to recalibrate U.S. influence in West Asia.

Trump's visit coincides with a major (Persian)Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on May 14, bringing together Persian Gulf Arab leaders and the United States to address pressing regional issues. The summit serves as a platform for discussing security, economic cooperation, and the ongoing challenges facing the region.

Saudi Arabia's leadership, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), views the summit as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the U.S. while cautiously navigating contentious topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict and normalization with Israel.

 US nuclear strategy in West Asia 

The potential U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear deal emerging from President Trump's visit represents a major strategic development with far-reaching implications for regional security and U.S. influence in West Asia. Unlike previous U.S. administrations, the Trump administration has reportedly dropped the longstanding U.S. condition that Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel before advancing nuclear cooperation talks.

This shift signals a pragmatic decoupling of the nuclear agreement from the contentious issue of an Israeli-Saudi normalization, which Riyadh has consistently linked to progress on Palestinian statehood.

However, the deal has raised significant concerns in Israel. Israeli officials fear that advancing a Saudi nuclear program without Israeli consent could undermine regional security, especially given Saudi ambitions to enrich uranium. The Netanyahu government, lacking enough support in the Senate to block the deal, has expressed unease about being sidelined, as Washington appears determined to proceed regardless of Israeli objections.

The situation complicates U.S.-Israel relations and could shift the regional power balance, pressuring Israel to recalibrate its diplomatic and security strategies in response to a more autonomous and nuclear-capable Saudi Arabia.

In sum, the U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation initiative reflects a bold recalibration of U.S. West Asia policy under Trump, prioritizing strategic and economic interests with Riyadh while risking heightened tensions with Israel and altering the delicate regional equilibrium.

In his second term as president, Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to as many Arab states as possible in order to create a local peace framework that includes political, economic, and security cooperation. However, the conflict between Israel and Hamas and recent Israeli government activity have made this increasingly difficult. Saudi Arabia and neighboring Arab states condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza, and even MBS accused Israel of genocide, basically tripping down, bringing back the Saudi demand that Palestinian statehood be a precondition for normalization.

The significance of this trip, just after the start of Donald Trump's second term, is worth noting. His choice of Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination indicates the importance of the Middle East in U.S. foreign policy and sends a strong signal that Washington intends to strengthen and enhance its engagement in the Persian Gulf region. The trip aims to redefine U.S. relations with key regional international partners and build the regional security architecture.

Ultimately, Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia runs much deeper than an ordinary diplomatic visit, containing key strategic messages and fundamental changes in U.S. foreign policy and regional dynamics. With a focus on two main pillars of major investments, advanced arms sales, nuclear cooperation, and necessary reconsideration of the Palestine-Israel issue, the trip could provide a new chapter to the extremely complicated and tense history of West Asia, making fundamental changes to its security, political, and economic equations.