The United States imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials just as other nations are stressing the importance of the PA in governing Gaza in the event of an end to the devastating war in the enclave.

New York

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

The United States has imposed sanctions on officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accusing them of undermining peace efforts. This action underscores a growing diplomatic rift, as other countries advocate for a resolution to the Gaza conflict that would strengthen the PA's role.

Internationally, countries such as Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, and Egypt have called for support of a two-state solution and for reinforcing the PA. Meanwhile, Israel and the U.S. continue to oppose recognition of Palestinian statehood, with Israeli leadership stating the PA will not govern Gaza after the conflict. The sanctions coincide with renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

U.S. sanctions Palestinian Authority in growing diplomatic rift

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, accusing the groups of undermining peace efforts. Representatives for the PA and the PLO could not immediately be reached for comment. The U.S. move highlights a widening diplomatic divide as other nations push for a resolution to the war in Gaza that would empower the Palestinian Authority. The kingdom's position has always been that the Palestinian Authority are the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia and France called on countries and the United Nations to support a declaration aimed at implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Here's Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saoud. I would hope that we will all work to reinforce the Palestinian Authority and its capacity and capability. Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating current ceasefire efforts, backed the declaration. The declaration also included condemnation by Arab states of the Hamas Islamist militant group that had governed Gaza and whose fighters led the surprise October 2023 attack that prompted Israel to launch its devastating military campaign. Israel faces growing world pressure over the war in Gaza, and several Western powers, including France, Britain and Canada, have said they will or may recognize a Palestinian state. This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much-needed reform. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday echoed earlier language from British leader Keir Starmer that Hamas could play no role in an independent Palestine. Israel and the United States, Israel's closest ally, have rejected moves to recognize Palestinian statehood or support a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the PA will play no role in governing Gaza when fighting concludes. We will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. The Palestinian Authority was established in the 1990s as part of what is known as the Oslo Accords, which granted the PA limited governance in certain areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Hamas is a rival to the Palestinian Authority and seized control of Gaza in 2007. The U.S. sanctions come as Washington's Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday in a bid to revive Gaza's ceasefire talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

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Washington

Trump orders firing of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner

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Trump says nuclear submarines moved in response to Russia

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Bryan

Ghislaine Maxwell transferred to Texas prison

The announcement comes as international pressure mounts on Israel over the war in Gaza and the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Ljubljana

Slovenia becomes first EU country to ban arms trade with Israel

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine parliament reverses bill on anti-corruption agencies amid crisis

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Ottawa

Global Tariffs

Trump raises Canada tariff to 35%, grants extension to Mexico

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Jerusalem

Trump's envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push

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Trump envoy in Israel as Canada joins call on Palestinian statehood

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Trump says U.S. will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports

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Rio de Janeiro

Trump hits Brazil with tariffs, sanctions but key sectors excluded

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Okinawa

Tsunami damage less severe than feared after Russian earthquake

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will recognize a Palestinian state later this year if the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, meets certain conditions.

Canada to recognize Palestinian state in September if conditions met

Australia said on Wednesday (July 30) it will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge.

Canberra

Australia expands teen social media ban to YouTube

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Trump says U.S. to hit India with 25% tariff starting August 1

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Birmingham

Ozzy Osbourne fans flood Birmingham streets to mourn late music icon

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Trump says Epstein 'stole' young women from Mar-a-Lago spa

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Hawaii

Tsunami reaches Hawaii after huge quake shakes Russia's Far East

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Israel and U.S. boycott UN Summit for two-state solution

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Ghislaine Maxwell offers to testify before Congress

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London

UK to recognize Palestinian state unless Israel takes action

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Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of bribery and witness tampering in an unprecedented trial that has shaken the country.

Bogotá

Ex-Colombian president Uribe convicted of witness tampering, bribery

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media that President Trump's deadline push for a ceasefire with Ukraine is "a threat and a step towards war."

Moscow

Russian official calls Trump's ceasefire deadline 'a threat'

Ukraine says Russia's overnight air strikes hit a prison in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, killing at least 17 people. Another 35 were injured. Authorities say the attacks destroyed the jail buildings and damaged several nearby houses.

U.S. sanctions Palestinian Authority in growing diplomatic rift

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