## US Imposes Visa Restrictions on Palestinian Authority Officials

**Washington Takes Action Amidst Growing Global Recognition of Palestinian Statehood** 


The United States announced Thursday a new policy denying visas to members of the Palestinian Authority, sharply criticizing the body governing parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move comes as several US allies are moving towards recognizing Palestinian statehood. 

The State Department declined to specify which officials would be affected, stating only that it would deny visas to "members" of the Palestine [...]. 


## US Imposes Visa Restrictions on Palestinian Authority Officials

**Washington Takes Action Amidst Growing Global Recognition of Palestinian Statehood** 


Th

US to refuse visas to Palestinian Authority officials

##  Morocco Delivers Lifeline Aid to Struggling Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

**King Mohammed VI Orders Urgent Delivery of Food, Medicine, and Medical Supplies**

Palestinian officials have expressed deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for his swift action in providing crucial humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The aid package, amounting to approximately 180 tons of essential supplies,  is being delivered to ease the suffering of civilians trapped under Israel's ongoing military blockade and relentless bombardment.

The aid shipment includes a vital assortment of food items, medicine, and surgical equipment, designed to directly address the urgent needs of Gaza's population facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation.


"This generous act of solidarity from Morocco serves as a lifeline for our people in this moment of immense need," stated a Palestinian official. "The King's compassion and commitment to alleviating the suffering in Gaza is deeply appreciated." 


##  Morocco Delivers Lifeline Aid to Struggling Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

**King Mohammed VI Orders Urgent Delivery of Food, Medicine, and Medical Suppli

Palestinian officials praise King for urgent aid to Gaza ami

Palestinian officials praise King for urgent aid to Gaza amid deepening humanitarian crisis

## Spain Offers Lifeline: Medical Flights to Bring 13 Children from Gaza

**Defense Minister Margarita Robles Announces Evacuation Plan.**

MADRID –  Spain is set to provide crucial medical aid to 13 sick children from Gaza, bringing them and their families to Spain for treatment. This operation involves a specially equipped military aircraft, an A400, which will depart for Amman, Jordan, to transport the young patients.

“We are finalizing preparations for an A400 medical aircraft that will head to Amman to transport 13 ailing children,” announced Defense Minister Margarita Robles on Wednesday.  


## Spain Offers Lifeline: Medical Flights to Bring 13 Children from Gaza

**Defense Minister Margarita Robles Announces Evacuation Plan.**

MADRID –  Spain is s

Spain to fly 13 sick children from Gaza for medical treatmen

Spain to fly 13 sick children from Gaza for medical treatment

## France Vows to Recognize Palestinian State, Sparking International Debate

**Macron's Announcement Sets Stage for Diplomatic Showdown**

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state during an upcoming UN meeting in September. This declaration makes France the most powerful European nation to take such a step, escalating international tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

Over 142 countries now recognize or plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally, despite strong opposition from Israel and the United States. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Macron's decision as “a reckless decision (that) only serves Hamas propaganda.” He further criticized the move on X, stating it "is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th," referring to the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

**Israel Expresses Fury, Hamas Welcomes Move**

Macron's announcement immediately drew sharp criticism from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "a reward for terror" and asserted it poses an "existential threat" to Israel. He warned the decision “risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” claiming it would be "a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.”

Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed France's pledge, stating it "reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”  Hamas also hailed Macron’s pledge as a “positive step” and called on other countries to follow suit.


**Gaza Crisis Deepens, Humanitarian Concerns Grow**

The escalating conflict has brought about a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over two million Palestinians facing an increasingly dire situation. Israel denies responsibility for the deepening hunger crisis in Gaza, which the World Health Organization has labeled “man-made” and France blames on an Israeli "blockade." 

Macron stressed that the "urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population.” He called for a viable Palestinian state, demilitarized and recognizing Israel, contributing to the security of all in the Middle East.

On the streets of the occupied West Bank, Palestinians expressed hope that other countries would follow France's lead. They view the recognition as a "moral commitment" and a "political victory" for the Palestinian people.


**Path Forward Uncertain, Global Response Evolves**

Macron intends to make his announcement at the UN General Assembly in September. While France would be the most significant European power to recognize a Palestinian state, others have hinted they could follow suit. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he would discuss efforts to stop the fighting with French and German counterparts on Friday, adding that a ceasefire would “put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state.”


Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have already recognized Palestinian statehood since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has previously expressed strong criticism of Israel's offensive in Gaza, hailed Macron's announcement as "historic" and stressed that "Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution."


Saudi Arabia also welcomed France's move, urging other countries to follow suit. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris called France’s action “the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides: 59,587 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.  Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.


Macron's announcement sets the stage for a complex diplomatic dance with potential ramifications for the Middle East and beyond. 


## France Vows to Recognize Palestinian State, Sparking International Debate

**Macron's Announcement Sets Stage for Diplomatic Showdown**

French President Emm

#Palestine

US to refuse visas to Palestinian Authority officials

Palestinian officials praise King for urgent aid to Gaza amid deepening humanitarian crisis

Spain to fly 13 sick children from Gaza for medical treatment

Macron says France will recognise State of Palestine, angering Israel