Gaza Strip
US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Turkey on November 19 to join talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Witkoff, who previously participated in diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine and the Gaza ceasefire, met with Putin.
On November 17, the UN Security Council adopted a US resolution supporting Donald Trump's plan to end hostilities in Gaza and form an international contingent. Russia and China abstained, and Hamas refused to disarm.
The German government will lift its ban on the sale of some weapons to Israel from November 24, following the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Germany had suspended deliveries after Israel approved a ground offensive to capture Gaza City.
Gaza residents paid $2,000 each for a seat on a flight organized by a group offering departure from the enclave to South Africa. Two Palestinians said that 130 people flew from Israel to Johannesburg via Nairobi.
South Africa stated that the flight to Johannesburg is a cleansing of Gaza and the West Bank of its inhabitants.
The Palestinian Resistance Committees (PRC), an allied group of Hamas, announced the killing of one of its local armed leaders, Wassim Abdel-Hadi, by Israeli undercover forces near the city of Deir al-Balah. The Israeli military, in response, stated that they eliminated a terrorist who crossed the yellow line and planted suspicious objects.
The UN Security Council will vote on a US resolution supporting Donald Trump's plan for the future of Gaza. The document has received support from several Arab countries but has drawn objections from Israel and Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the radical Palestinian group Hamas would be disarmed. He also confirmed Israel's opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.
Israel continues to restrict the flow of aid to Gaza, leading to a critical shortage of food and goods, despite the approaching winter. UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly calls for increased pressure on Israel to ensure an unrestricted flow of aid.
Despite international talks on post-war settlement, Hamas is strengthening its influence in Gaza, controlling economic and administrative processes. Local residents report the group's expanded control over prices and collection of payments, while foreign states insist on its disarmament.
The US may sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House on Tuesday. The deals will include a possible F-35 contract and LNG imports, as well as discussions on access to AI chips and nuclear technology.
Billie Eilish criticized Elon Musk for accumulating wealth, claiming that he could have spent his money on philanthropic goals. The singer shared an infographic stating that Musk could end world hunger and rebuild Gaza.
On the bustling streets of Tehran, there seem to be signs of change. However, according to a Reuters investigation, Iranian authorities are inviting foreigners in an attempt to "improve" the country's external image. Internal repression in Iran, on the other hand, is intensifying.
Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to consider pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption. Netanyahu denies the charges, which include receiving gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels.
The US plans to build a large military base in the Israeli Otef-Azza region, adjacent to the Gaza Strip. The base will be able to accommodate 10,000 troops to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
In Britain, the government is reducing its contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by 15%, allocating 850 million pounds sterling for the period 2026–2028.
The Israeli parliament has approved in the first reading a bill on the death penalty for terrorists who killed Israelis. The bill provides for the death penalty for those who committed murder of an Israeli citizen for nationalistic motives.
Turkey, together with the US and Arab mediators, is working to ensure safe passage for some 200 Hamas militants hiding in tunnels in Israeli-controlled Gaza. This initiative is part of a broader ceasefire plan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Canada's Niagara region this week for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. He will discuss President Trump's efforts for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, security in Haiti and Sudan, maritime security, critical minerals, and global supply chains.
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie commented on her visit to Mykolaiv and Kherson, calling it difficult but inspiring. She noted that families live under constant drone threat, which creates a psychological burden.
On November 7, Hamas handed over the body of a suspected hostage from the Gaza Strip to Israel through the mediation of the Red Cross. The body was delivered to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of "genocide" and "crimes against humanity" in Gaza. Among those accused are also Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
US President Donald Trump stated that Kazakhstan will join the "Abraham Accords," which entails establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. This step, though symbolic, aims to give impetus to the agreements, which have been paused due to the war in Gaza.
The UN begins discussions on a US resolution for international forces in Gaza with a two-year mandate. The draft provides for the protection of civilians, the delivery of aid, and the demilitarization of the sector.
Kazakhstan will become a party to the Abraham Accords, which Washington views as a revival of the diplomatic process after the war between Israel and Hamas. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is in Washington, where an official announcement is expected.
Egyptian mediators have offered Hamas to surrender weapons and information about tunnels in exchange for a safe exit from Rafah. This is intended to de-escalate tensions and preserve the month-long truce, despite localized clashes.
Hollywood star and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited Kherson and Mykolaiv. She spoke with medics, volunteers, and families living under the threat of shelling.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated that US President Donald Trump could persuade Putin to start peace talks regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. Healey emphasized that Trump played a key role in establishing a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
FIFA announced the creation of the "FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World" award, which will be presented for exceptional steps towards peace. POLITICO suggests that Donald Trump, who previously lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize, could be the first laureate.
The Hamas movement, through the Red Cross, handed over to the Israel Defense Forces a coffin with the remains of a 19-year-old hostage, who was abducted by militants on October 7, 2023. He was the last deceased hostage with US citizenship held in the Gaza Strip.