‘No foreign rule over Gaza’
Palestinian factions have unequivocally rejected any form of foreign guardianship over Gaza as the issue gains prominence after the implementation of the ceasefire in the war-wracked territory. In a joint statement, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine reiterated that the Gaza administration is a purely internal Palestinian matter. They emphasized that the oversight of Gaza’s administrative institutions must be determined exclusively by the Palestinian people. The ceasefire plan envisages the establishment of an internationally supervised technocratic Palestinian committee to take over Gaza after the war. The coastal territory has been governed by Hamas since 2007. In the statement, the resistance factions also hailed the ironclad steadfastness and resilience of the people of Gaza, whose resistance frustrated the Israeli regime during the course of the war.
Tehran rallies for Gaza
Following Friday prayers, Iranians have taken to the streets in rallies dubbed “Promise of Victory.” The march in Tehran drew large crowds supporting Palestine and celebrating the victory of Palestinian resistance on the second anniversary of Operation Al‑Aqsa Flood.
US-Russia nuclear talks
Russia’s president says Moscow and Washington are in communication regarding the extension of the New START treaty, which aims to limit the number of deployed nuclear warheads. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the remaining few months before the treaty’s expiration will be enough to negotiate an extension. However, he emphasized that it requires goodwill from the United States. He also acknowledged the ongoing nuclear arms race between Russia and the US. Putin said his country is now developing new strategic weapons to improve its deterrence capabilities. Putin made the comment during a press conference in Tajikistan. The New Start treaty expires on February 2026 and Putin has proposed a one-year extension. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty limits Russia and the US to no more than a thousand and 550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.