AGP Executive Report

Education Under Fire in Gaza: Palestinian students in Gaza are studying for high school exams from displacement tents, with teachers turning tents into classrooms and using mobile phones and online platforms as electricity and internet remain unreliable. Humanitarian Recovery in Gaza: Gaza City families buried 105 people after a 17-day search for victims from the 2023 Al Taj 3 building, underscoring the thousands still missing under rubble. West Bank Business & Women’s Entrepreneurship: Bethlehem’s Nisaa Al-Shams Association launched an online marketplace to help women entrepreneurs sell beyond local markets, linking them with the chamber of commerce and governorate support. Palestinian Politics & Jobs: A Palestinian Legislative Council election candidate warned that releasing Palestinian tax revenues is vital to prevent an economic “explosion” in the West Bank, citing unemployment near 28% and pushing for agricultural and industrial job programs. Regional Policy & Environment: Kuwait’s Arab environment ministers council discussed climate financing and recovery needs, keeping Gaza’s environmental damage on the agenda. International Spotlight: UN-linked reporting highlighted the scale of Gaza’s destruction and ongoing journalist deaths, while diplomatic moves and sanctions debates continue to shape the business climate around Palestine.

Sanctions Push: US House Democrats backed a bill to impose sanctions, visa bans and import restrictions targeting Israeli settlement expansion, arguing it’s tied to ongoing displacement of Palestinians and blocks a real political path. Palestinian Economy: Palestine’s GDP fell 1% in Q2 2026, with the West Bank down 4% and agriculture, finance, construction and industry all contracting, according to PCBS. Gaza Humanitarian Pressure: Israeli strikes continued despite a ceasefire framework, with reports of deaths and injuries in Gaza City and renewed warnings that violations are worsening the crisis. Saudi Support: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood and said Gulf security is indivisible, calling for diplomatic solutions and firm responses to threats. Aid for Health: Bahrain’s Royal Humanitarian Foundation signed an agreement to fund priority medicines and supplies for the Palestinian health system, with focus on Gaza. Settlements & Trade: UN updates added more firms tied to Israeli settlement activities, while Palestinian officials and partners urged companies to cut links to settlement-linked businesses. Regional Diplomacy: Netanyahu’s UAE visit and claims around a Flydubai incident kept attention on shifting Gulf-Israel dynamics and security calculations.

Humanitarian & Reconstruction: UN coordinator Ramez Alakbarov says Gaza’s crisis is easing only in parts, while water, sanitation, shelter and waste problems persist; education continues for 300,000 children in temporary spaces, but only limited land remains for farming and 8,000 people are still missing under rubble. Aid & Jobs Funding: Finland pledges €4m to the UN Horizon Fund for Gaza recovery and €3m via EU PEGASE to support East Jerusalem hospitals (2027–2029), aiming to bridge relief and reconstruction and revive jobs. West Bank Security & Settler Violence: The ICRC warns settler attacks make daily life “untenable,” after a mob attack on a family trying to return to Jalud; meanwhile, reports say 1,317 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa during Sukkot. Political Economy & Sanctions Pressure: Malaysia and Qatar urge an immediate end to the war and faster aid, while Saudi-linked religious groups call for Riyadh to sever diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and push OIC action beyond statements. Palestinian Politics: Hamas, Islamic Jihad and ex-Fatah figure Mohammed Dahlan plan a unified electoral list for PA legislative elections, raising stakes for Abbas’s Fatah dominance if elections proceed. Palestine Action & Tech Boycotts (UK): Protesters target Palantir-linked NHS contracts in Kingston, part of a wider push to end public-sector partnerships with the spy-tech firm.

UN Human Rights: Qatar told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Israel’s occupation, Gaza/West Bank attacks, settlement expansion and attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians violate international law, urging full implementation of a Security Council-backed Gaza plan and the two-state solution. Corporate accountability: Palestine urged global firms to review ties with companies listed for activities linked to illegal Israeli settlements, after the UN rights office updated its database to include 214 firms (61 newly added). West Bank violence: Settlers torched homes and vehicles in Jalud and attacked other areas as Al-Aqsa saw large settler incursions under police restrictions, while displaced families faced renewed threats. Diplomacy & regional ties: Netanyahu’s surprise UAE visit—reportedly focused on Iran and regional security—signals deeper Gulf coordination. Settler ideology: A new generation of hardline “Hilltop Youth” is linked to rising settler violence and unauthorized outposts. Protest & policy pressure: Morocco saw pro-Palestine protests against normalization as Rabat moves toward full embassies with Israel.

West Bank Humanitarian Pressure: The Red Cross warns violence, movement restrictions and settlement expansion are making life “intolerable” for Palestinians, disrupting access to healthcare, schools and livelihoods. Settlement Infrastructure & Land: A UN official says Israel’s order to seize Area A land near Qabatiya for settlement road infrastructure is the first reported case targeting Area A for settlement building, raising fears for a viable Palestinian state. UK Arms & Diplomatic Fallout: Britain expands its Israel arms embargo and tightens licensing over Gaza/West Bank concerns, while the Netherlands summons Israel’s envoy after expelling Dutch diplomats tied to a settlement-goods ban. Gaza Visibility & Damage: Updated Google Maps satellite imagery shows further destruction across Gaza, with neighborhoods flattened and major landmarks erased. Aid Delivery Debate: A report highlights how privatised, militarised aid delivery in Gaza can shift relief from protection to control, renewing calls for stronger oversight. Local Business Resilience: In Jenin, a man turns a TikTok-inspired idea into a handmade rug business as jobs outside Palestine shrink. Regional Energy Risk: Iran is reported to have struck a very large crude carrier near Hormuz, underscoring how Middle East tensions can quickly ripple into oil markets.

Labour resets Palestine policy: UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the Palestine solidarity movement “you were right,” pledging to ban imports of goods from illegal West Bank settlements and disrupt the supply lines of British finance, construction and services tied to them, as Gaza anger reshapes voting patterns and arrests hit protesters outside Labour’s conference. Settlement trade pressure: The US warned annexation could derail Washington’s Gaza plan, while senators Wyden and Merkley introduced targeted sanctions aimed at settlement development in the E1 area. UN corporate blacklist: UN human rights officials added 214 companies from 11 countries linked to activities in Israeli settlements, updating a database that now covers 61 new firms. Gaza access and livelihoods: Palestinian olive harvesters face access limits, attacks and land barriers, with hundreds of thousands of donums reported as hard to reach. Netherlands-Israel diplomatic fight: Dutch authorities moved to revoke status and scrutinize passengers over settlement goods after Israel retaliated over the settlement trade ban. On-the-ground violence: Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least two Palestinians and wounded others, as truce violations continue.

Palestinian Elections: The Palestinian Central Elections Commission received nomination applications from seven electoral lists for the November Legislative Council vote, after Abbas extended the nomination window from 12 to 18 days (now running through Oct. 13, with polling still set for Nov. 28). Gaza Humanitarian Funding: UNRWA warned of a $100m cash-flow shortfall in its 2026 core budget, saying austerity is already hitting Gaza schools and health services and further gaps could force suspensions. UK Settlement Trade & Finance: At Labour’s conference, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain will ban imports from illegal West Bank settlements and disrupt supply lines tied to British finance, construction and services. West Bank Settler Pressure: Reports describe renewed settler incursions into Al-Aqsa during Sukkot, alongside forced closures of Palestinian shops in the Old City. Diplomatic Fallout Over Settlement Goods: Israel revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah after the Netherlands imposed restrictions on settlement products, including document-return demands and travel-related enforcement. UNRWA & Gaza Reality Check: Rights groups again framed Gaza as a “largest ghetto” after years of confinement, destruction and blockade.

Gaza Strikes & Human Toll: Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn killed at least four Palestinians and injured 12, with reports of drone and gunfire incidents in Gaza City, Khan Younis and al-Mawasi. Settlement Politics & Elections: Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich pushed to keep the E1 settlement tender moving before the Oct. 27 Knesset election, after the legal adviser delayed the bidding deadline by a month. West Bank Trade Fallout: Israel revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah and ordered them to return documents within seven days, after the Netherlands enforced a ban on settlement goods—sparking airport searches of El Al passengers arriving in Amsterdam. Gaza Recovery Clash: Smotrich and Orit Strock urged Netanyahu to reject a Board of Peace Gaza recovery framework, arguing demilitarization must come first and warning it contradicts recent US-Israel understandings. UNGA Diplomacy vs. Deadlock: Multiple UNGA-focused pieces highlighted the UN’s widening irrelevance amid stalled action on wars, including Palestine, while UN officials stressed that advancing the two-state track requires halting settlement expansion and reversing annexation. Aid & Regional Signals: Saudi Arabia was cited as supporting political solutions for regional conflicts, while Egypt’s food exports hit a record $5.128bn in the first eight months of 2026, underscoring the economic stakes around instability.

West Bank settlement pressure: Israel’s attorney general postponed the deadline for bids on the E1 settlement project by a month, pushing it past election day—an attempt to reduce claims the tender is being used for campaigning. Incitement and escalation: Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich renewed calls for a “Gaza-style” war in the occupied West Bank and for dismantling the Palestinian Authority, while the Palestinian Executive condemned the remarks as a push toward escalation, annexation and displacement. UNRWA under fire: Ramallah’s Popular Front rejected a “Peace Council” stance that targets UNRWA’s role in Gaza, calling it an attack on the refugee issue and the right of return. Humanitarian funding: The EU announced a €710m aid package for crises and disasters, including support for displaced people across Africa and emergency help for the Middle East. Gaza ceasefire violations: Palestinian sources reported multiple injuries from Israeli drone strikes and shelling across Gaza, with the death toll cited above 74,000. Diplomacy and aid corridors: Egypt said UNGA diplomacy secured updated logistical protocols with UN humanitarian leadership to streamline aid routing into Gaza and stabilize emergency corridors. Protest crackdown in the UK: UK police arrested people tied to pro-Palestine demonstrations, including Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, after the group Palestine Action was proscribed.

UNGA Diplomacy: Oman reiterated its “peaceful and consensual” approach to dispute resolution, stressing dialogue, non-interference, and respect for sovereignty. UNGA—Palestine & Holy Sites: Indonesia said Palestine is a “test of our conscience,” calling for sovereignty and an end to colonialism; Pakistan warned against attempts to alter Jerusalem’s legal status and backed Hashemite custodianship; Tunisia condemned moves against UNRWA and warned they would undermine the right of return. Gaza Humanitarian & UN Politics: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned preventing World War III is the top priority as global tensions and the economy face “war footing” risks. Trade & Security: Saudi Arabia, China, and Bahrain all pushed for freedom of navigation through key waterways (Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden), warning that restrictions or fees would threaten energy and trade. EU Aid: The EU pledged €710m+ for crises, with major allocations for sub-Saharan Africa covering migration, humanitarian needs, and food insecurity. Sports & Boycott Pressure (Ireland-Israel): Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel is set to go ahead after a player vote, despite calls from opposition parties to cancel it over Gaza.

UNRWA Funding Push: PLO official Ahmad Abu Houli urged donors to turn UNRWA pledges into real financial and political commitments to protect the agency’s mandate as efforts to undermine it grow. Settlement Expansion Watch: A Palestinian land-rights group says Israel is advancing an east-west settlement bloc in the northern West Bank via roads and infrastructure that could sever geographic continuity and isolate Palestinian communities. UNGA Pressure & Accountability: Turkey’s Erdoğan said “war criminals” belong in courtrooms, not the UN podium, after Netanyahu’s UN speech sparked walkouts. Blacklists Hit Settlement Firms: The UN human rights office added 61 companies to its settlements business blacklist, bringing the total to 214, as Israel rejects the move. West Bank Water Stakes: Reports say Israeli settlers have intensified efforts to seize natural springs, raising new pressure on Palestinian access to water. Protest & Diplomacy: Thousands marched to the UN as Netanyahu spoke, with delegates walking out amid genocide accusations.

UN Settlement Watch: The UN human rights office updated its blacklist of firms tied to illegal Israeli settlements, adding 61 new companies and bringing the total to 214 across 11 countries, including major travel and construction names like Airbnb and Expedia; Israel condemned the database as a smear. Gaza Reconstruction & Economy: UN-backed estimates put Gaza rebuilding at $71.5bn, with 92% of economic establishments damaged or destroyed, unemployment at 78%, and GDP per capita collapsing to $212 in 2025. West Bank Pressure: UNRWA warned conditions are worsening, while reports say Israeli raids and settler violence continue alongside land and tree-removal orders. UK Policy & Palestine: Labour conference pressure is growing to cancel or tighten scrutiny of UK public contracts tied to Palantir, amid claims of links to military use in occupied Palestinian territory. Diplomacy on the Ground: Egypt urged full Gaza ceasefire implementation, rejected forced displacement, and called for an end to occupation rather than “managing” it. Regional Trade Routes: France is drafting a UN Security Council resolution to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global shipments.

Gaza Recovery Funding: UNCTAD estimates Gaza reconstruction at $71.5 billion, while the EU says Israel will allow €43m in aid for essential services like water pumps—an early-recovery step meant to cut wastewater and disease risks. UNRWA Under Pressure: UN chief António Guterres warns UNRWA’s work and mandate are in jeopardy amid attacks and access limits, as the agency remains a key lifeline for Palestinian refugees. Two-State Push: Qatar and Indonesia urged faster implementation of the two-state solution at UNGA-linked talks, calling for international recognition and rejecting settlement expansion. West Bank Economy & Policy: Opinion and analysis highlight how Palestinian economic control remains tightly linked to Israel via the shekel, clearance revenues, crossings, and banking—so any Israeli leadership shift would still hinge on movement and revenue rules. EU-Jordan Partnership: European Parliament delegates praised Jordan’s role in stability and backed EU support for Jordan’s modernization and reforms. UK Arms & Finance: A UK investigation says universities coordinated with BAE Systems to manage pro-Palestine protests, while another report questions whether the UK’s “double lock” on Israel arms exports has actually suspended new licences.

Gaza Reconstruction Cost: UNCTAD estimates rebuilding Gaza will cost about $71.5 billion, warning 92% of economic establishments were damaged or destroyed since Oct 2023, with unemployment at 78% and GDP per capita collapsing to $212 in 2025; the report pegs physical damage at $35.2bn and economic/social losses at $22.7bn, with prices soaring. UNGA Diplomacy & Two-State Pressure: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said commitments to a two-state solution are “increasingly at odds” with Gaza/West Bank realities as settlement expansion and strikes continue; Saudi and others echoed that delays are costing lives. UK Aid & Settlement Measures: Britain announced £88m in healthcare and clean-water support for Palestinians and reiterated it will not “acquiesce” in the destruction of the two-state path via bans on illegal settlement-linked imports and financing. UN Visa Block: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN via prerecorded video after the US again denied visas, calling the situation the “most dangerous” in Palestinian history. West Bank Settlement Push: Israel approved 567 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank, adding pressure to already strained economic and political prospects.

Gaza Economy in Freefall: A UNCTAD report says Gaza’s economy is in the world’s “most severe crisis on record,” with recovery needs put at $71.5bn; it estimates 92% of economic establishments damaged or destroyed, employment collapsing, and food prices soaring. Gaza Strikes: Israeli attacks across central Gaza killed two Palestinians and wounded nine, with bombardment reaching Khan Younis. UN Visa Standoff: Mahmoud Abbas told the UN that a Palestinian delegation was unlawfully denied entry visas for UNGA in New York for a second straight year, while the US State Department cited alleged failures by the PA/PLO. Gaza Reconstruction Plan: Trump’s Board of Peace unveiled a $2.45bn, six-month Gaza recovery programme covering temporary housing, rubble removal, hospital repairs, utilities restoration, and steps toward a new Gaza police force. EU Jobs Push: The European Commission committed €10m to create 500,000 women’s jobs across MENA, aiming to boost skills, entrepreneurship and hiring reforms. EU-Linked Settlement Trade Pressure: Israel says it will help settlement firms find “alternative markets” after European bans, including via grants to exporters. Politics at Home: Israel’s election panel cleared Otzma Yehudit for the October vote after earlier barring Ra’am and other Arab slates.

Gaza Reconstruction Funding: The U.S.-backed Board of Peace unveiled a six-month, $2.45bn Gaza recovery blueprint at UNGA, covering 66 projects like debris removal, temporary housing, hospital repair, and power/water restoration, while admitting full reconstruction could reach about $71.4bn and that only $280m of $18bn pledged has been called so far. UN Visa Pressure: The U.S. again barred Palestinian Authority officials from attending UNGA in person, citing alleged unmet commitments tied to ICC/ICJ moves and unilateral statehood efforts. West Bank Sanctions Push: U.S. Senate Democrats introduced an E1 settlement sanctions bill targeting those facilitating construction in the area east of Jerusalem. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Palestine’s anti-corruption commission chief highlighted Arab coordination and prevention-focused measures at a Doha conference. Local Economy & Youth Sports: FIFA opened two mini-pitches in the West Bank (near Bethlehem and Qusin) to expand youth football access, backed by Switzerland. Education & Rights Abroad: Australia’s NSW barred a pro-Palestinian teacher over social media posts, while Philadelphia saw a teacher admit fabricating Palestinian/Tunisian/Black heritage. Security Reality Check: Gaza families continue living in buildings at risk of collapse after years of strikes, underscoring the urgency behind reconstruction plans.