Israel vs Palestine/Lebanon/Iran/Yemen/Syria: a New Middle East War

[Ravenlocke]

Al Mayadeen English

#Trump’s #Gaza plan demands $1B from countries seeking a permanent seat on the Gaza "Board of Peace" as he plans to chair the board and make key decisions.

https://x.com/MayadeenEnglish/status...77004751982950

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/...za-peace-board

Trump seeks $1B for permanent seat on 'Gaza Peace Board'

US President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly asking countries to pay over $1 billion for a permanent seat on the Gaza "Board of Peace", according to Bloomberg, citing a draft version of the board’s charter.

The document outlines the framework for the Gaza "Board of Peace," part of a broader 20-point plan to end the Israeli war on Gaza, shifting focus from ceasefire monitoring to reconstruction and what the US calls “demilitarization."

According to the draft charter, only states that contribute more than $1 billion in cash funds within the first year will be exempt from the standard three-year membership term.

"Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charter’s entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force," the charter reportedly states.

Trump to chair the board

Bloomberg also reports that Trump will serve as the first chairman of the board and will personally determine which countries are invited to participate. While decisions will be made by majority vote, they will still require the chairman's approval. The charter further stipulates that the official seal of the group must also be approved by Trump.

Trump announces Gaza 'Board of Peace' members

US President Donald Trump has officially unveiled the members of the newly formed "Board of Peace" for Gaza.

The board is part of a broader 20-point plan to end the Israeli war on Gaza, shifting focus from ceasefire monitoring to reconstruction and what the US calls “demilitarization."

The announcement includes high-profile names such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

In parallel, the White House confirmed that US Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed as Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational unit that will oversee "demilitarization" efforts and reportedly ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.

[shaberon]

There are two things; what Hamas agreed to is something like the "Gaza Executive Board" which would be on-the-ground administration.

The "Peace" or "Founder" board is more like the actual Executive, i. e., the one who lines up foreign investment and projects, which has suddenly become heavily Americanized. Problematically, Israel is not in agreement with something unspecified here.


So, the group that would mostly be doing the work is fine for Israel and Hamas. The uber group is not. Were it to form, it could not really succeed, because Hamas won't disarm unless Israel withdraws, and Israel won't withdraw unless Hamas disarms.

You don't need extortionists in there, you need someone who is a really good mediator.

The UN Mandate was poorly-worded to begin with, so China and Russia did not support it.

Resolution 2803 is all of about four pages.

The net goal is a de-militarized Gaza, with Hamas effectively replaced by a new police force.

It says nothing about a de-militarized Israel. I am relegated to finding a way to get my country to quit militarizing it.

[bojancan]

One more about Iran with Berletić... he is right so often, that is SO DEPRESSING!

jan, 18
Washington’s War on Iran: The Importance of Defending Information Space

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=yiJm4zwZZHY

Iran, a nation with significant conventional military power, has been undermined and weakened because of its delay in securing its information space and thus political space sufficiently from foreign interference. And while it has acted decisively in recent weeks (and appears to have prepared at least months in advance) only time will tell if it is just in time or still too late.

[shaberon]

As from the previous page, Syria has defeated Kurdish SDF everywhere west of the Euphrates, apparently so badly they re-signed the re-integration deal that would absorb them into the Syrian military.

That is why I posted it with YPJ as a different entity, because the ambiguous terms are about like the Gaza Peace Plan. That could indeed take a toll on the SDF organization, but of course there are other Kurdish militias that may not recognize its authority and refuse to take the deal.

Therefor the post I made is obsolete and historical. There are no "Kurdish forces" from Aleppo to Deir Ezzur, and rather impressively they were evicted by about 100,000 Syrian military. That's...I mean that's just surprising, no wonder they lost.

So far, the Syrian military is not attacking into the Kurdish-majority areas, although they do plan on being appointed to posts on the eastern national border, and other ingresses into the autonomous structure. It does seem to have Turkish approval, while the U. S. kind of suggested they should not attack anyone, but were obviously ignored.

[shaberon]

The Board of Peace is not on firm legs:

The former head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) office says US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace" is a structural extension of Israeli occupation that is now steering Washington towards a full-fledged colonial administration of Gaza.

In a post on X, Craig Mokhiber, who resigned in October 2023 in protest against Israel's genocide in Gaza, said Trump’s so-called "Board of Peace is structurally and functionally an extension of the occupation, and is led by one of the genocide co-perpetrators with the authoritative participation of the other."

“To be clear: The occupation of Gaza is unlawful under international law. Israel and the US are perpetrating genocide in Gaza. Both the occupation and the genocide breach the highest (“jus cogens & erga omnes”) rules of international law, which no colonial edict by Trump, no ultra vires resolution of the Security Council, and no agreement by the occupied Palestinian Authority can legalize.”

Trump has announced the executive members of Gaza’s so-called Board of Peace, a body he claims will oversee “transitional governance” in the besieged territory.

The White House’s proposed Gaza council, headed by Trum,p is stacked with pro-Israel figures and Western elites.

“Any state or individual that participates in this unlawful body is complicit in the grave international crimes of the US-Israel Axis, for which they could and should be held accountable,” Mokhiber warned.

He added "that the world is now watching to see who joins the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, and who aligns themselves with their oppressors in the colonial ‘Board of Peace.’”

The move comes as most of the commitments outlined in Trump’s 20-point plan, which formed the basis of the ceasefire announced three months ago, have failed to materialize on the ground.

Phase one was supposed to immediately halt the fighting, facilitate the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian captives, define a boundary for Israel’s withdrawal from parts of Gaza, guarantee the full entry of humanitarian aid, and reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

The former UN human rights official stressed that Palestinians, under international law, retain the right to resist the military occupation, including through armed resistance.

“And, also as a matter of international law, the Palestinian people have a right to resist the foreign occupation, colonial domination, and racist regime to which they are subjected, and people around the world have the right to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in this struggle,” Mokhiber said.

Since Israel launched its genocidal campaign on October 7, 2023, more than 71,500 Palestinians have been killed and over 172,000 wounded, the vast majority of them women and children.

It's the local administration that Israel opposes, i. e. has Turks and Qataris, to explain their likely objectives.

It it a terrible axis. Israel has again been ranked lowest in the world in terms of things that exist.

It would probably like to use Gazans as human cattle herded into "Somaliland", but Yemen will attack any Israeli military there.

This is barely a tactical pause, since Israel still attacks Gaza.

With effort, we might be able to diminish our shackles to Israel. Obviously not if the current loudmouths are able to do whatever they want. I don't know if I can "stand in solidarity", so much as chisel away the putrid idea wrought by the faction of unbridled power.

[shaberon]

It's still unclear. The proposal is adamant about being based on Trump's personal circle, and lottery winners from a pool including Vladimir Putin and other Executives:

...the board will initially include the leaders of around 15 world nations and it will be up to Trump to decide whom to invite to join the body. However, as of now, invitations have reportedly been received by heads of state and government of nearly 60 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, India, Turkey, Qatar, Germany, and Poland. Media claim that the invitation of the Turkish and Qatari leaders was met with resentment in Israel as it claimed that it wasn't consulted on the matter. However, it is not yet known whether the parties to the conflict - Israel and Hamas - will be represented on the board.

That is at least literally meaningful. It's the chief executives of "these places, to be determined". Will they do what he wants? They wouldn't be allowed anything else.


Syria was only a surrender by the SDF commander:

The Syrian government is set to assume control over all border crossings, as well as the strategic oil and gas fields in the region, with protection provided by regular forces. Politically, the deal welcomes Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, which recognizes Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights and addresses the status of stateless persons.

Additionally, the SDF has committed to the removal of all non-Syrian Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leaders and members from Syrian territory to ensure sovereignty and regional stability.

Diplomatic engagement surrounding the agreement has been intense.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa publicly expressed gratitude to several international figures for facilitating the deal, specifically highlighting the role of President Masoud Barzani.

Speaking at a news conference, President al-Sharaa described President Barzani as "one of the key figures who played a significant role" in moving the country toward unity.

This sentiment was reinforced during a telephone conversation between the two leaders, where they discussed the details of the agreement and emphasized that Kurdish rights in Syria would be respected and protected under the new framework.

I'm not sure how you make the PKK go "somewhere else". They were already banished.



Although it has the appearance of a formally-signed surrender reported by the same sources, these events have newer timestamps:

20 January, 2026 02:52

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) thwarted five attacks by mercenaries of the interim government in the countryside of Sarrin, south of Kobani. In addition, they destroyed seven vehicles, disabled four armored vehicles, and shot down four drones.

Mobilize:

19 January, 2026 18:32

Fawza Youssef, the member of the Presidential Council of the Democratic Union Party, called on Kurdish forces to declare general mobilization, while urging the people of Rojava to be prepared to confront the threat of genocide.

In a post on the platform “X,” Fawza Youssef said:

“Despite the announcement of a ceasefire by the Damascus government, it has not been adhered to. There are clashes in al-Shaddadi and Ain Issa, therefore our people must remain alert and prepared for all possibilities. We also direct our call to Kurdish forces to declare general mobilization, because the Kurds in Rojava are facing the threat of genocide.”

Peshmerga:





Defend:

Monday, 19 January 2026, 23:52

“This battle is not only for Rojava, but to protect the dignity of all humanity.”

So, for one thing, I don't think the SDF commander carries any political clout.

On the other hand, that means Rojava or Northeast Syria has no support of any kind. The sympathy of other Kurds, but every structure in the world is against them.

They control nothing across the river but must have some kind of buffer they intend to keep the current Syrian forces out of.

[Tintin]

News from Perfidious Albion pertaining to the persecution of Dr Rahmeh Aladwan: MI-6 vs Rahmeh Aladwan

And, it is, persecution. This, a helpful knowledge resource, from Prof. David Miller:

-_________________________-

This is a co-ordinated effort led by MI6 which now appears to be in charge of Counter Terrorism Policing and domestic intelligence (as opposed to the formal line of control in MI5).

Back in 1948 British intelligence identified the Zionists - Jewish terrorism as they called it - as the main national security threat faced by the British state. By 1971 they were collaborating with Mossad to hunt down Palestinian Resistance fighters. The operation/ network was called Kilowatt.

Thatcher allowed co-operation with the Mossad, but famously refused to shake hands with Menachem Begin the former leader of the Irgun when he visited the UK, since she viewed him - quite rightly - as a terrorist.

Thatcher even expelled Mossad agents and forced the closure of the Mossad station in London in 1987. A Palestinian collaborator working for Mossad, Ismail Siwan, was caught with weapons in Hull, leading to his conviction in 1988.

The Mossad was found to have been involved in the assassination in West London in 1987 of the Palestinian cartoonist and artist Naji El Ali (creator of the famous Handala figure). The Mossad station chief in London, Arie Regev, was expelled and Yaacov Barad was declared a persona non grata.

Collaboration with Mossad stepped up a gear under Blair. From 2004 MI6 has collaborated with Mossad in operation against Hamas and it has subcontracted some operations to the Zionist agency. In 2015 MI6 helped Mossad in the extraction of an Iranian nuclear scientist who was a Mossad agent. In effect MI6 collaborated in assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

Now - as of 2023- they have a special unit under cover in the Foreign Office which leads on countering "information threats" in relation to Gaza. And they direct Counter Terrorism Policing via the Homeland Security Group in the Home Office. Since its creation in 2007 this grouping (previously called the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism) has always been headed by a career MI6 officer and not someone from MI5.

Dr Rahmeh is being targeted.

-_________________________-

Her post:

Source: https://x.com/doctor_rahmeh/status/2013277156562882946

[Ravenlocke]

Johann Spischak

Christianity faces "erasure" in the Holy Land as Israeli restrictions on worshippers increase, the Head Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilos II is warning.

His ministry extends across Palestine, Syria, Arabia, and Jordan's real and deepening,
Key messages from his address in the presence of King Abdullah I1 of Jordan:

‣ "The existential threat to the Christian presence is real and deepening."

‣ "Christian Zionism is a misusing of the Christian Holy Scripture for political purposes."

‣ "Any threat to Muslim holy places is a threat against our churches and Christian holy places."

#InvokeResolution377 #UNSeatIsrael #AnatomyofGenocide #NoFlyZone4Israel #EconomyOfGenocide #ICJ_Breach #BDS #ICC4Israel #RegimeChange4Israel #SanctionIsrael #AirBlockade4Israel #GazaGenocide #StopArmingIsrael #PalestinianGenocide

https://x.com/SDGMasterglass/status/2013715079376548058

[Ravenlocke]

MenchOsint

US CENTCOM announced earlier today that F-15E Strike Eagles arrived in the Middle East (Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan).

*exact same move that was observed in October 2023 & October 2024

https://x.com/MenchOsint/status/2013688630254907464

[Ravenlocke]

IntelSky

"Lincoln" Goes Dark and Enters "Ghost Mode," Britain Pushes Typhoons East... Have the Final 72 Hours Begun? — Talal Nahle

The new report (16:00 GMT - 19:30 Tehran time) carries ominous implications when correlated with your data regarding the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
Field Status: Total Blackout
* At Sea: The USS Abraham Lincoln has deactivated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) and entered "Ghost Mode."
* In the Air: Iran continues to "clear" its airspace, removing the final firing NOTAM (B0844/25), which expired just a short while ago.
Here is the strategic reading of this alarming synchronization:

1. "Total Silence" at Sea (EMCON Alpha)
When a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deactivates its AIS transponders in a congested region like the Strait of Malacca or the Arabian Sea, it signifies entry into Emission Control (EMCON) status.
* The Objective: To vanish from hostile radar screens and commercial satellites, preventing Iran from pinpointing its exact location for ballistic missile targeting.
* The Timing: If the carrier is due to reach the Arabian Sea within 72 hours, "going dark" now indicates that it considers itself within a "war zone" effective immediately. It is now in an offensive posture, not a transit posture.

2. Arrival of Typhoon Fighters: The British Build-up
The deployment of four British Typhoon fighters (Ascot Flight) heading southeast confirms direct British engagement in the operation.
* The Role: The Typhoon excels in Air Superiority. Their deployment suggests the allies anticipate the Iranian Air Force will scramble jets to intercept the attack; the Typhoons are there to neutralize them and protect US bombers.

3. The Iranian NOTAM: Opening the Door to the "Unknown"
The removal of the final firing NOTAM (B0844/25) indicates that Iran has concluded all its declared training schedules for the day.

* The Conclusion: Iranian skies tonight (January 20) and tomorrow (January 21) are completely "clean" of any declared military activity.
* The Interpretation: This total silence in the NOTAMs aligns with the "calm before the storm." Iran knows the fleets are approaching, so it has halted training to pivot toward actual combat monitoring.

The Expected Scenario for the Next 72 Hours
We are entering a phase of "Blindness and Anticipation":
* Sea: We will not know the location of the Abraham Lincoln until it launches its aircraft (or until the Pentagon announces it).
* Air: British and American fighters have massed in Jordan and the Gulf.
* Land: Iran has ceased exercises and is waiting.
The attack may commence before the Carrier reaches its final position in the Arabian Sea.
Long-range bombers (B-1B, B-52) and fighters already positioned in the region (F-15Es in Jordan) do not require the carrier to initiate the "First Wave" of strikes. The carrier may arrive later to provide "Sustained Support."

https://x.com/Intel_Sky/status/2013648554649178604

[Ravenlocke]

MenchOsint

Jan 18
✍️ Basically, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will be in position to attack Iran at D5 (around Jan. 23rd) – if it keeps an average speed of 19.9 knot.

Will Trump attack Iran or just use this force as a leverage to negotiate something ?

https://x.com/MenchOsint/status/2012872215654478144

[bojancan]

These people who are doing harm to children and women... in Gaza and around the world need to go... the whole system is rotten and has to be disemboweled.....

How winter is making Gaza's humanitarian crisis worse | The Stream

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=yfriIqGhbQY

Winter in Gaza is not just a season; it is a crisis. More than one million Palestinians are displaced and in need of emergency shelter. Many live in makeshift tents, as heavy rain and cold temperatures destroy what little shelter remains. With aid and construction materials often blocked or delayed at the border, families face rising risks of hypothermia and disease in an already catastrophic situation.

Presenter: Stefanie Dekker

Guests:
Dr Nada Abu Alrub - Humanitarian doctor
Tess Ingram - UNICEF spokesperson

[shaberon]

Posted by Tintin (here)
Back in 1948 British intelligence identified the Zionists - Jewish terrorism as they called it - as the main national security threat faced by the British state. By 1971 they were collaborating with Mossad to hunt down Palestinian Resistance fighters. The operation/ network was called Kilowatt.

Would it be accurate to say that there remained general support for political Zionism while it is more specifically the terrorist element that was, at least for a time, opposed?

If they had really got a handle on it in 1948, we may have been spared some difficulties, and so it is like sometimes the American CIA actually does give good advice, and then politicians throw it away and pursue their own ideas.





The events in Syria are such that the signing of surrender will simply be held as an invalid document. The story is that Syria ceased fire at 8 p. m., just like they said, and then immediately started to violate it.


The deal was crafted with the assistance of Barzani, the President of Iraqi Kurdistan, where those who support the Northeast Syria Kurds are coming from:

Iraq, specifically with the autonomous region of Kurdistan, which witnessed protests overnight in support of the SDF, with thousands of Kurds gathering near the border to enter Syria and join the ranks of the group.

From the people of Euphrates:

DAA in Euphrates canton calls on people to rise up everywhere

The Democratic Autonomous Administration in the Euphrates canton has declared a general mobilization and called on all the people to rise up everywhere, join the general mobilization and rally around their military forces defending the existence and identity of the people of the region, to repel the attacks and thwart the war being waged against them.

The Democratic Autonomous Administration in the Euphrates region issued a statement to the public opinion, which was read by the co-chair of the canton's council, Farhan Haj Iss, declaring a general mobilization and calling on all residents to rise up and join the general mobilization.

The statement included,

"Statement to the public opinion

In light of the all-out war being waged against the regions of North and East Syria by mercenary groups affiliated with the Damascus Interim Government, and the government's failure to abide by all previous agreements and understandings, most notably the March 10th Agreement, and its perpetration of the most heinous crimes against our people in all their diversity, the Syrian Democratic Forces are demonstrating heroic and historic resistance against these barbaric attacks on all fronts, defending the region and the gains of its people.

It is no longer a secret that the government controlling Damascus is leading Syria towards the abyss, as through its current approach, it is attempting to pit the various Syrian communities against each other and create a deep rift among the Syrian people, all in service of the agendas and objectives of foreign countries and parties. Therefore, we warn the Damascus government that its actions will have serious repercussions and consequences for the region and its people, and we hold it fully responsible for the ongoing wars and destruction.

In order to confront this war and the policies pursued by the Damascus government, we, in the Democratic Autonomous Administration, while condemning this brutal war in the strongest terms, declare a general mobilization. We call upon all our people everywhere to rise up, join the general mobilization, and rally around their military forces, who are defending the existence and identity of the region's people, to repel these attacks, defeat this war, and achieve the goals of our revolution and protect its gains.

This is a historic and extremely sensitive and dangerous phase. Therefore, everyone must act responsibly and spare no effort to avert the dangers surrounding the region, especially the threat of the return of ISIS mercenaries. All our people must take up arms and organize themselves according to the requirements of war.

We also call on the international community to intervene immediately and put an end to the war waged by the Damascus government, and to fulfill its moral obligations towards the people of the region who have offered thousands of martyrs and wounded in order to rid the world of the danger of terrorism. We appeal to our people in all parts of Kurdistan and all of humanity to rise up and support the resistance of the people of Rojava who are fighting today in defense of existence."

Solidarity is found in Europe and Kurdistan.




Additional militias:

We, as the Eastern Kurdistan Defense Units (YRK) and the Eastern Kurdistan Women's Defense Forces (HPJ), are ready to join the battle and resistance in Western Kurdistan.

All our people, especially the youth and women, should join the fight and national resistance in Rojava Kurdistan in the spirit of the ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’ [Woman, Life, Freedom] revolution and the slogan “Protecting Rojava is protecting Kurdistan.”

That is entirely correct.

Anything political is up in the air right now. Peshmerga command the highest respect from the view of legitimate self-defense. They really do. They don't have a country, and they don't have religious tones like the Islamic Resistance, and they are going to fight the Interim Syrian Government.

The fact that Israel destroyed practically all of Syria's advanced equipment levels the playing field.

I think they will find it difficult to do anything besides maybe advance a few teeth in certain areas. Trying to advance over the whole Rojava and accomplish the Iraqi border would not be a picnic.


According to Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mardin (Mêrdin) MP:

Saliha Aydeniz said the situation should not be viewed merely as a regional conflict, describing it instead as “a multidimensional war being waged between the capitalist system and democratic modernity.” Aydeniz stressed that deepening, overlapping crises in the Middle East and globally have evolved into a systemic crisis and said: “In order to sustain itself, this system imposes wars, massacres, and fascism against the will of peoples to live together.”

Paradigm under attack

Aydeniz said developments in Syria have revealed the socialization potential of the ecological, democratic, and women’s liberation–based paradigm developed by the Kurdish people and the communities they live alongside, noting that this reality has unsettled centers of power. She said the paradigm has demonstrated that the fascist nation-state system can be dismantled and added: “What is unfolding in Syria today is an effort to re-establish power against socialization. This is an explicit power struggle.”

The hope created by the Kurdish people is being targeted

Saliha Aydeniz said the Kurdish struggle against ISIS should be understood not only as an act of self-defense but as a struggle for humanity itself. Aydeniz continued: “The Kurds waged a struggle against ISIS armed groups on behalf of humanity. This struggle created a powerful hope across the world that democracy can be built against fascism. What is being targeted for destruction in Syria today is precisely this hope. The Kurds are being prevented from building their own systems on their own lands, while efforts are underway to alter the demographic structure. A systematic policy of de-Kurdification is being sought across all areas where Kurds live.”

As a primarily Turkish move against them:

Barrack turned his back on the Kurds—who had fought ISIS as part of the Coalition and had suffered tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded—as well as on the SDF and the autonomous region. So much so that when Damascus and Turkey were making a massive military buildup to attack Dêr Hafir, he failed to play a constructive role. He did not prevent the path toward an even more destructive war. It must be said again: without U.S. approval, such a heavy attack on Aleppo would not have taken place. If the U.S. had wanted, it could have stopped a war that might have turned the region into hell starting from Dêr Hafir.

She's been displaced four times:

Dorshin added, “How long will we keep moving from place to place? You left us nothing in Afrin, and even in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah, you fought to forcibly displace us.” She concluded her statement saying: “We fear only God, and we will resist until we prevail.”

This message is backed by lethal force.

It's intentional from how the map was originally made a hundred years ago, to throw it into a time delay status that would weaken the adjacent countries and render them pliable, until such a time as when the obvious repression/assimilation would be rejected, and that time is now.




As of 1-20, U. S. S. Lincoln is approaching Philippines:

[Ravenlocke]

RT

❗️Russia ready to contribute $1 BILLION to Board of Peace, from Russian assets FROZEN by previous US admin — Putin

Remaining frozen funds could be used to 'REBUILD territories that suffered during hostilities between Russia and Ukraine'

Once peace deal signed

https://x.com/RT_com/status/2014062624955138402

[shaberon]

Sweden declines the offer due to the low quality of the document:

Sweden on Wednesday joined Norway, France in turning down offer to join US President Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace initiative for Gaza.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden will not participate in the proposed board, citing concerns over the initiative’s current structure and impartiality.

Sweden will not participate in the initiative with the text presented so far, Kristersson told reporters in Davos.

A government spokesperson in Stockholm said, “We cannot endorse a structure that fails to ensure neutrality and genuine representation for all stakeholders in Gaza.”

The board, presented by Trump as a mechanism to oversee Gaza reconstruction and so-called “stabilization”, has drawn criticism from multiple international actors.

Sweden’s decision highlights growing unease over the board’s composition. Critics argue that including leaders associated with previous destruction in Gaza undermines its legitimacy and risks sidelining Palestinian voices in reconstruction efforts.

Other European nations have expressed caution, while some Arab states have cautiously engaged with the initiative.

Both Norway and France have also said they will not join the board in its current format, while the United Kingdom has expressed concern over its makeup, as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, have been offered positions on the board.

Human rights groups welcomed Sweden’s stance, emphasizing that peace and reconstruction cannot be overseen by parties tied to prior aggression.

So far, Lukashenko has signed on, while Putin is simply meeting the President of Palestine.

[shaberon]

This is what you get for being Kurdish and undefended.

Government removal of eyes and tongue:





ISIS to Raqqa:




“Berxwedan Jiyan e” [Resistance is Life]





Sirrin:

Damascus factions and Turkish-backed mercenaries attacked the positions of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in the town of Sirrin, south of Kobanê, on Wednesday.

SDF and YPJ fighters responded to the attack and destroyed an armored vehicle belonging to the mercenaries. According to reports, several mercenaries were killed as a result of the action.

In the meantime, the militias are reported to be conducting intensive bombardment on the villages of Jada, Quba and Hamdash in Kobane.

The southern part of Kobane city has been subjected to heavy attacks since yesterday as the government factions seek to expand the area under their control and tighten the siege on the city. Residents are suffering from water and electricity outages. Internet connection was also cut off in the city.

“We see it as our historic duty to contribute to the resistance of the peoples of North and East Syria and to answer the call for general mobilization,” says the message by the internationalist youth of Rojava, which includes the following:

“With a large-scale offensive against the liberated regions of North and East Syria, the jihadist gangs of the Jolani regime have unleashed a war of annihilation against the Rojava Revolution and its achievements. For days now, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) have been offering fierce resistance, using all available means to block the advance of the jihadists. While the Turkish state is providing these fascist gangs with air support, the imperialist powers—above all the United States of America—have given the “green light” for the crushing of the revolution and for further massacres of the Kurdish people.

At this moment, the jihadist gangs are positioned south of Kobanê and Heseke. There is no doubt that they will not stop until they have achieved their objective or have been decisively defeated. The Rojava Revolution is fighting for its survival. Yet the peoples of North and East Syria are determined to defend their freedom, if necessary, with a weapon in their hands.

From Derîk to Kobanê, from Qamişlo to Heseke, over the past two days, thousands of young people—women and men alike—have answered the call for general mobilization and are fighting side by side with the defense forces of the revolution. In every city and every village, defense units have been formed. The people are determined not to surrender a single meter of land to the fascists without a fight.

As revolutionary internationalists, we see it as our historic duty to contribute to the resistance of the peoples of North and East Syria and to answer the call for general mobilization. In 2014, during the battle for Kobanê, thousands of young people from all four parts of Kurdistan and revolutionary internationalists from across the world set out and took their place next to the defenders of Kobanê’s. Today, once again, the time has come to overcome hostile borders and turn international solidarity into a lived practice.

The revolution needs us now. We cannot wait a minute longer. The time to act is now!

We call on you: come to Rojava and join the resistance as internationalists! Together we will defend our revolution! The revolution in Rojava will be victorious – fascism will be smashed!”

[Ravenlocke]

Quds News Network

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will skip the signing of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” in Davos after Switzerland confirmed it would enforce the ICC arrest warrant over war crimes in Gaza.

https://x.com/QudsNen/status/2014083087341146412

[Ravenlocke]

The Cradle

The logo of the US-led 'Board of Peace,' supposedly established for Gaza, features North America and part of South America. It closely resembles a map of the Technate of America.

https://x.com/TheCradleMedia/status/2014370509215924592

[Ravenlocke]

The Cradle

Trump, Kushner reveal Gaza ‘master plan’ during Board of Peace launch

https://x.com/TheCradleMedia/status/2014364160075694220

https://thecradle.co/articles-id/35538

Trump, Kushner reveal Gaza ‘master plan’ during Board of Peace launch
Some EU states, including France, have rejected joining the board, and say Trump aims to create a body to rival the UN

US President Donald Trump officially launched his Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ on 22 January during a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland – attended by over 20 world leaders who signed onto Washington’s ‘peace plan’ for the war-ravaged strip.

“Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we'll do it in conjunction with the UN,” Trump said during the ceremony, adding that the UN had great potential that was never utilized.

“There's tremendous potential with the UN, and I think the combination of the Board of Peace with the kind of people we have here ... could be something very, very unique for the world,” he added.

Trump had said a day earlier in Davos that he wished “the UN could do more. I wish we didn’t need a Board of Peace. The UN just hasn’t been very helpful … I’m a big fan of the UN’s potential, but it has never lived up to its potential.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke at the ceremony on Wednesday. He said that the board’s aim is “first and foremost” ensuring “this peace deal in Gaza becomes enduring.”

The US president “will give it everything he has to make sure this is successful,” Rubio added, calling the body a “board of action” that will “serve as an example of what’s possible in other parts of the world without losing focus on what’s before us right now.”

Representatives of Bahrain and Morocco – who normalized relations with Israel in 2020 – were the first to sign the charter in Davos.

Officials from Argentina, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Qatar, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, and Paraguay also signed.

The UK, Italy, Russia, and Canada have not confirmed participation, and most European states remain undecided.

France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia have officially refused. Europe has criticized the Trump plan. It views the charter’s language as suggesting that Trump aims to create a rival to the UN through the ‘Board of Peace.’

During the ceremony, Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner unveiled what he called a “master plan” for Gaza.

Kushner said the plan’s next phase would focus on Hamas’s “demilitarization.” He added that Trump’s vision will bring “free market economy” to Gaza. He also said there is “no plan B.”

“If Hamas doesn't demilitarize, that would be what holds this plan back.”

“The next 100 days we're going to continue to just be heads down and focused on making sure this is implemented. We continue to be focused on humanitarian aid, humanitarian shelter, but then creating the conditions to move forward,” he went on to say.

He also claimed Israel would withdraw further from the ‘Yellow Line’ as Hamas’s disarmament begins.

Kushner unveiled a presentation detailing what the “new Gaza” will look like. It includes over 100,000 permanent housing units, over 200 education centers, over 180 religious and cultural centers, and more than 75 medical facilities.

A slide showing images of skyscrapers and oil rigs calls for the establishment of “coastal tourism” and energy infrastructure in Gaza.

“This really gives the Gazan people an opportunity to live their aspirations. But it all starts with security and it all starts with governance.” Trump has previously expressed his intention of taking over Gaza and transforming it into a “Riviera.”

The advisor also revealed a plan to provide Hamas fighters with amnesty in exchange for handing over their weapons.

How all this will be implemented remains unclear. Israel has expanded its presence inside the strip in violation of the ceasefire agreement, and continues deadly attacks against Gaza on a daily basis.

Eleven people have been killed in the last 24 hours alone. Hundreds of people have been killed since the truce was reached in October, and Israel has set up over a dozen new permanent outposts.

Israel recently barred the Palestinian technocratic committee, which will administer Gaza under the Board of Peace, from entering the strip. The team is supposed to enter and assume its responsibilities once the Rafah crossing opens.

Tel Aviv has been repeatedly delaying the crossing’s opening, and continues to prevent adequate amounts of aid from entering Gaza.

Members of the committee are affiliated with Fatah and the Palestinian Authority (PA), something Israel had previously rejected.

Details about the Hamas disarmament process and the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) also remain murky.

Hamas has signaled its willingness to hand over governance to the technocratic team. The group rejects disarmament until Palestinian statehood is achieved, but has shown some willingness for a potential “freeze” of its weapons for a period of time.

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Moscow is ready to allocate $1 bln to support the Palestinian people within the framework of the Board of Peace Council, Putin said at a meeting with Mahmoud Abbas in the Kremlin.

TASS has gathered the key statements by the head of state:
https://vk.cc/cTEcuW

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/2014310904435749313

https://tass.com/politics/2075319?ut...m_social_share


Palestine relations and possibility of contributing to Board of Peace: Putin's statements

Russia is ready to allocate $1 bln to the Board of Peace "first and foremost to support the Palestinian people," the Russian president said

MOSCOW, January 22. /TASS/. Moscow is ready to allocate $1 bln to support the Palestinian people within the framework of the Board of Peace Council, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Kremlin.

He also noted that the issue of using Russian assets frozen in the United States will be discussed at a meeting with representatives of the American administration later in the day.

TASS has gathered the key statements by the head of state.

On relations with Palestine

The relations between Russia and Palestine "have deep roots and are special in nature due to their quality."

The relations between Russia and Palestine are developing, "despite all the difficulties associated with the situation in the region."

Russia continues to train personnel for Palestine: "This year, 150 young people will study at universities in Russia."

On situation in the Middle East

Russia's attitude to issues of settlement in the Middle East "is principled and not opportunistic in nature."

Middle East peace hinges on the founding of the Palestinian state: "It’s our position that only the formation and full functioning of a Palestinian state can lead to a final settlement of the Middle East conflict."

Russia provided humanitarian aid "during the most difficult times" of the crisis in Gaza.

On the Board of Peace

Russia is ready to allocate $1 bln to the Board of Peace "first and foremost to support the Palestinian people and to direct those funds to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and, in general, to resolve Palestinian problems."

The issue of using Russian assets frozen in the US to pay the fee to the Board of Peace has already been discussed with the American side: "We have already discussed such options with representatives of the American administration," he said.

The issue of using Russian assets frozen in the US will be discussed at a meeting with representatives of the US administration later in the day: "A meeting and discussion on this topic are planned for today in Moscow."

DD Geopolitics

🇷🇺🇵🇸 While they discuss the future of Palestine without Palestinians in Davos, Putin is meeting with Palestinians.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2014357271552143475

DD Geopolitics

For further clarification, here is Putin's response to Trump's invitation to the Board of Peace:

"Therefore, already now, even before we decide on the issue of participation in the membership and the work of the Peace Council itself, taking into account Russia’s special relations with the Palestinian people, we could, I believe, transfer one billion U.S. dollars to the Peace Council from Russian assets frozen under the previous U.S. administration."

This is how you actually play 5D chess btw.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2014360193753305476