AGP Executive Report

UK Arms Industry & Protest Crackdown: A London judge sentenced four Palestine Action activists to prison terms for a 2024 raid on Elbit Systems, calling it an “act of terrorism” tied to disrupting weapons production. West Bank Settler Violence: Reports highlight arson and assaults by Israeli settlers, including attacks on the last Christian-majority town of Taybeh. Gaza Borders & Infrastructure: Coverage describes Gaza’s “Yellow Line” shrinking space and cementing control, while UAE desalination plants in Rafah keep supplying water to Khan Younis. Middle East Energy & Shipping: As US-Iran talks near a deal, officials say reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctions could follow—key for oil and trade routes. Diplomacy Watch: Pakistan’s PM says the US and Iran have agreed “final” wording for an end-war agreement, though details remain disputed. Regional Conflict Context: A PRIO study flags a record number of state-based armed conflicts worldwide in 2025, with Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan driving the surge.

West Bank Settlements & Violence: Israel approved an initial $51M for planning 69 settlements/outposts, with Peace Now warning construction could move ahead before procedures finish, while UN reporting flags record settler violence and Amnesty accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing. Christian Heritage Under Pressure: Taybeh—the last fully Christian town in the West Bank—faces renewed settler arson and attacks, with church leaders warning the community could be pushed out. Gaza & West Bank Security Ops: IDF says it expanded operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, including strikes on Hezbollah sites, tunnel dismantling in Khan Yunis, and West Bank arrests and weapons seizures. Defense Industry & Tech: Elbit Systems and Germany’s Diehl Defence announced a SkyStriker loitering-munition partnership with local assembly in Germany, underscoring Europe’s defense spending pull. Autonomous Warfare Watch: A report says Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strike missions, reducing real-time human oversight. Regional Energy & Shipping Risk: With Iran-US tensions and Strait of Hormuz threats, analysts warn of knock-on effects for global trade and food supply. Humanitarian/Infrastructure: UAE and other partners continue prosthetics and aid efforts for Gaza, while Gaza crossings and medical evacuations remain a flashpoint.

West Bank Water & Farming: Israeli construction of a 22-kilometer military road near Ein Shibli and Tayasir destroyed irrigation pipes, leaving farmers in Tubas with drying fields and livestock short of water. West Bank Settlements Funding: Israel is set to approve major settlement expansion, with reports of $51m for plans for 69 illegal settlements/outposts and a larger $338m tranche under review. Gaza Aid & Prosthetics Industry: UAE’s “Step of Hope” program is moving from emergency prosthetics delivery to 3D-scanned custom manufacturing and plans to localize prosthetics workshops inside Gaza. Autonomous Warfare: A report says Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strike missions across multiple fronts, reducing real-time human oversight. Humanitarian/UNRWA Compliance: USAID says it identified 100+ UNRWA staff linked to Hamas, including roles tied to schools and medical services, as investigations continue. Regional Security & Ceasefire Talks: Iran and the US signal progress on ceasefire talks while Trump pushes for a deal timeline, as tensions keep shifting across the region. Maritime Trade Risk: Escalation around the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting shipping, with UN warnings about widening fallout for global trade and seafarers.

West Bank Housing Pressure: Amnesty says Israel is running a state-led “ethnic cleansing” campaign against West Bank Bedouin and herding communities, warning of forced displacement tied to annexation goals. Settler Violence & Accountability: Britain, Canada, France and Norway announced coordinated sanctions on networks enabling West Bank settler violence, while rights groups argue the measures don’t go far enough. East Jerusalem Demolitions: Reports highlight intensified demolitions and evictions in annexed East Jerusalem, with Palestinians facing permit restrictions as Jewish settlement building continues. Gaza Governance & Rights: A UN inquiry says Hamas controls Gaza through fear-based rule, while also documenting severe abuses by multiple parties, with Israel blamed for creating the conditions. Defense Tech & Industry: A report claims Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strike missions across multiple fronts, including the West Bank. Trade & Shipping Shockwaves: As Iran conflict disrupts maritime routes, India told the UN it opposes attacks on merchant shipping after a tanker incident off Oman left Indian crew missing. Regional Logistics: Saudi Arabia and Türkiye move to revive the Hejaz Railway, aiming to boost connectivity and supply chains across the Levant and beyond. Telecom Growth: Ooredoo Palestine appoints Adpro& Group and Adpro& OMD as integrated creative and media partners.

West Bank & Gaza Humanitarian Pressure: A UN commission says Palestinian civilians are “victims of all sides,” with Israel accused of enabling settler violence in the West Bank and Hamas-affiliated forces blamed for Gaza atrocities—while Gaza’s child amputees face urgent prosthetics and long-term rehab gaps. Industrial & Trade Fallout from the Iran War: The World Food Programme warns the Iran conflict is starving millions via higher food/fuel costs and disrupted trade, with aid rationing worsened by UN funding shortfalls. Security, Shipping & Energy Disruptions: US forces disabled an Iranian-linked tanker for violating a blockade, as the wider Iran war keeps pressure on global shipping routes. Policy & Sanctions: The US House passed a bill targeting Western tech flowing into Iranian drone supply chains, and multiple countries announced sanctions on Israeli settler networks amid rising West Bank violence. Local Economy & Business: In a separate non-Middle East item, a parish named a Business Engagement Specialist to help small firms with permitting and sales tax processes.

Gaza Tech & Jobs: A Gaza tech incubator at UCAS in Tal al-Hawa was destroyed in 2024, and its director says the war has wiped out a pipeline for Palestinian startups in IT and even food manufacturing. Humanitarian Access: Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel is blocking 17,000+ patients from medical travel, with only a small fraction exiting via Rafah and Kerem Shalom. West Bank Finance: Israel’s Knesset approved new deductions from Palestinian clearance revenues, tightening the PA’s already fragile budget. Settlements & Trade: The UK issued new guidance telling businesses to avoid economic activity in Israeli settlements, alongside fresh sanctions on networks tied to settler violence. Aid Under Pressure: A coalition of 22 countries warned Israel’s NGO registration law could severely limit humanitarian work in the occupied Palestinian territories. Regional Trade Routes: Houthis announced a total ban on Israeli shipping through the Red Sea, raising risks for global logistics and food supply chains. Power & Industry: A US$9M national control centre in Guyana is nearing operation, a reminder how grid management upgrades can stabilize energy systems—relevant as Gaza and the region face fuel and power shortages. Ceasefire Talks: Hamas says “acceptable” approaches were reached in Cairo on Gaza ceasefire sticking points, but implementation depends on Israel stopping violations and siege.

Humanitarian Pressure on Gaza: UN-linked reporting says civilians are being trapped between Israeli mass atrocities and Hamas’s fear-based rule, while OCHA warns displacement, pests, and disease risks are worsening as aid access stays constrained. Medical Exodus Blocked: Gaza’s Health Ministry alleges Israel is preventing over 16,500 patients from leaving for treatment by restricting Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings. West Bank Settler Violence Backed: A UN inquiry says Israeli authorities enable settler attacks—often with security forces shielding violence—and notes agricultural land and villages hit hard, prompting new Western sanctions on “extremist settlers.” Aid and Trade Shockwaves: The World Food Programme warns the Iran war is driving global food and fuel price spikes and trade disruption, with funding cuts forcing rationing. Energy Talks for Palestine: Egypt urges restarting Palestinian offshore gas discussions, pitching them as a path to jobs and recovery. Defense Industry Ties: US Senator Sanders vows to block a NDAA move to integrate US-Israel defense industries, while reporting also flags expanded AI drone use in intelligence and strikes. Regional Shipping Risk: Houthis threaten Red Sea shipping bans, raising supply-chain and oil-market concerns.

Red Sea Shipping Shock: Yemen’s Houthis announced a total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, warning it could expand beyond Israeli-linked vessels—raising fresh supply-chain and energy-price fears. Iran–Israel Ceasefire Jitters: After missile exchanges and strikes, Israel and Iran appeared to pause again, with UN chief Guterres urging immediate de-escalation and reopening Gaza crossings for aid. Lebanon Evacuation Orders: Israel issued forced evacuation orders for Tyre residents ahead of strikes, as displacement in Lebanon tops a million—fueling a humanitarian and infrastructure crunch. West Bank Settlement Pressure: Reports highlight new settlement roadworks and demolitions, alongside UK moves toward sanctions tied to West Bank expansion. Security Spillover to Europe: Greece warned of a “strategic shift” by Hamas after arrests tied to alleged training and plotting across Cyprus and Greece—raising tourism and public-safety concerns. Tech & Industry Angle: A report says Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strikes, while Gaza’s rebuilding and agriculture recovery face major constraints.

West Bank Land & Roads: Bulldozers paved a new settlement road in Aboud west of Ramallah, clearing over a kilometer of privately owned agricultural land and threatening more confiscations. Jerusalem Corridor Expansion: North of al-Quds, “Route 45” work is underway to connect settlements via bypass roads on confiscated land, further isolating Jerusalem from Palestinian areas. Gaza Humanitarian Pressure: Israel temporarily closed crossings and halted aid after Iran-linked fighting flare-ups, while strikes in Gaza killed at least six, including a child, and hit areas near tents and wells. Food Security Shock: The UN’s WFP warned the Iran war is pushing millions toward hunger as oil and fuel prices rise and trade is disrupted. Shipping & Energy Risk: Yemen’s Houthis vowed a total ban on Israeli-affiliated navigation in the Red Sea, raising fears of fresh supply-chain strain and oil-market volatility. Defense Tech & Industry: A report says Israel is expanding AI-controlled drones for intelligence and strike missions, signaling faster automation of battlefield operations. Regional Politics: Jordan and Iraq backed extending an Iraqi oil pipeline through Jordan as a mutual economic interest.

Red Sea Shipping Shock: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared a “complete ban” on Israeli shipping and warned they’ll treat any Israeli movement in the Red Sea as a military target, raising risks for the Bab el-Mandeb and Suez-linked trade. Regional Industry Fallout: The renewed maritime threat comes as Israel-Iran tensions flare again, with strikes including an Iranian petrochemical complex and missile volleys that also hit Israel via Yemen. West Bank Farm Economy Under Fire: Palestinian farmers in the central West Bank rushed to harvest wheat as settlers set crops on fire, turning the season into a race against arson and violence. Gaza Supply Chain Tightening: Israel sealed all Gaza crossings and halted aid deliveries after an Iranian missile attack, while Palestinian and UN-linked warnings point to worsening hunger. Industrial Investment Watch: Egypt’s PM Mostafa Madbouly opened and inspected multiple projects in Alexandria, including a new Lipton production line and garment manufacturing expansions. Security & Logistics Disruption Beyond the Region: Greece arrested a Palestinian man in Crete over an alleged Hamas-linked cruise-ship bombing plot, adding another layer of risk to tourism and maritime movement.

West Bank livelihoods under pressure: AFP reports Palestinian farmers in As-Sawiyah are racing to harvest wheat as settlers set crops on fire, with violence rising alongside settlement expansion. Security and industry spillover: Greece arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian in Crete over alleged Hamas ties and explosive-making training, with investigators linking the case to suspects detained in Cyprus—highlighting how regional security crackdowns can disrupt labor and movement. Gaza humanitarian logistics: Four UAE aid convoys carrying 740 tonnes of food parcels entered Gaza via Rafah under “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” feeding families amid worsening shortages. West Bank settlement economy: UK and partners are preparing sanctions aimed at deterring companies from involvement in the E1 settlement plan that would split the West Bank, while calls grow to end trade with illegal settlements. Aid and infrastructure strain: Reports also flag Gaza’s hospital and supply pressures, including shortages of oil and spare parts that threaten bakeries, water systems, and healthcare operations.

Security & Mobility: Greek police arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man in Crete over suspected Hamas-linked planning of “terrorist” attacks, seizing phones, a laptop, and materials tied to explosive-making, with investigators saying he may have been targeting another European country. Humanitarian Logistics: Four UAE aid convoys carrying 740 tonnes of food parcels entered Gaza under “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” routed through the UAE Humanitarian Aid Logistics Centre in Al Arish. Food & Energy Pressure: The UN’s WFP warned Iran-linked conflict is pushing millions toward acute hunger as energy and food prices stay high, while assistance is being scaled back due to funding gaps. Daily Life in Gaza: AP reports displaced families in Gaza’s tent cities lack proper toilets, forcing people to dig private pits or rely on overcrowded communal latrines. West Bank Agriculture: AFP describes Palestinian farmers racing to harvest wheat as settlers set crops on fire, with violence tied to expanding settlements. Aid Oversight: A UK charity probe highlights claims that Gaza aid money may have “very likely” funded Hamas-linked groups, raising new questions about due diligence. Defense Industry Politics: US Sen. Bernie Sanders alleges Netanyahu is working with Congress to conceal Israel aid inside Pentagon co-production deals, intensifying scrutiny of US-Israel military-industrial integration.

Gaza Fishing Industry Under Pressure: Fishermen in Gaza are patching and rebuilding boats with doorframes and scrap as restrictions on key repair materials like fibreglass drive costs up sharply, while tighter sea access and shooting risks force them closer to shore. West Bank Violence Hits Families: Reports say Israeli forces killed a 7-month-old infant in Hebron after firing at a vehicle, with parents also wounded, as raids and settler attacks continue across the territory. Aid, Food, and Supply Strain: The UN’s food agency warns the Iran conflict is pushing millions more toward hunger via higher food and fuel prices, with spillover hitting Gaza and the wider region. Lebanon Ceasefire Still Fragile: AP reports Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed Lebanese military personnel after a ceasefire deal, while Iran-Gulf exchanges raise new escalation risks. Labour/Policy Friction: Pro-Palestinian protests disrupted an Israeli diplomat’s speech at the ILO in Geneva, showing how Palestine-linked issues keep spilling into global institutions. Islamic Finance Spotlight: A global Islamic economy summit in Istanbul highlighted ethical finance, digital transformation, and AI-driven financial innovation—relevant for regional investment and development planning.

West Bank Settlements & Agriculture Funding: The US House approved more money for an Israel-linked agricultural research project (BARD), drawing criticism that US science spending is getting tied to settlement institutions while Palestinians face tighter land and water access. EU Sanctions Push: The EU is reportedly exploring sanctions against Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after the Global Sumud Gaza flotilla incident and backlash over treatment of detained activists. Security & Humanitarian Fallout: Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian family near Hebron, killing a 7-month-old infant and critically wounding others, as raids and settlement expansion intensify. EU/Global Finance for Conflict Zones: The EBRD said it will keep scaling support for economies hit by conflict, including the West Bank and Gaza, aiming to stabilize businesses and financial sectors. Food Crisis Signals: The UN’s WFP warned Iran-linked war spillovers could push millions more into acute hunger as energy and food prices stay high. Political Pressure on Settlements: US lawmakers urged Rubio to stop imminent settlement construction in the E1 area, warning it would further annexation plans.

West Bank Settlements Pressure: 85 US House Democrats led by Mark Pocan and Jan Schakowsky urged Sec. Marco Rubio to halt Israel’s E-1 settlement construction plans, warning the 12 sq km corridor would sever West Bank contiguity and make damage “irreversible.” Gaza Student Survival Economy: In Khan Younis, seven university students run an ice cream shop that doubles as a lifeline for tuition, but rising input prices and cash limits show how the siege keeps squeezing everyday production. West Bank Violence & Access to Care: A Palestinian teen was killed in a raid east of Ramallah near Beitin; the body was withheld and medics were blocked, while raids and settler attacks continue across the territory. Hezbollah-Iran Deal Uncertainty: Iran reaffirmed support for Hezbollah and demanded Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon as a condition for any broader US peace framework, keeping regional shipping and ceasefire talks in doubt. US-Israel Military Integration: US and Israeli delegations began talks on a new long-term security cooperation deal that would replace the 2018 MoU and shift from direct aid toward joint R&D and co-production. Industry & Supply Chains: A report says Australian-made explosives supplied via Thales-linked factories are ending up in munitions used on Gaza, raising fresh scrutiny of defense-linked research partnerships. Local Food & Land Strain: Gaza’s wheat harvest is underway under severe hardship from war damage and shortages, threatening livelihoods and food security.

US–Israel Military Integration: A US House Armed Services panel rejected a bid to remove Section 224 from the FY2027 defense bill, which would deepen US-Israel military tech, industrial cooperation, and joint production. West Bank Settlements & Land: Türkiye condemned Israel’s approval of 2,162 new illegal settlement units, while reports also flagged major settlement expansion plans and tax incentives tied to West Bank settlements. On-the-Ground Impacts in Bethlehem: Israeli forces closed access to the western countryside of Bethlehem and demolished an industrial facility near Dar Salah, seizing equipment and issuing stop-work orders. Gaza Environment & Water Costs: Palestinian data put Gaza’s carbon emissions from the aggression at 33.2 million tons CO2e, alongside a near-collapse of sewage systems and steep water price hikes. Industry Under Pressure: Manufacturers warned the strong shekel is eroding export revenue in local-currency terms despite dollar growth. Regional Security & Travel: The US issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” alert for Gaza and Yemen and Level 3 for several others as tensions rise. Humanitarian/Logistics: UN said over 1,000 aid pallets entered Gaza despite restrictions, while Gaza’s infrastructure strain continues to worsen.