Palestinian Authority & Gaza Strip

Report released this week by international body says 11-day operation in May caused $190 million in economic losses, and demolished or damaged over 4,000 homes in Gaza.

Speaking during a meeting in Ramallah with Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also praises Canada’s "opposition to the expansion of Israeli colonial settlements."

The United Nations will ensure that the monetary aid is distributed through banks that are not under Hamas rule, Palestinian sources say.

Demonstrators hope to inject new momentum into a protest movement sparked by the death of outspoken Palestinian Authority critic Nizar Banat while in the custody of security forces last month.

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, says Palestinian Authority security forces used force last weekend against initially peaceful protesters, "including beating them with batons and firing teargas and stun grenades."

The death of Palestinian human rights activist Nizar Banat sparks clashes across West Bank. Journalists also reported having been assaulted by the police, which has been mobilized en masse.

Following the violent death on Thursday of Nizar Banat, an outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority, angry Palestinians call for PA President Mahmoud Abbas to step down.

At least 48% of Gazans killed during Operation Guardian of the Walls were associated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad's activities in the Strip during the 11-day conflict, a report by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center finds.

Issa Amro had criticized PA policies in a series of social media posts and accused it of arresting others for political reasons. The Palestinian Authority faces a crisis of legitimacy after calling off what would have been its first elections in 15 years.