Daniel Estrin

Looking at this expanse of destruction, piles of cement, bombed out schools and homes.

Israel, for its part, is active.

The war is over, but it is still locating tunnel shafts, demolishing them and other infrastructure.

And Hamas, for its side, is regrouping in Gaza.

We are here accompanied by Israeli troops.

But Israel still, more than two years after the war began, is not allowing journalists into Gaza independently to interview Palestinians and to see their lives up close.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Gaza.

Mahmoud Abbas has been the internationally recognized Palestinian leader for 20 years.

There have long been questions of who would replace him.

Now, just weeks away from his 90th birthday, Abbas has decreed that if he is unable to fulfill his duties, his role would be taken over temporarily by his deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh.

Many Palestinians see him as being friendly to Israel.

There's no telling if he would remain in the president's role indefinitely.

This decree comes as the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has been sidelined while the U.S.

and other countries work on a plan for post-war Gaza.

President Trump told Time magazine he wasn't sure if Abbas had a future leadership role for the Palestinians.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Mahmoud Abbas has been the internationally recognized Palestinian leader for 20 years.

There have long been questions of who would replace him.

Now, just weeks away from his 90th birthday, Abbas has decreed that if he is unable to fulfill his duties, his role would be taken over temporarily by his deputy, Hussein Esheikh.

Many Palestinians see him as being friendly to Israel.