Palestinian groups have rejected US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a purported Gaza peace and disarmament agreement, calling it incorrect and inconsistent with realities on the ground. In the report published July 31, representatives said any discussion of weapons handover or security arrangements in Gaza could be considered only after a full Israeli military withdrawal and an end to aggression.

Palestinian representatives said talks had made some progress, but the arrangement described by Trump had not been finalized. Fundamental issues remain unresolved, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the blockade from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and the durability of a ceasefire. Trump had earlier described an “historic” understanding on disarming armed Palestinian groups and a phased Israeli withdrawal.

Trump said Egypt, Qatar and Turkey had acted as mediators and that the process could pave the way for a new administrative structure in Gaza. Palestinian groups said disarmament is not a preliminary condition, but a possible later step contingent on Israel implementing commitments, particularly troop withdrawal and an end to military operations. Reports cited by the article said Israel views disarmament as a precondition for withdrawal, while Palestinians insist withdrawal must come first.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said citizenship, rather than religious identity, should be the core foundation of the Bangladeshi state. He made the remarks on July 31 as chief guest at a discussion meeting and representatives’ conference on minority protection and security, organised by Sammilito Sanatan Parishad at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. He said there was no scope for division in Bangladesh in the name of religion and that people of all faiths have equal rights and dignity.

The minister said Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians have lived in harmony in the region for centuries. Addressing the Sanatan community, he said he did not regard them as minorities, but as children and citizens of the country. He described the Liberation War as a struggle for freedom, dignity and economic emancipation for all people, and called for a democratic, non-communal and humane Bangladesh.

Alamgir urged people to remain united against efforts to create religious divisions and damage communal harmony. He said extremism and fundamentalism have no place in Bangladesh. He also said the government had taken steps to protect the lives, property and places of worship of followers of all religions, including by providing support and security during Durga Puja, Rath Yatra and other religious events. He encouraged the Sanatan community to present its concerns and demands in an organised manner.

Dhaka University’s public relations office has drawn criticism after a weekly activities statement described a Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal programme as an action of the university administration. The statement, edited by public relations director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, was published on Thursday and later emailed to students. Its 26th point referred to Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam handing over a fogger machine to the provost of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The handover took place at 4pm on 28 July at an event organised with the cooperation of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal. Abdus Salam delivered two mosquito-control fogger machines to the authorities of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. Chhatra Dal leaders cited waterlogging, increased mosquito infestation and the seasonal risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Rafiqul Islam said the programme was included because it benefited students, adding that the office would be more careful if criticism concerned naming Chhatra Dal. DUCSU vice-president Sadiq Kayem said including a political student organisation’s programme in the administration’s regular statement raised questions about professionalism and represented clear bias.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited teenager Alif at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital after he was seriously injured and lost one eye in an attack during the NCP’s “July March” programme in Habiganj. Rahman, identified as the parliamentary opposition leader, went to the hospital at about 4pm on July 31.

During the visit, he inquired about Alif’s physical condition and spoke with doctors treating him. The report said Alif suffered serious injuries in the attack on the NCP march in Habiganj, including severe trauma to his eye.

Alif was initially treated locally after the injury, but his condition later deteriorated. He was then admitted to the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment. Doctors were unable to save one of his eyes.

The government has reconstituted the executive committee of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust to make its welfare activities more effective and dynamic. Freedom Fighters Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan has been named chair of the new committee, according to a report published on July 31, 2026. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs recently issued a notification on the reconstitution.

The notification said the committee was reformed under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust Act, 2018. Members include State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 lawmaker Ishraq Hossain, Kishoreganj-4 lawmaker Md Fazlur Rahman, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Md Monirul Haque Chowdhury, and Noakhali-2 lawmaker Zainul Abdin Farroque.

The secretaries of the Finance Division, Ministry of Industries, and Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will serve as ex-officio members. The Trust's managing director will act as member-secretary. The committee will oversee Trust operations, prepare and implement development plans for subordinate commercial and industrial entities, review project progress, audit accounts, set future work plans, and implement Trustee Board decisions.

Prime Minister’s political assistant Rashed Khan said BNP activists would cooperate with NCP political programs if NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari is excluded. He made the remarks on Friday morning while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a tree fair at the Old DC Court premises in Jhenaidah town.

Referring to NCP’s recent political activities, Khan alleged that NCP leaders, particularly Hasnat Abdullah and Nasiruddin Patwari, had made objectionable remarks about Law Minister Advocate Asaduzzaman during visits to different districts. He said people in Jhenaidah would not accept such comments, adding that local residents would naturally become angry if provocative statements were made with Patwari present.

Khan said opposition parties could conduct politics and receive cooperation, but called on NCP to leave Patwari out of its travels around the country. He also said Asaduzzaman was working for equal development across all upazilas of Jhenaidah and for establishing the rule of law. The event was attended by the law minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rasheduzzaman Millat, and local officials.

Qawmi Parishad Bangladesh has expressed concern, condemnation and protest over an alleged same-sex wedding event at the Dhakeshwari Temple premises. In a statement published on July 31, its president, Mufti Imranul Bari Siraji, also khatib of Gulistan Pir Yemeni Jame Mosque in the capital, demanded an impartial investigation and action against those involved under existing laws.

Siraji said Bangladesh’s constitution, social values and religious traditions place importance on family structures and morality. He claimed that homosexuality is punishable under the country’s existing laws. According to the statement, organising an event publicly in the name of a same-sex wedding would show disregard for the law and could create moral decline and disorder in society.

He further said that Islam and the country’s major religions do not legitimise homosexuality. Holding such a programme around a religious place of worship or sacred site could hurt religious sentiments and harm social harmony, he said. The statement urged relevant ministries, law-enforcement agencies and the administration to investigate how the incident occurred, who was involved and whether there was any negligence in carrying out duties, while taking steps to prevent similar events.

Resigned President Md. Sahabuddin Chuppu was called a “thief” as he left a mosque in Gulshan, Dhaka, after Friday prayers, according to a report published on July 31, 2026. The incident occurred while he was getting into a vehicle with state protection. One person was heard saying, “A thief is being given protection.”

A video published by media outlets showed Chuppu leaving the mosque wearing a light olive-green panjabi, white pajama and a cap. As he entered the vehicle, one person greeted him, while another said he had deprived “180 million people” of their rights. The report did not identify the people making the remarks or describe any action following the incident.

The report said Chuppu resigned from the presidency last Friday afternoon after serving for three years and eight months. After signing his resignation letter, he told Amar Desh that he was seriously ill and could not continue his duties because of physical complications. He became the country’s 22nd president on February 13, 2023. The report also said protesters had demanded his resignation outside Bangabhaban during the interim government period.

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief organizer Nasiruddin Patwary said lawsuits and attacks would not suppress the party’s movement. Speaking to journalists at Sylhet Circuit House on July 31 before joining a march and rally in Companiganj upazila under the “Desh Gorte July Jagoron” programme, he said the party would not leave politics out of fear. He said he would go to jail if detained and to the grave if killed.

Patwary was responding to questions about a complaint filed after a case over an attack on NCP leaders and activists in Habiganj. The complaint named Patwary, northern region chief organizer Sarjis Alam and seven others, while listing 50 additional people as unidentified accused. He said NCP was conducting normal political programmes and described allegations of assault, harassment and snatching as baseless.

He alleged that the cases were being filed on instructions from BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Patwary also alleged a culture of gang activity, terrorism and extortion in politics, while condemning what he described as such activities. On the question of a counter-case, he said NCP had filed a case over attacks on its activists and the other side later filed a counter-case. He called the iPhone-snatching allegation embarrassing.

The appointment of Aslam Habib as personal secretary to Jasim Uddin Ahmed, the ruling BNP member of parliament for Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish), has triggered political discussion and criticism. A report published on July 31, citing party sources, said Habib is the publicity and publications secretary of Sitakunda উপজেলা Awami League and previously served as personal secretary to two former Awami League MPs and Awami League-backed MP SM Al Mamun.

Some party activists have raised dissatisfaction and security concerns over the appointment. They alleged that Habib had been involved in cases, arrests and abuse against BNP and Jamaat activists in the past, though the report provided no independent verification of those claims. Unnamed BNP leaders also claimed that Subrata Barua, a former aide to ex-Awami League MP Nazrul Islam, is working as Ahmed’s Dhaka-based second personal secretary.

Habib said he had worked for two Awami League MPs previously but now assists the BNP lawmaker with official work, adding that he had not engaged in illegal activities. A video from a relief distribution event showing money being handed over drew further online criticism. Ahmed said he was abroad for medical treatment and would speak later.

Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, or JAGPA, president Barrister Tasmia Pradhan MP said Bangladesh had not changed because the July Charter had not been implemented. Speaking on July 31 at the National Press Club’s VIP Lounge, she said a solution would be sought on the streets if the charter was not enacted in parliament in line with the public mandate from a referendum.

The remarks came at a student-public roundtable titled “July National Charter and Referendum: Government’s Responsibility and Our Duties,” organized by JAGPA Chhatra Kafela. Pradhan said BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had acknowledged that corruption and bribery had not stopped over the past five months, and she said she agreed with that assessment.

At the meeting, Rashed Pradhan accused the BNP of seeking to obstruct opposition parties and dissenting views. Shibir president Saddam Hossain alleged that Awami League members remained in parts of the administration while the BNP was pursuing partisan appointments. He said threats of attacks, cases, imprisonment and repression would not deter efforts to secure public demands. JAGPA Chhatra Kafela president Abdur Rahman Faruqi chaired the event, while acting general secretary Muhammad Lutfor Rahman moderated it.

National Citizens Party leader Sarzis Alam urged Chhatra Dal to “maintain dignity” after a case was filed in Habiganj alleging attacks on its activists and the snatching of mobile phones. District Chhatra Dal joint general secretary Iqbal Hossain named NCP leaders Nasiruddin Patwary and Sarzis, along with nine named accused and 40 to 50 unidentified people. Sarzis addressed the matter in a post on his verified Facebook account on Friday.

In the post, Sarzis referred to a case once filed by the Awami League against Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir over damage to a city corporation garbage truck. He alleged that Chhatra Dal, acting on instructions from Habiganj’s Gaus MP, had filed the snatching case against NCP. Calling it an “old habit,” he said people should not view everyone in their own image.

According to the Chhatra Dal complaint, a group led by Nasiruddin Patwary and Sarzis attacked activists gathered near the city’s Court Mosque on Tuesday and took several mobile phones. The activists had been there to meet the family of July movement martyr Ripon Shil and attend a mourning meeting. NCP leaders were also attacked while returning to the Circuit House after a July rally and march, and NCP filed a counter-case naming 11 people, including the district Chhatra Dal president.

District Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal filed a complaint at Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station on Thursday night, naming 10 central and district-level National Citizen Party leaders and 40 to 50 unidentified people over a Tuesday attack incident. The complaint was filed by district Chhatra Dal joint convener Iqbal Hossain Rukun, and Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Haque confirmed the matter.

Those named include NCP chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary and northern region chief organiser Sarjis Alam, along with several other party leaders. The Chhatra Dal complaint remains under process, while a case filed by NCP was registered on Thursday. Earlier, NCP district Jubo Shakti convener Tanmoy Tanvir Ruel filed a case naming 11 Chhatra Dal figures and 100 unidentified people.

NCP alleged in its case that equipment worth about Tk20 lakh and Tk5 lakh in cash were taken during the attack. The party said several of its activists were injured when BNP, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists allegedly attacked them while returning after a programme on July 28. It also alleged that vehicles of several media outlets were vandalised. Police later rescued Patwary and Alam after they took shelter in a city bank for security.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said Bangladesh’s fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina cannot conduct political activities from Indian soil. The position was reported by The Indian Express on Friday after Hasina said she intended to return to Bangladesh by the end of this year. In a statement to the Lok Sabha’s parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, the ministry said Dhaka’s request for her return was being examined under Indian laws and rules.

The committee, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said Hasina had been allowed to remain in India under the country’s long humanitarian tradition of sheltering people facing serious danger or threats to life. It said India nevertheless follows a strict principle that its territory cannot be used for political activity against another country. Citing Bangladesh Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, the report said Hasina could be arrested immediately upon returning from India to Bangladesh.

In its report on the future of India-Bangladesh relations, the committee recommended maintaining this principled and humanitarian position while handling the matter sensitively. It also urged a quicker normalization of visas for Bangladeshi citizens, prompt talks on renewing the Ganges water-sharing treaty due to expire in 2026, and continued diplomatic focus on protecting minority communities in Bangladesh.

The Gaza Board of Peace has announced a framework to disarm Hamas and transfer Gaza’s governance to a non-political civilian body. The US-based international organization is chaired for life by US President Donald Trump. The plan is presented as a structure for postwar stability, reconstruction and administration in the Gaza Strip.

The Board of Peace will oversee high-level strategic planning, stability and reconstruction funding. A seven-member Founding Executive Board, led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will implement the board’s objectives and set its agenda. Potential members named in the report include Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Middle East representative Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

A Gaza Executive Board will directly manage reconstruction and coordinate with regional diplomats. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a Palestinian technocratic and non-political committee, will run daily civilian administration without Hamas participation. A multinational International Stabilization Force will support security alongside a new local police force. The New Gaza Police Force will police areas Hamas leaves, though criteria for recruiting and selecting its members remain unclear.