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Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, is “considerably weaker” but “in good spirits” ahead of pre-trial hearings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, according to his lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

Kaufman spoke briefly with Rappler reporter Lian Buan at the ICC on Sunday, February 22, 2026, just prior to hearings scheduled to begin on Monday, February 23. The hearings concern an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s administration’s “war on drugs.”

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the ICC has requested arrest warrants in connection with the investigation, according to the ICC website. Pre-trial judges recently rejected a request from Duterte’s legal team, as reported by the Philippine STAR on Facebook, though the grounds for that rejection remain undisclosed in available reports.

Kaufman, a British-Israeli attorney, has previously argued You’ll see “compelling legal” reasons to dismiss the ICC case, as he stated in a YouTube interview on April 1, 2025. He was formally registered as counsel for Duterte with the ICC on March 18, 2025, according to court records.

The ICC is also addressing the representation of victims in the case. The court confirmed on February 17, 2026, that victims wishing to participate in proceedings must be represented by legal counsel.

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that external battery packs for Tesla vehicles meet international safety standards, responding to concerns raised by the Tesla Owners Club Singapore regarding the mandatory installation of on-board units (OBUs) for the nation’s next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system.

The Tesla Owners Club Singapore had written to the LTA in early February, expressing apprehension about the safety of installing external lithium battery systems to power the OBUs. Their letter specifically highlighted the lack of “visible active cooling or thermal management subsystem” in the proposed setup, and the potential fire hazard associated with continuously charged lithium batteries within the vehicle cabin, according to reporting by The Straits Times.

The LTA clarified that the external battery device adheres to international safety standards for electronic devices and does not operate through continuous charging. The need for external power sources arises since Tesla vehicles, unlike most other cars on the road, do not provide a constant power supply necessary for the reliable operation of the OBUs. The recent ERP system, which will rely on the OBUs, is slated to be fully implemented by January 1, 2027.

Currently, Tesla vehicles delivered with pre-fitted OBUs since December 2, 2024, are equipped with the iRoad Powerpack Pro 12, manufactured by a South Korean company specializing in in-car cameras. However, for older Tesla models requiring retrofitting starting in January 2026, a customized external battery device developed by Singaporean engineering firm Hope Technik will be used. This customized unit utilizes lithium iron phosphate battery cells, a technology also employed by other major electric vehicle manufacturers, the LTA stated.

Installation of the OBU and associated battery system for Tesla vehicles will be carried out by Indeco Engineers at no cost to owners, provided the installation is completed within three months of receiving a final reminder from the LTA. These reminders will be issued beginning in February 2026 to owners who have not yet had the devices installed.

The LTA emphasized that both the OBU and the customized battery device undergo rigorous testing against International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards – IEC-60068 and IEC-60529 – to ensure resilience against environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, dust, and water. These standards are widely recognized for assessing the operational reliability of electronic equipment.

As of the end of 2025, approximately 4,200 Tesla cars in Singapore have been fitted with the iRoad model, while 380 have received the customized unit. There are currently 8,635 Teslas registered in Singapore, representing a portion of the overall vehicle population where approximately 930,000 vehicles, or 93 percent, have been equipped with OBUs.

A newly formed international board, spearheaded by U.S. Officials and including prominent Israeli figures, is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas as a precondition for the massive reconstruction of Gaza. The initiative, backed by significant financial pledges from multiple nations, aims to rebuild the territory while establishing long-term security, but hinges on a response from the militant group expected in March. The plan represents a bold attempt to reshape Gaza, but its success remains contingent on a complex and potentially fragile process.

The board, convened under the auspices of former President Trump, includes U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside international figures like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, technology entrepreneur Liran Tancman, and investor Michael Eisenberg, representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are central to the Israeli contingent, pushing for stringent security measures alongside reconstruction efforts. The core tenet, repeatedly emphasized by Israeli representatives, is that no funds will be released until Hamas relinquishes its weapons.

Demilitarization as a Prerequisite for Aid

“Not a single dollar can be transferred and no valve can be opened unless Hamas lays down its weapons. That is nonnegotiable,” Gabay reportedly stated in closed-door discussions, according to participants in the board’s inaugural gathering. This firm stance underscores the Israeli perspective that lasting peace and rebuilding are impossible without dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities. Beyond disarmament, Israeli officials are also prioritizing reforms to school textbooks in Gaza, aiming to eliminate what they describe as incitement against Israel. This educational reform is considered as crucial as the dismantling of Hamas’s arsenal.

The reconstruction plan itself is ambitious, envisioning a comprehensive overhaul of Gaza’s infrastructure. It includes clearing an estimated 70 million tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance, dismantling hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, and providing both temporary and permanent housing. Proposals extend to modern hospitals, schools, factories, agricultural zones, upgraded transportation networks, and even the potential development of a “Middle Eastern Riviera” along Gaza’s coastline, with up to 200 hotels and artificial islands. The projected total value of these real estate and infrastructure projects is estimated at $115 billion, according to U.S. Investor Marc Rowan, who presented financial projections to the board.

Financial Pledges and International Support

To date, organizers report securing $6.5 billion in pledges, including $1.2 billion from the United Arab Emirates, $1 billion from Qatar, $1.25 billion from the United States, and additional contributions from Kuwait and the World Bank. Former President Trump announced an additional $10 billion commitment from the United States. While European Union representatives attended as observers, they have not yet committed funds. The initial phase of reconstruction will focus on Rafah, with a goal of rebuilding the city within three years, involving the construction of 100,000 homes for 500,000 residents and $5 billion in infrastructure investment.

An International Stabilization Force, comprised of 20,000 troops pledged by Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania, is slated to deploy initially at the Rafah crossing in May. Concurrently, a new Palestinian police force is being established, with recruits undergoing training in Jordan and Egypt, specifically excluding individuals with ties to terrorism. The stated goal is to establish “one weapon and one authority” within Gaza.

Timeline and Key Challenges

The timeline outlined by board officials envisions rebuilding Rafah within three years and completing the broader reconstruction of Gaza within a decade. Plans include a comprehensive transportation network, potentially incorporating a monorail or tram system, and integrating Gaza as a logistical hub connecting the Gulf, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, with expanded trade routes extending to Europe. Yet, the entire plan is predicated on Hamas’s response to the disarmament proposal, with a decision expected in March and potential disarmament beginning in April. As a senior board official stated, the situation is “very binary”: progress hinges entirely on Hamas’s cooperation.

The Palestinian Authority will not directly participate in Gaza’s reconstruction, but organizers suggest it could potentially be integrated in the future if it meets specific governance benchmarks. The success of this ambitious plan ultimately rests on a delicate balance of security assurances, financial commitments, and, crucially, the willingness of Hamas to disarm.

What comes next will depend heavily on Hamas’s decision regarding the disarmament proposal. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this initiative can move forward and deliver on its promise of a rebuilt and secure Gaza. Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.