Hamas targets opponents in violent bid to rebuild authority in Gaza Hamas is targeting what it describes as Israel collaborators and outlaws as part of a display of power following the ceasefire. Palestine
Analysis Gaza deal stalls over deceased hostages after Trump’s euphoric Israel visit — is Netanyahu relieved? Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh conference on ending the war and rebuilding Gaza. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump hails Gaza hostage deal in Knesset speech, vows to expand Abraham Accords In a triumphant speech at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of surviving hostages from Gaza and pledged support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the expansion of the Abraham Accords. Israel
Analysis Netanyahu gamble appears to pay off as Israelis cheer Gaza retreat, planned hostage release The Israeli military started its withdrawal from the Strip even before receiving a formal order to do so. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US sanctions firms in China, Turkey, UAE over Iran drone network By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israel, Hamas should adopt ‘tacit bargaining’ Much like the tacit bargaining between Israel and Hezbollah following the IDF's 1996 Operation Grapes of Wrath, Israel must now negotiate with Hamas. Palestine
Iraqi court suspends Abadi's act to pull Fayadh from posts A court ruling puts Faleh al-Fayadh back at the helm of Iraq's National Security Council and the Popular Mobilization Units, at least for now. Iraq
Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena? Shortly after the Palestinian Islamic Jihad named Ziyad al-Nakhalah to be its new secretary-general and elected member of the political bureau, Nakhalah threatened Israel and launched an intra-Palestinian initiative in his first political discourse. Palestine
How Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rival operates in northern Syria Al-Monitor interviewed the spokesman of the National Liberation Front, which includes several armed opposition factions in northern Idlib, to find out its goals and plans for the future. Syria
Violence abates during tentative truce in Tripoli After violent clashes rocked Tripoli, Libyan officials are calling on the United Nations to assume a military role to mediate between rival militias. North Africa
Will Shiite militias become Iraq’s Basij? The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their presence in the strategic city of Basra by forming a Voluntary Reserves force, similar to the Iranian Basij forces. Iraq
Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea. Iraq
FSA factions prevent people from going to regime-held areas The local councils in the Euphrates Shield area in Aleppo’s countryside issued successive decisions banning citizens from traveling to areas under the regime’s control, for fear that the regime might infiltrate into FSA-controlled areas. Syria
Congress takes aim at pro-Iran election winners in Iraq US lawmakers are preparing sanctions as Tehran presses Baghdad to form a government friendly to its interests. Iraq
Putin grants Erdogan last chance to end Idlib quagmire on Turkey’s terms Erdogan saves face in Sochi; did Turkey and Syria collaborate to capture Reyhanli terrorist?; Erdogan, Ocalan and Syria. Syria
What to do about 10,000 al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Idlib? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stymies Turkey’s bid for cease-fire, welcomes Syrian assault. Syria
Shiite split heats up as Iraqi lawmakers fail to elect speaker Two Iraqi Shiite coalitions — one favored by the United States and the other by Iran — are competing hard to gain a majority in the parliament to form the next government. Iraq
