Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but hurdles remain The latest Qatari outline is based on a previous US proposal and has Israel somewhat hopeful for a deal with Hamas. Palestine
Analysis Israel-Syria peace push mulls US troops by Golan, ‘reformulating’ armistice agreement With the difficulty of negotiating the Golan Heights, Israel and Syria are considering something less than a peace treaty and full normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US approves over $500M arms sale to Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit The State Department has greenlit $500 million worth of JDAM guidance kits for Israeli bombs, as at least 80 people were reportedly killed by Israeli military gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday. United States
Israel strikes Lebanon as pressure mounts in Beirut to disarm Hezbollah The US demands that the Lebanese cabinet approve a plan on the disarmament of Hezbollah as Israeli attacks in south Lebanon continue despite a ceasefire. Lebanon
Analysis Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos? By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Analysis How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
At least 4 Palestinians killed in West Bank as Israeli settler violence rises: What to know Palestine
Hezbollah leader meets with Iran FM, calls Tehran ‘loyal ally’ The Iranian foreign minister visited Lebanon this week and pledged the Islamic Republic would continue sending fuel to crisis-stricken Lebanon. News Brief
UN seeks to diffuse tensions on Israel-Lebanon border Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in August, prompting retaliatory strikes by the Israeli military on Lebanon. News Brief
Sudan security forces resist calls for civilian control Civilian leaders are pressuring military and security commanders to surrender their influence in politics and the economy, yet vested interests make them unlikely to oblige. Egypt
CENTCOM commander acknowledges he did not try to stop Taliban from entering Kabul “If someone actually made a decision, that would’ve been me,” Gen. Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie told House lawmakers during a hearing today. Congress
How an Islamic State suspect lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey The Turkish judiciary’s weakness in dealing with Islamic State suspects comes under the spotlight after a bombshell report on how a Syrian man suspected of ordering the burning to death of two Turkish soldiers in 2016 walked free from court and lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey. Turkey
Sudan fends off military coup, government says Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok said the plotters have been arrested. Sudan
Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official CENTCOM fired a drone missile at at least one jihadi official near Idlib today in the first such strike in recent months. Syria
Turkey's latest attack on PKK militant in Iraqi Kurdistan meant as show of strength In recent months, Turkish drones have picked off a string of mid-level commanders in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeast Syria. Iraq
EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad The European Union joined the United States and United Nations in condemning the trial and execution of nine Yemenis accused of involvement in the killing of a senior Houthi official. Yemen
Iraqi Sunnis look to KRG for safety as militias concerns fester As attacks believed to be by Iran-linked armed groups continue amid questions over how long US forces will retain a presence in Iraq, Sunni Arabs are again seeking safety in the Kurdistan Region of the country. Iraq
Jailbreak from Israeli prison shakes up Palestinian public The escape of six Palestinians from a maximum security Israeli prison jolted observers. Palestine
