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
Pentagon does not dispute civilian deaths in Kabul drone strike The Pentagon says military officials spoke with Taliban contacts to investigate reports of civilian casualties from yesterday's drone strike. News Brief
Taliban to seek Qatar’s help running Kabul airport Report of request comes after Afghanistan's new rulers requested Turkey's assistance running Hamid Karzai International Airport. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Kabul evacuations continue despite Islamic State suicide attack Pentagon sees little choice but to make do with Taliban security perimeter until Tuesday's withdrawal deadline. Washington Pulse
Are Syrian jihadis ready to take the fight to Afghanistan? Afghanistan revives terror challenges for Washington; Russia anticipates security vacuum; Erdogan senses an opportunity. Syria
As Syria’s foreign jihadis eye Afghanistan, new challenges arise for Moscow The potential that foreign fighters may move from Syria’s Idlib province to Afghanistan could pose major threats to Russia and its Central Asian allies. Russia
Turkey, Taliban hold talks in Kabul as airport security in doubt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara hasn't decided whether to provide the Taliban with technical assistance at Kabul's international airport. Turkey
How many Americans are left in Afghanistan? As the United States facilitates the transfer of thousands of Afghanistan evacuees to Qatar and other US military installations, the State Department said Thursday that a majority of the remaining Americans have taken steps to leave. United States
Afghans, US troops killed in blasts targeting Kabul airport evacuations US officials feared the local faction called the Islamic State-Khorasan could attack the beleaguered airfield in the Afghan capital. United States
Turkey begins pulling troops from Kabul airport as US deadline looms Ankara's proposal to keep troops at Kabul airport appears dead in the water, at least for now. Turkey
The Takeaway: Bennett has opening to sway Biden administration on Iran nuclear deal Also: Iran’s new foreign minister and Nasrallah; Syrian Islamist group cracks down in Idlib; TikTok finds audiences in Egypt, Gaza; Israel’s chocolate confiscation; and more … in about 1,500 words! Israel
Jihadi group in Syria’s Idlib faces criticism over unfair trials, death sentences Hayat Tahrir al-Sham issued death sentences against two young men who have been detained in the organization’s prisons on charges of collaborating with the US-led international coalition. Syria
Sources: Taliban move helped US keep Afghans off Kabul airfield last week The original plan to secure Kabul airport took the presence of Afghan security forces for granted, a US official said. United States
