Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters Gazans fear that Israel could exploit the wider regional war to reenter Gaza, especially as buffer zones along the border continue to expand and civilians are targeted to keep them away. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria. Tamara Alrifai
Water 'more precious than gold': Palestinians fleeing Gaza City face perilous journey south The Israeli ground invasion of Gaza City has caused massive waves of displacement and intensified struggles to survive with little or no water, shelter, food, or sanitation. Palestine
Exclusive UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Tunisian authorities arrest union leader as Saied widens crackdown More critics and opponents of President Kais Saied are being detained on an almost daily basis amid a growing crackdown. North Africa
Turnips to the rescue? UK tomato shortages could last weeks as Morocco curbs exports After Morocco restricted certain exports, several large British supermarkets have started rationing produce. North Africa
Breaking | Last Updated: February 27, 2023, 5:04 pm US announces $444 million to Yemen as humanitarian needs soar Despite the fresh US assistance, a donors conference for Yemen raised less than one-third of what the United Nations said is needed to avert further humanitarian crisis. Yemen
Lebanon’s army suffers with currency collapse as desertions mount The drastic devaluation of wages threatens soldiers’ performance in the tumultuous period Lebanon is going through. Lebanon
US, India, UAE, Israel convene I2U2 forum in Abu Dhabi The meeting builds on the food security initiative spearheaded by President Joe Biden in 2021 in preparation for global climate change. Legacy: Gulf
Reports: Saudi Arabia to deposit $1 billion in Yemen’s central bank The European Union also announced additional funding for Yemen, while a famine watchdog said that economic warfare is increasingly causing hardship for Yemenis. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt keeps interest rates unchanged to start 2023 Inflation in Egypt was on the rise at the end of 2022, with food prices being of particular concern. Egypt
Chad President to inaugurate new embassy in Israel, as Netanyahu opens to Africa "Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa [is] coming back to Israel," Netanyahu told Chadian President Mahamat Deby ahead of opening embassy on Thursday. Israel
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Majority in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia on edge over food access In an exclusive poll in five countries across the Middle East and North Africa, 68% majority of the population worried about their ability to access food. By AL-MONITOR Staff
In Egypt, massive funding for new mosques questioned amid economic crisis The Egyptian Ministry of Endowments has built thousands of new mosques in President Sisi's time in office, despite pressing needs for education, health care, and other services. Egypt
UAE-Ukraine trade deal would shore up Middle East food security The goal is to ultimately secure "all aspects of the international food production supply chain." Legacy: Gulf
Egypt buys first Ukrainian wheat shipment since Russian war began Egypt's General Authority For Supply Commodities is believed to have purchased 175,000 tons of wheat, through private talks with importers, making it the first Ukrainian wheat purchase since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine. Egypt