Analysis Trump-Erdogan ties pay off for Turkey in 2025 as Ankara pushes for F-35s Leader-level diplomacy between Ankara and Washington produced selective gains but failed to break the deadlock over defense sanctions imposed for Turkey’s S-400 purchase. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
At Mar-a-Lago, Netanyahu seeks Iran strike approval while Trump presses Gaza plan US President Donald Trump is expected to push Israel to enter the second phase of his Gaza peace plan, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will focus on securing Trump’s approval for a potential strike on Iran’s ballistic missile program. Israel
Analysis Gaza realities test Trump’s 2025 Middle East ambitions During its first year, the second Trump administration confronted wars in Gaza and Sudan, forged new ties with Syria and grappled with the growing nuclear threat from Iran. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Human Rights Watch accuses Gaza groups of war crimes during May fighting Hamas and other Palestinian groups purposefully targeted population centers during the May war with Israel, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization also accused Israel of war crimes last month. News Brief
Gaza resort attacked for holding mixed-gender concert A group of masked men bombed a tourist resort in the Gaza Strip for holding a concert for both men and women, which raises questions on whether fundamentalists are once again gaining the upper hand in the coastal enclave. Palestine
Domestic tourism thrives in Gaza Local travel companies, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, are organizing trips for Gazans to discover the many hidden archaeological sites spread across the besieged enclave. Palestine
Artistic, musical events bring some joy to grief-stricken Gaza Touristic establishments in the Gaza Strip are slowly regaining life with more local singers holding music events amid the ongoing Israeli siege and the difficult economic conditions. Palestine
Palestinian municipal employee killed by Israeli gunfire in contentious West Bank town Beita has been the site of regular protests against an unsanctioned Israeli settler outpost in the area. Palestine
The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words. Turkey
Gazan children wander cemeteries for pennies The harsh economic conditions in the Gaza Strip has led to an increase of child beggars in cemeteries. Palestine
Report raises cost of Gaza's recovery to $485M A report from the World Bank, United Nations and European Union found that the 11-day conflict caused between $290 and $380 million in physical damages alone to the Palestinian enclave. Palestine
Israel, Hamas edge toward agreement on mechanism for Qatari aid money Talks on prisoner exchange and border restrictions complicated by Hamas resumption of incendiary balloon attacks. Israel
Italians build Gaza’s largest sports park The Gaza Strip will have a huge recreational sports project, which includes one of the largest skateboard tracks in the Middle East. Palestine
Yoga for Gaza paramedics raises controversy A social club in Gaza has organized a one-time event to give a yoga session for paramedics who suffered psychological trauma during the latest Israel escalation. Palestine
Hamas launches military summer camps for Gaza youth Hamas’ military wing launched its military summer camps less than two months after Israel launched its aggression against the Gaza Strip. Palestine