Feature Trump's aid freeze forces war-battered Syrian hospitals to halt services As Syria emerges from its grueling civil war, the doctors who survived the regime’s deliberate bombardment of medical facilities are confronting a new threat: the suspension of American aid. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis US aid freeze threatens Sudan’s lifeline as USAID support hangs in balance As the Trump administration dissolves the US' largest aid agency, Sudan, embroiled in conflict and a humanitarian crisis, could soon suffer the consequences. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Tens of thousands flee Jabalia after Israel sends more troops to northern Gaza The Israeli military's push into northern Gaza has killed at least 770 Palestinians, according to Gaza's government office, and has caused tens of thousands to flee the Jabalia area. Palestine
Lebanon evacuates Beirut hospital as Israeli strikes expand Lebanon on Monday evacuated its Sahel Hospital after the Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah stores cash and gold amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in a bunker beneath it. Lebanon
Amputee receives first smart prosthetic limb in Gaza The first electronic prosthetic hand for a patient with the right hand amputated was recently carried out in the Gaza Strip with Qatari funding and support. Palestine
Foreign medical delegations visit Gaza to try to help fragile health sector Since the end of the recent war that saw Israeli strikes devastate the Gaza Strip, health delegations have been flocking into Gaza in the hopes of helping revive the health sector that already had been ailing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Palestine
Egypt uses soft power in pursuing medical projects in Africa Egypt announces health projects and agreements with South Sudan, Djibouti and Rwanda. Egypt
Rise in Iraqi cancer cases may be linked to wars, environment The causes of the spike may be linked to Iraq's wars or environmental pollution, but the evidence is sketchy. Iraq
Turkish health experts, workers call for social support ahead of 17-day Covid lockdown As Turkey prepares for a 17-day lockdown to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases, health experts and workers’ unions urge more financial support for citizens most impacted by pandemic restrictions. Turkey
Egypt steps up coronavirus vaccine campaign amid surge in cases Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Egyptian government has stepped up its vaccination push, increasing the number of vaccination centers and the rollout to include workers in labor-intensive sectors. Egypt
More Lebanese doctors leave for Iraq As Lebanon is sinking deeper into an unprecedented financial and political crisis, many medical doctors are increasingly packing their bags and leaving for the Gulf or Europe, and more recently for Iraq. Iraq
Egypt opens mega pharmaceutical city Egypt inaugurated the first of its kind and one of the largest pharmaceutical cities in the Middle East, as the country seeks to become a regional center for the manufacture of medicines. Egypt
First pharmaceutical factory opens in Syrian opposition area The first pharmaceutical factory in the opposition-controlled areas in northwestern Syria was inaugurated, in a bid to address the lack of medicines and high prices. Syria
Egyptian parliament approves tougher penalties for female genital mutilation Egypt's parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill stipulating tougher penalties for female genital mutilation, which remains widespread despite an official ban on the practice. The move coincided with the death of feminist author Nawal El Saadawi, who fought long and hard for an end to the procedure from which she herself suffered as a child. Egypt
Hamas calls for dismantling American field hospital for failing to provide needed services Hamas refused to deal with the newly established American field hospital in the Gaza Strip and prohibited its citizens from visiting it, saying that the medical center is not providing services for difficult cases, such as cancer, as agreed upon in the truce understandings with Israel. Palestine
Abbas' rival Dahlan coordinates UAE aid to Gaza as Palestinian elections near The United Arab Emirates has sent a new medical aid shipment to the Gaza Strip, the second in a month, to help cope with the coronavirus crisis, raising questions about the role of Fatah’s dismissed leader and President Mahmoud Abbas’ archrival Mohammed Dahlan. Palestine