Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the past year and Israel-Turkey relations have significantly deteriorated amid the Gaza war. Israel
Canada foils Iranian plot to kill Jewish human rights leader: What we know The target of the alleged assassination plot, Irwin Cotler, is a fierce critic of the Iranian regime and a staunch supporter of Israel. Iran
Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law threatens press freedom, critics say The bill is seen as a major blow to the already weak independent civil society organizations in Turkey. Turkey
Despite deteriorating human rights record, Egypt hopes for US support under Harris or Trump Cairo hopes that whichever form it takes, the new US administration will continue backing its positions and policies in the Middle East and Horn of Africa. Egypt
Analysis Two years on, Iran may have stifled Mahsa Amini unrest, but dissidence remains By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
As pressure mounts, US delays plan to withhold aid from Israeli military unit The State Department's plan to block a notoriously violent Israeli military unit from receiving US security assistance could help address what some say is a failure to hold Israel to the same standards as other US arms recipients. Israel
Israel war cabinet meets as Egypt proposes three-phase Gaza cease-fire plan Reports suggest that Egypt has taken the lead on a new round of talks with Hamas and has presented Israel with a fresh proposal for a hostage-release and truce deal. Israel
Analysis Inside Netzah Yehuda Battalion, Israel’s army unit bracing for US sanctions In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration is set to sanction the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which is accused of violating the human rights of West Bank Palestinians. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US, EU slap sanctions on Israeli Jewish supremacist, extremist settler groups The European Union and the United States have published new lists of radical Israeli individuals and groups to be sanctioned. Israel
2 American activists jailed in Saudi Arabia return home after travel ban Dual citizens Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim are back on US soil, but the Biden administration is still pushing for the release of several other Americans held under travel bans. Saudi Arabia
After Cairo talks, Israel says 'updated' Gaza truce deal on the table The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a new deal is now on the table for the release of hostages, awaiting response by Hamas. Israel
Iran continues crackdown on women as executions approach 100 for the year Iran handed prison sentences to 11 activists defending women’s rights and has executed 98 people this year. Iran
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt rank least happy countries in Middle East The Middle East and North Africa are the two regions where “happiness has fallen at every age.” Lebanon
Rights groups warn US over Israel's assurances on weapons use In a report to the Biden administration, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch challenged Israel's assertion that it's using US weapons in accordance with international law. Israel
Iranian court orders US to pay $2.5 billion over 2008 bombing The Islamic Republic accuses Jamshid Sharmahd, a German citizen and US resident, of involvement in a 2008 bombing in relation to his work with an Iranian monarchist group, but his trial was unfair, according to a rights watchdog. Iran
Turkey’s Fidan set to visit Venezuela and meet Maduro The Turkish foreign minister is set to make his inaugural visits to Venezuela and Mexico in his capacity as his country’s top diplomat. Turkey
