Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body. Turkey
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties The United Nations said executions so far this year stand at 625, at the least, more than double the number for the same period last year. Iran
What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list An Egyptian court has removed a prominent jailed activist from the country's terrorism list amid scrutiny over Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
With clock ticking in Cairo, Netanyahu ups threats, cancels war cabinet meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to enter Rafah regardless of the outcome of the current negotiations with Hamas. Israel
How EU-West Bank police mission hopes to advance two-state solution Newly appointed EUPOL COPPS chief Karin Limdal is tasked with helping Palestinian law enforcement institutions reform to facilitate the implementation of the two-state solution and Palestinian statehood. Palestine
As Egypt expresses optimism, how Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal could look As Israel and the rest of the world wait for Hamas to respond to the latest cease-fire proposal, new reports suggest that Israel will agree to a reduced number of 33 hostages to be released in the first stage. Israel
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
