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
Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal Germany, which hosts the EU’s largest Syrian refugee population, is pushing to repatriate Syrians, but Syria’s domestic issues and legal protections for asylum seekers complicate those efforts. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
China to send aid to Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan as Trump delays Beijing summit The aid announcement comes as President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his late March visit to China would be postponed. China
Iran’s communications blackout limits assessment of war’s humanitarian toll Aid groups struggle to assess humanitarian toll in Iran as blackout hampers efforts to identify needs. Iran
Analysis Netanyahu buys time in Rafah, balances Israel's far right and Biden's 'red lines' As the Israeli military steps up its eastern Rafah operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon have to decide whether to cross the American red line: a full-scale invasion of the Gazan city. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
ICJ to host hearing on Israel's Rafah operation The International Court of Justice will conduct hearings this Thursday and Friday to discuss a new request by South Africa to order Israel to stop its Rafah operation. Israel
Israeli settlers attack aid convoy of 98 trucks heading to Gaza from Jordan Israeli settlers have repeatedly attacked and vandalized aid trucks heading to the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation is quickly deteriorating. Jordan
Sudan war rages amid reports of ethnic cleansing, children 'piled up and shot' The Sudanese army and rival paramilitary forces have engaged in heavy battles in el-Fasher, in the Darfur region, amid fears that a full-scale attack on the city will lead to abuse and violations against civilians, as has happened elsewhere in the region. Sudan
Israeli delegation in Egypt as Netanyahu says Hamas truce offer 'very far' from demands Israel agreed to send a working-level delegation to Cairo to discuss the Hamas proposal, but it will continue with its limited military operation in eastern Rafah. Israel
US repatriates 11 Americans held in northeast Syria Five years after the Islamic State lost its final stronghold in Syria, tens of thousands of women and children remain stranded in detention camps in the country's northeast. Washington Connection
Israel calls on Palestinians to evacuate east Rafah as deal talks reach impasse Hamas did not publish its exact response to the Egyptian-mediated hostage-release/Gaza cease-fire deal, but for Israel, the rocket fire Sunday on the Kerem Shalom crossing signaled that the group is not interested in reaching an agreement. Israel
Cyprus is favored route for thousands of Syrian migrants escaping Lebanon Nearly 60 times as many people, mostly Syrians, are leaving Lebanon by boats en route to Europe when compared with last year — a number expected rise in the next few months during peak migration season. Lebanon
US military halts Gaza humanitarian aid pier, citing weather A US defense official told Al-Monitor the pier remains on schedule, but an agreement to have workers with the UN World Food Programme distribute aid from the pier remains under intensive negotiation amid significant security concerns. Israel
Dangers for Palestinian aid workers stall deal on US-built Gaza pier Israel’s role in providing security for the maritime endeavor has raised questions over the safety and neutrality of the Palestinian aid workers involved. Palestine
CIA chief arrives in Egypt ahead of Hamas delegation for Gaza talks The arrival of CIA chief William Burns to Cairo may indicate that not all is lost, as Washington keeps pushing for Hamas to accept the hostage release deal. Israel
Interview EU envoy says Israel cannot condition Gaza humanitarian aid on hostage deal EU envoy to the Middle East process Sven Koopmans said Israel cannot condition the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza on reaching a hostage deal with Hamas. Sven Koopmans EU Special Representative for Middle East Peace Process
