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
‘Bracing for the worst’: Aid groups draw up Rafah contingency plans The uncertainty surrounding Israel’s threatened ground offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah has made it difficult for aid groups to prepare for their own evacuations. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Blinken meets Netanyahu, pressures Hamas to agree to cease-fire deal US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the rounds of senior Israeli officials on Wednesday after stops in Amman and Riyadh. Israel
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
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
Analysis Israel braces for ICC warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant Israeli leaders have confirmed concerns that the International Criminal Court in the Hague will issue international arrest warrants over the Gaza war. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
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
US military begins construction on humanitarian aid pier off Gaza Mortar shells rained down on a section of Gaza’s coast on Thursday, underscoring the risks inherent in the Pentagon’s plan to rely on the Israeli military to provide security for humanitarian pier as the US seeks to stave off famine. Palestine
Israeli security chiefs in Cairo to discuss possible Rafah invasion In Egypt, IDF chief Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly discussed Israel's plan to enter Rafah as well as the possibility of restarting negotiations for a hostage deal. Israel
US says Israel boosted Gaza aid flow after convoy strike, but more is needed US envoy David Satterfield said the volume of assistance reaching Gaza is "significantly greater" than it was, but issues remain with aid distribution. Palestine
Starbucks pledges $3M to World Central Kitchen for Gaza meals The coffee giant has announced a large donation to the aid group World Central Kitchen, which lost seven of its staff members earlier this month in an Israeli airstrike. Palestine
Analysis As Biden-Netanyahu rift grows, so does pressure to condition aid to Israel The growing rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden, and rising discontent at the White House with the situation in Gaza, could lead the US president to respond more forcefully. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Palestinians in Gaza mark solemn Eid at destroyed mosques, in displacement Eid al-Fitr has been a somber holiday this year in the Gaza Strip, where the dead have left gaping holes in families. Palestine
