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
Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Israel
European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits. Palestine
Mossad chief attends Netanyahu meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after his first meeting since Russia’s invasion with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy that Israel will help Ukraine deal with anti-personnel mines, but said nothing about missile defense. Israel
Flash floods in Turkey kill at least 10 people Flooding has ravaged several parts of the country this week. Turkey
Israel’s Netanyahu calls Eritrea immigrants 'tangible threat' to state’s future After the violent demonstration by Eritrean immigrants over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called to banish them from Israel "voluntarily or by other means." Israel
Wildfire in Turkey’s northwest injures dozens, halts maritime traffic Dozens of people have been injured and more than 80 livestock have perished as more than a thousand residents flee the wildfire engulfing the country’s northwest. Turkey
Why Turkey's Erdogan sings the same tune with Russia's Putin in Africa Turkey’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa often align with those of Russia, with both Ankara and Moscow holding back from condemning military coups and seeking to capitalize on post-colonial resentments. Turkey
UK, Turkey to set up joint center to control illegal migration The British government's migration policy is under increasing scrutiny from the opposition Labour Party as well as international civic groups that accuse the state of mistreating irregular migrants. Turkey
How Syria's Assad is using aid access to hasten normalization Experts say Syria's proposal to coordinate UN aid delivery is an attempt to cast itself as a constructive partner at a time when the region is bringing Bashar al-Assad in from the cold. Syria
Wildfires hit Turkey’s Mediterranean coast as temperatures soar More than 250 fires have raged across the country in less than two months amid unusually high temperatures. Turkey
Russia pulls inspectors from Turkey after Kremlin nixes grain deal The joint operation center in Istanbul, which was set up as part of the Black Sea grain deal, has been the sole mechanism through which Ukrainian and Russian officials were directly working together on a regular basis since the invasion of Ukraine. Turkey
Turkey, Russia discuss Ukraine grain export deal after Moscow halts pact The conversation between the top Russian and Turkish diplomats comes as Ankara is amping up its efforts to salvage the deal critical for global food markets. Turkey
