Opposition wins election in Somaliland, signals dialogue with Somalia: What we know Somaliland's opposition leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has won the presidential election, unseating the incumbent president who held office for seven years. Somalia
As floods ravage Spain, Morocco utilizes disaster diplomacy, offers help Relations between Morocco and Spain are warming after years of tensions, and a railway linkage project is gaining momentum. Morocco
Three years after fleeing, Afghanistan's last Jew arrives in Israel Having fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, heading to Istanbul via Pakistan, Afghanistan's last Jew has now arrived in Israel. Israel
Despite missed deadline to boost Gaza aid, US says Israel arms flows to continue The Biden administration will not follow through with threatened consequences after Israel missed a deadline to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Israel
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
‘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
