In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
Sudan army steps up airstrikes as Darfur siege tightens: What to know In September, a top Sudanese general announced an offensive to take back the Darfur region from the RSF, and the army is following through. Sudan
Turkey: Istanbul jolted by 5.3 magnitude earthquake, no casualties reported Turkey’s disaster management body said no casualties or significant damage were reported after the quake, which was felt in surrounding provinces. Turkey
Israeli navy begins intercepting Gaza-bound international aid flotilla The Israeli Navy has begun its operation against an international Gaza flotilla carrying humanitarian supplies to the enclave. Israel
Water 'more precious than gold': Palestinians fleeing Gaza City face perilous journey south Palestine
Israeli, Emirati foreign ministers meet in Abu Dhabi, discuss Gaza humanitarian crisis Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met in Abu Dhabi, marking the first official high-level meeting between the two states since Oct. 7, 2023. Israel
Turkey’s Erdogan in Egypt, holds first meeting with Sisi after Assad's fall The Turkish and Egyptian leaders focused on Syrian reconstruction, humanitarian aid to Gaza and strengthening bilateral relations. Turkey
Israel says hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas closer than ever: What we know Israeli officials and Hamas sources are both saying that a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages is closer than ever before. Israel
Analysis EU seeks channels with HTS as it grapples with post-Assad Syria The European Union will need a creative solution to establish communications with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a designated terror organization and the caretaker government in Syria. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis From war to governance: Hamas challenged by security vacuum in Gaza The Hamas government struggles to maintain its authority over Gaza amid death, destruction, severe food shortages and decimated administrative and security forces. By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Airwars says Gaza war 'most fatal conflict for civilians' it documented The UK-based nonprofit Airwars said in a new report that the number of civilians killed during the first three weeks of the Israeli war on Gaza is the largest it has ever recorded since its establishment in 2014. Palestine
Qatar says ‘renewed interest’ in Gaza talks, wants unified Arab stance on Syria Doha, which had earlier suspended mediation efforts, says it supports a viable Palestinian governance model and is formulating a pan-Arab position on Syria that encompasses diverging Gulf views. Qatar
Bahrain announces UK inclusion in key security pact with US Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement with the Biden administration in September 2023; Manama plans to turn it into a multilateral agreement with more members amid regional threats. Bahrain
With exception of Arab Hadash, Israeli parties slam ICC's Netanyahu warrant Apart from the Arab Hadash party, Israeli political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel
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