Egypt's Sisi says Gaza deal in sight as Witkoff, Kushner, Qatari PM join talks As chief negotiators gather in Egypt, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to accelerate. Israel
Analysis Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East Turkey’s involvement worries Israel in Syria but also raises hopes for pressuring Hamas to agree to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan The Hamas commanders in Gaza remain the main obstacle to advancement of the Trump plan and are expected to seek amendments even as Israel’s military steps up its offensive on Gaza City. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump signs order to ‘guarantee’ Qatar’s security after Israel strikes New executive order appeared to go beyond existing US agreements with other Gulf states, enjoining Washington to take “all lawful and appropriate measures” — to include military action — to defend Qatar from external attack. Qatar
Analysis Trump offers Netanyahu cover as Israel's far right recoils at Gaza peace plan By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Interview Qatar says 'ambitious' Gaza plan hinges on Trump applying Israel leverage Majed al-Ansari Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Analysis Planned diversification or US doubts? Why Saudi Arabia inked Pakistan security pact By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Israel, Qatar in contact over Gaza as Bibi plans Gulf trip According to reports, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has been in contact over the phone with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, mostly over financial aid to the Gaza Strip. Originals
Trump orders US Central Command to include Israel amid strategic shift The decision caps the outgoing administration's efforts to build a regional defense arrangement to counter Iran. Israel
Israel turns its back on French-Egyptian Mideast initiative Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi rejected the invitation for meeting French, German, Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers in Cairo, citing the nationwide lockdown in Israel as an excuse. Israel
With Sudan signing Abraham Accords, Israel tightens grip in Africa, Red Sea basin With Sudan signing today the Abraham accords for renewal of diplomatic ties, Israel is sending feelers also to other Red Sea basin countries for establishing some sorts of relations. Israel
Was UAE behind Israeli decision to allow Palestinian farmers access to Jordan Valley? For the first time in 46 years, Israel allowed Palestinians to enter al-Qa'oun valley in the northern Jordan Valley to cultivate their land. Despite the Palestinian Authority’s statement that this was in implementation of a judicial decision, Al-Monitor received information about Emirati-Israeli understandings that led to this action. United Arab Emirates
With Morocco-Israel deal, US looks to maintain role in peace accords For the Trump administration, the renewal of ties between Israel and Morocco is first and foremost a reason to auto-congratulate and make speeches. Israel
UAE steps up medical aid to Gaza The UAE and Qatar are neck and neck in the Gaza Strip, with both parties pumping money and aid into the besieged enclave that is struggling under tough economic, humanitarian and health conditions made worse by the coronavirus. Palestine
El Al to make first flight from Israel to Morocco The Israeli airline will take a US-Israeli delegation from Tel Aviv to Rabat following Israel and Morocco agreeing to establish relations. Israel
UAE joins Egypt-led Eastern Med Gas Forum Abu Dhabi announced that it has joined the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum based in Cairo, as part of efforts to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the area. Egypt
Palestinians intensify efforts, action to counter UAE trade deals with Israeli settlements Palestinians seek to launch international campaigns to boycott Emirati companies that deal with products from settlements built on occupied land in the West Bank, accusing them of violating international resolutions that criminalize settlements. Palestine
US treasury secretary to tour Middle East in final push for Abraham Accords Steven Mnuchin plans to stop in Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Qatar. United Arab Emirates
Israel, US, UAE, Bahrain to cooperate on energy Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz participated in a first-of-its-kind meeting with his counterparts from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to create a platform of cooperation. Israel
