Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria.
Analysis As he stalls Gaza plan, will Netanyahu pick his far-right coalition over Trump? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won’t publicly go against the Gaza plan of President Donald Trump, but he keeps stalling on discussing the parameters for the implementation of the plan’s second phase. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turkey’s spy chief holds talks in Egypt over trapped Hamas militants Turkey’s spy chief met with Qatari, Egyptian officials as the Gaza ceasefire process stalls over Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels. Turkey
UN Security Council endorses US plan for Gaza security force The US-drafted resolution also endorses the Trump-led Board of Peace and references possible statehood for the Palestinians. Palestine
Analysis Turkey's Gaza ambitions grow as Israel's pushback hardens: Can US mediate? By Rina Bassist , Ezgi Akin
Analysis With Saudi Arabia on sidelines, Trump looks to widen Abraham Accords circle By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
How a Trump or Harris win could shape the Middle East The Takeaway unpacks what a Harris or Trump presidency would mean for the trajectory of Israel's mulitfront war in the region. United States
Netanyahu says Israel's 'ability to enforce' key to any Lebanon deal American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk met Thursday with Israeli leaders in yet another effort to clinch a deal for a cease-fire in southern Lebanon. Israel
Saudi-Israel normalization 'off table' until Palestinian statehood, FM says Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has said that normalization with Israel will wait for progress on Palestinian rights. Saudi Arabia
CIA chief, Egypt’s Sisi discuss 'urgent need' to end Lebanon, Gaza wars The meeting comes as Egypt, Qatar and the US resume mediation talks to secure a hostage deal and a cease-fire in Gaza. Egypt
Feature Flying despite Israeli attacks, Middle East Airlines becomes symbol of pride for Lebanon As a growing number of airlines cancel and reroute flights in the region to avoid conflict, Lebanon's flagship carrier has provided a sense of stability amid turmoil. By Amberin Zaman , Beatrice Farhat
Hezbollah’s new leader says group to fight 'for months' as US proposes 60-day Lebanon cease-fire Naim Qassem’s speech coincides with escalating Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, as the US scrambles to secure a cease-fire deal. Lebanon
Eight UNIFIL peacekeepers injured in southern Lebanon rocket attack Eight Austrian soldiers belonging to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission were injured by a rocket strike in southern Lebanon, which UNIFIL said was likely fired by Hezbollah. Lebanon
As election looms, US calls for calm while Iran weighs response to Israeli strikes The latest Israeli attack appeared calibrated to avoid a major escalation from Tehran that could trigger an all-out regional war. Iran
Pentagon denies role in Israel's Iran strikes after warning against nuclear targets The Israeli military is signaling to Tehran that it can strike its nuclear facilities from afar with or without direct American support. Israel
Israel clinches $500M deal with Elbit Systems, Rafael for Iron Beam defense system Expected to be operational within a year, the 100-kilowatt class, high-energy Iron Beam system is designed to complement Israel's existing Iron Dome defense system. Israel
Tyre, Lebanon's ancient city, bombarded by Israeli airstrikes Israeli airstrikes are pounding ancient Tyre in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Sri Lanka arrests 3 men in plot to attack Israeli-run Jewish center: What we know Three Sri Lankan nationals were arrested on Thursday after Israel's National Security Council urged Israelis to leave certain areas of the country due to "credible terrorism threats." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
