Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates Israel’s expanded buffer zone will cut off Gaza from Egypt and further partition the Strip, as the humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. Palestine
Feature Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return More than 30 members of one family spoke to Al-Monitor after fleeing into northern Lebanon from Syria amid a spasm of sectarian violence in the country. Many remain skeptical that it's safe to return. By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian
Analysis Could Israel's West Bank operation lead to annexation long sought by right? The Israeli military is currently operating in West Bank Area A, which under the Oslo Accords should be administered fully by the Palestinian Authority. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
From Saudi Arabia to Australia and China, world leaders denounce Trump’s plan to 'take over' Gaza President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about a possible US takeover of Gaza after relocating the Palestinians caused a wave of uproar across the region and the world. Palestine
Analysis EU seeks channels with HTS as it grapples with post-Assad Syria By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Islamic group OKs fund to support Palestinians via UN A new endowment fund established by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with the participation of the Islamic Development Bank will support UN efforts to help Palestinians, who have been cut off from US funding. Palestine
Comics expo draws crowds in Beirut A Beirut comic and graphic novel exhibition promoted the educational and journalistic values of the art form in the Middle East. Egypt
Jordan’s Syrian refugees are not going home anytime soon Only a few thousand of the more than 600,000 registered Syrian refugees have returned home from Jordan since the war started in 2011, sparking fears about the kingdom’s capacities to bear the costs of hosting. Jordan
Academy fights discrimination with art, music in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Peace of Art, a humanitarian organization and fine arts academy, offers the people of the northern Bekaa Valley an artistic and pacifist outlet in a region plagued by conflict. Lebanon
Syrian refugees in Turkey, burden or cheap labor? The influx of Syrian refugees into the labor market has become a big advantage for business owners in Turkey’s ongoing economic crisis, but their employment may fan social tensions as the country’s army of jobless grows. Syria
Why is Fatah getting cozy with Hezbollah? A senior Fatah official recently met with Hezbollah officials in Beirut to discuss security and other developments in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Palestine
Turkey pledges to enter Syria so refugees can return Frustrated by the slow progress on a proposed buffer zone in northeast Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled Turkey could do it alone, saying it would allow some of the millions of Syrians sheltering in Turkey to go home. Syria
Syrian artists find new platform, inspiration in Beirut The Syrian conflict has seen many artists move to Beirut, using the capital to strengthen the artistic link between the two countries, a phenomenon explored by "Moussem Cities: Damascus starts in Beirut." Lebanon
Fate of Algeria’s missing migrants sparks international concern A group of 120 individuals from Syria, Yemen and Palestine disappeared last month in Algeria, and now rights groups are calling on the authorities to reveal their fate. Algeria
Debate over Syrian refugees gathers steam in Turkey Young Syrians celebrating New Year’s Eve in public Istanbul squares ignited false claims that Syrians are enjoying life in Turkey while Turkish soldiers die for their country. Syria
Torrential rain leaves Syrian displaced homeless Syria’s internally displaced who found refuge in makeshift camps in Aleppo’s countryside have been badly affected by heavy rainfall with the start of winter, as they lost all their belongings and tents. Syria
Why Turkey's Kurdish strategy will remain ineffective While making moves to crush the Kurds’ de facto self-rule in northern Syria, Turkey has targeted also the Makhmour refugee camp in Iraq, which, ironically, holds a mirror to Ankara’s failed Kurdish policies over the years. Iraq
