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 State women use children as 'sex tools,' Syrian Kurdish officials say Officials in northeast Syria tell Al-Monitor that women in Islamic State internment camps are forcing young boys to impregnate women as part of an alleged IS campaign to "go forth and multiply." Syria
Analysis Assad will demand high price for return of refugees Arab League at risk of getting caught between US and Syria over sanctions policy. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Syrian refugees abused, shot at by Turkey's border guards: HRW report Syrian refugees are under mounting pressure in Turkey as the president seeks to mend ties with the Syrian government. Syria
Lebanon deports dozens of Syrian refugees amid spike in racist rhetoric The deportation of more than 50 Syrians to the war-torn country comes amid growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon. Lebanon
Jordan proposes Syria peace plan during Arab FM Saudi meeting The plan includes steps to tackle the refugee crisis and smuggling across borders. Jordan
UNRWA staff in Gaza strike as demands remain unmet UNRWA schools and clinics in the besieged enclave were closed as the agency failed to meet its staff’s demands. Palestine
Clashes in Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camp as security void looms The UN recently warned that poverty and crime is on the rise in the camp due to the Lebanese economic crisis. Lebanon
After Syria earthquake, Saudi Arabia is linchpin to Assad's normalization If Assad’s earthquake diplomacy succeeds in improving relations with Saudi Arabia, the path to Syria's normalization in Arab politics will be wide open. Syria
Syrian refugees in Lebanon turn to TikTok 'begging' for money TikTok has allowed thousands of refugees in Lebanon to beg for money from donors online by exposing their children and poor conditions to the outside world, a method that heightens the risk of exploitation and human-trafficking. Lebanon
Fleeing repression, Iran's Kurdish activists struggle to find refuge in Iraq The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has become a key escape route for an unknown number of Iranian Kurds fleeing brutal repression and torture in Iran, but most fail to find security and stability in Iraq. Iran
'We are in a very dangerous situation,' Kuwait's five sisters plead for help to stay in Turkey Five Kuwaiti sisters, including two minors, say they escaped domestic violence and sexual abuse, and are now beseeching Turkish authorities and civic groups for a safe life. Turkey
Even after the 'visa war,' the bad and the ugly lingers between EU, Global South Continuing immigration pressures complicate relations for both aging Europe and the nations to the south and east with booming populations. North Africa
