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
Afghan refugee influx stokes tensions in Turkey Fresh refugee influx from Afghanistan to Turkey has stoked political and social tensions in the country where the refugee crisis is becoming more politicized. Turkey
The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words. Turkey
Video shows Libyan coast guard firing on migrant boat in Mediterranean Sea The Libyan coast guard has acknowledged the warning shots had endangered the migrant families. Libya
Syrian refugees in Jordan use donkey-drawn carts amid lockdown Donkey-drawn carts have become the main means of transportation inside the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan after Jordanian authorities prevented cars from entering and leaving the camp since March 2020 as part of its coronavirus measures. Jordan
Migrants found dead off Yemen's Red Sea coast after boat capsizes The bodies were found near Ras Al-Ara, a coastal village in the southern Yemeni province that's known as a smuggling hub. Yemen
Turkish attack near Makhmour camp extends anti-PKK operations deeper into Iraq Days after warning of a coming operation on Iraq’s Makhmour camp, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a senior Kurdistan Workers Party official was “neutralized” near the camp Saturday, underlining Ankara’s drive to put pressure on militants in the region. Turkey
CENTCOM chief warns children risk radicalization at Syrian al-Hol camp Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie said radicalization would remain a problem unless countries repatriate and reintegrate the children of suspected Islamic State fighters. Syria
130 migrants feared dead in shipwreck off Libyan coast A volunteer rescue group searched the Mediterranean waters but found no survivors. Libya
Senate Republicans: condition aid to Palestinian refugee agency on reforms A group of 21 senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tie funding to UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, to "much-needed and meaningful reforms." Palestine
21 migrants drown off Tunisia's coast Rescue crews have located three survivors and are still searching for the boat's remaining 17 passengers. News Brief
Biden restores US aid to Palestinian refugee agency Along with providing $150 million to UNRWA, the US administration announced funding for economic and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine
Shipwreck leads to at least five deaths off Libyan coast Mediterranean crossings from Libya are continuing, despite dangers. Libya
