Guarded optimism surrounds Trump's Gaza proposal as war marks two years Negotiators convened for indirect talks in Egypt as Israel marked the two-year anniversary of Hamas' deadly attack. Israel
Interview Israel's Oslo architect Yossi Beilin: 2 years after Oct. 7, Netanyahu 'has no hope' of reelection Veteran left-wing politician and former Minister Yossi Beilin says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has caused Israel's deepening international isolation and military quagmire in the Gaza Strip.
UNESCO backs Egypt's Khaled el-Enany as next director-general, first Arab in post Enany would be the first Egyptian and the first Arab to serve as the agency’s director-general. Egypt
Analysis More bark than bite: Why Israel’s far right won’t rush to quit government despite Gaza plan Now that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted Washington's plan to end the war, farright Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir must decide whether to quit the government as threatened. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Trump tells Israel to halt Gaza assault 'immediately' after Hamas response to peace plan By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy? Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties. Egypt
Intel: Palestinian Authority to suspend cooperation with CIA over US support for Israeli annexation The secretary-general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, says his government has suspended its contacts with the CIA over the Trump administration’s support for Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Intel: Biden warns against West Bank annexation as Israel lobbies Trump for green light Former Vice President Joe Biden told campaign donors today that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to a transcript of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s remarks seen by Al-Monitor. Palestine
Intel: Trump congratulates Iraq’s new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi President Donald Trump has congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on his confirmation by Iraq’s Council of Representatives. Iraq
Ilhan Omar signs onto AIPAC letter siding with Trump on Iran After clashing repeatedly with AIPAC, Rep. Ilhan Omar has signed onto one of their key lobby agenda items for this year. Israel
Report: Trump threatened to remove US troops from Saudi if no oil production cut Trump told the Saudi Crown Prince that US troops would leave Saudi Arabia if OPEC did not cut production, according to a new report. Saudi Arabia
Intel: House Middle East panel spotlights Yemen in first virtual briefing The House Foreign Affairs Committee spotlighted Yemen in its first virtual briefing, which the Middle East subcommittee held today. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s S-400 delay is about more than just the economy and COVID-19 Turkey’s deepening economic woes are widely seen as the prime reason behind its decision to delay the activation of the Russian S-400 systems. But an array of other factors have been at play that are forcing Ankara to think twice. Turkey
Intel: Trump administration claims Palestinian aid not reaching people who need it Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, explaining the Donald Trump administration’s decision to provide $5 million in COVID-19 assistance to the Palestinians in place of $75 million appropriated overall, said US economic and humanitarian aid for the West Bank and Gaza is being cut in general because it was not reaching the people. Palestine
Intel: Iran launched its first satellite into space. Then Trump threatened to destroy Iranian vessels. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran today on Twitter, saying he has “instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.” Originals
Intel: Netanyahu, Gantz strike West Bank annexation deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, struck a deal today to annex parts of the West Bank as part of their bid to form a unity government. Palestine
Intel: Joe Biden uses coronavirus crisis to push for Iran sanctions relief Former Vice President Joe Biden, the overwhelming favorite to become the Democratic presidential nominee, came out in favor of humanitarian sanctions relief for Iran to help the embattled country cope with the coronavirus pandemic. United States