Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt as US-Israel rift grows over Gaza

The top US diplomat will return to the Middle East as US alarm grows over Israel’s planned military offensive in Rafah.

Israel

China’s Middle East diplomat meets Hamas' Haniyeh in Qatar

China confirmed a meeting between a Foreign Ministry official and Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Doha as Beijing seeks a wider role in the region.

Palestine

Israeli delegation to visit White House as Biden-Netanyahu Rafah rift continues

The White House has invited an Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss ways forward in the campaign against Hamas, likely seeking to buy time after failing to secure a cease-fire in Gaza war before Ramadan.

Israel

Israel kills Hamas’ Faiq al-Mabhouh as US confirms Marwan Issa’s death

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that Hamas' number three, Marwan Issa, was killed last week while Israel took out another high-ranking Hamas security official.

Palestine

Why West Bank tensions could boil over during Ramadan

The increasing Israeli raids and armed attacks against Israeli forces have raised fears that the situation in the West Bank will explode.

Palestine

Family sees double standard in Israel’s detention of US citizen

The Biden administration speaks often of its pledge to bring home every unjustly detained American. But what happens when the accusation of unjust detention involves a close ally?

Israel

Israeli delegation heads to Qatar to review Hamas' cease-fire proposal

Israel and Hamas have so far failed to agree on the terms of a cease-fire in Gaza that would include a prisoner swap.

Palestine

US sanctions West Bank outposts linked to settler attacks on Palestinians

The sanctions are a response to an uptick in settler violence in the West Bank that the United Nations blames for the deaths of at least nine Palestinians since Oct. 7.

Israel

Israel should ease 'unnecessary restrictions' on key Gaza goods, Blinken says

The top US diplomat acknowledged Israeli concerns about "dual-use" items ending up the hands of Hamas, but said "greater clarity" is needed for humanitarian groups whose work is hindered by "unnecessary restrictions."

Palestine

Senators to Biden: Curtail arms to Israel unless Gaza aid expanded

A group of Democratic senators said Israel's restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip could violate foreign assistance law.

Israel

Gaza's displaced prepare for Ramadan from tented camps with limited food

Palestinian Muslims are still preparing for the holy month of fasting, despite many of their homes being reduced to rubble by Israeli bombardment and there being widespread food shortages.

Palestine

Pentagon taps private firm to facilitate Gaza humanitarian port

Defense officials said the temporary causeway will be able to receive some 2 million meals per day, but the effort could take long as 60 days to get up and running, likely too late for many Gazans as starvation sets in in the Palestinian enclave.

Palestine