Arab world insists on support of West for Palestinian statehood

Egyptian and Palestinian officials stress that it will be easier for Arab countries to cooperate with the United States and Europe on fighting the Islamic State if their people see that the West promotes Palestinian statehood.

Palestine

Egypt’s buffer zone expansion hurts Hamas’ arms supplies

Egypt’s decision to expand its buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip is a sign that relations with Hamas are no closer to improving.

Palestine

Egyptian town welcomes ban on Jewish festival

Egyptians are pleased with a court decision to ban the festival celebrating the birth of Rabbi Abu Hasira because, they say, security for it turned their village into a "military barracks."

Egypt

Al Jazeera’s Egypt closure deals blow to Muslim Brotherhood

The suspension of Al Jazeera’s Mubasher Misr TV station in the wake of Qatar’s rapprochement with the Egyptian government has cost the Muslim Brotherhood its main media arm in the country.

Qatar

Egypt forces Brotherhood judges to retire

To rid the Egyptian judiciary system of any opposition party, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued three presidential decrees forcing Muslim Brotherhood judges to retire.

Egypt

Falling oil prices both blessing, curse for Egypt

As the price of oil continues to decline, Egypt stands to both gain and lose: It will save in petroleum subsidies while the job market for Egyptian oil workers in the Gulf, a significant source of remittances, will decline.

Egypt

In tough times, Egyptian theater troupe pushes boundaries

The Egyptian theater group Outa Hamra works with local disadvantaged communities to develop theater as a medium for expression and social change in the country.

Egypt

Cairo imposes new restrictions on travelers

Egyptian authorities have implemented new measures to restrict the entry of foreigners and to prevent Egyptians from traveling to politically unfriendly countries like Qatar and Turkey.

Qatar

In war against atheism, Egypt targets cafes

Egyptian authorities have reportedly shut down a Cairo cafe that was popular among atheists, though some activists say that the officials' display of force is little more than a media show.

Egypt

Hamas divided over rapprochement with Dahlan

As Hamas studies its limited options to overcome the crisis in Gaza, some senior officials are advocating a detente with Mohammed Dahlan to weaken President Mahmoud Abbas.

Palestine

Egypt-Qatar rapprochement rattles Hamas

Hamas is concerned that the rapprochement between Egypt and Qatar will result in Doha downgrading its ties with the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Qatar

Is Palestinian state only guarantee against Hamas?

The Israeli right fears the campaign has moved from the “Iran nuke danger” to “Hamas’ takeover of the West Bank,” ignoring regional concerns for Israel’s security and aligning with their wish to avoid Hamas empowerment.

Palestine