The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Gaza needs new housing, but where will it build? It seems that the growing need for housing units has prompted Gaza's government to build in high-risk buffer zones near the eastern border. Palestine
How much support does IDF soldier charged in Hebron shooting really have? The rally supporting the IDF Hebron shooter attracted only a small crowd, while the majority of Israelis side with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot. Israel
Gleam of hope in gold trade fades in Gaza Israel banned the export and import of gold in the Gaza Strip after allowing its resumption in February. Palestine
Gaza still clearing rubble from 2014 war Some 97% of the rubble from homes destroyed during the 2014 Israeli war has been removed. Palestine
Is Jerusalem bus blast just a sign of things to come? As the Passover holiday approaches, many Israelis fear the current violence may evolve into larger scale attacks like the bus bombing that shook Jerusalem Monday night. Palestine
How the IDF created a media frenzy The IDF's rush to condemn the soldier who shot a Palestinian assailant on the ground before his indictment only contributed to the public dispute in the Israeli media over the issue. Israel
Congress unblocks $108 million in Palestinian aid The release follows months of pressure from the State Department. Palestine
Do Netanyahu's policies allow Hamas to get stronger? The Israeli political class, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Isaac Herzog, offer little solution to the threat posed by Hamas. Palestine
Will Islamic world accept Turkey’s leadership? Turkish President Erdogan's ambition was not subtle as he stumped for himself at the Organization of Islamic States summit. Turkey
Red Sea bridge project resurfaces Backers hope to calm old concerns with new plans for a bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani says reversing ruin from sanctions will take time During a speech in the city of Semnan, President Hassan Rouhani said that the nuclear deal has already brought some benefits to Iran, advising caution that the effects of sanctions could linger a little longer. Iran
Amid fragile truce with Damascus, Syria opposition battles IS Islamist factions and opposition forces are taking advantage of "downtime" during the regime/opposition cease-fire to take on other enemies in Syria, but all the fighting could undermine the fragile truce. Syria
