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 pharmacists survive by 'lending' diplomas to investors The dire economic situation in Gaza has driven pharmacology graduates to charge investors a fee for the use of their degrees to obtain pharmacy licenses. Palestine
Jaish al-Islam takes control of Tel Kurdi in eastern Ghouta In a new military operation, Jaish al-Islam has succeeded in taking over Tel Kurdi, a strategic region in Syria. Syria
Palestinians search for better life in Israel The Gaza blockade has been in place for about eight years now and it does not seem like the living conditions are going to improve soon, so some Palestinians try to infiltrate Israel to find better opportunities. Palestine
Iraq’s ancient Kish City lies buried in sand Iraq’s Kish City has managed to overcome many natural disasters and neglect on the part of its residents and the government, but it has now been turned into a desolate site covered in sand. Iraq
Rafah farmers watch in horror as Egypt floods Gaza tunnels Experts say the effects of the Egyptian army pumping seawater into the tunnels under Rafah will be disastrous for the Palestinian economy and agriculture. Palestine
Ice industry in Gaza crystalizes as power cuts increase The worsening power crisis in the Gaza Strip has pushed people and traders to use ice blocks to preserve their food, which explains why demand for ice has risen 600%. Palestine
How to transfer money without financing terror During the Union of Arab Banks conference, officials discussed ways to monitor money transfers, to limit money laundering operations and the financing of terrorism. Egypt
Are reforms in Arab banking sector key to fighting terrorism? The latest Union of Arab Banks conference discussed ways to integrate all citizens in the banking sector’s database, to be able to fight money laundering and terrorism. Egypt
Egyptian protesters thwarted once again The Egyptian security forces were able to oppose the protests that trade unions called for against the Civil Service Law, deemed unfair to state employees. Egypt
Gaza City workers make rounds by bicycle In one municipality in the Gaza Strip, where municipal services suffer from a lack of vehicles, sanitation inspectors are getting around on bicycles in an already popular project that is likely to spread. Palestine
Israel attempts to redefine terrorism, but is its definition too broad? Some observers are concerned that a draft Israeli law's wide-ranging definition of what constitutes terrorism could outlaw opposition to the occupation and suppress political opposition in Israel. Palestine
Beyond glass ceiling, Iranian women face iron fence The Iranian Ministry of Education's decision to impose gender quotas has raised bewilderment and disappointment. Iran
