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
UAE likely to support Egypt for long haul It's in the UAE's interests for Egypt to stabilize, and it will continue to offer unconditional support to Cairo until that objective is met. United Arab Emirates
Iraq's instability trouble for Lebanese investors Foreign investments in Iraq are at a standstill amid recent crises, with Lebanon's $3 billion worth of investments in the country set to decline if a political solution is not reached. Iraq
Netanyahu betrayed by Likud in wartime His own coalition members and others are publicly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for approving the cease-fire, with Deputy Defense Minister Danny Dannon leading the assault, forcing the premier to fire him. Israel
In Gaza, Israel blinded by Hamas Many Israelis support the Israel Defense Forces' air attacks on Gaza, unaware that the majority of Gaza residents do not seek the destruction of Israel, and that several young people even condemn the Hamas rule of the Gaza Strip. Palestine
City of Tehran’s female workers fired 'for own well-being' Citing long hours and possible disruptions to family life, officials at the Tehran municipality have replaced female secretarial workers with men. Iran
Erdogan ignores market in crusade against interest rates The Turkish prime minister and the minister of economy are pushing to dramatically cut interest rates, though Turkey's Central Bank has expressed reservations. Turkey
Gaza families flee Israeli bombing of their homes Israeli strikes have destroyed hundreds of Gaza homes while residents sought shelter in UNRWA centers. Palestine
Erdogan turns blind eye to online hate speech Anti-Semitic tweets by the pop star Yildiz Tilbe have found support within some Justice and Development Party (AKP) quarters while the government maintains an official silence. Palestine
The destructive hatred of Hamas The rule of Hamas, based on hate toward Israel rather than on rebuilding the Gaza Strip, is at the root of the miseries suffered by Gaza residents, both adults and children. Palestine
As tensions boil, Israeli Arabs and Jews recall second intifada The relationship between Jewish and Arab Israeli society is hitting its lowest point ever as both sectors erupt in heated protest of the murders of teenagers and the rockets raining from Gaza. Palestine
Israeli airstrikes damage Egyptian homes In an attempt to destroy smuggling tunnels, Israel’s bombardment along the Gaza-Egypt border has damaged Egyptian homes. Palestine
