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
Syria’s Chemical Weapons, Israel and Hezbollah The US statement about Syrian chemical weapons; Israel weighs in; the debate within Hezbollah about Syria. Israel
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Wants to Accelerate Settlements In an interview with Mazal Mualem, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon promises to help the settlements in the West Bank and to institute compulsory national service for Israeli-Arabs. Palestine
Hamas Shuts Down Gaza English-Language Club The Hamas-led government in Gaza has shut down an English-language club amid several recent steps to limit cultural activity within the Strip, writes Khaled Kraizim. Palestine
The Red Line in Syria Has Long Been Crossed Shlomi Eldar wonders why the world waits for the use of chemical weapons to launch a military operation ending the bloodshed in Syria. Israel
Saudi Wahhabi Sheikh Calls On Iraq's Jihadists to Kill Shiites A Saudi Wahhabi sheikh has issued a fatwa in which he calls on jihadists in Iraq to kill Shiites, including women and children, in another sign of the bitter sectarian conflict dividing the region, writes Haytham Mouzahem. Iraq
Lebanon's First Civil Marriage A Sign of Change On April 25, 2013, the first civil marriage was officially registered in Lebanon, a move that could forebode a radical change in the longstanding political sectarian system, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
A Turkish Awakening on Armenian, Kurdish Issues? The Armenian Day observances in Turkey on April 24 could be as significant as the PKK decision to withdraw from Turkey, writes Cengiz Candar. Turkey
Why Russia Does Not Believe Syria Used Chemical Weapons Russia does not believe that Syria used chemical weapons against insurgents, and therefore considers this week's revelation as information warfare to escalate the conflict, writes Fyodor Lukyanov. Syria
Israel Fencing Off Lebanese Village Would Violate UN Resolution Israel is attempting to build a fence around the northern part of Ghajar, a Lebanese village that lies on its northern border with Lebanon, in violation of UN Resolution 1701, writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
Is Hamas PlanningTo Kidnap More Israelis? Hamas seems to be seriously planning to kidnap another Israeli soldier or settler after the success of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Hamas Targets Youth Through Social Media After the Arab revolutions’ success in employing social media in effecting change, Hamas leaders have hastened to join Facebook and Twitter to influence youth, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Despite Challenges, Gaza's American School Perseveres The American School in Gaza, once the target of anti-Western attacks, has persevered in the face of various challenges, writes Asmaa al-Ghoul. Palestine
