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
Iran’s Khatami urged to launch ‘reforms within reform movement' Amid signs of a decline in public support for Iran’s Reform movement, 100 activists have urged Reformist icon Mohammad Khatami to save the camp by initiating internal reforms. Iran
Turkey cultivating ever-deeper roots in Syrian territory Turkey continues setting up parallel structures in Syria, the latest being a branch of Harran University in al-Bab. Syria
Egyptian censors succumb to 'Karma' Egypt’s General Authority for Censorship made a swift U-turn after its ban on screenings of Khaled Youssef’s “Karma” was met with resistance, confusion and parliamentary pledges to investigate. Egypt
Israeli opposition's internal battles play into Netanyahu’s hands Labor head Avi Gabbay's slander campaign against Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has weakened the whole center-left camp and left the prime minister without a viable rival. Israel
Why Israel’s 11-year closure didn’t topple Hamas It took Israel a decade to realize that its closure policy won’t topple the Hamas regime. Palestine
Rapid spread of gas stations fuels controversy in Gaza Gas stations are increasingly being invested in under the degenerating economic and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, pointing at conflicting interests between Gaza’s Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Ministry of Local Government. Palestine
Syrians injured in war find hope for employment The Farah Organization provides vocational education to Syrians in Daraa and Quneitra provinces who have been injured during the civil war and those with congenital deformities. Syria
Congress splits over F-35 sale to Turkey Parochial interests are undermining a united stance against Ankara in the US Senate. Turkey
Does Mhebis, a Ramadan tradition, have a future in Iraq? Al-Muhaibis, or Mhebis, a traditional game centered around finding a ring, is being played by Iraqis this Ramadan, but some foresee its disappearance as younger generations prefer spending time online playing electronic games. Iraq
US gives 'yellow light' to UAE assault on Yemen port A top United Arab Emirates official urged the international community to pressure the Houthi rebels to withdraw from the key Yemeni port city. Saudi Arabia
Moscow’s take on US-Turkey Manbij deal: Wait and see Russia is reserving judgment but also keeping a close eye on an agreement between Turkey and the United States regarding the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in Manbij, Syria. Syria
Gaza women fight for fairer, faster divorces A women's association in Gaza is fighting to address the glacial legal process to obtain a divorce and the lack of support for women during those interminable periods. Palestine
