Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel begins Gaza pullback Israeli forces declared a ceasefire and withdrew from some positions in Gaza on Friday, as thousands of displaced Palestinians began to trek home and the families of Israeli hostages awaited news. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the US president on Sunday. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel, Gaza celebrate deal Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact; Israel says Iran weapons plot foiled in West Bank; and more. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
How the Israel-Hamas deal could unfold in the coming days Israel and Hamas are set for a long-awaited hostage-prisoner swap, but significant obstacles remain to a permanent ceasefire. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Gaza truce talks enter third day By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Dutch, French leaders denounce attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam Hundreds of rioters chased and attacked Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam for the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match. Israel
Analysis Gaza and Lebanon for Iran: Inside Netanyahu’s gamble on Donald Trump Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly has high hopes for President-elect Donald Trump, but is nervously watching the new administration take shape. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Additional US F-15 fighter jets arrive in Jordan as Israel anticipates Iran attack The Biden administration seeks to dissuade Iran from launching yet another retaliatory attack against Israel amid a drawn-out exchange of strikes that risk escalating into a wider conflict. Jordan
Can France help address Israel's conditions for Lebanon cease-fire deal? During a visit to Israel, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel met with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz to discuss advancing an agreement with Lebanon and the security guarantees Israel is demanding. Israel
Israel strikes Beirut as Trump's in-law seeks to lead Lebanon file The strikes came as Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and aide to president-elect Donald Trump, said he would take over the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah to end the war in Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Trump’s return bodes both continuity and disruption for fragile Middle East During his previous term in office, President-elect Trump repeatedly sought to extract US troops from the Middle East, often in a chaotic manner, while shortcutting Washington's traditional policy processes. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Beyond congratulations, Trump faces changed, eastward-looking Gulf Gulf states are familiar with Donald Trump and his transactional nature but have also managed to forge their own regional alliances over the last four years. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
As leverage wanes, what can lame-duck Biden accomplish in Middle East? As it seeks end-of-term wins in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the Biden administration must contend with an Israeli leader accused of waiting out the clock. United States
Israeli settlers, ultra-Orthodox celebrate Donald Trump’s victory Believing that newly elected Donald Trump will support their political agenda, leaders of the Israeli settler movement prayed and thanked god for the former president's election victory. Israel
Netanyahu is first as Middle East leaders rush to congratulate Trump Several leaders of Arab and Muslim countries in the region have congratulated Donald Trump on his election as US president, while others have expressed indifference. United States
French FM to visit Israel as Paris, Washington work on Lebanon deal In another push to end the war in Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel on Wednesday to Israel. Israel