Rights groups warn US over Israel's assurances on weapons use In a report to the Biden administration, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch challenged Israel's assertion that it's using US weapons in accordance with international law. Israel
Iran vows retaliation against tanker seizures as it bolsters naval presence Iran has in recent months been flexing its naval capabilities in the Persian Gulf in anticipation of potential confrontations with the United States, which has dispatched reinforcements to push back on Iranian harassment of international vessels. Iran
PKK kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq as Ankara threatens major offensive The militant group killed one Turkish soldier and wounded four others in northern Iraq, as Turkey threatened a major offensive to "annihilate" the Kurdish militant group by summer. Turkey
Israel's Dermer, Hanegbi head to US as White House ups criticism of Rafah The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed an Israeli delegation will soon head to Washington to discuss the impending military operation in Rafah. Israel
What’s behind Libya-Tunisia border closure? Tunisia closed the troubled Ras Jdir crossing following a security incident. Tunisia and Libya are facing a crisis over migrants seeking to reach Europe. Libya
Hamas-Fatah schism resurfaces, throwing wrench into Palestinian reconciliation efforts The split between the mainstream Fatah movement and the Islamic Hamas movement will also make the job of incoming Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa that much harder. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Saudi Arabia offers $182M package, other incentives for mining investors The kingdom is prioritizing the lucrative sector as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Israel’s far right is courting European populist, nationalist parties Nationalist Israeli politicians have been reaching out to conservative and populist parties in Europe since Oct. 7. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt as US-Israel rift grows over Gaza The top US diplomat will return to the Middle East as US alarm grows over Israel’s planned military offensive in Rafah. Israel
China’s Middle East diplomat meets Hamas' Haniyeh in Qatar China confirmed a meeting between a Foreign Ministry official and Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Doha as Beijing seeks a wider role in the region. Palestine
