Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu: What to know The incident is the latest in a string of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi oil and military assets. Yemen
Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for allowing Hamas to retain control over half of the Gaza Strip. Israel
Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years The wreck of the Irgun underground's Altalena ship, bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and deliberately sunk in 1949, was located off Israel's coast at a depth of 1,650 feet. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
ISIS claims responsibility for twin Iran blasts that left nearly 100 dead Two Islamic State operatives were responsible for the attacks, according to the group. Iran
Germany, Canada urge citizens to leave Lebanon as Hezbollah vows retaliation Nasrallah again opted to avoid announcing a major escalation with Israel in his speech, but tensions are increasing following the likely Israeli strike that killed a Hamas leader in Beirut. Lebanon
Analysis Who is Saleh al-Arouri, top Hamas official killed in Beirut? Saleh al-Arouri played a large political and military role in Hamas, and his death may elicit a strong response from Hezbollah. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri killed in Beirut as Lebanon-Israel tension soars Videos of the aftermath of the reported drone strike showed a large impact on cars and residential buildings as the Israel-Lebanon border heats up. Lebanon
