Analysis Trump-Erdogan ties pay off for Turkey in 2025 as Ankara pushes for F-35s Leader-level diplomacy between Ankara and Washington produced selective gains but failed to break the deadlock over defense sanctions imposed for Turkey’s S-400 purchase. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
At Mar-a-Lago, Netanyahu seeks Iran strike approval while Trump presses Gaza plan US President Donald Trump is expected to push Israel to enter the second phase of his Gaza peace plan, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will focus on securing Trump’s approval for a potential strike on Iran’s ballistic missile program. Israel
Analysis Gaza realities test Trump’s 2025 Middle East ambitions During its first year, the second Trump administration confronted wars in Gaza and Sudan, forged new ties with Syria and grappled with the growing nuclear threat from Iran. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt tightens screws on Hamas with threat to close Rafah crossing Hamas wants to resume mass demonstrations along Israel's border to attract international attention to Gaza, but doing so threatens to unleash harsh Israeli and Egyptian reprisals. Palestine
Selling government land in Gaza raises eyebrows Hamas says its Ministry of Finance in the Gaza Strip plans to sell a plot of government land, which some experts say is illegal. Palestine
Abbas warns Hamas against potential pact with Israel In the West Bank, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is threatening to impose punitive measures on the Gaza Strip if Hamas signs a truce agreement with Israel. Palestine
US cuts millions of dollars' worth of aid to Palestinians The United States continues to cut funds that had been designated as aid for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, this time withholding hundreds of millions of dollars. Palestine
Will Hamas, Israel call Qatar-brokered truce? Qatar has been increasingly involved in talks between Hamas and Israel in what raises questions about its exploitation of the Gaza card in the Gulf crisis. Qatar
Will Gaza factions accept Israel-Hamas arrangement? Some Gaza factions demand that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas be included in the Israel-Hamas arrangement. Palestine
How will Hamas react if Israel assassinates its leaders? Palestinian analysts believe that Hamas will retaliate with a full military escalation if Israel assassinates any of its leaders. Palestine
Hamas pursues truce with Israel, but not all factions approve Despite recent clashes between Hamas and Israel, the former seems to be taking steps toward a truce brokered by Egypt and the UN. Palestine
Can Gaza rebuild its arts haven damaged by Israeli bombing? The Arts and Crafts Village in Gaza City has provided a base for artists for nearly two decades, but after Israel's attack last month, the village needs help rebuilding. Palestine
Are Israel, Hamas en route to war or an agreement? Hamas' leadership seems unaware of or simply does not care that its actions to defend what it views as the honor of the movement threaten a pending cease-fire deal with Israel and make a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Gaza more likely. Palestine
Tiny fish powers Gaza bodybuilders After a bodybuilder in Gaza City started searching for an affordable protein-rich diet, he found the answer in UNRWA's standard food aid packages. Palestine
Gaza’s aspiring female artists drop paint brushes for solid jobs Young female artists in Gaza are finding themselves stuck between economic woes and social constraints, leading many to forgo their passion to paint. Palestine