Analysis Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rubio hints US could accept Hamas keeping small arms The top US diplomat told Al-Monitor the focus of disarmament should be on the "weaponries or capabilities" that Hamas would need to threaten Israel. United States
Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force Turkey’s top diplomat has suggested that being part of the Gaza stabilization force is not Ankara’s priority. Turkey
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Blinken says 'deep concerns' about Israeli Rafah operation's impact on aid The Financial Times reported Wednesday that the Biden administration is in talks with Arab states including Morocco, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to participate in a peacekeeping force in Gaza when the war is over. Israel
Jake Sullivan to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel amid regional tension White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan's trip comes as the Biden administration is urging Israel to consider alternatives to a full-scale invasion of Rafah. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Netanyahu buys time in Rafah, balances Israel's far right and Biden's 'red lines' As the Israeli military steps up its eastern Rafah operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon have to decide whether to cross the American red line: a full-scale invasion of the Gazan city. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
ICJ to host hearing on Israel's Rafah operation The International Court of Justice will conduct hearings this Thursday and Friday to discuss a new request by South Africa to order Israel to stop its Rafah operation. Israel
With second meeting in June, China finds opportunity in Hamas-Fatah talks China is increasingly seeing Hamas as a legitimate political force in the political process on Palestine’s future and statehood, refusing to condemn or describe the group as a terrorist organization. Palestine
Israel unlikely to achieve 'total victory' over Hamas, US official says Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the United States and Israel are “struggling over what the theory of victory is” in the Palestinian enclave. Israel
Israeli settlers attack aid convoy of 98 trucks heading to Gaza from Jordan Israeli settlers have repeatedly attacked and vandalized aid trucks heading to the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation is quickly deteriorating. Jordan
Pentagon intelligence officer resigned over US support for war in Gaza US Army Maj. Harrison Mann is the first Defense Department official to have publicly linked his resignation to US support for Israel's war in Gaza war. Palestine
Erdogan rebukes Greek PM for calling Hamas ‘terrorists,’ says 1,000+ members being treated in Turkey Erdogan’s comments came after the Greek prime minister told the news conference that “particularly in the Middle East there are differences with Turkey.” Turkey
Israel ramps up attacks on northern Gaza as 60,000 flee Rafah As the Israeli military expanded its operation in Rafah, the government faced strident criticism over its failures on and since Oct. 7 at Memorial Day observances around the country. Israel
Panic in Rafah as Israel expands operation, Palestinians ordered to al-Mawasi The Israeli army’s invasion into parts of Rafah and the failure of cease-fire talks in Cairo killed displaced Palestinians’ hope for an end to the war, now into its eighth month. Palestine
Analysis China wades into Iran-Pakistan mediation, eyes infrastructure projects With trilateral action, Beijing hopes to collectively combat terror groups trying to disrupt its mega-project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
