Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad, brother to death for war crimes Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother Maher al-Assad were both sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes along with several other defendants. Syria
Iran hangs 2 over alleged Mossad ties as executions mount: What to know Rights groups have warned that Iran may step up executions with the resumption of the war in the region. Iran
'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Lebanon by wiping out entire families and killing children. Lebanon
Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejei gets second term: What to know The veteran judicial official, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations for decades. His reappointment by Mojtaba Khamenei signals continuity in Iran's hardline judicial policies and crackdown on dissent. Iran
As Saudi Arabia pushes socioeconomic change, arrests show limits to reform Riyadh has been heavily investing in its economic diversification agenda but a slate of recent arrests over citizens' social media posts and other alleged state violations highlight the limits of Saudi Arabia's socioeconomic reforms. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Somalia strikes by Turkish drones killed 23 civilians, including children: Amnesty The international watchdog called on the governments of Somalia and Turkey to investigate the incidents for potential “war crimes.” Turkey
ICC warns against intimidation amid rumors of warrants for Israel PM, others The office of International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized that attempts to influence the ICC's work constitute an offense against the administration of justice under the Rome Statute. Israel
Turkey: Over 200 detained in May Day demonstrations Police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Turkey
With clock ticking in Cairo, Netanyahu ups threats, cancels war cabinet meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to enter Rafah regardless of the outcome of the current negotiations with Hamas. Israel
How EU-West Bank police mission hopes to advance two-state solution Newly appointed EUPOL COPPS chief Karin Limdal is tasked with helping Palestinian law enforcement institutions reform to facilitate the implementation of the two-state solution and Palestinian statehood. Palestine
As Egypt expresses optimism, how Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal could look As Israel and the rest of the world wait for Hamas to respond to the latest cease-fire proposal, new reports suggest that Israel will agree to a reduced number of 33 hostages to be released in the first stage. Israel
As pressure mounts, US delays plan to withhold aid from Israeli military unit The State Department's plan to block a notoriously violent Israeli military unit from receiving US security assistance could help address what some say is a failure to hold Israel to the same standards as other US arms recipients. Israel
Israel war cabinet meets as Egypt proposes three-phase Gaza cease-fire plan Reports suggest that Egypt has taken the lead on a new round of talks with Hamas and has presented Israel with a fresh proposal for a hostage-release and truce deal. Israel
Analysis Inside Netzah Yehuda Battalion, Israel’s army unit bracing for US sanctions In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration is set to sanction the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which is accused of violating the human rights of West Bank Palestinians. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US, EU slap sanctions on Israeli Jewish supremacist, extremist settler groups The European Union and the United States have published new lists of radical Israeli individuals and groups to be sanctioned. Israel
Exclusive 2 American activists jailed in Saudi Arabia return home after travel ban Dual citizens Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim are back on US soil, but the Biden administration is still pushing for the release of several other Americans held under travel bans. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
