Humanitarian crises

TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden (L) and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency William J. Burns, wait for a briefing on Ukraine in the Oval Office of the White House October 5, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Regional View

CIA, Mossad chiefs head to Rome to discuss Gaza cease-fire

Mossad chief David Barnea, CIA chief William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel — the four figures leading the talks for a potential deal between Israel and Hamas — are set to meet on Sunday in Rome to continue negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to address a joint gathering of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the US Capitol, Washington, DC, July 24, 2024.

Analysis

Netanyahu delivers defiant speech, remains weak leader as Israel struggles in Gaza

Apart from hollow slogans, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered no solutions for freeing the hostages, ending the Hamas war or administering Gaza.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Sudanese greet army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16, 2023.

Quick Take

US invites Sudan's warring parties to talks co-hosted by Saudi Arabia, Switzerland

Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to participate in the talks scheduled for Aug. 14.

US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff descend from Air Force Two at Delaware National Air Guard base in New Castle, Delaware, on July 22, 2024.

Analysis

What Kamala Harris has said on Israel, Gaza war

Vice President Kamala Harris is unlikely to significantly deviate from President Joe Biden’s line on Israel during the election campaign, but she could harshen the tone if elected president.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Regional View

As Israeli delegation returns to Egypt, Mossad chief fears for female hostages

A woman walks past a poster during a demonstration by relatives and supporters of Israelis taken hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

After Qatar's $20M aid to army, Saudi relief agency grants $10M to Lebanon

Saudis organize medical aid to be loaded into a plane as Saudi Arabia begins sending field hospitals and medical aid to Lebanon.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Sudan war death toll over 40,000 as 2 million face imminent starvation

A Sudanese girl who have fled from the war in Sudan with her family carry a box with some of her belongings after arriving at a Transit Centre for refugees in Renk, on February 13, 2024.More than 550,000 people have now fled from the war in Sudan to South Sudan since the conflict exploded in April 2023, according to the United Nations. South Sudan, that has itself recently come out of decades of war, was facing a dire humanitarian situation before the war in Sudan erupted and it is feared to not have the re

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Interview

WFP’s McCain: 'No difference' in Gaza aid flow despite Israel’s tactical pause

Cindy McCain executive director of the UN World Food Program, is pictured at the UN Security Council in this undated image, in New York.

Cindy McCain

With Cindy McCain

World Food Programme Executive Director

Quick Take

US to dismantle Gaza humanitarian pier again due to heavy seas

A ship transporting international humanitarian aid is moored at the US-built Trident Pier near Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 21, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas group.

Members of the Sudanese army's Special Mission Forces battalion in the Northern State hold a parade in Karima city on May 19, 2024.

ICC seeks evidence on Sudan war crimes as displacement tops 10 million

The appeal comes as fighting between the Sudanese army and rival forces escalates, leaving a heavy toll on civilians.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Palestinians watch as a ship transporting international humanitarian aid docks at the US-built Trident Pier near Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 18, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Quick Take

Pentagon says Gaza aid pier had no link to Israeli hostage raid

Unfounded claims that the United States or Israeli military used the Gaza aid pier for a raid that killed more than 200 Palestinians could put humanitarian aid workers in danger.

A displaced Palestinian child flies a kite near the border with Egypt in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 28, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

In Egypt, displaced Gazans organize in grassroots movements

Despite a precarious life without rights or financial resources, displaced Gazans in Egypt are organizing themselves into grassroots movements to respond to community needs and send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Davide Lemmi

Arianna Pagani

By Davide Lemmi , Arianna Pagani

TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 20, 2023. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu in bind: Save his far-right coalition or save Israel from isolation

In an attempt to persuade them not to oppose the hostage deal now on the table, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is telling the extremist ministers in his cabinet not to take Biden’s plan at face value.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

ALLISON BAILEY/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

As Israel tests red lines on Rafah, what will Biden tolerate?

Amid the mounting death toll in Rafah, many of Biden’s detractors say his shifting red line has become an effective green light for continued carnage in the Palestinian enclave.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A US soldier gives the thumbs-up as an Israeli digger attempts to extricate a US military vessel.

Why did US' humanitarian aid pier in Gaza fail?

The floating pier off the coast of Gaza meant to alleviate aid shortages was operational for just 12 days before it was destroyed by stormy weather.

Jared Szuba

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows parachutes of humanitarian aid dropping over the besieged Palestinian territory on March 26, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Quick Take

Pentagon pauses humanitarian airdrops in Gaza, citing Israel's Rafah operation

The Biden administration's plan to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza is falling apart.

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference following their meeting on March 10, 2023 at Palazzo Chigi in Rome. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Once an ally, Italy’s Meloni sours on Israel's Netanyahu, repositions on Gaza

With regional stability at stake and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Rome has adjusted its position and Netanyahu can no longer assume Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in his political pocket.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Palestinians watch US military ships in the Gaza floating pier on the Mediterranean Sea offshore installed by the US military to deliver aid to Gazans, Gaza Strip, May 17, 2024.

Regional View

Gaza aid pier breaks down, halting US humanitarian deliveries by sea

The Biden administration's plan to alleviate famine in the Palestinian enclave — and in turn, enable Israel to pursue what remains of Hamas — is falling apart.

EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images

Regional View

Israel looks to revive cease-fire talks even as its tanks enter central Rafah

Israel has reportedly sent Egypt and Qatar a new outline for relaunching talks for a hostage and cease-fire deal in Gaza.

Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp for internally displaced people in Rafah on May 27, 2024.

Analysis

As Netanyahu clings to power, Rafah strike spells strategic disaster for Israel

Beyond the horrendous humanitarian toll of the airstrike on Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, the bombing plunges Israel deeper into international pariahdom.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp for internally displaced people, amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas, Rafah, Gaza Strip, May 27, 2024.

Regional View

Wave of condemnation follows Israeli strikes on Rafah displacement camp

The attack, which killed dozens and burned many alive as tents quickly caught fire, follows a ruling by the UN top court ordering Israel to immediately stop its offensive in Gaza’s Rafah.