Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.
Interview Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed warns of resurgent sectarian tensions as Israeli strikes drive mass displacement into overcrowded Beirut. Haneen Sayyed Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs
Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters Gazans fear that Israel could exploit the wider regional war to reenter Gaza, especially as buffer zones along the border continue to expand and civilians are targeted to keep them away. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal Germany, which hosts the EU’s largest Syrian refugee population, is pushing to repatriate Syrians, but Syria’s domestic issues and legal protections for asylum seekers complicate those efforts. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
State Department: Yemen's Houthis passed up opportunity for peace The State Department slammed Houthi rebels for turning down the chance to meet with the UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths. Yemen
Congress presses Biden administration for answers on Yemen war Pressure is building on Capitol Hill as lawmakers await clarity about US support for Saudi Arabia in an upcoming briefing. Washington Pulse
Syria donor conference raises $6.4B, far short of UN target Of the more than $6 billion raised during the pledging conference, $4.4 billion is set aside for this year. Syria
US restores aid to Houthi-held northern Yemen The announcement comes a year after the Trump administration slashed $73 million in assistance over concerns the Houthis were diverting the aid. Yemen
Syria 'a living nightmare' after decade of war, UN chief says Some 60% of Syrians are at risk of hunger this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. Syria
Biden administration shouldn’t stop with Yemen The United States can also play a key role in diplomacy to end wars in Syria and Libya. Yemen
UN calls for Yemen aid, warns Houthis’ Marib offensive ‘must stop’ With millions of Yemenis "just one step away from famine," the UN called on countries to pledge generously at next month's donor conference. Yemen
Flooding renders thousands of displaced Syrians homeless in northwest Weeks of heavy rains have created immense hardship for Idlib residents, who are already contending with the war between rebel groups and the government. Syria
Congressional Democrats and Republicans rebuke Trump admin over Houthi terror designation The designation of Yemen's Houthi forces as a foreign terrorist organization has been met with criticism from both the House and the Senate. Yemen
Humanitarian disaster looms over camps during winter The lives of thousands of Syrian families in the Idlib camps lives turn into hell every year with the start of winter amid the lack of heating and rainwater drainage. Syria
UAE steps up medical aid to Gaza The UAE and Qatar are neck and neck in the Gaza Strip, with both parties pumping money and aid into the besieged enclave that is struggling under tough economic, humanitarian and health conditions made worse by the coronavirus. Palestine
International aid arrangement targets vulnerable Palestinians A UN-backed humanitarian aid plan seeks to support 1.8 million Palestinians as a worsening coronavirus pandemic and settlement threat looms. Palestine
