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
US intelligence suggests Israel did not bomb Gaza hospital: sources Pentagon officials say independent US intelligence casts doubt on allegations the IDF bombed the al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza, but cautioned that not all information is in yet. Israel
Europe’s leaders express solidarity in Israel as EU searches for consensus On a solidarity visit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is his country's duty to protect the state and the people of Israel. Israel
Netanyahu speaks with UAE president in first call with Arab leader since Hamas attack UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the first Arab leader with whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Israel
European Union launches humanitarian air bridge for Gazans via Egypt The European Union will start sending humanitarian aid for displaced Gaza residents, including shelters, medicines and hygiene kits. Palestine
Mossad chief attends Netanyahu meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after his first meeting since Russia’s invasion with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy that Israel will help Ukraine deal with anti-personnel mines, but said nothing about missile defense. Israel
Flash floods in Turkey kill at least 10 people Flooding has ravaged several parts of the country this week. Turkey
Israel’s Netanyahu calls Eritrea immigrants 'tangible threat' to state’s future After the violent demonstration by Eritrean immigrants over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called to banish them from Israel "voluntarily or by other means." Israel
Wildfire in Turkey’s northwest injures dozens, halts maritime traffic Dozens of people have been injured and more than 80 livestock have perished as more than a thousand residents flee the wildfire engulfing the country’s northwest. Turkey
Why Turkey's Erdogan sings the same tune with Russia's Putin in Africa Turkey’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa often align with those of Russia, with both Ankara and Moscow holding back from condemning military coups and seeking to capitalize on post-colonial resentments. Turkey
UK, Turkey to set up joint center to control illegal migration The British government's migration policy is under increasing scrutiny from the opposition Labour Party as well as international civic groups that accuse the state of mistreating irregular migrants. Turkey
How Syria's Assad is using aid access to hasten normalization Experts say Syria's proposal to coordinate UN aid delivery is an attempt to cast itself as a constructive partner at a time when the region is bringing Bashar al-Assad in from the cold. Syria
Wildfires hit Turkey’s Mediterranean coast as temperatures soar More than 250 fires have raged across the country in less than two months amid unusually high temperatures. Turkey
