The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Coronavirus crisis highlights Druze discrimination in Israel Faced with problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and delays in the transfer of funding because of the yearlong political imbroglio, Druze and Circassian local authorities are already on the verge of bankruptcy. Israel
End of lockdown brings avalanche of demonstrations to Israel People from across Israeli society have been demonstrating against the government, demanding both looser and tighter restrictions and increased aid Israel
Islamic State ramps up attacks in Iraq during Ramadan A rash of seemingly coordinated attacks by the Islamic State have hit several areas across Iraq during the Muslim holy month of fasting, starting before dawn and resuming after sundown. Iraq
Israel, PA agree on return of construction workers Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed on the conditions for the return of some 50,000 workers, mostly in the construction sector. Palestine
Turkey’s politicians spar over masks, bread in coronavirus response President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists his government should spearhead the fight against the pandemic and has stymied relief efforts in opposition-held cities, forcing local officials to come up with creative ways to deliver aid. Turkey
Trump administration touts aid that meets small fraction of Yemen’s COVID-19 needs The State Department announced more Yemen aid, but it still falls well short of the $1.3 billion the war-torn country needs to stave off the coronavirus pandemic. Yemen
Islamic State claims responsibility for army attack in Egypt’s Sinai The attack in Egypt's northern Sinai region left as many as 10 soldiers dead. Egypt
A further Iran-US prisoner exchange is overdue A mutual release of prisoners would be a low-cost way of reducing US-Iran tensions and providing the countries' leaders small breakthroughs. United States
Intel: US praises Germany for expanding Hezbollah terrorist designation Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and pro-Israel lawmakers welcomed Germany’s decision this week to designate the entirety of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia-cum-political party, as a terrorist organization. Lebanon
Was Trump’s call about oil with Saudi leader the start of a reset in relations? US-Saudi partnership faces both old and new challenges in post-COVID-19 Middle East. Saudi Arabia
US sanctions Iranian-Iraqi businessman, mining company linked to IRGC The sanctions freeze any US-held assets belonging to Amir Dianat and Taif Mining Services. Iran
Sudan outlaws female genital mutilation Sudan's criminalization of the practice done to a majority of young girls won praise and may reflect some change in attitudes. North Africa
