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
Turkey to send medical supplies to US amid coronavirus outbreak Turkey is the latest country to send personal protective equipment to the United States. Turkey
Domestic assault, violent crimes rise in Turkey amid coronavirus measures Human rights advocates are calling for improved measures to protect families as urban curfews and a controversial prisoner release have led to increased assaults and domestic violence reports in Turkey. Turkey
Israeli court stops government anti-coronavirus phone spying Israel's domestic security agency cannot continue to access citizens' private phone data to track the coronavirus until laws are passed on the practice, the Supreme Court ruled Sunday. Israel
Arab League to meet over Israel’s West Bank annexation plan The pan-Arab organization will discuss controversial Israeli plans under a government unity deal to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Turkey grants Kurdish militants no peace, even in death In the long and devastating war between Kurdish rebels and the Turkish state, violations against the Kurdish fallen continue well past their deaths. Turkey
Lebanese protest dire economic conditions as coronavirus lockdown eases Protests have resumed in Lebanon, with many people lamenting hunger and economic strife as the country's financial crisis continues during the coronavirus lockdown. Lebanon
Intel: After US funding cuts, WHO likely to end most Yemen health services As Yemen stares down the prospect of a devastating COVID-19 crisis, the World Health Organization is likely going to suspend about 80% of the health care services in the war-torn country by the end of the week, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande said today. Yemen
Netanyahu notches up international blitz on West Bank annexation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was confident that President Donald Trump will let the Israeli government annex parts of the West Bank, as stated in the American peace plan. Palestine
Saudi coalition in Yemen condemns separatists’ declaration of self-rule The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen rejected the Southern Transitional Council's declaration of self-rule in the strategic port city of Aden. Saudi Arabia
Israel bombs Iran-backed forces near Syrian capital The attack, launched from over Lebanese airspace, killed both fighters and civilians. Israel
Sinai editorial lands Egyptian journalist in hot water Cairo is investigating the writer of an pseudonymous editorial that earned his Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper a hefty fine for suggesting autonomy for the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Saudi bid for English Premier League soccer team has support of fans, opposition of human rights advocates The reported effort by the state-run Saudi Public Investment Fund to buy the Newcastle United football club has prompted an opposition campaign by human rights organizations. Culture & Society
