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
In Israel, Arabs feel sidelined in struggle against coronavirus The Arab community has been disappointed with Israeli government communications about the coronavirus. Israel
Netanyahu puts settlers before Israel, again Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up coalition talks following right-wing attacks against him for letting Blue and White control the committee that appoints Supreme Court justices. Israel
Why returning to classics may mean success for Egyptian cinema Egypt, known as the Hollywood of the Middle East, now wonders whether nostalgia will draw in new audiences. Egypt
Syrian camps brace for potential COVID-19 outbreak Doctors are deeply concerned about the devastation likely to occur if the coronavirus spreads into northwest Syria, particularly the camps for the displaced. Syria
Millions of Egyptians out in the streets despite coronavirus lockdown Many irregular workers in Egypt are turning a blind eye to the curfew and measures imposed by authorities and heading to work, as they are concerned about making ends meet. Egypt
How is Lebanon dealing with refugee camps amid coronavirus outbreak? Since the coronavirus reached Lebanon, there have been growing concerns about the spread of the epidemic inside the country’s overcrowded Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps. Lebanon
Race for wheat heats up between Damascus, opposition The Syrian government in Damascus is competing with the opposition government in the northwest to buy wheat, facing increased demand and high prices. Syria
Intel: Netanyahu, Gantz strike West Bank annexation deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, struck a deal today to annex parts of the West Bank as part of their bid to form a unity government. Palestine
Intel: Iran accuses US of blocking IMF loan request to fight coronavirus The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council publicly accused the United States on Sunday of blocking Iran’s request for a $5 million emergency loan request from the International Monetary Fund to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the country. United States
Lebanon calls on international donors to provide coronavirus relief funds Lebanon's president said he welcomed any financial assistance from "the friends of Lebanon.” Lebanon
Iran's Rouhani looks to reopen economy despite health officials' warnings Despite warnings by health officials that Iran's coronavirus crisis is still growing, President Hassan Rouhani wants parts of the economy back in motion by April 8. Iran
Turkey builds more hospitals as coronavirus cases spike More than 30,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 less than a month since it was confirmed to have reached Turkey as the government continues to resist imposing a full lockdown. Turkey
