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
Egypt suspending all flights amid coronavirus spread As the number of Egypt's COVID-19 cases rise to 150, Cairo says that all flights will be suspended for nearly two weeks and that tourism sites will be thoroughly sanitized. Egypt
Netanyahu’s habit of spying on his own citizens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no qualms about exploiting the coronavirus crisis as a pretext to track phones, violate privacy, refuse to replace the speaker of the Knesset and postpone his own trial. Israel
Reports: US to reposition troops in Iraq After two rocket attacks within a week on American troops in Iraq, the United States is preparing to reposition forces there. Iraq
Intel: House Democrats ask whether Israel violating US aid restrictions More than 60 Democratic lawmakers are pushing the Donald Trump administration to clarify whether Israel uses American military equipment to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank, hinting that doing so could trigger military aid restrictions under US law. Palestine
Netanyahu’s chief rival promises 'broad' government 'within a few days' Israel’s president has tapped Blue and White leader Benny Gantz with forming a new government after the third election in less than a year produced no clear winner. Israel
Iran asks people to stay home for Nowruz holidays As the coronavirus continues to spread, Iranian officials are asking Iranians to remain in their homes. Iran
Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. Syria
Government scrambles to contain coronavirus as Turkish cases triple The Turkish authorities introduced sweeping measures to ensure social distancing in Turkey as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, while still comparatively low, rose sharply overnight to 18. Turkey
Can blockade shield Gaza Strip from epidemic? The Israeli security system is trying to head off a nightmare as the coronavirus menaces the uniquely vulnerable Gaza Strip. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox leaders ignore coronavirus threat, endanger Israelis Ultra-Orthodox educational institutions continued to operate despite orders by the government to close all schools to try to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. Israel
Iraqi anti-IS operations hindered by coalition base attacks Members of the Iraqi counterterrorism forces and the US Marines have been killed during raids against IS hideouts in recent weeks in tough mountain terrain. Iraq
Iraqi deadline passes with no decision on prime minister Iraqi political parties have failed in selecting a new prime minister, amid the rising tension between the United States and the Iran-backed Shiite militias. Iraq
