Analysis Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to advance the US administration's Gaza plan in a meeting with envoy Jared Kushner despite his skepticism about Hamas' commitment. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria blames Israel for strikes on military airport in Idlib Iran says Hormuz to remain shut until US meets conditions; Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament to precede Israeli withdrawal; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
After meeting Netanyahu, Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament precedes Israel's withdrawal Israel and the Gaza Board of Peace have agreed that the Israeli military will begin withdrawing from the Gaza Strip after Hamas disarms. Israel
UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric The prominent Dubai businessman condemned the Israeli national security minister's call to kill of dozens Gazans nightly, putting a pointed criticism from an influential Emirati voice on the record. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens to bomb Oman By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel moves against West Bank settlers after Huckabee criticism By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanon becomes first Arab country to abolish death penalty By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli officials: United States chose Qatar over us The Israeli leadership estimates that the cease-fire initiative of US Secretary of State John Kerry responds well to the interests of Qatar, Turkey, Hamas and its own interests with Qatar — but hardly addresses Israel's security needs. Qatar
Turkey, Qatar seek foothold in Gaza talks Turkey and Qatar, having alienated regional powers with their support of Hamas, are finding it hard to gain influence in Gaza cease-fire negotiations. Qatar
Why Islamic State has no sympathy for Hamas The Islamic State does not regard fighting Israel as legitimate and calls instead for first "purifying" the Islamic world, including challenging Hamas. Palestine
To destroy Hamas, Israel should support opposition in Gaza Some in Gaza would like to initiate a popular revolt, as happened in neighboring Egypt, but they can't make it happen without outside support. Palestine
Iran's supreme leader calls on Muslim world to arm Gaza Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has asked Muslim countries to ignore calls by the West to disarm Gaza. Palestine
Indyk staffs up to intensify Israeli Palestinian peace push US Middle East peace envoy Martin Indyk has said that the commonly shared goal of the peace talks is a 'final status agreement, not an interim agreement.' Palestine
Life inside Khan Yunis A firsthand account of the intense shelling of Khan Yunis, which left scores of civilians dead and houses turned to rubble. Palestine
What made Abbas change position on Gaza war? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas surprised many, including his Palestinian critics, when he publicly expressed support for armed resistance against Israel in Gaza. Palestine
Obsession with Iran blinded Netanyahu to Hamas threat When the Gaza operation ends, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to justify his national defense priorities, as he relentlessly pushed the budget for funds against the Iranian nuclear threat while ignoring the tunnels Hamas was digging under Israel that threatened the residents of the south. Palestine
Netanyahu convinces Israelis of existential threat The Israeli public is lapping up the official line that Israel is fighting a "war of no choice" and ignoring the larger diplomatic context in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sabotaged the Palestinian unity government and suspended negotiations. Palestine
Israeli shells fall on UN school during evacuation The wounded from the bombed UNRWA school in the Gaza Strip describe a scene of chaos and horror as hundreds gathered to board buses. Palestine
