Newsletter: Palestine Abbas bets on ministry merger as financial crisis deepens The Palestinian government has merged its finance and planning ministries under Estephan Salameh in a bid to confront a deepening financial crisis and restore donor confidence amid mounting fiscal and political pressures. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Facing Israeli pushback, Turkey recalibrates public messaging on Gaza force Turkey’s top diplomat has suggested that being part of the Gaza stabilization force is not Ankara’s priority. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump expands travel ban Trump expanded US travel bans, Iran and Russia moved closer under sanctions, Gaza battled winter flooding — and more. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How the Trump administration reshaped US diplomacy toward Hamas By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Newsletter: Palestine Palestine’s soccer team delivers hope By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Cyprus weighs joining Gaza force but 'not enough clarity' on mission, FM says Constantinos Kombos Cypriot Foreign Minister
After Yahya Sinwar sanctions, France looks to deepen EU's anti-Hamas push France announced Tuesday it was freezing the assets of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for six months, a move it says is a prerequisite for enforcement of European Union sanctions on Hamas leaders. Palestine
‘Nowhere is safe’ in Gaza as Israel presses ground offensive Concerns are emerging about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in south Gaza, where Israel is widening its campaign. Palestine
Admin presses Congress on Israel aid as Democrats weigh conditions As the Senate gears up to vote on Israel's aid package, the Biden administration is publicly calling for the Israeli military to act with restraint in southern Gaza. Israel
Will US pressure on Turkey over Hamas, Russia access to finance matter much? Washington’s high-level warnings over Hamas financial activity in the country come at a time when Turkey’s economy management is trying to overcome its currency crunch by gaining the confidence of foreign investors. Turkey
Interview US senator calls for holding Israel accountable if it doesn’t limit civilian casualties In an interview with Al-Monitor, US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat from Maryland, says Biden should go over Netanyahu’s head, speak directly to Israeli people about post-conflict vision. Chris Van Hollen US Senator from Maryland
As Gaza war resumes, can Israel's plan to limit civilian harm succeed? Under pressure from Washington, Israeli military officials say they are implementing options to limit further harm to civilians as they expand the military campaign to southern Gaza. Israel
