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
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Aleppo's streets empty as residents brace for siege Rebel fighters and civilians in rebel-held east Aleppo have launched a collective initiative to combat an expected siege by government forces. Syria
Migrant workers forced to remain in Israeli fields as rockets fall Thai field workers in the south of Israel are left in the open as farmers fail to provide portable shelters. Israel
Peshmerga to 'fill in' for Iraqi army in disputed areas The secretary-general of the Ministry of Peshmerga, Jabbar Yawar, said in an interview with Al-Monitor that the peshmerga forces are merely taking defensive positions against armed groups and have not seized the Iraqi army’s weapons. Iraq
Israel's legal framework for Gaza strikes Declaring Gaza a "belligerent, entity sui generis" has informed Israel’s strategy in the conflict. Palestine
Israel strives to face Hamas terror tactics Unlike Israel, which has warned Palestinian civilians to leave fighting zones, Hamas spent enormous resources building terror tunnels but neglected to build any shelters to defend the Gaza population. Palestine
Egypt's Sisi holds Hamas' fate in his hands Hamas has made a desperate bid for Qatar's support, but even Qatar's money won't save it if Egypt doesn't open the crossings into Gaza. Palestine
Personal appearance by Nasrallah could be target for attacks While Hezbollah sources hint that Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah may appear in person to deliver this year's Quds Day speech, there are questions of whether he can, in light of genuine concerns for his safety. Lebanon
Cease-fire initiatives pit Turkey against Egypt Is Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan more concerned with undermining Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi than to broker a cease-fire in Gaza? Saudi Arabia
Electricity cuts push Gaza's hospitals to brink As part of its offensive, Israel has bombed the Gaza Strip’s electrical infrastructure, resulting in power outages up to 21 hours a day. Palestine
Saudis see Houthi gains in Yemen as advance for Iran Many Saudis are interpreting the Houthis’ sudden advance toward the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, as a message from Iran that it will not tolerate a Sunni Islamist advance on Baghdad. Saudi Arabia
Hamas' ambush tactics revealed in training booklet A guide circulated among al-Qassam fighters outlines how to make the best use of their limited, tactical options in confronting the Israeli ground operation. Palestine
Fleeing civilians become targets in Shajaiya Chaos and fear reign in Gaza's Shajaiya neighborhood, where civilians hurried back to search for their families during a cease-fire that was cut short. Palestine
