US weighs options as Lebanon’s allies move to assist military The Pentagon and State Department are exploring "creative ways" to help the Lebanese armed forces offset their costs amid financial crisis. Lebanon
Palestinian Authority calls off vaccine deal with Israel The PA said Friday that it wouldn't accept the Pfizer vaccines provided by Israel because the doses were too close to expiring. Israel
King appoints new commission for political reform in Jordan Jordan’s King Abdullah has formed a committee to revise two main pieces of legislation related to the political life in the kingdom, but activists are skeptical about the prospects for change. Jordan
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. News Brief
As Houthis advance on Marib, UN concerned over attacks on civilians Since the Iran-backed rebels renewed their offensive on the government's last northern stronghold in February, the United Nations has recorded a number of attacks impacting civilians. Yemen
Official data lays bare deepening poverty in Turkey With economic disparities worsening amid the coronavirus pandemic, Turkey’s poverty rate has increased 0.6 points to 21.9% of the population. Turkey
Turkey wild card in US-Russia conflict over Syria aid The US administration might be open to a position shift on the Syrian file to secure the flow of cross-border international aid to Syria, a prospect that may spoil Turkey's calculations in Syria and particularly in Idlib. Turkey
UAE sends vaccines to Yemeni islands The vaccines were sent to territory controlled by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. By Al-Monitor Staff
Clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque leaves several wounded The clashes on Friday came as the Israeli military carried out airstrikes in Gaza in response to continuing incendiary balloons. Israel
Israel to give more than 1 million vaccine doses to Palestinians In order to accelerate the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the Palestinians, Israel started transferring 1 million Pfizer doses. Israel
Iraq automates its customs service to reduce corruption at border crossings The Iraqi government has taken several new initiatives to fight corruption, from automating border crossings, arresting corrupt figures and imposing restrictions on the economic interests of militias and political parties. Iraq
Palestinians trapped in Gaza as Israel suspends postal services Passport paperwork is piling up in post offices, as Israel has prevented mail from entering or leaving the Gaza Strip since May 11, thus preventing many students, patients and those with foreign residencies from traveling. Palestine
Tunisian Parliament mulls criminalizing normalization with Israel The Tunisian Parliament is once again considering legislation to make normalization with Israel illegal. Tunisia
Israeli army chief heading to Washington to restore mutual trust Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is scheduled to fly to Washington this weekend, with the mission of restoring trust and cooperation between the sides, especially on the Iranian file. Israel
Netanyahu clings to prime minister’s residence The Netanyahu family is still living in the official residence on Jerusalem's Balfour Street even though Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer prime minister. Israel
Turkish troops to remain at Kabul airport after NATO withdrawal The US president has committed to granting Turkey's requests for support to maintaining troops at Kabul International. Turkey
