US-made drones downed over Yemen weren't military's, CENTCOM says The Houthis said they wrecked two US drones over Yemen's contested Marib province. Yemen
Egypt receives ancient artifacts from France Egyptian prosecutors called smuggling a "crime" against the Egyptian people and thanked their French counterparts for their cooperation. News Brief
US hopeful but 'realistic' on departure of foreign forces from Libya Joey Hood, the acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, also said the United States expects the elections scheduled for December to take place. Libya
BDS says Hamas leader 'betrayed' Palestinians by meeting Moroccan PM The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement slammed Ismail Haniyeh for meeting with Morocco's prime minister due to Morocco's relations with Israel. Palestine
Turkey lowers vaccination age to 18 Turkey has dramatically increased its vaccination efforts in June. News Brief
Omani FM voices hope Israel's new leaders will advance Palestinian state Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi told his Israeli counterpart that the Gulf country is hopeful the new government in Israel can take "concrete steps" to establish a sovereign Palestinian state. Israel
IDF chief argues against Iran deal in Washington In his meetings this week in Washington, IDF chief Aviv Kochavi reiterated Israeli warnings against the United States rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement. Israel
Bennett welcomes Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem In a first such event under the Bennett government, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has inaugurated his country’s new embassy in Jerusalem. Israel
Lebanon’s fuel shortage worsens economic crisis As smuggling to Syria continues and amid the collapse of the local currency, the Lebanese people are paying the price amid fuel shortages. Lebanon
Delayed reconstruction in Gaza exacerbates suffering of homeowners Owners of houses partially or totally destroyed during the recent war on Gaza are concerned about the delayed reconstruction due to the political dispute between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
US-Turkey ties set to remain loveless, transactional The meeting between the Turkish and American presidents left key issues unresolved, with cooperation in Afghanistan emerging as the only progress to speak of. Turkey
Egypt uses soft power in pursuing medical projects in Africa Egypt announces health projects and agreements with South Sudan, Djibouti and Rwanda. Egypt
Egypt, Pakistan discuss joining forces against Muslim Brotherhood Relations between Egypt and Pakistan have grown stronger as both countries seek to restrict the Muslim Brotherhood and parties supporting the group as well as fight extremism in Pakistan. Egypt
Egypt looks to Islamic bond market for foreign investment boost Egypt’s sovereign bonds bill paves the way for Egypt to join the Islamic finance market, allowing foreign investment in national projects such as the Suez Canal and Aswan Dam, which affects Egyptian national security. Egypt
Congress discusses 'strategic opportunity' for US vaccines in MidEast The House Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing Wednesday focused in part on the reputation of American COVID-19 vaccines in the Middle East versus Russian and Chinese ones. News Brief
Violence against women rises in Gaza Women are being killed at an alarming rate in the Gaza Strip, where a traditional political system still prioritizes political issues over justice and the protection of women’s lives. Palestine
