Bennett, Lapid shift stance on Gaza Despite his past support for attacking Hamas, the meeting between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's plan to rehabilitate Gaza signal a very different policy. Israel
Israeli goodwill gestures fail to hook Palestinian fishermen Fishermen in Gaza are not celebrating Israel's expansion of their fishing zones, saying the measures are largely empty and there are no guarantees they will last. Palestine
Israeli prime minister praises 'foundation for deep ties' in Egypt Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to Egypt in a decade. Egypt
Saudi Arabia seeks low key influence in Afghanistan Riyadh is looking to expand its relationship with the Taliban, to expand and protect its interests in the region, and counter Iranian influence. Gulf
Iranian security official tells Iraq to expel Iranian Kurdish groups Iranian officials have been criticizing Kurdish parties from Iran who have a presence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where they are regularly targeted by the Iranian military. Iran
Palestinian Authority under fire over freedom of expression Activists and human rights defenders have condemned the Palestinian Authority trials of 30 activists, political figures and national figures. Palestine
Syrian jihadist group in Idlib replaces security squad with 'moral police' Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib has ended the work of its security apparatus that has been accused of controlling people’s lives. Syria
Sudan, South Sudan resume trade activity Following a 10-year hiatus, since the secession of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, the governments in Juba and Khartoum agreed to resume trade activity and cooperate on transport and security beginning in early October. Egypt
Anti-vaxxer Turks protest Bill Gates at Istanbul rally Thousands of Turks came together in Istanbul to protest vaccinations, mandatory testing and other coronavirus measures while the country's overworked doctors lashed out at authorities for allowing the demonstration. Turkey
Israel's Bennett has lost his voter base National-religious activists and settlers are abandoning Prime Minister Naftali Bennett because of his partnering with centrist and left-wing parties. Israel
Israel, Hamas exchange fire after escaped Palestinian prisoners caught Israel has arrested four of the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from prison last week. Palestine
Iraq’s Kadhimi meets with Iranian president In meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi acknowledged "deep relations" between the two countries. Iran
Turkey’s defense industry suffers setback but future remains promising The Turkish defense industry saw a significant decline in its revenues last year according to newly released data, but companies in the sector remain optimistic about their growth prospects. Turkey
Lapid unveils Israeli economic plan for Gaza Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid presented an outline for improving the lives of Gazans, offering them economic rehabilitation steps in exchange for Hamas halting its military build-up. Israel
Arab-Israeli soccer player booed by Jewish soccer fans Despite the goals he scored against Faroe Islands and Austria, Israeli-Jewish soccer fans booed Israeli-Arab player Moanes Dabbur. Israel
Egypt builds new water station outside Cairo as fears over Ethiopia dam persist With negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam stalled, the Egyptian government is building a massive water treatment plant in Giza governorate in a bid to address water scarcity. Egypt
