Archives for February, 2024

Blinken pushes for hostage deal with Israel cabinet centrists

Agence France-Presse

Israel PM orders troops to prepare for push into Rafah

Agence France-Presse

World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level: climate monitor

Agence France-Presse

US brings retribution to Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad strike

The assassination of a Kataib Hezbollah commander in Baghdad on Wednesday came as the US military has struggled to intimidate Iran-backed groups without escalating towards direct conflict with Iran amid tensions over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Iraq

Iraq slams US after strike kills pro-Iran commander

Agence France-Presse

Blinken in Israel says Hamas proposal 'creates space' for possible hostage deal

Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced Hamas’ response to a proposed hostage and cease-fire deal as “delusional,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to the region that there’s still a chance for an agreement to be reached.

Israel

Drone strike in kills two pro-Iran group members in Baghdad

Agence France-Presse

How Israel’s 'convoluted' inspections are hindering Gaza aid

Humanitarian groups say Israel's time-consuming inspections process and denial of "dual-use" goods is hampering aid delivery in the Gaza Strip.

Israel

Breaking | Last Updated: February 7, 2024, 10:37 pm

US strike in Baghdad kills Kataib Hezbollah commander as Iraq tensions simmer

A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in the attack.

Iraq

Interview

Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim warns of 'forceful response' to Iran-linked attacks

Muslim's spoke to Al-Monitor two days after an attack on an SDF training camp in Deir Ezzor by Iran-backed militias left six dead.

Salih Muslim

PYD co-chairman

Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in thriller to reach Asian Cup final

Agence France-Presse

What’s behind Egypt decision to raise minimum wage, government salaries by 50%?

Egypt’s economy has suffered from high inflation for years, and now the spillover from the Gaza war is exacerbating the situation.

Egypt

London Metal Exchange to build delivery centers in Saudi Arabia

Investors and mining companies are bracing for a wave of exploration licenses awarded in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom nearly doubled its untapped mineral estimate to $2.5 trillion and announced new incentives for miners in January.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Rare Shin Bet, Palestinian meeting as fears of Ramadan tensions grow

Israeli and Palestinian officials met this week in Tel Aviv to discuss how to prevent an explosion of violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Gulf-India relations boosted by UAE deals, Saudi Aramco talks

India has made deals with the UAE and Qatar recently, and trade between India and the GCC is rising.

Gulf

Israeli strikes on south Lebanon kill civilian: state media

Agence France-Presse