Analysis From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy Bills to cut aid for Palestinians and expedite arms sales to Israel faced Democratic pushback, but they could now easily become law. By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
Analysis Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency Riyadh is likely to compartmentalize business dealings with incoming President Donald Trump separately from its foreign policy engagements, where there is likely to be disagreement. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel
Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the past year and Israel-Turkey relations have significantly deteriorated amid the Gaza war. Israel
Israeli tourists released from Turkish prison Two Israeli tourists held for eight days in Turkey have returned home in a private jet today and Israel’s president called Turkey's to thank him personally. Israel
Egypt’s treatment of refugees in question as Cairo deports Eritreans Eight Eritreans were expelled in October after being in detention for two years without due legal process or access to the UNHCR; another 12 are thought to be at imminent risk. Egypt
Human rights organizations call on Hamas to halt death sentences against Israeli agents, drug dealers The military judiciary in the Gaza Strip announced this month new death sentences against collaborators with Israel and drug dealers, amid calls by human rights organizations to stop these illegal and nonhumanitarian sentences. Palestine
Egypt appoints first woman president of National Council for Human Rights For the first time in history, Egypt appointed Egyptian diplomat Moushira Khattab to lead the National Council for Human Rights, Egypt
Incoming CEO of Israeli NSO Group resigns amid Pegasus scandals Isaac Benbenisti announced he was stepping aside "in light of the special circumstances" involving the Israeli spyware firm. Israel
US, Egypt conclude first 'strategic dialogue' under Biden In a joint statement, the two countries pledged to continue their dialogue on the US-Egypt strategic partnership, regional cooperation and human rights. Egypt
Report documents Syrian regime detaining, killing health workers A new report from Physicians for Human Rights found that health care workers who provided care to injured protesters in the early days of the Syrian civil war were at increased risk of abuse by the government. Syria
Palestinian rights defenders hacked with NSO's Pegasus, report finds The investigation found one of the hacked devices belonged to an American citizen. Israel
Egypt hopes new massive prison complex will improve country's image Cairo has opened a rehabilitation center for prisoners designed according to American standards and big enough to serve a quarter of the country’s inmates. While some citizens have hailed the move, other say it's meant to distract from the country's human rights record. Egypt
US blacklists Israel's NSO Group for 'malicious' cyberactivities The Biden administration placed to two Israeli cyberfirms, NSO Group and Candiru, on the US Commerce Department’s blacklist. Israel
Ankara faces new calls to release philanthropist Osman Kavala On the fourth year of his imprisonment, Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala issued a statement from prison, expressing hope that others will face a fairer trial. Turkey
Erdogan slams Western envoys who urged philanthropist's release Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned a joint statement issued by the United States and nine other countries that called on Ankara to end its four-year detention of Osman Kavala. Turkey
