Blinken meets with Egypt's Sisi as Philadelphi Corridor remains sticking point in Gaza talks Cairo will host a new round of talks this week to secure an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the region to mobilize support. Egypt
Analysis As Netanyahu hedges, Hamas' Sinwar undecided between deal or regional war Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived closer to the moment of truth where he must decide for or against a deal for the release of the hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire in Gaza. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes, kills Hezbollah commander, hits warehouse Israel struck Hezbollah weapons in the Bekaa Valley, causing large explosions amid fears of an all-out war. Lebanon
US calls for Hamas to accept cease-fire proposal now backed by Israel The top US diplomat visited Israel days after the United States put forward a so-called bridging proposal in the cease-fire negotiations. Israel
Analysis Global brands still can’t shake Israel boycotts hitting Starbucks, McDonald’s By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Admin presses Congress on Israel aid as Democrats weigh conditions As the Senate gears up to vote on Israel's aid package, the Biden administration is publicly calling for the Israeli military to act with restraint in southern Gaza. Israel
‘Silence is complicity:’ Sheryl Sandberg speaks out on allegations of Hamas sexual violence At the UN headquarters in New York, Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, slammed the organization UN Women for its reluctance to acknowledge the sexual crimes perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli women on Oct. 7. Israel
Turkey threatens Israel with 'serious consequences' if it targets Hamas on territory The rare public warning by Turkish intelligence came after the country's president shrugged Washington’s push to curb Hamas' fundraising activities in Turkey. Turkey
Will US pressure on Turkey over Hamas, Russia access to finance matter much? Washington’s high-level warnings over Hamas financial activity in the country come at a time when Turkey’s economy management is trying to overcome its currency crunch by gaining the confidence of foreign investors. Turkey
Analysis Israel-Ireland relations take another dive over Gaza war, PM statements Israel's Foreign Ministry has summoned Ireland's ambassador over Prime Minister Leo Varadkar saying that nine-year-old hostage Emily Hand was "lost and found" when she was freed from Hamas captivity. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Interview US senator calls for holding Israel accountable if it doesn’t limit civilian casualties In an interview with Al-Monitor, US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat from Maryland, says Biden should go over Netanyahu’s head, speak directly to Israeli people about post-conflict vision. With Chris Van Hollen US Senator
As Gaza war resumes, can Israel's plan to limit civilian harm succeed? Under pressure from Washington, Israeli military officials say they are implementing options to limit further harm to civilians as they expand the military campaign to southern Gaza. Israel
Gaza overshadows COP28 as Turkey’s Erdogan blasts ’Israeli aggression' The leaders of Iraq, Jordan and Turkey acknowledged the plight of the Palestinians, which took the attention off the country's climate targets. United Arab Emirates