Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know The exiled Youssef has been a vocal critic of Israel, highlighting the plight of the Palestinians during the Gaza war but has recently been accused of antisemitism. Egypt
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
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
Two Palestinian children killed in Israeli raid in Jenin as West Bank tensions soar The truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has not calmed the situation in the West Bank with at least 240 Palestinians killed since Oct. 7. Palestine
Meet Israeli activist Maoz Inon, who lost his parents in Hamas attack, now calls for peace Having lost both his parents at the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Maoz Inon calls on the government to take responsibility for the divide within the Israeli society, which had weakened the country, and for what happened that terrible day. Israel
Calling him 'butcher of Gaza,' Turkey's Erdogan unloads on Netanyahu Erdogan also said hopes for a permanent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have been dampened. Turkey
Teetering West Bank economy fuels instability, fear of PA security collapse An economic downturn in the West Bank as a result of increased security measures and Israel withholding funds to the Palestinian Authority is fueling instability. Palestine
Hamas releases 10 Israeli, 2 Thai hostages as Gaza truce holds Hamas has released 12 more hostages, 10 Israelis and 2 Thai nationals, Israeli authorities said on Tuesday. Among those released was a teenage girl together with her family dog. Israel
Analysis Israel-Hamas truce extension buys Netanyahu and Sinwar time The Israeli government has pledged to resume fighting once Hamas stops liberating hostages, but the battle against the group could employ other war methods. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
CIA chief Bill Burns returns to Qatar as Israel-Hamas truce holds The heads of the CIA and Israel's Mossad met Qatar's prime minister in Doha to discuss a possible extension of a truce between Hamas and Israel. Gulf
Gaza truce brings halt in Iran-linked attacks on US troops in Iraq, Syria Pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas coincides with tentative reprieve for US troops hunting down the remnants of the Islamic State group as Iran-backed militias hold their fire. Syria
What's behind Elon Musk's visit to Israel, meeting with Netanyahu? On a visit to Israel, American billionaire Elon Musk called for a halt to the hate propaganda that he said enabled the Oct. 7 attack and also expressed willingness to help reconstruct Gaza. Israel
UN estimates 43,000 Gaza housing units wiped out, 80% of population displaced As Hamas and Israel appeared to maintain the cease-fire for the fourth day, Palestinians rushed to secure aid and check damages to their homes. Palestine