Israel-Hezbollah tension expands to Golan Heights amid rocket attack The Israeli military is threatening to retaliate after more than 50 Katyusha rockets were fired by Hezbollah at the Golan Heights town of Katzrin, following overnight strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah ammunition depots. Israel
Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef no longer on X: What we know The exiled comic 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
How Houthis' hijacking of Israel-linked ship tests limits of US deterrence The US is consulting with allies after Iran-backed Yemeni fighters fast-roped onto the deck and hijacked an Israeli-linked cargo ship amid Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza. Gulf
After angering Israel, Macron recalibrates strategy in Gaza war French President Emmanuel Macron received former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Paris today as Elysee grows more concerned about the Lebanon front. Israel
Analysis How the Hamas war wreaked havoc on Israel’s economy Israel’s central bank said that the war with Hamas is a “major shock” to the economy and has been more expensive than initially estimated. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran’s UN envoy: US military boost leaves it 'exposed' to attacks, Saudi-Israel normalization derailed by war Saeid Iravani told Al-Monitor that Saudi Arabia’s normalizing relations with Israel in the foreseeable future has reached an impasse following war in Gaza. Iran
Turkey seeks to evacuate nearly 1,000 people from Gaza As Ankara continues to evacuate its nationals from the Gaza Strip, the Turkish health minister said Turkey is seeking to establish a field hospital there. Turkey
How significant is Iran's unveiling of latest hypersonic cruising missile? Iran continues to voice support for Hamas in its war against Israel while boosting its own military capabilities. Iran
China hosts Arab FMs, pushes ‘justice and fairness’ in Israeli-Palestinian conflict The Arab-Muslim delegation stopped in China on the first leg of a tour aimed at shoring up support for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Gaza war tests Arab Gulf influence as GCC tries to avert regional escalation Although the UAE and Bahrain have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia was considering such a move, Arab states in the region have their own reasons to be cautious. Gulf
How far will Iran go to support Hamas in war with Israel? Forty days into the Israel-Hamas war, the commander of Iran's Quds Force promised the militant group that Iran "will do anything required." Yet questions linger over Iran's willingness to risk direct involvement. Iran