Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates Israel’s expanded buffer zone will cut off Gaza from Egypt and further partition the Strip, as the humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. Palestine
Feature Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return More than 30 members of one family spoke to Al-Monitor after fleeing into northern Lebanon from Syria amid a spasm of sectarian violence in the country. Many remain skeptical that it's safe to return. By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian
Analysis Could Israel's West Bank operation lead to annexation long sought by right? The Israeli military is currently operating in West Bank Area A, which under the Oslo Accords should be administered fully by the Palestinian Authority. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
From Saudi Arabia to Australia and China, world leaders denounce Trump’s plan to 'take over' Gaza President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about a possible US takeover of Gaza after relocating the Palestinians caused a wave of uproar across the region and the world. Palestine
Analysis EU seeks channels with HTS as it grapples with post-Assad Syria By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
The Takeaway: Did Israeli PM help break deadlock over US weapons sale to UAE? Also: The Gulf and climate; Syrian refugees return from Belarus; Israel expands Golan settlements; Egypt wants assurances on gas pipeline; China-Ethiopia ties unsettle Egypt; Iran threatens sanctions on US; Building Sharjah … all in less than 1,200 words! By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
US, Palestinian officials hold first economic dialogue in five years The US-Palestinian Economic Dialogue covered infrastructure development, access to US markets, US regulations, free trade and other financial issues. News Brief
Would-be Syrian refugees flown back from Belarus despite visas Belarus has given Syrians two options: cross the border into Poland or be deported. Syria
Iraq repatriates more citizens from Belarus The Kurdistan Regional Government previously reported that it had helped bring more than 1,800 people home from the Belarus-Poland border. News Brief
Iraqi Kurdistan continues repatriation flights from Belarus Thousands of migrants have gotten stuck at the Belarus-Poland border this winter, many of them Kurds from Iraq. News Brief
Iraqi Kurdistan brings home migrants trapped at Belarus-Poland border The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq said its constituents were lured into emigrating by criminal smugglers. Iraq
Iraq to repatriate citizens stranded at Belarus border The Iraqi announcement came as the European Union said it would step up sanctions on the Belarusian government and some airlines. Iraq
Airlines suspend Belarus-bound travel for Middle East migrants Turkish Airlines and Iraqi Airlines restricting flights to Minsk for citizens of Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Turkey
Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington. Qatar
Iran deports thousands of Afghan refugees, UN agency says In the last week of October, Iran sent back more than 28,000 Afghans who fled across the border. Iran
Up to 5,000 Afghans fleeing to Iran daily, aid group says The Norwegian Refugee Council said some 300,000 Afghans have crossed into Iran since the Taliban's takeover in August. Iran
Turkish Airlines denies fueling Belarus-Poland migration crisis After EU officials threatened to blacklist airlines facilitating travel for asylum-seekers amassing at the Poland-Belarus border, Turkish Airlines denied links to the bloc’s latest migration crisis. Turkey
