The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
At least 9 dead after boat sinks in Egypt A boating accident in Lake Mariout near Alexandria killed several family members Monday. Egypt
World Bank warns Lebanon after politicians, staff cut line for vaccine Lebanese lawmakers have denied any wrongdoing, say underlying medical conditions were the reason for their early shots. Lebanon
Iran begins restricting short-notice nuclear inspections Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted that Iran has halted its implementation of the Additional Protocol. Iran
Settler movement takes over Jewish National Fund The decision by the Jewish National Fund to start purchasing land in the West Bank marks another victory for the right-wing and the settlement movement. Israel
Syrian opposition preparing for possible regime expansion on al-Bab fronts There are fears of a new military operation near al-Bab in Aleppo countryside, after the Syrian regime forces and their allied militias positioned there received fresh military reinforcements. Syria
Egypt boosts ties with Burundi — with eye on Turkey Egypt seeks to strengthen its ties with Burundi and the Nile Basin countries in a bid to curb Turkey’s expansion in East Africa, to protect its national security from any threats. Egypt
Following presidential decree, Hamas releases 45 Fatah prisoners Ahead of the highly anticipated Palestinian general elections, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree that called for the respect of public freedoms and the release of all prisoners of conscience. Palestine
Palestinian Christians to get at least 7 seats in legislative elections President Mahmoud Abbas issues a decree to allocate at least seven seats in the next Palestinian Legislative Council to Christian citizens in a move that recognizes the importance of Palestine's dwindling Christian community. Palestine
Former Israeli security officials call on Netanyahu to dialogue with US on Iran deal For many former senior security officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should work with the Biden administration, not against it, for a rapid nuclear deal with Iran. Israel
Iranian forces form new groups to boost influence in east Syria The Fatemiyoun Brigade and the Iranian militias have beefed up their presence in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria by bringing in more Syrian elements into their ranks and intensifying their religious, military and cultural activities in order to expand and preserve their interests. Syria
France maintains order as visitors flock to Jerusalem's Tombs of the Kings A 2,000-year-old funerary compound in Jerusalem has been marked by controversy since its reopening to the public in 2019. Palestine
UAE, Qatar officials meet in Kuwait amid Gulf thaw Kuwait hosted delegations from the two countries more than a month after Saudi Arabia and its allies agreed to end their blockade on Qatar. United Arab Emirates
