US says Gaza cease-fire talks in ‘end game’ with new proposal Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel Saturday ahead of cease-fire negotiations that are set to resume in Cairo next week. Palestine
Analysis Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war. Israel
Qatar to host Gaza cease-fire talks amid Iran-Israel tension: What we know Hamas says it will not attend the talks, which will take place in Doha. Qatar
Gazans rejoice as Qatar vows to pay one month of full salaries Qatar has announced that it will provide about $31 million to the Gaza Strip, enough to cover one month's salary for Gaza's civil servants, who hope the aid will bypass the banks to avoid deductions for outstanding debts. Qatar
Did Egypt obstruct Qatar's efforts for Fatah-Hamas reconciliation? The latest Palestinian reconciliation efforts between Fatah and Hamas hosted by Qatar have failed, but the reason may have come from outside the talks. Qatar
Can Saudis ease Egypt-Qatar tension after Al Jazeera death sentences? Saudis want to bridge the divide between Qatar and Egypt so that its Sunni coalition can focus on Iran. Saudi Arabia
Why are some Palestinians upset over Nakba commemoration? The organizers of this year's Nakba commemorations faced harsh criticism for their celebratory events on what is typically a solemn occasion. Qatar
Erdogan, Davutoglu shed tears for Gaza, but do little else Turkey as well as the oil-rich Gulf states have still not fulfilled their pledges to help with the reconstruction and development of Gaza. Gulf
Saudi-Iran rivalry spills into UN Human Rights Council While Iran was unhappy with the renewal of Ahmed Shaheed’s mandate as special rapporteur for Iran, it appears to be even more irritated over how Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar voted in favor of the measure at the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia
How united is the GCC? While Gulf states may all be united under the Gulf Cooperation Council name, their individual policies on foreign intervention vary greatly. Saudi Arabia
Why Iran wants Hamas to apologize Hamas representatives remain busy trying to repair relations with Egypt and Iran while not offending anyone in the Gulf. Gulf
Qasem Soleimani defends Hezbollah In a rare speech, the head of Iran's Quds Force defended his country against accusations that it might be looking for trouble in the region. Saudi Arabia
How far will the Saudis go against Hezbollah? With Saudi Arabia labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization, a decision that was endorsed by the GCC, the kingdom hopes to legally pursue the Lebanese movement in international forums. Gulf
Will Congress pick Qatar over Israel? To the chagrin of Israel, lawmakers of both parties want the Obama administration to go through with jet sales to Gulf countries. Gulf
Hamas drags feet on choosing between Iran, Saudi Arabia Since the Gulf Cooperation Council decided to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Hamas has remained silent and refrained from taking sides so as not to endanger its regional relations. Saudi Arabia