Iran says Trump's concern about nuclear weapons can be resolved

U.S. concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons are not a complicated issue and can be resolved given Tehran's opposition to weapons of mass destruction, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. "If the main concern is that Iran should not pursue nuclear weapons, this is achievable and not a complicated issue. Iran’s position is clear: it is a member of the Non Proliferation Treaty, and the Supreme Leader’s fatwa has already clarified our stance [against weapons of mass destruction]," Araqchi said (Read more at Reuters)

Far-right Israeli lawmaker praises Trump's comments on resettlement of Gazans

Israel's former public security minister and far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir said in a post on X that "encouraging" Gazans to migrate from the enclave was the only correct strategy at the end of the war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt that policy "immediately". (Read more at AOL)

Hamas ready for talks with Trump administration

Russia’s RIA Novosti cited a senior Hamas official as saying, "In the past, we did not object to contact with the administration of (former US president Joe) Biden, Trump or any other US administration, and we are open to talks with all international parties." (Read more at Staits Times)

World reaction to Trump’s ‘take over’ and ethnic cleansing plan for Gaza

Hamas calls Trump’s idea a ‘recipe for generating chaos’ and says the people of Gaza will not allow their displacement. Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh said the PLO rejects all calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland. While Trump claimed that Riyadh was not demanding a Palestinian homeland, Saudi Arabia said it would not normalise ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state. “He’s totally lost it,” Murphy, a Democrat, said on X. “A US invasion of Gaza would lead to the slaughter of thousands of US troops and decades of war in the Middle East. It’s like a bad, sick joke.” “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not the United States, and President Trump’s call to expel Palestinians from their land is an absolute non-starter,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations said (Read more at Aljazeera and France 24).

The Australia's prime minister restated Australia's "longstanding" support for a two-state solution but repeatedly refused to offer a view on Mr Trump's remarks. "I'm not going to, as Australia's prime minister, give a daily commentary on statements by the US president. My job is to support Australia's position," he told reporters at Parliament House on Wednesday (Read more at ABC News).

US top diplomat Rubio backs Trump plan on US takeover of Gaza

"Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again," Rubio said on X. "Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people." While Trump had floated suggestions of Palestinian displacement since Jan. 25, statements issued since by Rubio's State Department on its websites after the top U.S. diplomat's subsequent calls with regional leaders did not explicitly mention Trump's suggestion (Read more at AOL).

Trump's Gaza stunner builds on his expansionist aims

Since Trump's return to the White House a little more than two weeks ago, his "America First" approach seems to have morphed into "America More," with the president fixated on acquiring new territory even after campaigning on pledges to keep the nation out of foreign entanglements and "forever wars.” He has raised the possibility of the country taking back the Panama Canal, proposed the U.S. wrest Greenland from Denmark and repeatedly suggested that Canada should be absorbed as the 51st U.S. state. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows little public support for these ideas, even in Trump's Republican Party (Read more at Japan Times).

Why Trump's proposal on Gaza is ringing alarm bells in the region

Palestinians have long been haunted by what they call the"Nakba", or catastrophe, when 700,000 of them were dispossessedfrom their homes during the war that surrounded the creation ofIsrael in 1948 (Read more at AOL).

Iran says its foreign policy driven by interests after Trump voices readiness to talk

"Our foreign policy has always been driven by the following principles: dignity for our country and people, wisdom [...] and interest. This applies to our relations with other countries" the government spokesperson said during a press conference, when asked to react to Trump's willingness to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart. "Wisdom means thoroughly looking at the inside-out of issues and having a correct understanding of them" she added (Read more at AOL).

Trump won’t rule out deploying US troops to support rebuilding Gaza

President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” (Read more at AP)

Arab ministers lobby against removing Palestinians from Gaza in letter to Rubio

Five Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official sent a joint letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposing plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, instead demanding Palestinians be involved in the reconstruction process. Trump's repeated comments about moving Palestinians from Gaza alarmed many Arab countries who see that as a threat to the stability of Egypt and Jordan (Read more at Axios).

Trump to pause funding for UN Palestinian agency

The United Nations and the UNRWA have not commented on the development, however, the decision is poised to coincide with the visit of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US who has earlier accused UNRWA of running anti-Israel incitement and its staff of being “involved in terrorist activities against Israel.” (Read more at Indian Express)

US forms task force to battle anti-Semitism, focusing on schools and campuses

The US Justice Department formed a multi-agency task force on Feb 3 to fight anti-Semitism, with its first priority “rooting out” anti-Semitic harassment in schools and universities. The Department of Education said it was investigating five universities for allegations of anti-Semitic harassment (Read more at Strait Times).

Syria's Sharaa aims to restore US ties, no contacts yet with Trump

Sharaa, declared Syria’s interim head of state last week, also noted that US troops were in Syria without government approval, adding that any such presence should be agreed with the state. He described US sanctions still imposed on Syria as “the gravest risk” to the country. “I believe that President Trump seeks peace in the area, and it is a top priority to lift the sanctions. The United States of America does not have any interest in maintaining the suffering of the Syrian people,” Sharaa said (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

U.S. Readies New $1 Billion Arms Sale to Israel

The planned weapons sales include 4,700 1,000-pound bombs, worth more than $700 million, and armored bulldozers built by Caterpillar, worth more than $300 million (Read more at MSN).

Netanyahu to extend Washington visit, to return to Israel Saturday

During his trip, Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza, hostages held by Hamas, and the confrontation with Iran and its regional allies (Read more at MSN).

Moscow Weighs Saudi Arabia, UAE as Venue for Possible Putin-Trump Summit

But some Russian diplomats and intelligence officials reportedly oppose holding the summit there due to the countries’ close ties with the U.S. military and intelligence services. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not joined Western sanctions or criticized Russia’s invasion, their leaders have maintained diplomatic ties with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Neither country is a member of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 over alleged war crimes. Putin visited both Saudi Arabia and the UAE later that year. Russia has already ruled out NATO member Turkey as a potential summit venue, citing its role in failed peace talks held in Istanbul in March 2022 (Read more at Moscow Times).

Netanyahu delays sending negotiation team to Qatar ahead of Trump meeting

The decision comes as negotiations on the second phase of the deal set to begin Monday. Additionally, Netanyahu reportedly canceled a planned meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and other senior negotiators, instead sending his military secretary, Roman Gofman, to inform them of the delay (Read more at Anadolu Agency).

Jordan’s King Invited to Washington as Netanyahu Meets With Trump

Jordan’s King Abdullah II will meet with US President Donald Trump on February 11 at the White House. The visit comes as Trump’s controversial call for the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt continues to face strong opposition across the region. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed Amman’s opposition to any displacement of Palestinians, saying on January 26 that the country’s position remains “firm and unwavering.” (Read more at Media Line)

A U.S. dual citizen is among 3 Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners

The release includes U.S. and Israeli dual citizen Keith Siegel, 65, Yarden Bibas, 35, and Ofer Kalderon, 54. Kalderon also holds French citizenship. The three men were handed over Saturday morning to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, who transferred them to Israeli troops for the drive across the border into Israel. Bibas and Kalderon were handed over in Khan Younis, in Gaza's south; Seigel in Gaza City in the enclave's north (Read more at NPR).

Trump could ‘whisper’ in Erdoğan’s ear to curb Turkey’s regional ambitions

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said that in an interview with Fox News on Friday, warning of Turkey’s expansionist ambitions. Speaking to Caitlin McFall of Fox News, Dendias voiced concerns over Turkey’s geopolitical actions in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black seas, suggesting that some in Turkey aspire to restore Ottoman-era influence over parts of Greece, Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Caucasus. He described this as a challenge to NATO stability and international law (Read more at Turkish Minute).

Arab ministers reject Trump’s call to displace Palestinians from Gaza

Foreign ministers and officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League said Trump’s proposed move would threaten stability in the region, spread conflict and undermine prospects for peace (Read more at Aljazeera).

Egypt's Sisi, Trump discuss Gaza; no mention of Palestinian transfer

Sisi expressed confidence that Trump could bring peace to the region. He invited Trump to visit Egypt. Egypt said the two leaders had a positive dialogue that stressed the importance of fully implementing the first and second phases of the ceasefire. The White House statement on the call did not refer to the ceasefire (Read more at Global South World).

Gabbard denies meeting with Hezbollah

Members of the the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence quizzed the former four-term Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii about her week-long, 2017 trip to Syria and Lebanon, as she seeks to become U.S. director of national intelligence. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) asked Gabbard why she met with Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, who threatened the United States and Europe with suicide bombers in 2011 if they attacked Syria or Lebanon. Gabbard said she was unaware of the grand mufti’s threat until Heinrich asked her about it on Thursday. “I made it a point to meet with different religious leaders, both Muslim leaders as well as various Christian and Catholic leaders who were there in the region,” Gabbard testified. “I did that both in Syria and in Lebanon to hear from them about what their concerns or thoughts were with regard to the war that was being raged at the time.” (Read more at JNS)

CENTCOM Forces Killed Senior Operative of an Al-Qaeda affiliated Group

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a senior operative in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate (Read more at Centcom).

US seeks to block Hezbollah ally from naming Lebanon finance minister

The unusually direct US intervention in Lebanon's sectarian politics appears aimed at capitalizing on shifts in the power balance in Lebanon and the wider Middle East. U.S. officials have passed on messages to Salam and to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun - who enjoyed U.S. support as army commander and was elected president in early January - that Hezbollah should not be included in the next cabinet (Read more at Daily Observer).

Egyptians protest Trump's Gaza 'ethnic cleansing' plan at Rafah border

Several parties called for the demonstration, most notably the Union of Arab Tribes, headed by Egyptian businessman Ibrahim al-Organi, who is reportedly close to Egyptian intelligence services (Read more at New Arab).

Iran Foreign Minister: attacking nuclear sites would be US biggest mistake

Iran will respond immediately and decisively if its nuclear sites are attacked, which would lead to an “all-out war in the region”, Tehran’s Foreign Minister said. Araqchi suggested that the United States could free blocked Iranian funds as a first confidence-building step between the two hostile countries (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

Condoms Trump said were going to Gaza could have gone to Mozambique

New information suggests the money went to Mozambique's Gaza Province. On his second day in office, Trump signed an executive order suspending all foreign aid programmes, slamming the previous Biden administration for funding what he claimed was unnecessary assistance  (Read more at New Arab).

Decision on US troops in Syria pending amid talks with Turkey

Trump has conditioned the pullout on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan restoring ties with Israel. Turkey has long opposed the US military presence in Syria due to Washington’s support for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The US has recently doubled its troop presence in Syria, increasing the numbers from 900 to around 2,000, following the December 8 ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (Read more at Turkish Minute).

Palestinian Authority tells US it is ready to 'clash' with Hamas for control of Gaza

The PA’s plan envisions the Gaza Strip ruled by a committee whose majority is from outside of the enclave. The plan was presented on Tuesday to Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Riyadh by Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official who has been floated as a successor to octogenarian Palestinian President Mohammad Abbas (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump Middle East envoy says rebuilding Gaza could take 10 to 15 years

The Trump administration wants to see the ceasefire continue and Gaza stabilized so it can move forward with its ambitious plans for the Middle East, which include getting a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel and trying to get a deal with Iran on its nuclear program (Read more at Axios).

Trump's first days signal support for the most extreme pro-Israel forces

US president's sanctions reversals, arms shipments and appointment of hawks will likely undermine the ceasefire and empower Israel's hardliners. Figures such as the Christian Zionist extremist and new ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee; new Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth; and nominee for Ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik, will be pleased to see this largesse extended to their Israeli allies (Read more at Middle East Eye).

UNRWA in Lebanon 'not affected' by US aid freeze or new Israeli law

Currently, UNRWA does not receive any aid from the United States, so there is no direct impact from the recent decisions concerning the United Nations system for UNRWA. U.S. aid to UNRWA was suspended last year and until March 2025, following an agreement between U.S. lawmakers. This decision follows Israel's accusation that 12 of the 13,000 UNRWA employees in the Gaza Strip participated in the deadly attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (Read more at LOrient Today).

Trump pledges to deport ‘Hamas sympathisers’ on college campuses

In an executive order signed on Wednesday, Trump said the federal government would use “all available and appropriate legal tools” to prosecute and remove perpetrators of “unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence”. “Jewish students have faced an unrelenting barrage of discrimination; denial of access to campus common areas and facilities, including libraries and classrooms; and intimidation, harassment, and physical threats and assault,” Trump’s order said. Under US immigration law, foreign nationals can be deemed “inadmissible aliens” under a range of scenarios apart from being convicted of a crime (Read more at Aljazeera).

Trump's Mideast envoy visits Gaza before meeting with Netanyahu

Israeli news organizations reported that the country's military took Witkoff to inspect the Netzarim Corridor, which it created during the war to split the Gaza Strip in two (Read more at NPR).

Rubio told Egypt about need to stop Hamas from governing Gaza

Trump on Saturday floated a plan to "clean out" Gaza, where Israel's war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis, in comments that echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes. The suggestion by Trump was not mentioned in the U.S. State Department statement released on Tuesday after the call between Rubio and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (Read more at AOL).

Netanyahu to meet with Trump at the White House next week

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to become the first foreign leader to meet with President Donald Trump during his second term. “I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries,” Trump wrote in a letter to Netanyahu (Read more at NBC News).

Trump considering US exit from Syria

the Trump administration floated a similar withdrawal plan in 2018-2019, though it did not fully materialize. Observers note that the security landscape in Syria has changed since that time, with regime change in Syria eliminating the Russian and Iranian presence. A US departure from eastern Syria could reshape alliances, affect Kurdish-held areas and open the door for possible moves by Turkish-backed forces (Read more at Turkish Minute).

US Ex-Senator sentenced to prison for Egypt-linked corruption case

The Democratic former US senator Bob Menendez was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday to 11 years in prison over his 2024 conviction for taking bribes, including receiving gold bars in exchange for doing favors for Egypt and for New Jersey businessmen (Read more at Guardian).

U.S. sending dozens of Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine

The U.S. military transferred around 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland this week in order to deliver them to Ukraine. This is the most significant delivery of weapons from Israel to Ukraine since the Russian invasion almost three years ago (Read more at Axios).

US Senate blocks bill sanctioning ICC over Israeli arrest warrants

 Democrats in the United States Senate have blocked the passage of a bill. The vote on Tuesday saw the bill gain 54 votes in favour and 45 opposed, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance to a final vote. But many of the Democrats who voted against the measure still accused the court of taking unfair actions against Israel by issuing warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant (Read more at Aljazeera).

US envoy to the UN says UNRWA ‘exaggerating’ effects of Israeli ban

The US envoy to the UN has said that they support Israel’s “sovereign decision” to shutter UNRWA in Jerusalem and that the agency is “exaggerating” the impact of an Israeli ban that experts and UN officials have said would have catastrophic impacts on humanitarian support for Palestinians (Source: MTV).

Qatar and US discuss joint Gaza mediation efforts

Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, took part in a phone call on Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the continuation of their joint mediation efforts in Gaza, the Qatari foreign ministry said. The men expressed hope that a ceasefire deal reaches its second phase and turns into a permanent ceasefire (Read more at Reuters).

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says he discussed US contacts with Israel's Netanyahu

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had had a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss bilateral matters. "We also discussed maintaining close contact with partners, particularly the United States and President Trump," he said on X (Source: Yahoo News).

Rubio, Jordan’s King discuss Gaza cease-fire after Trump’s resettlement comments

“The Secretary and King Abdullah discussed implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and creating a pathway for security and stability in the region,” the State Department said in a statement. Trump’s weekend remarks were not mentioned in the statement. “Secretary Rubio thanked Jordan for supporting the ceasefire through its integral role in providing humanitarian assistance through the Jordan Corridor,” the State Department added (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

US's lone senator to oppose Trump's call to 'clean out' Gaza

He called it "ethnic cleansing" and a "war crime" and called on others to censure Trump for making the suggestion. Trump's comments received little outrage from leading progressives and puzzled some of his Republican allies (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Harvard Reinvests $150M in Company Tied to Israeli Settlements

The Harvard Management Company reinvested $150 million in Booking Holdings Inc., a company under fire for its operation in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In 2018, Human Rights Watch found that Booking.com connects travelers to rental properties in the Palestinian territories and alleged the company is complicit in human rights abuses against Palestinians. The student governments of at least three graduate schools — Harvard Law School, Harvard Divinity School, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design — passed resolutions urging the HMC to divest from institutions and companies that “aid the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine.” (Read more at Crimson)

Lebanon truce extended to Feb. 18, White House says

Brian Hughes, the spokesman for the National Security Council of the White House, said on Friday that a “short, temporary ceasefire extension” was “urgently needed.” “The government of Lebanon, the government of Israel and the government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after Oct. 7, 2023,” the White House stated (Read more at JNS).

Germany opposes Trump’s proposal to move Palestinians from Gaza

Speaking at a press briefing in Berlin, Foreign Ministry spokesman Christian Wagner said that Germany maintains its commitment to the international consensus regarding Gaza's status. “There is a common position shared by the EU, our Arab partners and the United Nations, which is very clear: The Palestinian population cannot be expelled from Gaza, and Gaza must not be permanently occupied or resettled by Israel,” he said (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

Netanyahu, Hegseth discuss ‘unbreakable’ Israeli-US bond

A Pentagon readout states that the two men “discussed the importance of advancing mutual security interests and priorities, especially in the face of persistent threats.” Hegseth stressed that the United States “is fully committed, under President Trump’s leadership, to ensuring that Israel has the capabilities it needs to defend itself. “ (Read more at JNS)

Netanyahu thanks Trump for lifting partial arms embargo on Israel

“Thank you President Trump for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to confront our common enemies and to secure a future of peace and prosperity,” the premier said in a video message (Read more at JNS).

Trump resumes sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel

“We released them. We released them today. And they’ll have them. They paid for them and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time. They’ve been in storage,” Trump told reporters (Read more at Guardian).

US: ‘Critical’ that Israel-Hamas truce continue

Washington “celebrates the release of the four Israeli hostages held in captivity for 477 days. It is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues and that all of the hostages are freed from Hamas captivity and safely returned to their families,” according to a statement from the State Department (Read more at JNS).

Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more refugees to 'just clean out' Gaza

"I'd like Egypt to take people," Trump said. "You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, 'You know, it's over.'" Trump said he complimented Jordan for having successfully accepted Palestinian refugees and that he told the king, "I'd love for you to take on more, cause I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it's a mess. It's a real mess." (Read more at NPR)

A fantastic guy: Trump again welcomes Saudi Arabia's leader. Is that a problem

Watchdog groups contacted by USA TODAY said they’re concerned that the call suggests Trump may seek to exploit his vast new political power and influence to help the Trump Organization and its sprawling business empire (Read more at USA Today)

Hamas has added up to 15,000 fighters since start of war, US figures show

The intelligence indicates a similar number of Hamas fighters have been killed during that period, the sources said. The latest official U.S. estimates have not been previously reported (Read more at AOL).

US Lawmakers Say UAE Still Sending Arms To Sudan Fighters

Two US lawmakers said Friday that the United Arab Emirates has violated its promises and kept arming Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, which Washington has accused of genocide. The two Democrats last month agreed to lift objections to a $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE by the then administration of fellow Democrat Joe Biden after the White House said the Gulf power assured it was "not now transferring any weapons" to the paramilitary group (Read more at Barrons).

Saudi Arabia in talks with Europe and US to lift Syrian sanctions

 Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Friday from Damascus that his country was engaged in an active dialogue with Europe and the U.S. to help lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria (Source: Yahoo News).

Rubio call with Egyptian minister suggests ‘different approach’ to region

The Biden administration alienated traditional Middle Eastern allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia by punishing them for human rights concerns. The Trump team seems to be signaling a return to friendlier ties. Egypt has been a bit of a spoiler recently, turning a blind eye to Hamas smuggling that helped fortify the terrorist group in Gaza. Perhaps the new administration’s carrot and stick approach will yield positive results (Read more at JNS).

US: ceasefire extension 'urgently needed' between Hezbollah, Israel

In a statement, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said President Donald Trump is committed to ensuring Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in northern Israel, and also supported Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the new Lebanese government. "All parties share the goal of ensuring Hezbollah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbors," said Hughes (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

Trump: ‘Would be nice’ if Israel didn’t need to strike Iran

But he appeared to suggest that this was a possibility if the Islamic Republic does not accept a deal on its nuclear program. “We’ll have to see. I’m going to be meeting with various people over the next couple of days. Hopefully, that can be worked out without having to worry about it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, when asked about the possibility of an Israeli strike (Read more at JNS).

Iran Says Trump's 'Terrorist' Designation of Yemen's Houthis Is Baseless

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said that the move, which will impose harsher economic penalties than the Biden administration had applied to the Houthis, was “an excuse to apply anti-human sanctions against the Yemeni people” (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

Iraqi amnesty law could free prisoners convicted of attacking US troops

Judicial sources and lawmakers confirmed that those convicted of attacks against American forces in Iraq could benefit from the law. Sunni blocs in the Iraqi parliament have been pushing for the law (Read more at Arabnews).

ICC's concerned by US moves to sanction the Court over Israeli arrest warrants

On his first day in office this week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order which reinstated an earlier executive order that could serve as a legal basis for future sanctions against the ICC and its personnel. No specific sanctions have been announced yet. In a statement, the ICC’s governing body said that sanctions against the Court and its personnel – and anyone assisting them – could severely hamper ongoing investigations (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

Gaza ceasefire traps Netanyahu between Trump and far-right allies

The stakes for Netanyahu are high -- keeping his coalition government on the one hand and on the other, satisfying U.S. President Donald Trump who wants to use the ceasefire momentum to expand Israel's diplomatic ties in the Middle East (Read more at MSN).

Saudi Arabia Plans $600 Billion in New US Investment, Trade Over 4 Years

The commitment comes from President Donald Trump’s first call with a foreign leader in his second term. “I’ll be asking the crown prince, who’s a fantastic guy, to round it out to around one trillion,” Trump said. “And I think they’ll do that because we’ve been very good to them.” (Read more at SAN)

US top diplomat Rubio discusses Iran, Gaza with Netanyahu

Rubio underscored that “maintaining the United States’ steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for Trump,” the State Department said in a statement. The Secretary also conveyed that he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for peace,” the State Department said (Read more at The Print).

Trump Designates Yemen's Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

The Biden administration revoked the designation on 16 February 2021. “It is the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate Ansar Allah’s capabilities and operations, deprive it of resources, and thereby end its attacks on US personnel and civilians, US partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea,” said the White House statement (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

U.S. Security Contractors Going to Gaza to Oversee Truce

The contractors are poised to help secure a key zone that splits Gaza in two and is known as the Netzarim corridor. The contractors are intended to screen vehicles ferrying Palestinians from the enclave’s south for weapons (Read more at New York Times).

Iran Says Oct 7 Attack 'Destroyed' Chance For US Nuclear Talks

"We did not know about October 7... We were supposed to have a meeting with the Americans on JCPOA renewal on October 9, which was undermined and destroyed by this operation," Zarif said at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Read more at Barrons).

Trump's Mideast envoy will travel to region for Gaza ceasefire inspections

'I'm going to be a part of an inspection team at the Netzarim corridor, and also at the Philadelphia corridor,' Steve Witkoff says. The team’s role is to verify that those entering the areas are not armed and pose no threat (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

Hamas Finds Hope in Trump's First Day in Office

A senior Hamas official has told Newsweek that the Palestinian movement was surprisingly encouraged by the comments made by President Donald Trump during his inaugural speech and expressed hope he would commit to lasting peace and stability in the Gaza Strip. "It is striking that Israel was not mentioned in the president's inauguration speech, which is unusual, and that the president does not want wars and seeks to achieve peace," Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim said (Read more at Newsweek).

Saudi foreign minister says Trump does not raise risk of Iran-Israel war

Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud also said in Davos that he hoped President Trump's approach to Iran would be met with a willingness by Tehran to positively engage with the U.S. administration and address the issue of its nuclear programme (Read more at USNews).

Trump lifts sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank

US President Donald Trump has rescinded sanctions on far-right Israeli settler groups and people accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the new White House administration said (Read more at The National).

Muslim Imam Cancels Attendance at Trump Inauguration

A Muslim imam from Dearborn, Michigan, who was scheduled to deliver a prayer at President Donald Trump’s inauguration has been pulled out of the event without explanation, following criticism from at least one American Jewish group (Read more at Tempo).

Smotrich: US guaranteed Israel’s right to resume fighting in Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden have provided Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an official missive confirming that “the State of Israel will be able to return to the war on day 43” if talks fail during the 42-day first phase of the agreement, Smotrich said, speaking at a meeting of his Religious Zionism Party in the Knesset in Jerusalem (Read more at JNS).

Syria’s de facto leader congratulates Trump

“We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region,” Ahmed Al-Sharaa said (Read more at Arabnews).

Yemen vice-president says Trump return pivotal in fight against Houthis

The vice president of Yemen's U.N.-recognised government on Tuesday welcomed Donald Trump's return as U.S. president, saying it was a decisive turning point to curb the Iran-backed Houthis, who he said threaten regional stability and maritime security. Aidarous al-Zubaidi told Reuters that Trump's strong leadership and willingness to employ military strength were in sharp contrast to the Biden administration, which he said had allowed the Houthis to consolidate power, bolster their military capabilities and extend their reach beyond Yemen (Read more at MSN).

Israeli minister welcomes Trump's reversal of US sanctions on settlers

The pro-settler Smotrich, in a message to Trump on Tuesday, called the move an “expression of your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historical right to our land.” (Read more at Arabnews)

Trump ‘not confident’ Gaza cease-fire deal will last through final phase

“It’s not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. But I think they’re very weakened on the other side,” he said in response to a question in the Oval Office while signing orders in the first hours of his presidency. Asked about the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the president said he believed “you certainly can’t have the people that were there,” in an apparent reference to the Iranian-backed Hamas terror organization. “Most of them are dead, by the way, right?” continued Trump. “But they didn’t exactly run it well. Run viciously and badly. You can’t have that.” (Read more at New York Post)

Sen. Cruz gives Trump drawings by children freed from Gaza

“This week, I met with an Israeli hostage family who had been released from Gaza,” tweeted Cruz. “The beautiful children drew pictures for President Trump, and they asked me to deliver them.” (Read more at JNS)

Jewish groups congratulate Trump, look forward to working with him

B’nai B’rith International cited collaborating on “combating antisemitism, safeguarding Jewish communities, ensuring Israel’s security, strengthening the vital U.S.-Israel alliance and other key policy priorities.” AIPAC stated that it looks forward to working with Trump to “strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship.” The Republican Jewish Coalition wrote that “America’s new Golden Age begins now. America is back.” (Read more at JNS)

Poll: 21% of US voters support Hamas over Israel in conflict

Some 25% of Democrats and 19% of Republicans favor Islamists over the Jewish state and 82% back the ceasefire. The 25-34 age group showed the highest support for Hamas, with nearly a third favouring the organisation over Israel (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Judea and Samaria councils thank Trump in Times Square campaign

A large delegation representing the Yesha Council has been invited to attend Trump's inauguration. Moreover, the Yesha Council umbrella group of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria launched a campaign in Times Square on Sunday to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump’s support of the biblical heartland (Read more at JNS).

Graham: Israel’s biggest threat is its marginalization by international bodies

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Israel's strongest allies, says Saudi Arabia and the UAE "want Hamas gone at least as much as you do." In response to a question about what course Trump should take regarding Iran, Graham was unequivocal. “While I don’t speak for the administration, I believe we face an unprecedented opportunity to diminish Iran’s power in a way I’ve never witnessed before,” he said. “Israel and Trump’s America must act decisively to eliminate Iran’s nuclear facilities permanently.” (Read more at JNS)

Same values, a lot to do together, said Israeli envoy says of Trump admin

Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, prior to attending President Donald Trump’s inauguration “We are very excited today ... He’s a friend of Israel.” The members of the Trump administration with whom Danon met told him that “we are here to support Israel. Be strong.” Danon thinks that the new White House will focus largely on domestic issues in its opening days and weeks. But he believes that Trump understands what’s happening in Israel’s neighborhood and will be responsive (Read more at JNS).

Israel ambassador expects Trump to reverse hold on 2,000-pound bombs

President Biden's decision to halt the delivery of one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs last May triggered one of the biggest crises the U.S-Israel relationship has faced during the 15-month war in Gaza. Israel expects President Trump to lift the Biden administration's hold on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs in his first days in office, outgoing Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog said (Read more at Axios).

US partially lifts arms embargo on Israel

As part of ceasefire agreement, the U.S. began to partially lift the arms embargo it had imposed on Israel; As part of this, 70 D9 bulldozers will leave the United States for Israel in the coming days. These heavy engineering tools play a critical role on the battlefield, as they can open traffic routes, pave roads for the fighting forces, and expose explosives (Read more at JFeed).

Trump's Middle East envoy is considering a visit to the Gaza Strip

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, plans to be a near-constant presence in the region in an attempt to prevent the deal from unraveling. For now, a top concern for Trump’s envoy is a rogue incident sparked by inevitable day-to-day interfacing between Israelis and Palestinians on the ground in and near Gaza, even given the ceasefire agreement (Read more at NBCNews).

US Pledges $117M in Aid to Lebanon Military

The State Department said in a statement that it had convened a “virtual donors meeting” on Thursday “with partners and allies to discuss critical security assistance needed for Lebanon to fully implement the cessation of hostilities.” It said the new assistance to Beirut would support both the country’s armed forces and internal security forces “as they work to assert Lebanese sovereignty across the country.” Lebanon has struggled for years to finance its public institutions including the army following a 2019 economic crisis (Read more at Defense Post).

Hamas will never govern Gaza: Trump’s national security adviser

He also added that if Hamas rejects the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, the United States will support Israel "in what it has to do." (Read more at RBC-Ukraine)

Lindsey Graham wants military action against Iran’s nuclear program

He said, “There’s a one in trillion chance you’ll degrade the Iranian nuclear program through diplomacy...There’s a 90% chance you’ll degrade it through military action by Israel, supported by the United States. So the next topic I will be engaging in with President Trump is to take this moment in time to decimate the Iran nuclear program because they’re so exposed.” (Read more at Politico)

Rashida Tlaib joins Palestinian Americans celebrating Gaza ceasefire online

Palestinian Americans across the United States, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, celebrated a ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli fighters in Gaza that went into effect Sunday. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American serving in the U.S. Congress, made a post on Sunday condemning the "genocide" in Gaza and noting that she voted against banning TikTok, a platform where users had shared strong support for Palestinians that went dark Sunday (Read more at Yahoo News).

Netanyahu: Israel has full Trump, Biden backing to resume war

Both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have given Israel full backing to resume the war in Gaza if Israel concludes that talks with Hamas on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement prove “futile,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday night. “As soon as he was elected, President Trump joined the mission of freeing the hostages. He talked to me on Wednesday night. He praised the agreement and rightly emphasized that the first step of the agreement is a temporary ceasefire. This is what he said—‘a temporary ceasefire,’” the prime minister continued (Read more at JNS).

Austin Tice’s mother, in Damascus, hopes to find son

The mother of American journalist Austin Tice, who was taken captive during a reporting trip to Syria in August 2012, arrived in Damascus on Saturday to step up the search for her son and said she hopes she can take him home with her (Read more at Arabnews).

Journalists berate Blinken over Gaza policy at his final press conference

Several journalists who are outspoken critics of American support for Israel loudly lambasted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the war in Gaza on Jan 16, repeatedly interrupting his final press conference as he sought to defend his handling of the 15-month-old conflict (Read more at Strait Times).

US settles anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian bias complaint against Emory University

The U.S. Education Department on Thursday noted concerns about discrimination against Muslim, Arab and Palestinian students at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and reached a settlement with the institution to resolve the issue. The university agreed to revise its nondiscrimination policies and procedures, including pertaining to protests and a definition of harassment that includes harassment based on actual or perceived shared ancestry (Read more at AOL).

Biden Says Netanyahu to Accommodate Palestinians Legitimate Concerns

Mr. Biden spoke with the MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell in his last television interview while in office and said, in the days after the war in Gaza began, He pushed Netanyahu to prevent civilian deaths during the Gaza war. He also defended his steadfast support for Israel (Read more at New York Times).

Another potential Trump nominee wants US out of Middle East

President-elect eyes Joe Kent, a right-wing former congressional candidate, to head the country's top counterterror agency. Kent has been publicly vocal about his views on foreign policy regarding the Middle East and has called on the US to withdraw its forces from the region. "We've gotta get serious, and we've gotta just get our troops out of there," Kent said in a podcast in response to a question about an attack on US forces at a base in Jordan (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump owns the Gaza ceasefire. But how will he impose it

Israel wants to annex the occupied West Bank and further weaken Iran, but Trump's other priorities may hold those back. Trump’s “stick” to keep Netanyahu in the deal is the same one Biden refused to use during 15 months of war: withholding arms transfers (Read more at Middle East Eye).

‘Bye Genocide Joe’: Social media reflects on Biden’s legacy on Gaza

Biden’s last day as president, on 19 January, is also the first day of the planned Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that was reportedly pushed to the finish line by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. This has raised more significant criticism of Biden’s role in Israel’s bombing campaign on Gaza, with the US providing $17.9bn in military aid since 7 October 2023 (Read more at Middle East Eye).

U.S. issues sanctions on Sudanese army chief Burhan

Washington announced the measures just a week after imposing sanctions on Burhan’s rival in the two-year-old civil war, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Two sources with knowledge of the action told Reuters one aim of Thursday’s sanctions was to show that Washington was not picking sides. Speaking earlier on Thursday, Burhan was defiant about the prospect that he might be targeted. Washington also issued sanctions over the supply of weapons to the army, targeting a Sudanese-Ukrainian national as well as a Hong Kong-based company (Read more at NBCNews).

US says Gaza ceasefire to start as planned despite loose end

The Gaza Strip ceasefire should begin on Sunday (Jan 19) as planned, despite the need for negotiators to tie up a "loose end" at the last minute, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said (Read more at CNA).

‘Not going to second guess Bibi’s support for deal,’ Lindsey Graham says

The South Carolina Republican added that “Israel has the right under this deal, as I understand it, to go back in if they need to.” “There’s no such thing as a perfect deal,” Graham said (Read more at JNS).

Former CIA employee pleads guilty to leaking files on Israel’s Iran strikes

He has pleaded guilty to leaking secret documents about Israel’s plans to strike Iran last year during a period of escalating regional tensions linked to Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Read more at Aljazeera).

US Treasury Increases Financial Pressure on the Houthis

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning Yemen-based Yemen Kuwait Bank for Trade and Investment Y.S.C (Yemen Kuwait Bank) for its financial support to Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis. The designation builds on previous Treasury sanctions that have targeted Houthi-affiliated exchange houses and international finance networks (Read more at U.S. Department of the Treasury).

Musk played no part in release of journalist held in Iran, Italy says

Sala, 29, a freelance reporter for Il Foglio newspaper and a podcaster at Chora News, returned to Italy last week after being released by Iran following her arrest in Tehran on December 19 (Read more at ANSA).

U.S. Pushed to Keep Lebanese Militant in French Prison After 40 Years

The U.S. Department of Justice vigorously opposed at a French court hearing in December the release of a Lebanese militant jailed for attacks on American and Israeli diplomats in France more than 40 years ago, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The former head of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Brigade (LARB), Georges Ibrahim Abdallah was sentenced to life in 1987 for his role in the 1982 murders in Paris of U.S. military attache Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov, and the attempted murder of U.S. Consul General Robert Homme in Strasbourg in 1984 (Read more at USNews).

The PA's race to prove itself to Trump as rivals line up

There has been much shock and awe among many Arabs in recent weeks at the brutal repressive campaign dubbed "The Protection of the Homeland" that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has launched against Palestinian resisters to the Israeli occupation in the West Bank. The campaign's ultimate failure led the Israelis to intervene again this week by bombing the Jenin refugee camp, killing around 12 Palestinians (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Biden-Trump Teamwork Advanced Gaza Ceasefire, US Ambassador to Israel

In the wake of November’s election, the Trump and Biden teams began working together. “I think a lot of progress has been made. The fact that you have an outgoing and an incoming administration that have worked hand in hand to make the case for urgency, I think, has been noticed by all parties,” the ambassador said (Read more at The Hill).

Turkish Cyprus slams Greek ‘warmongering’ after US arms decree

Days before he handed over his duty to Donald Trump, U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued a directive to boost his country's aid to Greek Cypriots by issuing a memorandum that makes the southern side eligible to receive American defense articles, military sales and training (Read more at Daily Sabah).

Biden says Gaza deal based on his framework while Trump claims credit

Trump had dispatched his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to join the negotiations in Doha, and Witkoff was there for the last 96 hours of talks leading up to the deal. A senior Biden administration official, in a briefing with reporters, credited Witkoff with helping deliver the deal, working alongside Biden's envoy, Brett McGurk, who has been in Doha since 5 Jan (Read more at Business Standard).

Trump Administration Will Be Obliged to Probe of Israeli Actions in Gaza

Joe Biden will hand over to Trump. U.S. State Department officials have identified hundreds of potential incidents of civilian harm during Israel's military operations in Gaza involving U.S.-furnished weapons, but have not taken further action on them. the State Department spokesperson said, "But I can tell you that the obligation that the State Department has to investigate potential violations of international humanitarian law through the use of U.S. weapons are not obligations that expire on Jan. 20th. They are obligations that carry over from this administration into the next administration." (Read more at USNews)

US Reaction to Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Chuck Schumer: “It couldn’t have happened without steadfast diplomacy and until the potency of Hamas was radically reduced.” John Barrasso: “I think that the world is seeing Donald Trump coming into power in the United States, and we're seeing changes around the world to reflect a new strength in America." Hakeem Jeffries: “This long-overdue agreement will secure the release of many of those hostages, set the stage for others to come home.” Bernie Sanders: “Both sides must honor the deal and implement it as quickly as possible… The United Nations and other aid organizations must finally be allowed unfettered access to all areas of the Gaza.” Claudia Tenney: "After Biden's repeated failure to free the Israeli & American hostages being held by Hamas, President Trump has already negotiated a deal to release the hostages, & he hasn't even been sworn in yet. The world is a safer place with President Trump as America's Leader." (Read more at USNews)

Biden hails ceasefire; says American hostages to be freed in initial phase

Biden said. “I’ve worked on foreign policy for decades. This was one of the toughest negotiations I’ve ever experienced. We reached this point because to the pressure Israel built on Hamas, backed by the United States.” (Read more at The Hill)

Biden to Hand Unfinished Agenda to Trump for Chaotic Mideast

Biden's Middle East record is likely to be remembered not so much for how conflicts ended on his watch but mainly for how they unfolded, seemingly beyond his ability to contain them. "The upside is Biden came to Israel's defense as a reliable ally," said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to Democratic and Republican administrations. "The downside is he had little success constraining (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu in Gaza, and that's done serious reputational damage to the U.S." (Read more at USNews).

Trump says he'll use Gaza deal momentum to expand Israel's regional ties

Trump, who repeatedly threatened there would be "hell to pay" if hostages were not released ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration, said he was "thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home". "With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform (Read more at AOL).

Iran 'never' plotted to kill Trump during campaign

Asked whether Iran is willing to promise that there will be no attempt on Trump’s life, Pezeshkian said, “We have never attempted this to begin with, and we never will.” (Read more at NBC News).

Engineer could flee to Iran to avoid drone strike trial, US says

U.S. prosecutors argued on Tuesday that an engineer could flee to Iran if he was granted bail while awaiting trial on charges related to a deadly drone attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan carried out last year by Iran-backed militants (Read more at MSN).

Gantz Tells Faith Leaders at Mar-a-Lago: Trump Will Choose the Good

Member of the Knesset Benny Gantz, the former Israeli military chief of staff, and former defense minister praised President-elect Trump’s strategic approach to global challenges, expressing confidence in his leadership. “Now, President Trump has a very full metastrategic plate … but I know he will succeed. Why? Because he naturally differs between what’s good and what’s bad and he will choose the good.” (Read more at Media Line)

Blinken lays out post-war Gaza plan to be handed to Trump team

Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington in his final days as the U.S. top diplomat, Blinken said Washington envisioned a reformed Palestinian Authority leading Gaza and inviting international partners to help establish and run an interim administration for the enclave. A security force would be formed from forces from partner nations and vetted Palestinian personnel (Read more at AOL).

Israel faces 'generational' challenge with future US policymakers

Outgoing ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew says US public's pro-Israel views could change in coming years, with Israel facing a 'generational' problem. American public opinion “is still largely pro-Israel” but that could shift in the next decades as a result of the war in Gaza (Read more at Middle East Eye).

US says Hamas replaced all killed fighters with new recruits

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel 'must accept' Gaza Strip and West Bank united under Palestinian Authority. Blinken’s remarks provide a rare window into US intelligence assessments of Hamas’s strength, which is likely to ruffle Israel’s positioning after a potential ceasefire, given its stated objective of “total victory and the eradication of Hamas” (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Presidents of Egypt, US urge 'flexibility' to finalize Gaza cease-fire deal

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Joe Biden emphasized Tuesday the importance of overcoming obstacles and showing flexibility to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. The remarks were made during a phone call between the two leaders (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

Head of hostage NGO believes US journalist Tice still in Syria

The head of an American organisation focused on hostage releases said on Monday he believes U.S. journalist Austin Tice was still being held in Syria by people loyal to toppled leader Bashar al-Assad in order to do an exchange or a deal (Read more at Reuters).

Sullivan Says There Could be a Gaza Deal This Week

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there’s a “distinct possibility” that Israel and Hamas will be able to reach a ceasefire deal before President Joe Biden leaves office in a week. “The pressure is building for Hamas to come to yes,” (Watch more at Bloomberg).

Biden calls for immediate ceasefire in call with Netanyahu

Netanyahu updated Biden on progress in the talks and on the mandate he has given his top-level security delegation now in Doha in order to advance a hostage deal. During their call, Netanyahu also thanked Biden for his lifelong support of Israel and "the extraordinary support from the United States for Israel’s security and national defense" (Read more at Reuters).

Trump's Ukraine envoy says world must reinstate 'maximum pressure' on Iran

The world must return to a policy of "maximum pressure" against Iran to turn it into a more democratic country, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told an Iranian opposition event in Paris on Saturday (Read more at MSN).

Sister of Israeli captive in Iraq hopeful Trump will help free her

“We are very hopeful that the incoming [U.S.] administration will put an end to the lack of accountability and lawlessness that the Iraqi government is allowed to get away with,” Emma Tsurkov told JNS on Saturday. Emma’s sister Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University researcher, has been held captive in Iraq by Shi’ite militia Kata’ib Hezbollah since 2023 (Read more at JNS).

US and France could secure Syria's border to mitigate the conflict with Turkey

A senior Syrian Kurdish official indicated that talks are underway on the possibility of US and French troops securing a border area in northern Syria. Ankara has warned it will carry out a cross-border offensive in northeast Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia if the group does not comply with Turkish demands (Read more at Atalayar).

Iran holding war games as it faces Israel tensions, Trump's return

The war games take place as Iranian leaders face the risk that Trump could empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attack Iran's nuclear sites, while further tightening U.S. sanctions on its oil industry through his "maximum pressure" policy (Read more at Reuters).

Netanyahu hosts Trump envoy on Gaza hostage talks

He met with President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in what was described as a “surprise visit” to discuss the multilateral negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. Channel 12 cited a “senior Israeli” saying that Trump has been personally involved in the matter over the last couple of days, expressing his desire to urgently cement a deal before he enters office on Jan. 20 (Read more at JNS).

Turkey sidelines France in favour of US partnership in northeast Syria

Turkey's chief diplomat has ruled out French military support in Syria after accusing France of ignoring Ankara’s security needs, saying it preferred partnering with the United States to diffuse Kurdish tensions in the country’s northeast (Read more at France 24).

US, Arab mediators make some progress in Gaza talks, no deal yet

But it is not enough to seal a deal.  "We're making some real progress," Biden told reporters at the White House. "I'm still hopeful that we'll be able to have a prisoner exchange," he said, adding Hamas was getting in the way of that. The president said he met with negotiators. a Palestinian official close to the mediation effort said the absence of a deal so far did not mean the talks were going nowhere and this was the most serious attempt so far. However, Israel still insists on keeping a 1 km landscape along the eastern and northern borders of the Gaza Strip, which will restrict the return of residents to their homes and represent a retreat from what it (Israel) had agreed upon in July (Read more at Reuters).

Japanese mafia leader caught in U.S. pleads guilty to traffic nuclear materials to Iran

Yakuza leader Takeshi Ebisawa and a co-defendant had previously been charged in April 2022 with drug trafficking and firearms offences, and both were remanded. The military weaponry to be part of the arms deal included surface-to-air missiles (Read more at Guardian).

Italy says no US extradition request for detained Iranian businessman so far

Abedini is wanted by the United States on suspicion of involvement in a drone strike against U.S. forces in Jordan. Iran has denied involvement and said last week the detention of the Iranian national amounted to hostage-taking (Read more at DeccanHerald).

Turkey to tell U.S. that Syria needs to be rid of terrorists

Turkish officials will tell U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bass during talks in Ankara this week that Syria needs to be rid of terrorist groups to achieve stability and security. The YPG spearheads the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played an important role in defeating Islamic State in Syria (Read more at Reuters).

US House votes to advance bill to sanction ICC over Israel arrest warrants

Legislators in the lower chamber of the US Congress passed the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” by an overwhelming margin, 243 to 140, on Thursday in a signal of strong support for Israel. 45 Democrats joined 198 Republicans in backing the bill. No Republicans voted against it. The legislation proposes sanctions for any foreigner who helps the ICC in its attempts to investigate, detain or prosecute a US citizen or citizen of an allied country that does not recognise the authority of the court. The bill now heads to the Senate, where a Republican majority was sworn in earlier this month (Read more at Aljazeera).

Trump's terror chief urges UK to bring its Islamic State members back from Syria

Sebastian Gorka, the president-elect's deputy assistant on national security, suggested the UK-US relationship had been weakened. It signals the incoming Trump administration aims to apply greater pressure on its allies. "Any nation which wishes to be seen as a serious ally and friend of the most powerful nation in the world should act in a fashion that reflects that serious commitment," he said. Around 70 Britons are thought to be held by US-backed Kurdish-led forces in detention camps - including 20 women and up to 40 children (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Quaker group halts New York Times ads over ‘Gaza genocide’

A prominent American Quaker organisation has cancelled its advertising with the New York Times (NYT) after the newspaper refused to allow an advertisement referring to Israel’s aggression in Gaza as genocide (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

US shifts some military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon

In separate notices sent to Congress, the State Department said it was moving $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt and $7.5 million for Israel toward supporting the Lebanese army and its government (Read more at AP).

After US Exemption, UN Says More Significant Syria Sanctions Work Needed

"I welcome the recent issuance of a new temporary General License by the United States government. But much more significant work in fully addressing sanctions and designations will inevitably be necessary," the U.N. special envoy on Syria, Geir Pedersen told the Security Council (Read more at USNews).

US Settles With Johns Hopkins Over Alleged Discrimination Against Arabs, Jews

The university has agreed to review its anti-harassment policies and to provide training to staff and students on addressing discrimination and harassment based on ancestry and ethnicity. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights said Johns Hopkins University received 99 complaints of harassment based on shared ancestry from October 2023 through May 2024 (Read more at USNews).

Morocco become the first Arab nation to acquire US-made F-35

The U.S. Department of Defense is expected to finalize an agreement for the delivery of 32 F-35 Lightning IIs, at an estimated cost exceeding $17 billion over 45 years, covering both procurement and maintenance. If confirmed, this acquisition would expand the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s inventory, which is currently centered on fourth-generation F-16 aircraft (Read more at Army Recognition).

Trump announces $20B US investment by Emirati businessman

Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani promised a $20 billion investment in the booming U.S. data center industry in the coming years, he and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday at Trump's home in Palm Beach, Florida. The investment by DAMAC Properties in the United Arab Emirates is intended to highlight Trump’s personal ability to attract new money for big projects (Read more at AP).

Trump Middle East envoy: ‘good things’ on Gaza hostages before inauguration

“Well, I think we’re making a lot of progress, and I don’t want to say too much because I think they’re doing a really good job back in Doha,” Witkoff said at a Trump press conference in Palm Beach, Florida (Read more at Arabnews).

Hamas Wants an End to Gaza War Under Hostage Deal, as Trump Deadline Nears

Hamas says it will free its remaining hostages only if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw all its troops from Gaza. Israel says it will not end the war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are free (Read more at Arabnews).

UAE in Talks With US, Israel About Provisional Government for Post-War Gaza

The United Arab Emirates has discussed with Israel and the United States participating in a provisional administration of post-war Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority is able to take charge (Read more at USNews).

US dramatically shrinks Guantanamo prisoner population to 15 men

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration slashed the prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba by nearly half on Monday, sending 11 detainees to Oman (Read more at AOL).

US allows transactions with governing institutions in Syria despite sanctions

it is issued for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance. The exemption, known as a general license, also allows some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7. The action did not remove any sanctions (Read more at Reuters).

US dangles Saudi Arabia's cash to push candidate for Lebanon's presidency

In Riyadh meeting, US and Saudi Arabia agreed they had 'once in thirty-year opportunity' to sideline Hezbollah with election of new president. The US has told Lebanese officials that Saudi Arabia is prepared to deploy hundreds of millions of dollars to reconstruct their war-torn country if Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun is elected president (Read more at Middle East Eye).

US Says Anti-ISIS Operation in Iraq Kills Coalition Soldier

It led to the death of a non-U.S. coalition soldier and wounded two other non-U.S. personnel. U.S. officials have said Islamic State is hoping to stage a comeback in Syria following the fall in December of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (Read more at Reuters).

US envoy says Israeli army will withdraw completely from south Lebanon

Hochstein’s statement on Monday came as Israel was withdrawing its forces from Naqoura in the western sector of the border, with the Lebanese army deploying in the area. However, the US official did not specify a timetable for the Israeli withdrawal (Read more at Aljazeera).

Blinken Calls for Push to Get Gaza Truce Deal Over 'Finish Line'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Monday for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office, after a Hamas official told Reuters the group had cleared a list of 34 hostages as first to go free under a truce (Read more at Globe and Mail).

Palestinian Authority requests $680m in security assistance from US

The Palestinian Authority (PA) asked the United States to approve a four-year $680m plan to boost the training of its special forces and bolster its supply of ammunition and armoured vehicles. The US delegation expressed satisfaction with the campaign in Jenin and pledged to deliver armoured vehicles and ammunition (Read more at Middle East Eye).

U.S. raises concerns about attacks on minorities with new Syrian government

Armed clashes between militants affiliated with the Assad regime and policemen affiliated with the new administration took place last week in the city of Tartus. Fourteen policemen and several militants were killed, according to the Syrian Interior Ministry (Read more at Axios).

Houthis vow to defend after US strikes in Yemen

Huthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam called the strikes "an American aggression" and "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of an independent state and a blatant support for Israel." (Read more at Tribune)

US has spent $22B supporting Israel’s military since October 2023

The US supplied 78% of Israel's arms from 2019 to 2023, with deliveries totaling 50,000 tons of weapons by August 2024 (Read more at Anadolu Agency).

US releases one of longest-held Guantánamo Bay detainees to Tunisia

Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi was transferred to his home country after being held without charge since the detention facility opened in January 2002. The 59-year-old appeared in one of the detention centre’s most iconic photographs, showing detainees kneeling in the open-air compound of Camp X-Ray (Read more at Guardian).

US hopes Syria elections will come as soon as possible

Official tells The National Washington wants to see new Syria rebuilt 'in spirit' of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and Syria's elections “should be free and fair, and carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner”. The response comes after Mr Al Shara stoked concerns at the weekend when he told Al Arabiya that Syria would not hold elections for another four years, and that it may not ratify a constitution for three years (Read more at The National).

Jimmy Carter: A Legacy of Peace and Complexity in the Middle East

Carter’s presidency brought the groundbreaking Camp David Accords but faced challenges from Iran’s revolution and the Cold War (Read more at Media Line).

Herzog hails Carter for ‘historic’ 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty

“In recent years I had the pleasure of calling him and thanking him for his historic efforts to bring together two great leaders, [Menachem] Begin and [Anwar] Sadat, and forging a peace between Israel and Egypt that remains an anchor of stability throughout the Middle East and North Africa many decades later,” wrote Herzog on X (Read more at JNS).

El-Sisi expresses condolences to US over passing of former president Carter

“In this moment of sorrow, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of former American president Jimmy Carter, as well as to the president and the people of the United States of America,” El-Sisi wrote on his social media accounts (Read more at Al Ahram).

NYT ‘investigates’ genocide, uncovers nothing but ‘loosened standards’

According to the US paper of record, Israel never intended to ‘erase the Gaza Strip from the face of Earth’ – it simply ‘weakened its [nonexistent] system of safeguards meant to protect civilians (Read more at Aljazeera).

Jimmy Carter: The father of Arab-Israeli normalisation

With the Camp David Accords, the late US president set in motion the gradual abandonment of the Palestinian cause by Arab states (Read more at Aljazeera).

De facto Syrian leader anticipates Trump era with well-choreographed media appearances

Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is using media appearances to spell out well-scripted scenarios ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Sharaa seemed to be speaking from professionally-prepared talking points as he relaxedly answered even tough questions trying to reassure his domestic and foreign audiences while at the same time making no secret of his intent to cement his hold on power for the time being (Read more at Arab Weekly).

US military convoy arrives in Syria from Iraq amid ongoing tensions

The US military convoy, including 50 trucks carrying armored vehicles, military equipment, and logistics, is on its way to one of the US military bases in the east and north of Syria through the Al-Waleed border crossing (Read more at News.AZ).

Turkish FM discusses with Blinken need to cooperate with new Syrian administration

It is needed to ensure the completion of the transition period in an orderly manner, the ministry said. In a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Blinken that Ankara would not allow Kurdish YPG militia to take shelter in Syria, the ministry spokesperson said (Read more at Reuters). 

Engineer pleads not guilty in US case over deadly Iran-linked drone strike

A former engineer at a semiconductor manufacturer pleaded not guilty on Friday to U.S. charges that he illegally procured technology for an Iranian firm that made a key component of a drone used in a January attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members (Read more at Reuters).

Russia says UK, US planning ‘terrorist attacks’ to remove its forces from Syria

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of plotting 'terrorist attacks' on Russian bases in Syria to remove its forces from the country. In a statement released on Saturday, the intelligence agency accused the UK's MI6 and US CIA are directing commanders of the Islamic State to carry out the attacks using drones (Read more at New Arab).

Yemen's Houthis shoot down 13th MQ-9 Reaper drone

The spokesman of the armed forces of the Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah said that the drone was shot down while it was carrying out missions in the Bayda governorate, an area located between the cities of Sanaa and Aden. He added that the drone was shot down using a "locally-made surface-to-air missile". With each drone costing approximately $31m, that would mean that the total cost of the downed drones is more than $400m (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Saudi Finds Alternative To F-35

the cash-rich kingdom has encountered multiple impediments in purchasing the stealthy US combat aircraft. For one, Saudi Arabia has been accused of carrying out widespread human rights violations and civilian deaths through its intervention in Yemen’s civil war. Currently, only three countries have an operational fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, including the United States, China, and Russia. China has two fifth-generation stealth aircraft: the J-20 Mighty Dragon and the newly unveiled J-35. Since China is unlikely to export the J-20 for security reasons, the J-35A, designed with an eye on export, is the only available option for an interested buyer. Unlike the US and China, Russia has one stealth fighter to offer, Su-57 Felon. The latest reports in local Turkish media claim that Saudi Arabia is mulling the purchase of 100 KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from Turkey (Read more at Euroasiantimes).

US neutral on potential Turkey-Syria deal

The US called on all parties in the Eastern Mediterranean to avoid actions that could escalate tensions, emphasizing the need for regional resource development to foster collaboration, energy security, and economic stability (Read more at Ekathimerini).

US not ‘wiping every Houthi fighter off the map

U.S. airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen will continue as long as the specially designated global terrorist group continues to pose a threat to Israel and international shipping, a White House adviser said. John Kirby, the White House national security communications advisor, said that the focus is on undermining the Houthis’ ability to launch attacks in the Red Sea (Read more at JNS).

US anti-missile THAAD system used to intercept projectile from Yemen

An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October (Read more at Reuters).

US, Britain launch fresh airstrike on Yemeni capital Sanaa, Houthis say

The attack targeted the September 21 Park in the Ma'ain district of Sanaa. The broadcaster, however, didn't provide details about injuries or damage from the strike. There was no immediate comment from Washington or London on the report. The attack came one day after Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Sanaa and the coastal province of Al-Hudaydah in western Yemen (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

After 23 years, Guantanamo remains an omnipresent threat to Muslims

Emblematic of institutionalised Islamophobia, the detention centre has placed Muslims outside of the law and continues to be used by US authorities to threaten their lives and rights (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Washington Must Address Turks’ Ignorance and Detachment from Reality

This represents a strategic own goal. To invest in a Creole service but ignore a country of nearly 90 million people is national security negligence. Turkey today is among the most anti-American countries on earth; according to the Pew Research Center, Russians have a more positive attitude toward the United States than Turks. Yet neither Democratic nor Republican administrations address the problem by effectively countering Erdoğan’s poisonous, terror-sympathizing, and racist ideology and narratives (Read more at American Enterprise Institute).

Deciphering the web of US sanctions on Syria

the reality is that the sanctions on HTS are a drop in the bucket, compared to an overlapping sanctions regime on Syria that was five decades in the making, predating even the 2011 Arab Spring and Syrian civil war. American exports to Syria were all but prohibited, except for food and basic medicines. US sanctions on Syria ramped up massively after Assad's brutal crackdown on protesters and as the civil war raged. In 2020, a US company was awarded a sanctions waiver to develop oil fields in the region, but that project withered. (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump World Has Trust Issues With Qatar

To put it very simply, Qatar is willing to be (almost) everyone’s friend. It hosts Hamas and Taliban representatives along with a U.S. embassy and a U.S. military base, while even Israeli officials stop by now and then. Qatar’s open-door policy has made it a go-to mediator in many of the world’s conflicts; indeed, mediation is a pillar of Qatar’s foreign policy, giving it outsized influence. But that approach also has left Qatar open to questions in the U.S., Israel and beyond about whether it is truly a friend to anyone. Some argue the U.S. shouldn’t depend on Qatar as a partner or an intermediary (Read more at Politico).

Trump’s Opportunity to Redefine U.S.-Qatar Relations

The initial diplomatic signals from President-elect Trump’s team suggest a shift, with reports indicating a call for Qatar to reinstate Hamas leaders to Doha. This starkly contrasts with recent moves by the Biden administration, which pressured Qatar to distance itself from Hamas. The Trump administration must address Qatar’s international positioning. As host of the 2025 U.N. anti-corruption summit, Qatar has portrayed itself as a global leader in combating corruption. The administration should challenge this narrative by ensuring accountability for Doha’s domestic and international actions. For Trump, the path forward is clear: Qatar must earn its privileges as a U.S. ally. A failure to reset the relationship would allow Qatar to continue benefiting from U.S. trust while undermining shared values and priorities (Read more at ASEAN News).

US Greenlights $5.5b Arms Package for Egypt and Morocco

Under the deal, Egypt will acquire $630 million worth of Lockheed Martin Hellfire missiles, spare parts, and training, alongside $30 million worth of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS). Additionally, Egypt will acquire $4.69 billion worth of equipment to support its M1A1 Abrams tank fleet, which it co-produces with the US. Meanwhile, Morocco received approval to purchase 500 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs valued at $86 million and $88.4 million worth of AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles for its F-16V jets (Read more at Africa.com).

Another US Navy Jet Narrowly Missed ‘Friendly Fire’ Over Red Sea

An F/A-18 Super Hornet was forced to take “evasive maneuvers” after an SM-2 missile fired from the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg passed within 100 feet (30 meters) of the aircraft (Read more at Defense Post).

Houthis threaten US targets in Middle East amid Israel's Yemen strikes

Houthi Supreme Political Council Member Mohammed Ali al-Houthi issued a stark warning to Washington in a video on X. "We caution Americans against targeting Yemen. If they do not stop, we will strike US interests in the region, ignoring any red lines," said al-Houthi. "Either Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Yemen will cease, or we will target sensitive American assets to deliver our message." (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı)

Trump’s nominee for top defence post thinks Middle East is ‘relatively unimportant’

Elbridge Colby has said the US should stop focusing on the Middle East, and turn its military's attention to China. Colby did, however, emphasise that the US priorities in the region include ensuring Israel's security, preventing the Gulf states from becoming hostile and lastly preventing transnational terrorism. But he argued that all three could be pursued without the expansive physical footprint that the US employs in the Middle East (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Students sue University of Michigan over pro-Palestinian protest crackdown

Six current and former students allege the school violated the students’ constitutional rights. The federal lawsuit was filed on Friday in the US District Court in Detroit. The plaintiffs allege that the school violated the students’ constitutional rights to free speech, due process and equal protection under the law (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Top US, Saudi military generals discuss situation in Syria and Lebanon

The Pentagon said that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown, and Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, spoke about the importance of peacefully de-escalating tensions in the region. The two generals spoke about ways to increase the strength of the bilateral relationship between the US and Saudi Arabian militaries, including capacity building, military training, and exercises (Read more at Al Arabiya)

US fighter jet shot down in 'friendly fire' incident over Red Sea

The developments came hours after a rocket from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, prompting US air strikes in Houthi-controlled territory, which it claims were in response to attacks on US Navy ships and commercial vessels. Two US Navy pilots ejected safely after their F/A-18 fighter jet was downed (Read more at TRTWorld).

US Oks More Than $5B in Military Sales to Egypt

The equipment includes 555 US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks operated by Egypt, $630 million in 2,183 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, and $30 million in precision-guided munitions. Egypt has become an increasingly close partner in mediating the Gaza crisis despite serious human rights concerns. US President Joe Biden took office in 2021 vowing a harder line on Egypt over human rights concerns under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, but his administration has repeatedly gone ahead with arms deals with Egypt. The US Congress can still block the sales, but such attempts are usually unsuccessful. Cairo is one of the largest recipients of US security aid since its peace treaty with Israel in 1979 (Read more at Defense Post).

US charges Russian-Israeli dual national tied to Lockbit ransomware group

Rostislav Panev, 51, was arrested in Israel in August and is awaiting extradition to the United States. Panev was a developer at Lockbit from its inception some time in 2019 through to at least February 2024, during which time the group grew into "what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world," the U.S. Department of Justice said (Read more at Reuters).

US, Israeli officials deny approving sale of Israeli spyware firm to US investors

Over the past week, Israeli news outlets reported that Paragon, which was founded by former Israeli intelligence officers and backed by ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, had been bought by AE, an investment group focused on national security-related businesses (Read more at Reuters).

US senators seek Turkey sanctions, citing military action in Syria

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham  introduced the "Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024" in the hope the sanctions threat would move the parties toward a ceasefire. But they said Washington should work with Turkey diplomatically to facilitate a sustained ceasefire and demilitarized zone between Turkey and Syria (Read more at Reuters).

US judge finds Israel's NSO Group liable for hacking in WhatsApp lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California, ruled on Friday in favor of Meta Platforms' (META.O), opens a new tab WhatsApp in a lawsuit accusing Israel's NSO Group of exploiting a bug in the messaging app to install spy software allowing unauthorized surveillance (Read more at Reuters).

American Strike Killed Islamic State Group Leader in Syria

Washington has stepped up military action against the jihadist group since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government earlier this month, hitting areas that were shielded by Syrian and Russian air defenses before a lightning offensive by rebels who now control the country. The strike took place Thursday in Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria, killing IS leader “Abu Yusif” and another operative (Read more at Defense Post).

US State Department Approves $86M Sale of Small Diameter Bombs to Morocco

Morocco is set to acquire 500 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I) from the United States, marking another significant step in the country’s military modernization efforts. The package also includes two GBU-39 (T-1)/B inert practice bombs with fuze, along with tactical training rounds, support equipment, spare parts, technical data, and personnel training (Read more at Morocco World News).

US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen, Hours After Rebels Hit Israel

During the operation, American forces also shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea. The US attack on Sanaa came the same day that a Houthi missile struck Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv, wounding 16 people in the second such strike in days (Read more at Defense Post).

Houthis shouldn’t be surprised by Israeli response, Pentagon says

Given that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned this week the Houthis that they would pay a heavy price, a reporter asked the Pentagon if it assesses that Israel might target the Yemen-based group next, after Hezbollah and Hamas. “I won’t speak for Israel in terms of its operations. They certainly have a right to defend themselves, and as you know, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel,” Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the U.S. Defense Department press secretary, told a reporter at the Pentagon’s Dec. 19 press briefing (Read more at JNS).

US disagrees with HRW ‘genocide’ accusation against Israel

US official: ‘When it comes to a determination of something like genocide, the legal standard is just incredibly high, and so the finding in this scenario we just disagree with ... That does not take away from the fact that there is a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza’. (Read more at Arab News)

US exempts Turkey from Russian Gazprombank sanctions

Last month, the US Treasury said Gazprombank and its six foreign subsidiaries were subject to sanctions due to their involvement in the Ukraine war. US officials accuse the bank of facilitating payments to Russian soldiers. Turkey, which imported more than 40 percent of its natural gas from Russia last year, paid billions of dollars for these imports through the bank (Read more at Middle East Eye).

FBI arrests university student over alleged plot to attack Israeli consulate

The FBI has arrested an 18-year-old student from George Mason University (GMU), accusing him of being involved in a plot to attack the Israeli consulate in New York, in a case involving an undercover informant or agent who helped the teenager come up with the plan. Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, a first-year student and an Egyptian national, has been charged with one count of distributing information related to explosives that could be used to murder internationally protected persons (Read more at Middle East Eye).