Israel challenges Egypt on secret Sinai military buildupCairo has constructed military bases in Sinai 'that can only be used for offensive operations, for offensive weapons—that’s a clear violation,' Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yehiel Leiter said in a Jan. 28 briefing. February 23, 2025
Israel accuses Turkey of helping Iran funnel funds to HezbollahIsrael’s Channel 14 reported on Tuesday that it is believed that tens of millions of dollars have already reached Hezbollah through Turkey. February 21, 2025
Beirut shuts down for Hezbollah leader’s funeralSafieddine, who was designated to succeed Nasrallah before being eliminated by Israel, will be buried separately on Monday in his southern hometown of Deir Qanun al-Nahr. February 21, 2025
Hamas official says at least 2.3 million people alive in Gaza, undermining claims of ‘genocide’Furthermore, Naim denied that the ongoing war is between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, asserting that the entirety of the Palestinian people is fighting against Israel. February 20, 2025
Azerbaijan may become a crucial player in Israeli-American vision for Middle EastThe Atlantic Council, a prominent U.S. think tank, stated that the U.S. should follow Israel's lead in fostering ties with Azerbaijan. February 20, 2025
Republicans divided over Trump’s Gaza planAmericans largely oppose president's plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, new polls find, with Republicans sharply divided over the proposal. February 20, 2025
New Syrian textbooks designed to produce more jihadisIn the new schoolbooks, the role of women in Arab history is being deliberately downplayed; for Islam relegates women to a lower rank than men. February 19, 2025
First time in 33 years: Jewish delegation visits DamascusDuring their visit the group toured the Jewish cemetery in Damascus, paying respects at the tomb of Rabbi Chaim Vital, according to Haredi Israeli news portal JDN. February 19, 2025
Iran threatens fresh missile attack on Israel ‘in due time’IRGC deputy commander-in-chief says Iran will attack Israel with ballistic missiles for a third time, in the near future. February 19, 2025
Egypt pushing plan to keep Gazans in Gaza – reportCairo drafts alternative to Trump's Gaza resettlement plan, with the aim of rebuilding the Strip without relocating the area's roughly 2 million residents abroad. February 18, 2025
British motorbiking couple detained in IranThe couple’s last public appearance was a YouTube video filmed in the historical city of Yazd on January 3rd. They were due to reach Pakistan by January 4th, but never checked into their hotel in Kerman. February 18, 2025
Israel accuses Egypt of breaking 1979 peace treaty with Sinai buildupIsraeli Ambassador to US warns Egypt's military buildup in the Sinai Peninsula constitutes a 'very serious violation' of the 1979 peace treaty brokered by President Jimmy Carter. February 18, 2025
‘All options on the table’ for stopping Iran’s nuke program, says top Trump adviserMichael Waltz, President Trump's National Security Advisor, says the president is 'dead serious' about preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, says 'all options are on the table' to block Tehran's nuclear ambitions. February 18, 2025
Trump gives Iran a deadline to close its nuclear programThe United States is actively seeking direct and confidential negotiations with Iran, according to the same diplomatic source. February 16, 2025
Arab Countries announce 5 year Gaza reconstruction plan without Hamas control or civilian relocationThe plan provides for reconstruction over three to five years, without the displacement of the Palestinian population and without Hamas control. February 16, 2025
Iran, facing threats from Trump to roll back nuclear weapons program, parades ballistic missiles across TehranIran unveiled two types of ballistic missiles, the Khorramshahr and Hajj Qassem, as well as a satellite carrier dubbed the 'Omid.' February 15, 2025
Azerbaijan becomes first Muslim-majority country to include antisemitism definition in school curriculumThe study did not find signs of Islamism or radicalism, instead noting a focus on a secular and inclusive national identity. February 15, 2025
Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear program in mid-2025, US predictsAmerican intelligence reportedly claims Jerusalem is poised to attack Iranian nuclear facilities in a preemptive strike sometime in the first half of 2025 but believes it will only delay Iran's nuclear program by weeks or months. February 13, 2025
Report: Egypt’s president snubs Trump ahead of planned meetingEl-Sisi reportedly suspends planned meeting with Trump as Cairo threatens to nix peace treaty with Israel if US cuts aid over Egypt's refusal to take in Gazans. February 11, 2025
65% of Gaza’s structures said destroyed, reconstruction estimated at 10 years4,000 buildings within a mile of the Gaza-Israel border with Israel were also destroyed, amounting to 100% of the structures in that area. February 11, 2025
‘Nobody wants to die’ – Trump says Iran ‘very nervous,’ ready for a dealTrump blasts Obama's 2015 Iran nuclear agreement as 'the dumbest deal,' says Iran cannot be allowed to achieve a nuclear capacity, with only a new deal or Israeli airstrikes capable of preventing them from achieving it. February 11, 2025
Iranians condemn US, Israel at Islamic Revolution anniversary rallyThe event marked the first such celebration under Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office after Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash in May 2024. February 10, 2025
Trump: US will be ‘buying and owning’ GazaUS might allow Middle Eastern allies to develop parts of Gaza Strip, says Trump, but America will 'own it,' and ensure Hamas 'doesn't move back.' February 10, 2025
Erdogan accuses US of bowing to ‘Zionist lobby’ on GazaTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also rejected the plan earlier on Sunday, calling it historically ignorant. February 10, 2025
Trump to meet with leaders of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Israeli president saysHe also noted that Trump is due to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah in the coming days, which Jordan’s state news agency has already reported. February 10, 2025
Saudis respond to Netanyahu proposal to create Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia'The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have plenty of land over there,' said Netanyahu. February 9, 2025
Iran currency plunges to record lows amid escalating US tensionsFacing an official inflation rate of about 35%, Iranians seeking safe havens for their savings have been buying dollars, other hard currencies, gold or cryptocurrencies, suggesting further headwinds for the rial. February 9, 2025
Trump expresses hope nuke deal can avert Israeli strikes on IranPresident Trump says he is pushing for a new nuclear deal with Iran to avoid Israel 'bombing the hell out of Iran.' February 9, 2025
Azerbaijan state oil deal with Israeli gas field signals growing role in Trump’s ‘new Middle East’ visionAzerbaijan’s ties with Israel have long been significant, though often under the radar, and Baku has been Israel’s most vital ally in the Caucasus and Central Asia for more than three decades. February 7, 2025
Iranian FM calls Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign ‘a failed experiment’Iranian FM: 'If the primary concern is preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, this can be achieved without difficulty.' February 5, 2025
Trump dismisses Iran attack reports, calls for nuclear peace agreementTrump intends to sign an executive order resuming a 'maximum pressure' campaign on the Islamic Republic of Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters on Tuesday. February 5, 2025
‘Racist, recipe for chaos’ – Hamas slams Trump’s Gaza planHamas condemns American proposal for Gaza, but quietly signals it wants negotiations with the Trump administration. February 5, 2025
Trump to restore ‘maximum pressure’ campaign on Iran, which raked in $140 billion under BidenIranian state-controlled media described the White House’s fresh push as 'futile,' saying on Tuesday that 'sanctions cannot bring the country to its knees, nor will they be able to do [sic] in the future.' February 4, 2025
Iran mulling shortcuts to build nuclear bomb – reportUS officials say intel indicates Tehran considering options for shortcuts to give it the option for a quick nuclear breakout capacity, amid fears Israel may decide to carry out strikes on Iran's nuclear program. February 4, 2025
Arab countries refuse to accept released Palestinian prisonersQatar, which has long provided sanctuary for Hamas' leadership, was coy about the number of freed terrorists it plans to accept February 4, 2025
Arab countries reject Trump’s Gaza relocation planThe move could 'threaten the region’s stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence among its peoples,' the statement said. February 2, 2025
Iranian FM warns US against attack on nuclear sitesPreviously, Araqchi said that he does not believe that the United States or Israel will attack Tehran’s nuclear facilities, calling the idea 'really crazy.' February 1, 2025
Trump reiterates view that Egypt, Jordan will take in Palestinians'They will do it. They will do it. They’re gonna do it, OK?' Trump said. 'We do a lot for them, and they’re gonna do it.' January 31, 2025
UNSC to address crisis at UNRWA ahead of Israeli banDanon stressed that months of talks with the United Nations to address the situation have been met with 'blatant disregard.' January 28, 2025
The last Jews of Damascus: A journey through memory and ruinsSeven old Jews, a locked synagogue, and a ruin. That’s what remains of the Jewish community of Syria. January 28, 2025
Iranian FM: ‘Crazy’ US or Israeli attack on nuke sites won’t happenTrump said he hoped that Israel would not attack Iran’s nuclear faculties but appeared to suggest that this was a possibility if the Islamic Republic does not accept a deal on its nuclear program. January 28, 2025
Palestinian statehood a ‘red-line’ for Saudi-Israel normalization deal, says Saudi prince'There is no other solution than the two-state solution,' says Saudi prince and diplomat, insisting that any deal between Riyadh and Jerusalem must include Israel's agreement to the establishment of a Palestinian state. January 28, 2025
Hamas rejects Gaza relocation plan but hints it may surrender control of GazaSenior Hamas officials blast Trump's proposal to relocate 1.5 million Gazans to Egypt or Jordan while expressing openness to talks with the US to give up on post-war control over the Gaza Strip. January 27, 2025
IDF reservist soldiers outed as Iranian spiesIsraeli authorities arrest two IDF reserve soldiers suspected of spying for Iran, transferring classified military documents to their Iranian handlers. January 27, 2025
‘Punishment of bullets’: Hamas executes 11 Palestinians accused of ‘collaborating’ with IsraelThese executions are likely only the start of a widespread crackdown on those in Gaza who are suspected of 'collaborating with Israel.' January 25, 2025
Report: Chinese chemical shipments en route to rebuild Iran’s missile arsenalThe sources didn’t confirm whether the Chinese government knew about the transfers. January 24, 2025
Trump refuses to say if he would back Israeli strikes on Iranian nuke facilities'It would be nice' to resolve Iranian nuclear crisis without Israeli strikes, President Trump says, refusing to answer whether he would back IDF attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. January 24, 2025
Iran distances itself from October 7th attacks, claims it was unaware of plansIranian vice president denies Tehran had foreknowledge of Hamas' invasion of Israel, distancing itself from the attacks and suggesting they hurt Iran's interests. January 23, 2025
Israel not committing to Palestinian state in exchange for Saudi deal, says Netanyahu confidantNetanyahu confidant tells the Knesset Israel has not committed to backing Palestinian statehood in exchange for a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, says Jerusalem will work with US and regional allies to devise day-after plan for Gaza Strip. January 23, 2025
Houthis release 25-man crew of hijacked ship linked to IsraelSince Hamas’s October 7 attack, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel. January 22, 2025
IDF: Gazans can return to north next week if Hamas honors dealThe IDF also warned against approaching Israeli territory and the buffer zone near the border, calling the latter area 'extremely dangerous.' January 21, 2025
Iran ‘terrified’ for nuclear program as Trump takes office, says analystIran researcher says theregime is concerned about Trump, now willing to engage in negotiations over future of its nuclear development program. January 21, 2025
Yemen’s Houthis signal they’ll now limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to Israeli shipsThe Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023. January 20, 2025
Israel poised to strike Iran’s nuclear program – reportSenior European diplomat claims Israel has already decided to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities, as European powers reach out to incoming Trump administration in bid to pressure Israel to hold off on attack. January 20, 2025
A flawed ceasefire but a chance to stop IranThe Israeli government believes that removing the distraction in Gaza could be necessary to address the more dangerous threat lurking to the east. January 19, 2025
On last day in office, Biden takes credit for Israeli military victories, hostage deal'The Middle East has been fundamentally transformed,' Biden says on eve of Trump's inauguration, touting Israeli victories against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, and taking victory lap over implementation of Gaza ceasefire. January 19, 2025
‘Gaza is victorious, Israel lost’ – Iran celebrates ceasefireGaza ceasefire is a 'defeat for the monstrous Zionist regime,' says IRGC in a media statement. January 16, 2025
Iran accuses Israel of planting bombs in nuclear equipmentIranian vice president claims Israel tried to sabotage Iran's nuclear program by planting bombs in centrifuges but attempt was foiled. January 15, 2025
Turkish chief rabbi dead at 84According to local media, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called leaders of the Jewish community to convey his condolences. January 14, 2025
Assad torture chief gunned down in Syrian street'We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people,' the new Syrian leader Al-Sharaa said. January 14, 2025
