Feb 05 Watch 3:03 Blinken returns to Middle East in push for Gaza cease-fire, release of hostages By Nick Schifrin, Solveig Rennan Secretary of State Blinken returned to the Middle East hoping to make progress on a deal to pause the war in Gaza and release Israeli hostages. The Biden administration hopes the deal could lead to larger diplomatic initiatives across the… Continue watching
Feb 05 Watch 9:24 Experts discuss obstacles to Palestinian statehood and Saudi-Israeli normalization By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn Saudi leaders say diplomatic normalization with Israel isn’t possible without steps toward a Palestinian state. The U.S. hopes a pause in fighting could lead to progress on reforming the Palestinian Authority, normalization and two states. Nick Schifrin discussed more with… Continue watching
Feb 05 France’s new foreign minister presses for a cease-fire in Israel to end ‘the tragedy in Gaza’ By Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press Speaking at a news conference, Séjourné said it was France's role as a "friend" to tell Israeli leaders some truths they "may have difficulties hearing."… Continue reading
Feb 05 WATCH: Pentagon holds briefing as U.S. warns of more retaliation if attacked by Iranian allies By Jon Gambrell, Tara Copp, Associated Press After a weekend of retaliatory strikes, the United States is warning Iran and the militias it arms and funds that it will conduct more attacks if American forces in the Mideast continue to be targeted. Continue reading
Feb 05 Obstacles loom as Blinken returns to Middle East to negotiate plans for Gaza By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Blinken hopes to press ahead with a potential cease-fire deal and postwar planning while tamping down regional tensions. But on on all three fronts he faces major challenges. Continue reading
Feb 05 Several allied Kurdish fighters killed in drone attack on base housing U.S. troops in Syria By Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press In late January, a drone attack by an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias killed three U.S. troops and wounded dozens more at a desert base in Jordan. Continue reading
Feb 04 What to know about the latest U.S. and British strikes in the Middle East By Balint Szlanko, Associated Press The United States and Britain have struck Iran-backed armed groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, while Israel presses ahead with its offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Here is what to know about what is happening in the region now, and… Continue reading
Feb 04 Far-right Israeli minister’s criticism of Biden and support for Trump draws local backlash By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press Criticism of President Biden by a far-right minister in Israel's government who said Trump would allow more freedom to fight Hamas sparked outrage there on Sunday, highlighting the sensitivity of relations as Washington provides key support for the offensive against the… Continue reading
Feb 03 As war in Gaza hits 4 months, Israel issues its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Israel’s military on Saturday issued its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon that it would be “ready to attack immediately” if provoked, as it recounted its actions along the northern border during four months of war in Gaza. Continue reading
Feb 03 Hamas shows signs of return in Gaza City after Israel withdraws most of its troops from area By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Hamas has begun to resurface in areas where Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces a month ago, deploying police officers and making salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, four residents and a senior… Continue reading