Feb 07 Netanyahu rejects Hamas terms for cease-fire, vows to fight until ‘absolute victory’ By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Blinken said an agreement between the sides was still possible. But Netanyahu's remarks also underscored how wide the chasm between Israel and Hamas remains as the war enters its fifth month. Continue reading
Feb 06 Senate Democrats push to require that Biden consult Congress on weapons sales to Israel By Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is introducing an amendment Tuesday to strike language in the $118 billion national security supplemental allowing the administration to send future arms to Israel without first notifying Congress. Continue reading
Feb 06 Who is part of Iran’s regional armed network and what are their aims? By Kali Robinson, Will Merrow, Council on Foreign Relations Fighters from Shiite Muslim-majority countries such as Iraq and Lebanon compose Iran’s main proxies, but groups in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories, Syria, and Yemen have also formed associations with Iran. Continue reading
Feb 06 2 more ships in Mideast waters attacked by suspected Houthi drones By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. Continue reading
Feb 06 Blinken meets with Egyptian mediators to push for cease-fire in Gaza By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Egypt fears an expansion of combat to the Rafah area could push terrified Palestinian civilians across the border, a scenario Egypt has said it is determined to prevent. Continue reading
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