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 Watch 6:38 Sen. Murphy on border security bill: ‘This is an old-fashioned compromise’ By Amna Nawaz, Ian Couzens A bipartisan Senate deal to fund border security, Israel and Ukraine looks like a no-go after Republican House Speaker Johnson called it "dead on arrival." Amna Nawaz discussed the plan and its reaction with Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut,… Continue watching
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 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 04 House GOP announces bill that includes more military aid to Israel, but not Ukraine By Kevin Freking, Associated Press House Republicans will move forward with a $17.6 billion package that provides military aid to Israel and replenish U.S. weapons, but leaves out more help for Ukraine, underscoring the challenges facing supporters of a comprehensive national security package that would also include billions… 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
Feb 01 Biden sanctions Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians and peace activists By Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press President Joe Biden on Thursday issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory, imposing financial sanctions and visa bans in an… Continue reading
Feb 01 Israel and Lebanon are prepping for war, but neither wants the conflict many fear is inevitable By Abby Sewell, Melanie Lidman, Associated Press Israel and Hezbollah each have lessons from their last war, in 2006. The monthlong conflict ended in a draw. Continue reading