Middle East Experience

Israel was poised to again miss a deadline for withdrawing its troops from Lebanon after the military said Monday it would remain in five "strategic points" despite pushback from Beirut.Lebanon's president had earlier voiced concern that Israel would miss the Tuesday deadline under a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and urged countries to pressure Israel to honour the cut-off.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli military set to miss Lebanon withdrawal deadline despite pushback

Holding pictures of their loved ones, families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza marked 500 days of captivity on Monday, urging authorities to secure their release.Dozens of demonstrators were seen marching to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, chanting slogans and carrying banners that read "Home Now", before meeting lawmakers in parliament."My eyes burn from the tears I have shed for the past 500 days," said Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is among those still held captive since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza mark 500 days of captivity

Morocco has also won backing from Western Sahara's former colonial power Spain, as well as Israel and more than two dozen African and Arab nations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: French minister in Western Sahara to back Moroccan sovereignty

Hamas will hand over the names of the hostages who were killed in captivity in the morning on Thursday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel prepares to receive most likely four bodies of hostages on Thursday

Thanks to the Claims Conference, to date, over $90 billion has been paid in indemnification, with $535 million distributed in 2024 to more than 200,000 survivors in 83 countries.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Holocaust survivors in Israel to receive dedicated assistance through new program

For 500 days since an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza Strip's deadliest war, Mohammed Abu Mursa has grappled with "humiliation, suffering and bloodshed" in his fight for survival.Abu Mursa and his family have been displaced more than a dozen times since the war began, moving from place to place across the Palestinian territory in a desperate attempt to stay safe, he said."It's been 500 days of humiliation, suffering and bloodshed," said the resident of northern Gaza, finally able to return home after a fragile ceasefire took hold on January 19.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: War-weary Gazans reel from '500 days of humiliation'

According to the Israel Police, people uninvolved with the center began throwing stones at police officers stationed outside, who responded using riot dispersal methods.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jerusalem shuts down UNRWA vocational center after Netanyahu directive

The Ukrainian president said that Thursday's negotiations in Riyadh came as a surprise to him, and he delayed his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'No decision to end war without Ukraine': Zelensky responds to US-Russia Riyadh talks

More than 30,000 immigrants have had their Jewishness questioned by the rabbinical courts.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Rabbinic court judge criticizes Judaism inquisitors - ITIM

The Bibas family said that they have not yet received any official confirmation on Shiri and the children's fate, and until they do, the "journey is not over."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Bibas family 'in turmoil,' add journey not over until official confirmation received