Hosting the conversation

Middle East Experience

Latest News

Gaza ceasefire to begin Sunday morning

A ceasefire in the Gaza war will begin on Sunday morning, mediator Qatar said after Israel's cabinet voted to approve the truce and hostage-prisoner release deal.Since Qatar and the United States, which mediated the deal along with Egypt, announced the agreement on Wednesday, Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued.On Saturday, Gaza's civil defence rescue agency said at least five members of a family were killed when a strike hit their tent in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza ceasefire to begin Sunday morning

Lebanon president says Israel must withdraw from south by January 26 deadline

Lebanon's new president said on Saturday that Israel must withdraw from his country's south by the January 26 deadline set to fully implement an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreed last year.His remarks follow a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem who accused Israel of hundreds of ceasefire violations, warning it against testing "our patience" and calling on the Lebanese state to be "firm" in its response.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Lebanon president says Israel must withdraw from south by January 26 deadline

Trump comeback restarts Israeli public debate on West Bank annexation

When Donald Trump presented his 2020 plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it included the Israeli annexation of swathes of the occupied West Bank, a controversial aspiration that has been revived by his reelection.In his previous stint as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for partial annexation of the West Bank, but he relented in 2020 under international pressure and following a deal to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates.With Trump returning to the White House, pro-annexation Israelis are hoping to rekindle the idea.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump comeback restarts Israeli public debate on West Bank annexation

Guterres says Lebanon nearing 'hopeful future' as truce deadline looms

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday a "more hopeful" future awaits Lebanon after meeting its new leaders in a two-day visit ahead of a deadline for implementing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.His visit comes amid fresh optimism for crisis-hit Lebanon after a devastating war, as Joseph Aoun was elected president on January 9 and named Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate following a two-year vacuum.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Guterres says Lebanon nearing 'hopeful future' as truce deadline looms

Gaza hostages face long road to recovery

As Israel prepares to welcome home the first of 33 hostages freed under a ceasefire with Hamas, health workers warn of the psychological challenges they face after their 15 months in captivity.Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are also set to be released as part of the agreement that took effect on Sunday.Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, 94 remained in Gaza as the ceasefire began, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza hostages face long road to recovery