Middle East Experience

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk on Wednesday said transitional justice was "crucial" for Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, during the first-ever visit by someone in his post to the country.Since Islamist-led rebels seized Damascus last month, the United Nations has called for Assad and others to be held accountable for the crimes committed during more than 13 years of civil war."Transitional justice is crucial as Syria moves forward," the UN high commissioner for human rights said at a press conference in Damascus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: UN rights chief says transitional justice 'crucial' in Syria

Sharon Sharabi, whose brothers Yossi and Eli are still captive, told the Jerusalem Post that families were anxious that phases two and three of the ceasefire deal are not set yet.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'The heart is split': Hostage families fear for loved ones left out of first phase of deal

The vessel delivered to Iran's navy on Wednesday is the latest addition to country's domestic military capabilities.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran’s navy unveils Zagros, its first intel monitoring vessel: What we know

Israel strongly opposes any changes to these maps, the source said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Hamas makes last-minute deal demands regarding Philadelphi Corridor

While Blinken criticized settlements—citing continued expansion and extremist violence—his analysis was a far more nuanced goodbye to the region than former Secretary of State John Kerry.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Blinken’s last bow: A hopeful blueprint haunted by October 7

Irish Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder warned that Higgins' speech may "ring hollow for many Irish Jews" after he had "neglected even to acknowledge the scourge of contemporary antisemitism in Ireland."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: President Higgins's Holocaust speech questioned by Irish Jews after 'neglecting antisemitism'

"We have a deal for hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel, Hamas agree Gaza deal, Trump says hostages to be 'released shortly'

Jared Kushner set up Affinity Partners in 2021 after serving in his role as Donald Trump’s senior White House advisor during the former president's first term.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Kushner's Saudi-backed fund inks flurry of deals ahead of Trump return

After news of a ceasefire agreement sparked mass rejoicing in Gaza, residents woke up Thursday to columns of smoke, rubble and more deaths following new Israeli air strikes."We were waiting for the truce and were happy. It was the happiest night since October 7," said Gaza resident Saeed Alloush, referring to the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in 2023."Suddenly... we received the news of the martyrdom of 40 people," including his uncle, Alloush said."The whole area's joy turned to sadness, as if an earthquake struck."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Air strikes in Gaza crush joy of ceasefire deal

Cyprus on Thursday heralded a move by United States President Joe Biden allowing the strategic Mediterranean country access to military equipment.Traditionally aligned with Russia, European Union member Cyprus has solidified a more pro-American stance since the election of President Nikos Christodoulides in 2023.In a memorandum issued by the White House on Wednesday, Biden said "the furnishing of defence articles and defence services to the Republic of Cyprus will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Cyprus hails new access to US defence goods