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In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation?

yesterday 1

Al Monitor

Ben Caspit

Turkey, Japan defense chiefs meet as China concerns push Tokyo toward drones

The Japanese defense chief’s visit focuses on defense industry cooperation, including a potential drone deal amid Tokyo's growing concerns over...

yesterday 1

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iran plans 20 satellites, test launch by end of 2025: What to know

Iran is seeking investment in its space agency and has made progress in developing satellites in the face of sanctions, though reliance on Russia...

yesterday 0

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Lenovo’s $2B Saudi expansion suggests China to hold ground despite US push

Lenovo and Huawei both continue to expand in Saudi Arabia months after US President Donald Trump's landmark Gulf tour delivered tech deals for US...

yesterday 0

Al Monitor

Samuel Wendel

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest for end to Gaza war

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest for end to Gaza war

Clutching pictures of hostages, waving yellow flags, banging on snare drums and shouting chants to bring captive Israelis home, tens of thousands...

previous day 20

Al Monitor

By David Stout

Some Palestinians already leaving Gaza City ahead of Israeli offensive

Some Palestinians already leaving Gaza City ahead of Israeli offensive

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Fearing an Israeli onslaught could come soon, some Palestinian families began leaving eastern areas of Gaza...

previous day 6

Al Monitor

By Nidal Al-Mughrabi

Serbia, Slovenia still buying Israeli arms despite embargo: What to know

The Elbit Systems deal with Serbia is one of the largest in the company’s history, second only to a $1.7 billion agreement to modernize the...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

Jack Dutton

Jordan to resume conscription in 2026, call up 6,000 men: What to know

In 2026, 6,000 men born in 2007 will be drafted for a three-month training program.

previous day 1

Al Monitor

Rosaleen Carroll

Iraq begins exhuming ISIS mass grave at Al-Khasfa thought to hold 3,000+ victims

In 2024, Human Rights Watch said that hundreds of thousands of victims remain buried in mass graves across Iraq, including those killed under...

previous day 1

Al Monitor

Rosaleen Carroll

Irish literary star Sally Rooney pledges UK TV fees to banned pro-Palestine group

Irish literary star Sally Rooney pledges UK TV fees to banned pro-Palestine group

Irish author Sally Rooney has vowed to give fees generated by two BBC adaptations of her books to the Palestine Action group -- banned recently in...

previous day 1

Al Monitor

By Helen Rowe

Historic drought, wheat shortage to test Syria's new leadership

Historic drought, wheat shortage to test Syria's new leadership

By Sarah El Safty and Maha El Dahan DUBAI (Reuters) -Syria faces a potential food crisis after the worst drought in 36 years slashed wheat...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

By Sarah El Safty And Maha El Dahan

Australia cancels far-right Israeli lawmaker's visa

Australia cancels far-right Israeli lawmaker's visa

By Alexander Cornwell and Alasdair Pal TEL AVIV/SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia has cancelled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker from Prime Minister...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

By Alexander Cornwell And Alasdair Pal

Israeli controls choke Gaza relief at Egypt border, say aid workers

Israeli controls choke Gaza relief at Egypt border, say aid workers

At the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip, hundreds of aid trucks sat unmoving in the Egyptian desert, stuck for days with only a handful allowed...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

By Bahira Amin With Menna Farouk In Cairo

Syria, Saudi Arabia sign mutual investments deal: What to know

Syria, Saudi Arabia sign mutual investments deal: What to know

The deal came during a Saudi-Syrian meeting in Riyadh that was held in continuation of the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum held in Damascus last...

previous day 20

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

US envoy says Israel's turn to 'comply' as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah

US envoy says Israel's turn to 'comply' as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah

US envoy Tom Barrack on Monday called on Israel to honour commitments under a ceasefire that ended its war with Hezbollah, after the Lebanese...

previous day 0

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

Egypt to open four new free trade zones by end 2026: What to know

Egypt to open four new free trade zones by end 2026: What to know

The zones will be in 10th of Ramadan City, New October City, New Borg El Arab City, and New El Alamein City.

previous day 2

Al Monitor

Jack Dutton

Pentagon steers clear of new Israel-Houthi escalation: What to know

Pentagon steers clear of new Israel-Houthi escalation: What to know

The US military has sought to avoid actions that could threaten the fragile truce with the Iran-armed rebels.

previous day 0

Al Monitor

Jared Szuba

Iran’s Pezeshkian seeks assurances in Armenia as Yerevan, Baku nominate Trump for Nobel

Iran’s Pezeshkian seeks assurances in Armenia as Yerevan, Baku nominate Trump for Nobel

Tehran is concerned that the new Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor, announced in an agreement brokered by Washington earlier this month, threatens its...

previous day 0

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Tourism deal puts one of Egypt's last wild shores at risk

Tourism deal puts one of Egypt's last wild shores at risk

In Egypt's Wadi al-Gemal, where swimmers share a glistening bay with sea turtles, a shadowy tourism deal is threatening one of the Red Sea's last...

previous day 20

Al Monitor

By Lobna Monieb

Syria’s Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

Syria’s Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) -Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed hope that his country would avoid military conflict with...

sunday 10

Al Monitor

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal

Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal

Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel Sunday calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by...

sunday 9

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

Hamas rejects Israel's Gaza relocation plan

Hamas rejects Israel's Gaza relocation plan

CAIRO (Reuters) -Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Sunday that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of...

sunday 7

Al Monitor

Dawoud Abu Alkas

Iranians struggle with GPS disruption after Israel war

Iranians struggle with GPS disruption after Israel war

The streets of Tehran have become a confusing maze for driver Farshad Fooladi amid widespread GPS disruption, still ongoing nearly two months after...

sunday 2

Al Monitor

By Ramin Khanizadeh And Menna Zaki

Iran courts Africa to ease isolation, but trails Russia, China, Turkey

Iran courts Africa to ease isolation, but trails Russia, China, Turkey

Iran's outreach to Africa after the recent war with Israel is as much about optics as it is about outcomes. In hosting South Africa's top general,...

sunday 2

Al Monitor

A Correspondent In Tehran

US suspends visas for Gazans after far-right influencer posts

US suspends visas for Gazans after far-right influencer posts

The US government said Saturday it is suspending visitor visas for Gazans after a far-right influencer with the ear of President Donald Trump...

sunday 1

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

Libyans vote in local elections snubbed by eastern government

Libyans vote in local elections snubbed by eastern government

Tens of thousands of Libyans voted in local elections on Saturday in areas controlled by the Tripoli government but opposition from a rival...

sunday 1

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war and release of hostages

Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war and release of hostages

By Lili Bayer TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike on Sunday in support of families of hostages...

sunday 0

Al Monitor

By Rami Amichay And Lili Bayer

Tight security for Libya local vote marred by incidents

Tight security for Libya local vote marred by incidents

Tens of thousands of Libyans voted in local elections on Saturday in areas controlled by the Tripoli government but opposition from a rival...

16.08.2025 1

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

US to sell $500 million HIMARS rocket system to Bahrain

US to sell $500 million HIMARS rocket system to Bahrain

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration announced that it had notified Congress on Thursday of plans to sell Bahrain High Mobility Artillery Rocket...

15.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

Al-Monitor Staff

Rights groups sue German ministers over deportation of Afghans from Pakistan

Rights groups sue German ministers over deportation of Afghans from Pakistan

By Riham Alkousaa BERLIN (Reuters) -Advocacy groups filed a criminal case against Germany's foreign and interior ministers on Friday, accusing them...

15.08.2025 20

Al Monitor

By Riham Alkousaa

Analysis-Tough US stance casts gloom over plastics pollution deal after Geneva flop

Analysis-Tough US stance casts gloom over plastics pollution deal after Geneva flop

By Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -The collapse on Friday of a sixth round of U.N. talks aimed at curbing plastic output has...

15.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

By Olivia Le Poidevin And Emma Farge

Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israel consulate

Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israel consulate

By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Thursday to more than two years in prison after he threatened to bomb...

15.08.2025 8

Al Monitor

By Nate Raymond

Israeli far-right minister backs contentious West Bank settlement plan

Israeli far-right minister backs contentious West Bank settlement plan

Israel's finance minister backed plans on Thursday to build 3,400 homes in a particularly contentious area of the occupied West Bank, calling for...

15.08.2025 5

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

For Shi’ite pilgrims in Iraq's deserts, suffering strengthens faith

For Shi’ite pilgrims in Iraq's deserts, suffering strengthens faith

KARBALA, Iraq (Reuters) -Majid al-Kareem is poorly equipped for his 500 km pilgrimage by foot through the scorching deserts of southern Iraq. He...

15.08.2025 7

Al Monitor

By Alaa Al-Marjani

'Like hell': Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia's cooks, bakers

'Like hell': Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia's cooks, bakers

Baker Eid Ahmed just can't get away from Saudi Arabia's notorious heat: he makes bread next to a sweltering oven for 13 hours a day, only to step...

15.08.2025 2

Al Monitor

By Haitham El-Tabei

Foreign Islamists petition Syrian state for citizenship

Foreign Islamists petition Syrian state for citizenship

By Timour Azhari (Reuters) -Foreign fighters and others who joined Syria's civil war from abroad have petitioned the new Islamist-led government...

15.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

By Timour Azhari

Far-right Israeli minister pays surprise visit to jailed Palestinian leader

Far-right Israeli minister pays surprise visit to jailed Palestinian leader

By Alexander Cornwell TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Israel's far-right national security minister visited prominent Palestinian Marwan Barghouti in jail and...

15.08.2025 2

Al Monitor

By Alexander Cornwell

Countries race for late breakthrough in deadlocked plastic pollution talks

Countries race for late breakthrough in deadlocked plastic pollution talks

By Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -Talks to create the world's first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution hung in...

15.08.2025 1

Al Monitor

By Olivia Le Poidevin And Emma Farge

UN rights office says Israeli settlement plan breaks international law

UN rights office says Israeli settlement plan breaks international law

(Reuters) -The U.N. human rights office said on Friday an Israeli plan to build to build thousands of new homes between an Israeli settlement in...

15.08.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ronen Zvulun

Macron vows to punish antisemitic 'hatred' after memorial tree cut down

Macron vows to punish antisemitic 'hatred' after memorial tree cut down

The cutting down of an olive tree planted in memory of a young French Jewish man tortured to death in 2006 stirred outrage in France on Friday,...

15.08.2025 5

Al Monitor

By Benoit Ducrocq

Lebanon's PM slams Hezbollah chief for making 'threat of civil war'

Lebanon's PM slams Hezbollah chief for making 'threat of civil war'

Tensions are rising as Lebanon’s government, under pressure from the US, moves forward with a plan to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

15.08.2025 6

Al Monitor

Adam Lucente

Turkey’s top religious body sparks outrage over women’s inheritance rights

Turkey’s top religious body sparks outrage over women’s inheritance rights

Women rights activists say that the body is increasingly targeting women, challenging secular law and fostering conditions for gender-based violence.

15.08.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Diverging Gulf bets: PIF exits US tech stocks as Mubadala reshuffles portfolio

Diverging Gulf bets: PIF exits US tech stocks as Mubadala reshuffles portfolio

During a quarter in which US stocks began surging toward record highs, two of the Gulf's most influential investors took different approaches to...

15.08.2025 5

Al Monitor

Samuel Wendel

Israel in talks to resettle Gaza Palestinians in South Sudan, sources say

Israel in talks to resettle Gaza Palestinians in South Sudan, sources say

NAIROBI (Reuters) -South Sudan and Israel are discussing a deal to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza in the troubled African nation, three...

15.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

Samuel Wendel

Turkey to help Syria with weapon systems, equipment under new accord, source says

Turkey to help Syria with weapon systems, equipment under new accord, source says

By Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey will provide weapons systems and logistical tools to Syria under a military cooperation accord signed on...

14.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

By Tuvan Gumrukcu

Pro-Palestinian tourist ship protests irk Greek govt

Pro-Palestinian tourist ship protests irk Greek govt

A series of pro-Palestinian protests targeting an Israeli cruise ship around Greece have irritated a conservative government walking a diplomatic...

14.08.2025 7

Al Monitor

By Imran Marashli

Gaza's young musicians sing and play in the ruins of war

Gaza's young musicians sing and play in the ruins of war

GAZA CITY (Reuters) -A boy's lilting song filled the tent in Gaza City, above an instrumental melody and backing singers' quiet harmonies, soft...

14.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

By Dawoud Abu Alkas

UN warns Russia, Israel of conflict sex crimes listing risk

UN warns Russia, Israel of conflict sex crimes listing risk

The United Nations warned Israel and Russia on Thursday that their militaries faced being listed as parties suspected of committing sexual violence...

14.08.2025 9

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

UN commission finds violence against Syria Alawites likely included 'war crimes'

UN commission finds violence against Syria Alawites likely included 'war crimes'

A UN commission investigating sectarian bloodshed in Syria's Alawite heartland documented systematic violence at the hands of government forces and...

14.08.2025 8

Al Monitor

Agence France-Presse

After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training

After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training

The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say.

14.08.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin