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Rina Bassist

Rina Bassist

Al Monitor

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Muslim pilgrims pray, shirk sun, as hajj reaches peak

Muslim worshippers prayed on Mount Arafat in the high point of the hajj pilgrimage Thursday as authorities urged them to avoid the hottest hours of...

thursday 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli military recovers bodies of two Israeli-American hostages held in Gaza

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that the bodies of Gadi Haggai and his wife, Judith Weinstein, were recovered overnight from Gaza in a military operation.

thursday 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US envoy Barrack in Israel after cross-border shelling with Syria: What to know

US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met Wednesday with Israeli officials in an effort to de-escalate ongoing tensions with Syria and Turkey.

04.06.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Gaza ceasefire seen imminent as Witkoff finalizes Hamas-Israel deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives of hostages held in Gaza that he accepts the recent proposal by American envoy Steve Witkoff, which...

29.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Iraq's Jewish community saves a long-forgotten shrine

In a vibrant Baghdad district, labourers are working tirelessly to repair the centuries-old shrine of a revered rabbi in an effort to revive the...

28.05.2025 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France, Indonesia call for Israeli-Palestinian progress as Macron visits

France and Indonesia called Wednesday for progress on "mutual recognition" between Israel and the Palestinians at a key meeting next month as Emmanuel...

28.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel strikes Yemen airport, claims Houthis' last plane destroyed

In response to several missile attacks by the Houthis, the Israeli military struck Yemen's international airport in Sanaa on Wednesday morning.

28.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead outside Jewish Museum in Washington

Two staff members of the Israeli embassy to the United States were shot and killed late Wednesday when coming out of the Jewish Museum in Washington...

22.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Two Israelis arrested for allegedly spying for Iran on Katz: What to know

The police and Shin Bet said that since the beginning of the year, they have foiled 20 cases of Israelis spying for Iran, with 30 individuals...

20.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know

Following President Donald Trump’s call for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords, multiple contacts have reportedly taken...

16.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

How Trump's Gulf tour and release of Edan Alexander expose rift with Netanyahu

The US-Hamas deal for the release of Edan Alexander is just one of a series of issues where the gaps between Washington and the Netanyahu government...

12.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Edan Alexander, last American hostage, released from Gaza after Trump-Hamas deal

American envoys are waiting to meet with released hostage Edan Alexander, released from Hamas captivity in a deal negotiated between Washington and...

12.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Kurdish militant group PKK says disbanding, ending armed struggle

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Monday announced its dissolution, saying it was ending its armed struggle against the Turkish state and drawing...

12.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump-Hamas deal secures release of Edan Alexander: What to know

Preparations have started for the release of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity in Gaza, though the group did not specify yet the...

12.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel warns citizens traveling to Switzerland of Eurovision protests

With the Eurovision contest set for next week, Israelis have been warned to be discreet in the streets of Basel, Switzerland.

08.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'

French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in hopes of gaining regional influence.

07.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help

Several communities have already been evacuated over the fires blazing in the environs of Jerusalem and along Highway 1.

30.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Syrian-American Jews visit Damascus synagogue

A group of Syrian-American Jews prayed in a synagogue in Damascus on Tuesday, an AFP photographer reported, the latest such visit following the fall...

29.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know

The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt.

29.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal

In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing...

25.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next...

15.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

15.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Iran rejects Trump call for direct nuclear talks

Iran's top diplomat has dismissed direct negotiations with the United States as pointless, his office said Sunday, after US President Donald Trump...

06.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu set to meet Trump amid differences over Iran, tariffs and Turkey: What to know

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump invited the Israeli prime minister to Washington on short notice, to discuss his recent tariff decision,...

06.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli FM says indirect US-Iran talks likely, hails 'common objective' with France

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said France shares the same concerns as Israel on the Iranian nuclear plan and predicted that Washington would...

03.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Meet Eli Sharvit, Trump critic and Netanyahu's outsider nominee to lead Shin Bet

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated former Israeli naval commander Eli Sharvit to become Shin Bet chief despite his...

31.03.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Political football as Iran reach World Cup while Australia, Saudis stay alive

Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on...

26.03.2025 8

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump downplays firestorm over leaked Yemen air strike chat

US President Donald Trump downplayed a growing scandal Tuesday after a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat about air strikes on Yemen,...

26.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel’s Dermer meets Witkoff, discusses Iran and Gaza during US visit

The Iranian nuclear program and the now-defunct Gaza ceasefire are expected to take center stage during Dermer's visit. He is expected to meet with...

26.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US, Israel looking to resettle Gaza's Palestinians in Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan: Report

Israeli and American officials have been in contact with Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland for the possible resettling of Gazans there, the Associated...

14.03.2025 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Turkey blocks Israel from NATO crisis response drill amid Gaza row: What to know

The diplomatic conflict between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war has spilled over into NATO.

10.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Islamic Jihad says Israeli tanks part of 'plans to annex West Bank by force'

Palestinian militants said on Monday that an unusual deployment of Israeli tanks in the occupied West Bank, part of a major offensive that has...

25.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel FM holds rare EU meeting as divisions on PA’s role in Gaza persist

Israel and the European Union are keen on relaunching dialogue, but divergences are almost irreconcilable, especially concerning the possible...

25.02.2025 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu taps confidant to lead Gaza negotiations, replacing Mossad chief: What we know

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar from the negotiating team, replacing them with...

19.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

At least $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, UN estimates

More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the "humanitarian catastrophe" that has gripped the war-ravaged territory, including...

11.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US foreign aid halt to have major hit on poorest countries: report

A suspension of US foreign aid and possible dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will have a major impact on some of the...

11.02.2025 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel says Gaza war to resume if hostages aren't released Saturday

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was backing the ultimatum of President Donald Trump for the release of hostages by Saturday afternoon, but...

11.02.2025 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why Israel's far-right is embracing Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far-right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

06.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why Israel's far-right is praising Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far-right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

06.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli defense minister: Troops could stay in Syria buffer zone 'indefinitely'

The Israeli military is gearing up to stay on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone on the Israel-Syria border at least throughout...

29.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France issues new arrest warrant for Syria's Assad: source

Two French investigating magistrates have issued an arrest warrant against ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for suspected complicity in war...

22.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Four wounded in Tel Aviv stabbing attack by tourist: What we know

Police says that the person who attacked four people with a knife in Tel Aviv is a Moroccan national who entered Israel with a US residency permit.

22.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Syrians return to homes devastated by war

When Syrian grandfather Omar Kafozi returned to his house near Damascus after Bashar al-Assad's ouster, he saw unfathomable destruction.Now, cushions ...

21.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli military chief of staff Halevi resigns over Oct. 7 failures

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has sent a letter announcing his resignation as of March 6 over the failure to prevent the Oct. 7 2023, Hamas attack.

21.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Relief over hostage release briefly overshadows Israel's political divide

As Israel celebrated the homecoming of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher Sunday, the far right continues to oppose the mediated deal...

20.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why did Netanyahu agree to Gaza deal, and what are next steps?

The last hurdle before Israel makes the hostage deal official is the Supreme Court.

18.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel, Hamas trade accusations of blocking Gaza deal: What we know

Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of blocking the deal announced on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages due to...

16.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Here are main Netanyahu and Hamas compromises in proposed Gaza deal

Details are beginning to surface about a potential deal between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

14.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France’s Sarkozy stands trial on alleged Libya funding: What we know

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy denies allegations that he received 50 million euros to fund his 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader...

06.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel launches new airstrikes in Yemen, hits Sanaa airport for first time

Israel conducted massive airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including on Sanaa's international airport and the seaport of Hodeidah.

26.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist