President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, held high-stakes meetings in November with leaders in Qatar and Israel to advance a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza before Trump’s January 20 inauguration, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed at least 14 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to medics, as the military continued its operations against Hamas in the densely populated enclave. The strikes primarily targeted the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where eight people were reported killed, with additional casualties in Gaza City and Jabalia, a refugee camp in northern Gaza.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, concluding over a year of hostilities. The truce follows Israel's Security Cabinet's approval of a U.S.-brokered agreement, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir casting the sole dissenting vote.
Israeli warplanes conducted strikes in Beirut’s suburbs and the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Tuesday as Israel’s security Cabinet prepared to vote on a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal with Hezbollah. The deal, aimed at ending over a year of conflict, includes a two-month halt to hostilities. It also requires Hezbollah to withdraw its armed forces from southern Lebanon while Israeli troops return to their side of the border.
The United Nations Security Council is poised to vote on a resolution spearheaded by Algeria, calling for an end to Israel’s military operations against Hamas. The Biden administration has yet to announce its stance, sparking widespread speculation and concern. Critics argue that the resolution undermines Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense and could bolster Hamas's position in the ongoing conflict.
The U.S. Senate is set to vote this week on measures introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders to block a $20 billion arms deal with Israel. The legislation, known as Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs), seeks to halt the sale of offensive weapons, including tanks, munitions, and fighter jets, citing Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib has made waves by refusing to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that could impact the Democratic stronghold of Michigan.
A year ago, Saudi Arabia and Israel were nearing a groundbreaking normalization agreement that could have reshaped Middle Eastern alliances and further isolated Iran....
