Qatari PM: Qatar’s ties with Hamas began at US request, always served peace efforts
Prime Minister Al Thani claimed that Qatar's relationship with Hamas has been entirely focused on facilitating peace.
Middle East
Doha will not 'write the check' to fund Gaza's reconstruction, Qatari PM says
Israel is not a democracy, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack suggests at Doha Forum
Iran directing Hamas money network in Turkey, moving hundreds of millions to terrorists
US seeks to arrange Netanyahu–Sisi meeting, pushing Israel to expand regional economic ties - Axios
The two leaders have not officially met since before the start of the Israel-Hamas War.
Lebanon panics over ‘Israeli goods’ after smuggled shoes with Star of David siezed in raids
Five people were subsequently arrested in coordinated operations in Sidon, Wadi al-Zayna, al-Shahabiya, Nabatieh, and Tyre.
Sharaa begins pushing back on Israeli demands, decries Syria's 'dangerous position' - analysis
Ahmed al-Sharaa remained relatively quiet on Israel issues. However, at the annual Doha Forum, he spoke about the challenges from Damascus’ perspective.
Christmas returns to Bethlehem after two years of silent nights
As Christmas returns to the city where it began, Bethlehem moves to reconstruct its tourism industry.
Hezbollah will not disarm without Iranian consent, Lebanon's top diplomat warns
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji added that Hezbollah's current concern is to "buy time and preserve itself internally in order to regain its power."
Iran continues crackdown on dissent with human rights lawyer found dead, arrests and disappearances
If the people cannot be persuaded to fear, then they will be forced to, is the mentality behind the ayatollahs’ rule. The result is intimidation, but there is backlash amongst ordinary Iranians.
Hamas's Khaled Mashaal: We will not disarm, give up control in Gaza, or accept int'l oversight
Israel's Foreign Ministry, sharing footage of Mashaal's address, slammed the comments, calling them a "direct contradiction of the core terms of the peace plan itself."
Netanyahu, Tony Blair discuss future of Gaza admin., possible PA governance in secret meeting - KAN
Blair's initiative to allow the Palestinian Authority to govern certain areas of Gaza was not dismissed outright by Israel, KAN reported.
UNGA votes to extend UNRWA's mandate by three years
UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said he "saluted the overwhelming vote," which "reflects the broad solidarity of people across the world with Palestine Refugees."
'We want security, not your land': Israeli amb. to US calls for partnership in address to Lebanese
"Let us pray that next year, 2026, will become the year of Abraham Accords 2.0, and we will all live in peace and harmony,” he said.
