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.
Middle East
Lebanon panics over ‘Israeli goods’ after smuggled shoes with Star of David siezed in raids
Sharaa begins pushing back on Israeli demands, decries Syria's 'dangerous position' - analysis
Christmas returns to Bethlehem after two years of silent nights
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.
Is a consensus on Gaza emerging among Arab states at Doha Forum? - analysis
Officials from various Arab states seem to agree that the Gaza deal must move to the next phase, but are unwilling to send their own personnel to contribute.
What does Trump’s National Security Strategy mean for Israel, Iran, and Gaza? - analysis
Clearly, the White House will not welcome more wars between Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran.
Turkey warns blocking Trump’s Gaza plan would be ‘huge failure’ for US, world - interview
Fidan said a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted, trained police force needed to be in place to allow Hamas to disarm.
Israel ‘fighting ghosts,’ Syrian president says, accuses Jerusalem of exploiting Oct. 7
Israel often brings its crises to other countries and tries to evade taking responsibility for the "horrifying massacres it committed in Gaza," Sharaa told the crowds.
