Egypt

Beyond the Headlines: Stronger than we think

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

|BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
A protester waves the pre-Islamic Revolution Iranian flag outside UN headquarters during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Iran in New York on January 15, 2026.
View of a new security drone in Efrat, in the West Bank

Weapons smuggling via drones poses a threatening new reality for Israel - analysis

The drone smuggling threat is growing, as the last attempts occured on the Egyptian and now apparently also the Jordanian border.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A vehicle carries Egyptian soldiers near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, August 6, 2025

Rafah crossing to open next week amid search for Ran Gvili's remains, Gaza officials say

"I am pleased to announce the Rafah crossing will open next week in both directions. For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate. It is a lifeline and symbol of opportunity," Shaath said.

|ByREUTERS
The remains of the Shemiran-e-Nou Mosque, which was set on fire during the protests on January 8th and 9th on January 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

Islamic regime's crackdown on Iran protests 'unsustainable,' ex-CIA chief says

Citing recent degradations of Iran’s proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Assad regime, Petraeus labeled the past year as “very very damaging” to Iran.

|ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER

Maersk completes first Red Sea voyage in nearly two years

Maersk said that while it had no plans yet to fully reopen the route, it was considering continuing a "stepwise approach towards gradually resuming navigation" via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

DECEMBER 19, 2025ByREUTERS
Cranes unload Containers off the Maribo Maersk container ship at a terminal wharf in Bremerhaven, Germany, August 13, 2025.

Egypt says gas deal with Israel 'purely commercial,' does not change Palestine stance

"The deal serves a strategic interest to enhance Egypt's position as the only regional center for gas trading in the Eastern Mediterranean," official Diaa Rashwan said.

DECEMBER 18, 2025ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt's Press Syndicate and chairman of the State Information Service (SIS), speaks in Cairo, Egypt, May 15, 2022

Military chiefs summit set for next month as Trump pushes to advance Gaza's ISF - exclusive

Discussions were still in the early stages regarding the meeting's details, with Germany being among the locations considered for the summit.

DECEMBER 18, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
US and Israeli soldiers convene at the Civil Military Coordination Center, overseeing the implementation of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, November 17, 2025

Selling F-35s to Qatar is a risk the US does not need to take - opinion

From past coups to battlefield betrayals, history warns that selling F-35s to Qatar could have grave consequences for the Middle East.

DECEMBER 18, 2025ByMOSHE PHILLIPS
A US marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet taxis on the tarmac past US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets parked at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. Selling F-35s to Qatar would be a bad idea, the writer says.

Israel signed NIS 112 billion gas deal with Egypt, Netanyahu announces

Some NIS 58 billion will go directly to state coffers, he said, standing beside Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen.

DECEMBER 17, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD, TZVI JASPER
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a gas deal with Egypt worth NIS 112 billion. December 17, 2025.

Art and Torah: A molten menorah and the power of light from darkness

From Joseph’s darkest moments to Hanukkah’s rising flames, exploring how light is born from depth.

DECEMBER 14, 2025ByMEIRA RAANAN
‘Molten Menorah,’ by Yoram Raanan, 100x80 cm., acrylic on canvas, 2025.

Ukraine says Russian drone attack hit civilian Turkish vessel

The navy said the vessel was called the Viva and had 11 Turkish citizens on board. It added that nobody was hurt and the vessel was continuing its journey to Egypt.

DECEMBER 13, 2025ByREUTERS
Turkish-owned Ro Ro ship Cenk T transits the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, August 21, 2024.

Voices from the Arab press: Pope Leo and the Shi'ites

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

DECEMBER 12, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai receives a chalice from Pope Leo XIV (R) at a Holy Mass during the pope’s first apostolic journey, in Beirut, on December 2.

Middle Israel: Can Ahmed al-Sharaa move Syria forward? - opinion

After Assad's fall, Sharaa faces the challenge of rebuilding Syria with his first year raising doubts on if he will repeat Assad's mistakes or bring real change.

DECEMBER 12, 2025ByAMOTZ ASA-EL
ONE YEAR after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, is perhaps a nicer place to live, but the suspicion that Sharaa’s formula is but a variation of Assad’s has raised questions about Syria’s long-term direction. Here, the president speaks, marking one year since Assad’s fall, o

Parashat Vayeshev: Leadership does not equal influence

Joseph and Judah show that true leadership is built on integrity, responsibility, and lifting others.

DECEMBER 12, 2025ByMOSHE TARAGIN
People move people; ideas alone rarely do.