Israel restricts Christians’ access to Holy Saturday celebrations in Jerusalem – Middle East Monitor

As Israel maintains its blockade of Gaza, Palestinians are engaged in repairing water tanks damaged by tank shells and bombs, with significant impact noted by plumber Ihab Abdel Bari, who highlights the vulnerability of these tanks on rooftops. The scarcity of water makes these tanks crucial for storage, yet the lack of available repair equipment due to the blockade raises costs, with a 500-litre tank's price skyrocketing from $20 to over $140. Rights groups assert...

Newly discovered British documents indicate that Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, doubted the U.S. commitment to protect its Arab allies amid popular uprisings, expressing these concerns to British MP Julian Amery in 1986. During a meeting, Zayed and his Chief of Staff highlighted the U.S. administration's failure to secure arms sales for friendly Arab nations as a sign of impotence, questioning America's reliability as an ally. They referenced historical instances...

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against President Trump's administration, claiming unlawful interference with its academic decisions through the withholding of federal funding. The lawsuit, submitted in Massachusetts, seeks to overturn a $2.2 billion funding freeze imposed by Trump due to Harvard's refusal to comply with government demands regarding admissions and hiring practices. Harvard maintains its commitment to opposing anti-Semitism while asserting its constitutional rights, emphasizing that the funding freeze adversely affects unrelated research initiatives. Full...

Yolande KnellBBC Middle East CorrespondentPope Francis maintained a close relationship with Gaza's small Christian community, frequently checking in on them during the war. His death has left many, including Father Gabriel Romanelli and George Anton, feeling orphaned and bereft of his support and humor. As a conclave begins to choose his successor, both Palestinians and Israelis are keenly observing for future peace advocacy from the next Pope amid ongoing conflict in the region. Full Article

After Israel resumed bombardments in Gaza, British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa, volunteering at al-Ahli Arab hospital, witnessed extreme injuries among patients and described the overwhelming conditions. Following his harrowing experience, Mustafa has been advocating for action in Australia, seeking meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to discuss humanitarian aid efforts, while highlighting the dire situation in Gaza, where airstrikes have resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths. His testimony gained significant attention,...

US President Donald Trump's return to power has strengthened Israeli leaders' military ambitions in Gaza and the West Bank, according to experts. Following a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump indicated strong support for Israel's actions, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Analysts note that Trump's silence on West Bank annexation plans has emboldened hardline Israeli ministers, while his administration's approach has provided Israel with a perceived license to expand its territorial...