At Funeral for Shiri Bibas and Children, an Israeli Outpouring of Grief

Ramadan will begin on Saturday for Muslims in Saudi Arabia and Sunni-ruled Middle Eastern states, with the crescent moon sighting marking the start of the holy month. Iran and Iraq, with Shiite majorities, will commence fasting on Sunday, as announced by their authorities. Observing the Ramadan fast, a pillar of Islam, requires abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex during daylight hours, with believers encouraged to donate to the poor. Full Article

The future of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas remains uncertain as Israel is set to begin withdrawing troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a key border area with Egypt, this weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concerns about relinquishing control of this strategic location, which has been a major point of contention in cease-fire negotiations. Despite ongoing talks in Cairo, the ultimate goal of a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Hamas, including the...

Sanaa Shraim, a displaced Palestinian grandmother, watches her granddaughter sleep in cramped quarters in Jenin refugee camp, born during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, fearing for the child's future amidst ongoing raids and violence. Forced to flee due to escalating Israeli assaults, Shraim reflects on the loss of her son in a previous raid and worries about the impact of growing up in a reality of constant conflict for her grandchildren. As...

With the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire set to expire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a delegation to Cairo for talks on extending the truce, but little progress has been made in reaching a comprehensive agreement. The uncertainty surrounding the negotiations has left Israelis and Palestinians unsure about the fate of hostages and prisoners, making the fragile deal more precarious. While both sides have reasons to avoid a return to war, significant obstacles remain...

Relations between France and Algeria are at a new low, with Algiers blaming the French far right for a more combative approach from Paris towards its former colony. The deepening rift stems from France recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara, leading to diplomatic tensions and mutual accusations. The situation has escalated with expulsion orders, threats of canceling agreements, and warnings of potential economic and security consequences if tensions continue to rise. Full Article

The Israeli military released initial findings from internal investigations into the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, revealing vast underestimation of the group and misinterpretation of early warnings. The military admitted to flawed assumptions, chaotic response, and lack of coordination leading to the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Key findings include Hamas deception, pre-planned invasion, and failure to anticipate scale of attack, highlighting the need for accountability and lessons learned for future operations...