In Turkey, Critics of Erdogan See Democracy Eroding After Istanbul Mayor’s Detention

In a message from Gaza, Fatah called on Hamas to relinquish power in order to protect the existence of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Hamas, who seized power in 2007, has expressed willingness to step down post-war but refuses to disarm. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have resumed following disagreements over a ceasefire, with Defence Minister Israel Katz threatening to annex parts of Gaza unless remaining hostages from Hamas's October 7 attack are released. Full...

Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel for the first time in months, prompting Israeli forces to strike back at sites in southern Lebanon linked to Hezbollah. The attacks disrupted months of calm in northern Israel, following renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza against Hamas. Lebanese leaders condemned the violence and the Lebanese Army dismantled rocket launchers in southern Lebanon, as tensions escalate across the Middle East. Full Article

Israel threatened a severe response to three rockets fired from Lebanon, prompting Lebanese PM to warn of a potential "new war" as a fragile ceasefire since November 27 faces violations. Israeli military intercepted the rockets and held Lebanon responsible, vowing to protect Galilee communities. Lebanon urged only the state to decide on war and peace, amidst escalating tensions on the border and Israel's offensive in Gaza. Full Article

Demonstrators in Turkey protested the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a popular opposition figure and potential presidential contender against President Erdogan, with hundreds of thousands rallying in Istanbul and thousands more protesting in other provinces. Clashes between riot police and demonstrators erupted in several cities, leading to the detention of 97 individuals. The government's move to detain Imamoglu on terrorism and corruption charges sparked protests, financial instability, and international concern, with the CHP announcing...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, echoing President Trump's tactics, is taking steps to undermine the judiciary, discredit national security professionals, and limit oversight to consolidate power. Netanyahu's administration fired the head of Israel's domestic security service and is pushing legislation to control judicial appointments, following Trump's election. Both leaders face criminal charges and accuse the "deep state" of conspiring against them, with Netanyahu standing trial for corruption. Full Article

Three weeks after Abdullah Ocalan urged PKK militants to disband, Turkey's Kurds celebrated Newroz New Year with peace prospects still distant, exacerbated by unrest following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Despite efforts to broker a solution to the Kurdish conflict, Ocalan did not deliver a message at the celebrations due to the government's lack of response to a visit request. The PKK accepted Ocalan's call for disbandment but faces challenges in meeting amidst...