Trump set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE May 13-16: White House

SummaryIsrael-Egypt relations are at their most strained since the October 2023 war, with concerns in Cairo about the Gaza border and military buildup causing unease in Jerusalem. Egypt's military cooperation with China, highlighted by a recent joint exercise featuring advanced fighter jets, aligns with its long-standing strategy to avoid dependence on any single superpower. This cooperation includes purchasing Chinese arms and infrastructure development, reinforcing China's growing influence in Egypt under President Al-Sisi. Full Article

In Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry reports over 51,200 Palestinian deaths since the war began, with many casualties being women and children. Amidst the chaos, families struggle to bury their loved ones due to Israeli control over cemeteries, and discrepancies in casualty figures have raised questions about data reliability, particularly after 3,000 names were removed from official lists. Health officials assert that these revisions are part of a verification process to maintain accuracy, despite accusations...

The United Nations has appointed Ian Martin to conduct a strategic assessment of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) amid growing criticism and accusations following the October 7 Hamas attack and ensuing Gaza conflict. This review, part of the UN80 initiative to address financial challenges exacerbated by US budget cuts, aims to evaluate the political, financial, and security constraints faced by UNRWA, which has been essential in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees since...

US President Donald Trump announced a positive conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing their unity on trade and Iran. While the US and Iran engage in nuclear discussions, Iran accused Israel of undermining these talks, and Netanyahu asserted Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Following Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has increased uranium enrichment, raising concerns among Western powers and Israel about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, which Iran...

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Seize Tanzanian VesselsThe Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) captured two Tanzanian-flagged vessels allegedly transporting 1.5 million liters of smuggled diesel fuel valued at approximately $1.4 million in the Gulf. The vessels, identified as Sea Ranger and Salama, were intercepted while attempting to leave Iranian waters, and their 25 foreign crew members' fate remains unspecified. The seized ships have been taken to Bushehr port for legal proceedings, with the fuel to be reintegrated...

Israel has ceased designating humanitarian zones in Gaza since resuming strikes in March 2023, raising concerns for civilians in previously protected areas. Over 70% of Gaza is now classified as evacuation or no-go zones, with reports of airstrikes hitting areas like al-Mawasi, where many displaced Palestinians sought refuge, resulting in casualties, including women and children. The UN warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with Gaza facing famine, as officials criticize Israel for using humanitarian aid...