Middle East

Trump’s announcement about Syria surprised US officials: Reuters

When US President Donald Trump announced in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would lift all sanctions on Syria, the decision, which will boost a country devastated by 13 years of war, took many in the region by surprise. It also caught some in his own administration off guard.

Trump meets Syrian president, calls on him to establish ties with Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and urged him to normalise ties with longtime foe Israel, after a surprise Washington's announcement that it would lift all sanctions on Damascus.

US spent $1bn bombing Yemen’s Hothis but failed to gain air superiority: NYT

US President Donald Trump’s administration declared a ceasefire in Yemen last week due to burning through expensive munitions while failing to establish air superiority over the Houthis, according to the New York Times.

Rights groups urge UK to end all arms sales to Israel as court case begins

Rights groups and charities gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice to support a legal challenge against the UK government's continuing export of F-35 jet parts for use by Tel Aviv.

Trump secures $600 billion Saudi investment pledge on Persian Gulf tour

President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to invest in the United States after Riyadh accorded him a gala welcome at the start of a tour of Persian Gulf states.

Trump says he will ease sanctions on Damascus, to meet Syria’s new ruler on Wednesday

US President Donald Trump has stated that he will move to normalize relations with and lift sanctions on Syria’s new government to give the country "a chance at peace."

Trump receives royal Saudi welcome from MbS in Riyadh

US President Donald Trump received a royal Saudi welcome Tuesday as he arrived in the capital, Riyadh, descending Air Force One on purple-carpeted steps to a greeting from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

White House notifies US Congress of $1.45bn in proposed arms sales to UAE

The US State Department notified Congress on Monday of two proposed weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates totaling an estimated $1.45 billion as President Donald Trump embarked on a four-day Middle East tour.

Syria’s president proposes Trump Tower in Damascus, peace with Israel for sanctions relief: Reuters

Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly offered to build a Trump Tower in Damascus, establish peace with Israel, and grant the US access to Syria’s oil and gas, as part of his bid to secure sanctions relief from Washington, Reuters has reported.

Trump-Netanyahu rift widens over potential agreement between US, Iran: NBC

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “worried about any deal” the administration of US President Donald Trump might strike with Iran, according to NBC News.

New Pope urges Gaza ceasefire in first Sunday message

Pope Leo XIV called for genuine peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff.

Trump has increasingly grown frustrated with Netanyahu amid Gaza war: Report

US President Donald Trump has increasingly grown frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Tel Aviv’s resistance to Washington's directives regarding the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, according to a report published by Yedioth Ahronoth.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian students arrested at Columbia University

Police detained dozens of Columbia University students who seized part of the school's main library on Wednesday in one of the biggest pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus since last year's wave of protests against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza govt. warns of Israeli plot to create ‘forced isolation camps’ for Palestinians

The Gaza government has Wednesday of Israeli plans to create camps for Palestinians modeled after the "Nazi ghettos” using the mechanism of aid distribution promoted by Tel Aviv.

UK continuing to dispatch arms to Israel despite ban: Report

A wide range of UK-made military goods and arms, including F-35 fighter jet parts, have continued to be sent to Israel even after the British government suspended 30 arms export licences in September, Israeli import data revealed in a report suggested.

Trump plans to announce name change for ‘Persian Gulf’: AP

President Donald Trump plans to announce while on his trip to Saudi Arabia next week that Washington will now refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia, two US officials told The Associated Press.

Trump says he had a productive phone call with Erdogan

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation on Monday that both leaders described as "very productive" and said they discussed everything from how to end Russia's war in Ukraine to Syria and the Gaza war.

Thousands of Israelis protest for captives, against PM’s Gaza war expansion

Thousands of Israelis have gathered outside the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, urging the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritise the release of captives still held in the Gaza Strip instead of escalating military operations in the Palestinian territory.

US approves $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related support for $3.5 billion, the Pentagon announced in a statement on Friday.

US, Israel near agreement on aid delivery to Gaza: Axios

The United States, Israel and representatives of a new international foundation are close to a deal on how to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip without it being controlled by Hamas, Axios reported on Friday, citing two Israeli officials and one U.S. source.

Red Cross warns Gaza aid endeavour on ‘verge of collapse’ amid Israel blockade

The humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip is on the verge of “total collapse”, with Palestinians facing a “daily struggle to survive” amid Israel’s war and blockade of the Palestinian enclave, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Jerusalem wildfires flare for a second day

Israeli firefighting teams have been tackling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day. Police have also reported the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.

US seeking to eliminate security office coordinating with Palestinian Authority: Report

The administration of President Donald Trump plans to eliminate the position of US security coordinator for the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to several media reports.

Muslim groups urge UK PM to recognise Palestine, cease arms exports to Israel

Hundreds of prominent Muslim organisations and individuals have signed a letter, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognise a Palestinian state and cease all military support to Israel.

Syria’s FM meets US officials in New York: Reuters

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with senior U.S. State Department officials on Tuesday in New York, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Damascus seeks a clear roadmap from Washington on how to secure permanent sanctions relief.

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