Middle Orient

In its deadly attacks in densely populated Gaza, the Israeli Defense Force is employing a technique they call “roof knocking.” First drones fire small missiles without warheads on a residential building, intended only to shake the building before armed missiles destroy it minutes later. The IDF calls these “warning shots” …

Israeli warplanes and artillery attacks killed several more Palestinians in Gaza and destroyed more than a dozen residential buildings late Tuesday and Wednesday. A journalist, child and woman were among those who died as a result of Israeli strikes, according to Al Mezan, a human rights group in Gaza. The …

The Saudi-Iranian contacts that began last month in secrecy have gained gravitas. Significantly, this is an exclusively regional initiative. The Saudi-Iranian drive to normalise ties is motivated primarily by the two sides’ deep distrust of American intentions. Blinken sounded unhappy and somewhat irritated. His words reflect the reality that the …

Iran’s Guardian Council, an unelected body that gets to decide a final list of candidates, is winnowing down the number of candidates allowed to run in the June 18 election. Iran’s Guardian Council held its second meeting May 19 to review the qualifications of 592 candidates who registered to run …

Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. A group that goes by the name of Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Brigade has claimed responsibility for an attack against Turkish forces as …

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel and Hamas to allow for mediation efforts to end the worsening conflict. The fighting between Israel and Hamas must end immediately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, renewing calls for a cease-fire and a revitalized Middle East peace process. “The past 10 days …

Despite not expecting the intensity of Israel’s retaliation, Hamas has still notched a few victories of their own. Hamas has been dealt a heavy blow after severely miscalculating the Israeli response to its rocket attacks, analysts believe. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have so far lobbed nearly 4,000 rockets …

“Hezbollah is following and is worried, in my opinion, about what they see.” Former IDF chief-of-staff Gadi Eisenkot said Hezbollah is deeply concerned by the IDF’s display of power against Hamas in the current round of fighting with the Gaza Strip. “Hezbollah is following and is worried, in my opinion, …

Downing happened on sidelines of Gaza fighting. “I think that says everything about the real patron of terror in the Middle East and the world – Iran.” The drone Israel shot down near the border with Jordan on Tuesday was Iranian, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. “While we …

After 11 days, Israel’s war with Hamas comes to an end in a fragile ceasefire mediated by Egypt. The Israeli security cabinet voted to accept a ceasefire late Thursday as the Israeli South and Gaza remain inflamed.The security cabinet unanimously agreed to a “mutual and unconditional” cessation of hostilities, according …