President Trump said on Thursday that he wants the US to "take" Gaza and turn it into a "freedom zone," signaling he hasn't given up on his idea for a US takeover of the territory. The president made the comments during a meeting with business leaders in Qatar before...
US ‘Vetoes’ Gulf Reconstruction for Syria, Lebanon Until Israel Is Satisfied
Wars are costly and often devastating to the local populace. The road to recovery can also be long and difficult. This is even more true in Lebanon and Syria, with the US engaged in international efforts to preclude any reconstruction funds being sent by other...
Qatar Says It Suspended Role as Mediator Between Israel and Hamas
Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that Doha had suspended its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, citing the lack of progress in Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations. "The State of Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago during the last...
Israeli Cabinet Votes To Shut Down Al Jazeera, Police Raid Office
The Israeli cabinet voted unanimously on Sunday to shut down Al Jazeera, and Israeli police raided the Qatari media outlet's office following the decision. The broad order shuts down Al Jazeera broadcasts, allows the confiscation of its equipment, and blocks the...
Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal Talks Expected to Resume in Qatar
Qatari and Egyptian-mediated hostage deal talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Doha after a long pause in negotiations. Israeli media reported that the Israeli security cabinet approved sending a delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea to Doha...
CIA Chief to Travel to Europe to Discuss Gaza Hostage Talks
CIA Director William Burns will travel to Europe in the coming days to hold talks about the hostage negotiations between Israel and Gaza, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday. Burns is expected to hold a meeting with Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatari...
Israeli Officials Deny Reports of Progress in Hostage Negotiations With Hamas
Several media reports have said that Israel and Hamas were making progress in Qatari and Egyptian-mediated talks on a hostage deal, but Israeli officials are denying that's the case. "Reports of an agreement in principle to a ceasefire are not correct. There are very...
Qatar Tells Hostage Families That Israel’s Killing of Hamas Official in Beirut Complicates Negotiations
Qatar's prime minister and other officials met with family members of six Israelis held captive in Gaza on Saturday and told them Israel's killing of a senior Hamas official in Beirut made negotiating a new hostage deal much more difficult, several media outlets have...
Hamas Official Signals Interest in Negotiating a Lasting Ceasefire With Israel
Ismail Haniyeh, chief of Hamas's political bureau who is based in Qatar, signaled on Wednesday that he was interested in negotiating a sustainable ceasefire with Israel. "We are open to discuss any arrangement or initiative that could end the (Israeli) aggression,"...
Negotiations Underway in Qatar to Extend Gaza Truce
Intense negotiations are underway in Qatar aimed at extending the truce between Israel and Hamas that's due to expire on Thursday. The initial four-day truce began on Friday and was extended another two days. Despite reports of minor clashes, the pause in fighting has...