Negotiations for a phased truce in Gaza approach final agreement, promising hostages’ release, troop withdrawals, and humanitarian aid.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are nearing a critical turning point, with U.S. and Qatari officials expressing cautious optimism about an imminent deal. The proposed agreement, which has seen months of fraught negotiations, aims to halt the fighting in Gaza and address key humanitarian concerns.

The ceasefire framework envisions phased steps: Hamas would release hostages captured during its October 2023 assault, while Israel would free Palestinian prisoners. Israeli troops would begin a gradual withdrawal from Gaza, facilitating the return of displaced Palestinians and a surge in international humanitarian aid.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari officials have called the negotiations the closest they’ve ever been to a breakthrough. However, significant challenges remain, particularly over Israel’s security assurances and Hamas’s agreement to the final terms.

Despite the progress, violence persists. Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza on Tuesday, targeting areas like Deir al-Balah and Rafah, killing at least 15 people. The attacks underscore the fragility of the talks and the urgent need for a resolution.

Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are dire, with over 46,500 fatalities reported and most of the 2.3 million residents displaced. The United Nations has pledged to ramp up aid deliveries once a ceasefire is implemented, but access to border crossings and security concerns remain significant obstacles.

The Biden administration, in its final weeks, is intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Blinken has outlined a post-ceasefire plan involving international governance in Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority playing a leading role and Arab states ensuring security.

The proposed framework aims to unify Gaza and the West Bank under a future Palestinian state, a contentious point that Israel has historically opposed. Trump’s Middle East team, led by envoy Steve Witkoff, has been briefed on the negotiations, signaling potential continuity in U.S. policy.

While the ceasefire deal represents a significant diplomatic achievement, its success hinges on careful implementation and mutual trust—a tall order in the region’s volatile context. If finalized, the agreement could provide a roadmap for long-term stability and reconstruction in Gaza, but it will require unprecedented cooperation from all stakeholders to succeed.

Intelligence officials thwart bombing near Sayyida Zeinab shrine, a frequent target of extremist attacks, as Syria’s new leadership seeks stability.

Syrian intelligence officials successfully disrupted a planned Islamic State (IS) attack on the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, a prominent Shiite pilgrimage site near Damascus. State media reported the arrests of IS cell members behind the plot, marking a critical step in the new government’s efforts to counter extremist threats and reassure religious minorities.

Sayyida Zeinab has long been a target for IS, which views Shiites as infidels. The shrine has faced multiple attacks, including a 2023 motorcycle bombing that killed six people and injured dozens on the eve of Ashura, a sacred day for Shiites. This latest plot underscores the ongoing sectarian tensions that continue to plague Syria in the wake of President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting.

Syria’s new de facto rulers, led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have taken steps to address these divides. Once affiliated with al-Qaeda, HTS has sought to rebrand itself as a more moderate force, with its leader Ahmad al-Sharaa preaching religious coexistence and stability. These efforts aim to ease fears among religious minorities, particularly Shiites and Alawites, who were closely aligned with Assad’s regime.

The thwarted attack also comes amid significant political shifts in the region. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati recently visited Damascus to meet with HTS leader al-Sharaa. This meeting suggests a potential thaw in the strained relations between Lebanon and Syria, signaling an emerging regional alignment under Syria’s new leadership.

As Syria navigates this transitional period, the successful prevention of extremist attacks will be crucial to fostering security and trust across its deeply divided society. The Sayyida Zeinab plot serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, as well as the potential for renewed stability under vigilant governance.

Joseph Aoun’s election ends a 15-month presidential vacancy, breaking Lebanon’s political deadlock amid regional tensions.

After 15 months of political paralysis, Lebanon’s parliament has elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the nation’s president, marking a significant breakthrough in a protracted deadlock. Aoun secured the presidency during a second round of voting in parliament on Thursday, surpassing the simple majority threshold of 65 votes required to win. The announcement sparked celebrations among lawmakers, reflecting the relief of a nation desperate for political resolution.

In the first round of voting earlier in the day, Aoun fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to clinch victory, receiving 71 votes out of the 128-member parliament. However, the subsequent round lowered the bar to a simple majority, allowing Aoun to claim the presidency and bring an end to a crisis that had left Lebanon without a head of state since October 2022.

The political impasse had been fueled by deep divisions between Hezbollah and its opponents, stalling over a dozen previous attempts to elect a president. The stalemate exacerbated Lebanon’s ongoing economic collapse, with inflation, corruption, and sectarian tensions crippling the nation.

Joseph Aoun, a Maronite Christian as mandated by Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, represents a figure of stability and neutrality. As army chief since 2017, he has garnered respect domestically and internationally for his leadership, particularly during the nation’s social and economic upheavals. His presidency is viewed as a move to restore confidence in Lebanon’s governance and navigate the nation through its many crises.

The international community had been pressuring Lebanon’s political factions to resolve the leadership vacuum. The urgency was heightened by a looming deadline in 17 days to deploy Lebanese troops alongside UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, following a fragile ceasefire after last autumn’s Hezbollah-Israel war. Aoun’s election is expected to strengthen Lebanon’s ability to fulfill its commitments in this regard and stabilize its internal security.

Aoun’s presidency signals a new chapter for Lebanon, but significant challenges lie ahead. The nation remains deeply divided, its economy in tatters, and its citizens increasingly disillusioned with the political elite. Aoun’s ability to bridge these divides and implement reforms will determine whether this moment becomes a turning point or a fleeting reprieve from Lebanon’s chronic instability.

With advanced missile capabilities, maritime disruptions, and ties to Iran, the Houthis’ growing power demands urgent international intervention.

The Houthis, a rebel group originating in Yemen, have evolved into a formidable threat to regional and global stability. Bolstered by Iranian support and access to advanced weaponry, the Houthis now wield considerable military power that extends far beyond Yemen’s borders. Middle East expert Dan Fefferman has emphasized the urgent need for an international coalition to address their expanding influence.

Originally a localized group, the Houthis have transformed into a sophisticated force with an estimated 20,000 fighters. Their arsenal now includes drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, much of it supplied or financed by Iran. The Houthis have demonstrated their technological prowess through attacks on major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, missile strikes targeting Abu Dhabi, and drone incursions into Israeli airspace.

The impact of their military activities is profound. Over the past year, the Houthis have launched hundreds of missiles and drones, disrupting life in major cities like Riyadh and Tel Aviv. These attacks highlight their ability to project power far beyond Yemen, unsettling not just regional actors but also global powers.

Perhaps the Houthis’ most alarming capability lies in their disruption of international shipping. Operating in the Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade, their maritime activities have obstructed shipping lanes, causing a reported 60% reduction in Suez Canal traffic over the past year. Such disruptions affect global markets, raising costs and creating supply chain vulnerabilities that ripple across industries worldwide.

Their maritime operations have also directly targeted international naval vessels, including those of the U.S., further escalating tensions and highlighting their threat to international security.

Iran’s role in supporting the Houthis cannot be understated. As Tehran’s proxy, the Houthis serve as a key instrument in Iran’s strategy to destabilize the region and challenge its adversaries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States.

The Houthis’ growing strength has drawn international attention to the broader dynamics of Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Access to Russian arms and Iranian technology has allowed the Houthis to expand their reach, demonstrating how proxy groups can evolve into significant players on the global stage.

Experts like Fefferman argue that the Houthis’ activities demand a coordinated international response. “This is not just a threat to Israel. This is a threat to regional stability and international stability,” Fefferman warns.

The implications of ignoring the Houthis extend far beyond the Middle East. Disruptions in global trade, threats to energy supplies, and the risk of escalated conflicts in an already volatile region underline the necessity of action.

An international coalition, backed by regional powers and global stakeholders, could provide a multifaceted approach to curtail the Houthis’ capabilities. This would involve targeting their supply chains, countering Iranian support, and restoring stability in Yemen to undermine the group’s base of operations.

The Houthis are no longer a localized insurgency but a rising power with the capability to disrupt regional and global stability. Their advanced military technologies, maritime disruptions, and ties to Iran make them a unique and pressing threat. Addressing this challenge requires a unified international effort, as the cost of inaction will only grow with time. The world can no longer afford to ignore the Houthis.

With Assad overthrown, Syria’s fractured rebel coalition, led by HTS, struggles to navigate the complexities of peacebuilding and power-sharing.

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad marks a historic victory for Syria’s rebel forces, but the celebrations are tempered by an uncertain future. Drawing lessons from post-conflict transitions in countries like Libya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, Syria faces the risk of internal fragmentation and renewed violence as competing factions vie for influence in the absence of a stable authority.

The Military Operations Command, the coalition that toppled Assad, has already disbanded in all but name. The dominant faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, remains the primary force, but its own internal structure—a merger of at least four separate militias—reflects the precarious nature of alliances forged during the conflict.

Al-Sharaa’s pledge to disband all factions and integrate fighters into a national defense ministry is ambitious but fraught with challenges. History suggests that rival factions are likely to emerge, challenging HTS’s legitimacy and threatening the fragile unity of Syria’s transitional period.

Syria’s post-conflict trajectory mirrors challenges seen in Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda:

Fragmentation of Coalitions: In Libya, the National Transition Council quickly fractured into rival militias, resulting in prolonged instability. Similar dynamics could play out in Syria as smaller factions, uncertain of their place in a centralized system, switch allegiances to strengthen their positions.

Shifting Loyalties: Opportunistic realignments among militias, seen in both Libya and South Sudan, could undermine HTS’s efforts to consolidate power and create a unified defense structure.

High-Stakes National Politics: HTS’s vision for a unified state without federal regions raises the stakes for national elections, making the political game a zero-sum contest prone to violent outcomes, as demonstrated by Uganda’s post-Amin elections.

Ethiopia’s post-Derg transition attempted to devolve power to ethnic regions, providing former rebel factions with localized stakes. While imperfect, this approach mitigated some of the risks associated with centralized governance.

In Syria, however, the lack of clear ethno-territorial bases for most militias and HTS’s rejection of federalism as a political model limit the viability of such a solution. The emphasis on a unified state places immense pressure on the transitional government to navigate competing interests without devolving into renewed conflict.

While elections are a cornerstone of democratic transitions, their timing and structure can determine whether they stabilize or destabilize a nation. In Uganda, elections in 1980 reignited rebellion when one faction felt marginalized. Similarly, in Syria, elections held prematurely or without inclusive power-sharing mechanisms risk sidelining factions and provoking violent reprisals.

Syria’s post-Assad transition faces significant hurdles:

Internal Rivalries: The diverse and often overlapping interests of militias under the HTS umbrella threaten to fracture the coalition.

Uncertain Governance: The absence of federalist structures or other mechanisms to provide localized stakes may intensify competition for national power.

External Influences: Regional and international actors, including Turkey, Iran, and Russia, may exacerbate internal divisions as they seek to shape Syria’s future.

Syria’s post-war path to peace is fraught with complexities. While HTS’s leadership offers a temporary anchor, the fragmented nature of the coalition, the lack of decentralized governance, and the high stakes of national politics present significant risks of renewed violence.

Learning from past transitions, Syria’s future stability hinges on building inclusive governance structures, carefully timing elections, and addressing the underlying grievances that fueled years of conflict. Without such measures, the celebration of Assad’s fall may soon give way to a new chapter of uncertainty and violence.

Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen kill six, injure dozens as WHO chief negotiates UN staff release during the attack.

Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen escalated regional tensions on Thursday, killing at least six people and injuring dozens. Among those present during the attack was WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was at Sanaa International Airport to negotiate the release of UN staff detainees.

The Strikes and Their Aftermath

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted what they described as “intelligence-based strikes” on military targets in Yemen, including:

• Sanaa International Airport: Strikes damaged the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway.
• Power Stations: The Haziz and Ras Kanatib power stations were hit, affecting civilian infrastructure.
• Ports: Military sites in Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the western coast were targeted.

Houthi-run media reported six fatalities—three at the airport and three in Hodeidah province—and over 40 injuries. Victims included individuals at the airport, where multiple strikes occurred.

UN Response

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the strikes disrupted his team’s mission to assess Yemen’s humanitarian situation and negotiate the release of UN detainees. In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the strikes “especially alarming,” warning of further regional escalation.

Israel’s Position

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes, framing them as part of a broader effort to dismantle Iran’s influence in the region. “We are only just starting with [the Houthis],” Netanyahu said, signaling more actions to come.

The strikes follow a series of Houthi missile launches into Israel, including a recent attack that injured over a dozen civilians. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned earlier this week that Israel would “decapitate” Houthi leadership if provocations continued.

The Houthi Response

Houthi leaders condemned the strikes as “barbaric” and linked them to broader regional conflicts, vowing to continue “confrontations with American and Israeli arrogance.” Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, described the airstrikes as a “clear violation of international peace and security.”

Humanitarian Concerns

The presence of WHO and UN staff at the airport during the strikes highlights the fragile state of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Sanaa’s airport is a critical hub for humanitarian aid and medical supplies in a country devastated by nearly a decade of civil war. The strikes risk further disrupting already limited aid flows.

Broader Context

The conflict between Israel and the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, has intensified since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Houthis have launched multiple missile and drone attacks on Israel, while Israel has retaliated with airstrikes in Yemen.

This escalation underscores the broader proxy dynamics in the region, with Iran’s support for groups like the Houthis increasingly drawing Israel into direct conflict beyond its immediate borders.

Conclusion

The Israeli strikes on Yemen, conducted as part of its campaign against Iranian-backed militias, mark a dangerous escalation in the region’s interconnected conflicts. With humanitarian operations and civilian infrastructure caught in the crossfire, the risks of further destabilization loom large.

As the situation develops, the international community will face growing pressure to mediate and prevent broader regional fallout, especially as Yemen remains one of the world’s most fragile states.

Israeli Missile Interception Highlights Broader Conflict Dynamics

Early Tuesday, Israel’s military successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, averting potential destruction and casualties. The Yemen-based Houthi militants, aligned with Iran, have escalated their missile attacks on Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Houthis’ alignment with other Iranian-backed proxies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, underscores the interconnected nature of these conflicts.

The interception triggered air raid sirens but caused no damage, according to Israeli military sources. Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stern warning to Houthi leaders, stating they could face the same fate as key figures from Hamas and Hezbollah who have been targeted and killed in Israeli operations.

The Yemeni Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have intensified their attacks on Israel in recent months, a development that highlights Iran’s broader strategy of pressuring Israel through regional proxies. In response, Israel has targeted Houthi installations, reinforcing its resolve to neutralize threats across multiple fronts.

Katz’s remarks followed Israel’s confirmed responsibility for the August explosion in Tehran that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. This revelation aligns with Israel’s aggressive strategy against Iranian-linked groups across the region. The killing of numerous Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon further underscores Israel’s commitment to weakening Tehran’s influence.

As fighting continues, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated progress in negotiations for the release of hostages held in Gaza. Approximately 100 hostages remain captive, with a significant portion believed dead. Meanwhile, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s ambition to strengthen its ties with Arab nations, leveraging its role as a regional power to build on the success of the 2020 Abraham Accords.

The missile interception and subsequent warnings to the Houthis reflect the deepening complexity of the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. With Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis coordinating under Iran’s aegis, Israel faces a multi-front conflict that tests its military capabilities and diplomatic strategies. However, Netanyahu’s focus on fostering alliances with moderate Arab nations could reshape regional dynamics, potentially isolating Iran and its proxies.

A Lebanese man recounts the horrors of Assad regime dungeons, where torture broke the will of detainees to resist false charges.

Eighteen years in the dark dungeons of the Assad regime’s prisons turned Lebanese journalist Muaz Merab’s life into a nightmare of unrelenting torture and anguish. Detained in 2006 while returning to Lebanon from Iraq, Merab endured horrors that remain etched into his mind—haunting reminders of the Assad regime’s machinery of terror.

Merab’s ordeal began in Douma, Damascus, when regime forces seized him on his way back home to Tripoli. At the time, he was a father of two young children, ages five and six. By the time of his release, he was a grandfather, having spent more than a third of his life confined to Syria’s infamous prisons.

Recounting his suffering, Merab shared chilling details of the torture tactics used by his captors. “They beat us with electric cables, tearing into our flesh with every strike,” he revealed. Forced nudity, beatings, and relentless psychological intimidation became the grim norm. Among the barbaric methods was the “wheel,” where detainees were tied to a wheel-like contraption, rendering them defenseless as they were mercilessly beaten.

The systemic brutality left prisoners no choice but to surrender to baseless accusations. “We accepted any charges without even reading them, just to stop the pain,” Merab said, his voice heavy with the weight of his memories.

His testimony sheds light on the pervasive and institutionalized nature of the Assad regime’s cruelty, already well-documented by survivors, rights groups, and international watchdogs. Yet, it serves as a sobering reminder of the lingering impunity enjoyed by those responsible for such atrocities.

Merab’s story is not only one of unimaginable suffering but also a testament to resilience in the face of dehumanization. His survival offers a grim glimpse into a regime that continues to wield torture as a tool of oppression, leaving countless untold stories in its wake.