Israel, Hamas Fail to Secure Ceasefire Agreement Amid Looming Ramadan
Plus: Houthi attack kills 3 ship members, US to establish temporary port in Gaza, global condemnation against Israel's Illegal settlements, Iran's parliamentary vote sees record-low turnout, and more.
Hello and welcome to Inshallah! I’m here to bring you the top stories from the Middle East every week. Come along on this journey with me to stay informed about the latest news and trends in the region.
Israel, Hamas Fail to Secure Ceasefire Agreement Amid Looming Ramadan
Hamas withdrew from ceasefire discussions in Cairo on Thursday, where no progress was evident, just days before Ramadan. The United States emphasized that the responsibility lay with Hamas to reach an agreement concerning Israeli hostages.
However, a Hamas official criticized the United States, alleging its alignment with Israel and labelling such remarks as deceptive. Hamas, according to reports, has consistently insisted on a ceasefire agreement that includes a pathway to ending the conflict entirely.
Both Israel and Hamas pointed fingers at each other for the lack of a deal after four days of talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt regarding a 40-day ceasefire. There were concerns that violence could escalate during the upcoming month of Ramadan.
According to Egyptian security sources, discussions, held without an Israeli delegation present in Cairo, are set to resume on Sunday, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan.
Efforts to broker a truce in Gaza before Ramadan faced obstacles in Egypt last weekend when Hamas rejected Israel's request for information on approximately 130 hostages held by the group. Israel sought details such as the number of captives, their identities, and their health status. However, Hamas representatives informed mediators that they rejected Israel's demand.
With unresolved differences between Israel and Hamas on various key issues, the likelihood of a truce before the holy month on March 10 or 11 appears slim.
Read more on Reuters.
Houthi Attack Kills 3 Crew Members in First Fatal Assault on Shipping
A missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the commercial ship True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden killed three crew members this week and forced survivors to abandon the vessel, as reported by the U.S. military. This marks the first fatal strike in the Houthi's campaign amid Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Despite U.S. airstrikes initiated in January, the Houthis continued their attacks.
Read more on AP.
US to Establish Temporary Port on Gaza Coast for Aid Delivery
President Joe Biden announced during his State of the Union address that the U.S. military will establish a port in Gaza to facilitate increased humanitarian aid delivery by sea. This temporary port is expected to boost Palestinian assistance by "hundreds of additional truckloads" daily, according to officials.
Biden clarified that no U.S. troops would physically land in Gaza. The United Kingdom expressed its intention to collaborate with the U.S. in creating a sea corridor, with the United Nations warning that a quarter of Gaza's population is on the brink of famine.
The port project, to be constructed by the U.S. military, involves a temporary pier for transferring supplies from ships to the shore. However, uncertainties persist regarding the construction of the causeway and ensuring aid distribution on land, raising doubts about the operation's success.
Read more on the BBC.
US Continues Armament Flow to Israel Amid Escalating Concerns Over War's Conduct
In a recent classified briefing to Congress, U.S. officials revealed that the United States has approved and delivered over 100 foreign military sales to Israel since the Gaza war began on October 7. These include precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs, bunker busters, small arms, and other lethal aid. Despite growing concerns among U.S. officials and lawmakers about Israel's military tactics, Washington's involvement in the conflict remains extensive. Only two sales have been publicly disclosed: $106 million worth of tank ammunition and $147.5 million of components for 155 mm shells, both approved by invoking emergency authority.
Read more on The Washington Post.
Global Condemnation Mounts Against Israel's Illegal West Bank Settlement Plans
Israel's approval of plans to build thousands of new homes in the occupied West Bank has sparked widespread condemnation from various countries, including its allies. The move, involving nearly 3,500 new housing units, is the first such approval since the conflict with Gaza began last October. Criticized for violating international law and hindering peace efforts, the settlements have drawn strong rebukes from several countries, including Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.
Read more on Al-Jazeera.
Iran's Parliamentary Vote Sees Record-Low Turnout as Hard-Liners Dominate Amid Boycott Calls
Results released Monday showed Iranian hard-line politicians maintaining dominance in the parliamentary election despite a record-low turnout and boycott calls. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi praised Iranians for enduring challenges, noting a turnout of just under 41%, slightly lower than the previous record low. The announcement of turnout statistics by Iran took days without explanation. Authorities extended polling hours in Tehran, which remained largely empty, prompting online appeals for participation. The reasons behind the low turnout, whether due to apathy or a message to the government, remain unclear. The election is the first since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini over hijab regulations.
Read more on AP.
That’s a wrap for this week! Thank you for joining Inshallah! Don’t forget to share and subscribe.
bout me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.
You can follow me on Twitter: @DarioSabaghi
Errors and editing mistakes may occasionally occur. I appreciate your feedback and take all complaints seriously. Please get in touch with me on Twitter to report any issues, and I will do my best to rectify them promptly.
Cover photo | GETTY IMAGES/Forbes