Palestinian Prisoner Dies on Hunger Strike in Israeli Jail
Plus: Iran and Syria Sign Long-Term Cooperation Agreements, Saudi Arabia to 'Welcome' LGBTQ Tourists, Syrians in Lebanon Deported Amid Anti-Refugee Campaign, and more.
Welcome to Inshallah, your weekly source for the latest and most newsworthy news from the Middle East. I'm Dario Sabaghi, and I've got my eye on the most impactful stories of the week just for you.
Join me on this journey of discovery and stay ahead of the curve with the most insightful news from the region. Best of all, subscribing to Inshallah is free.
Palestinian Prisoner Dies on Hunger Strike in Israeli Jail
Khader Adnan, a Palestinian prisoner affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, died in an Israeli prison after almost three months of a hunger strike.
He had refused food for 87 days to protest against being detained without charge.
Adnan, who had been arrested 12 times and had gone on hunger strike several times before, was found unconscious in his cell on May 2 after refusing medical tests and treatment.
His death has been labeled an "act of assassination" and triggered an exchange of fire between Israel and armed groups in Gaza.
A ceasefire was later agreed upon.
Read more on Al-Jazeera and learn more about his life here.
Iran and Syria Sign Long-Term Cooperation Agreements to Bolster Economic Ties
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisiand Syrian President Bashar Assad signed long-term cooperation agreements in the oil and other sectors to strengthen economic ties between their countries this week.
The deal includes agreements related to oil, agriculture, railways, and free trade zones.
Iran's railway company wants to expand its network through Iraq and Syria to reach the Mediterranean Sea.
Iran has been supporting the Syrian government since the start of the civil war.
Arab countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been showing signs of opening up to Assad.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations in March after seven years of tensions.
Saudi Arabia to 'Welcome' LGBTQ Tourists
Saudi Arabia's official tourism site, visitsaudi.com, has updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to indicate that LGBTQ tourists are welcome to visit the country.
The site states that personal details are not required to be disclosed, and everyone is welcome to visit the country.
Homosexuality remains illegal in the country, and the LGBTQ community has faced criminalization and societal stigma in the past.
Reports on the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ community are limited due to the absence of organizations and societal stigma.
Sudanese Generals Send Envoys to Saudi Arabia for Truce Talks Amid Ongoing Violence
Sudan's opposing generals sent envoys to Saudi Arabia for truce talks under a joint US-Saudi initiative to reduce tension in Sudan.
The discussions only focused on humanitarian ceasefires and not ending the war.
The initiative came after the Saudi Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State discussed the situation.
The UN has also put pressure on Sudanese factions to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid following the looting of six trucks.
Violence in Sudan has resulted in more than 420 deaths and 3,700 injuries, with hospitals and medical workers being targeted.
Saudi Arabia has tried to position itself as a mediator between the warring factions and civilian actors in Sudan.
Arab Nations Plan to Meet over Syria's Return to Arab League
Arab diplomats will meet in Cairo over the weekend to discuss Syria's possible return to the Arab League after 12 years of suspension due to the ongoing war.
Syria's membership was suspended in 2011, with most Arab countries imposing economic sanctions.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of almost half a million people and the displacement of millions.
The Arab League summit on May 19, hosted by Saudi Arabia, is expected to discuss Syria's membership, with Qatar opposing it.
A meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7 will focus on restoring Syria's membership, as requested by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Syrians in Lebanon Deported Amid Anti-Refugee Campaign
The Lebanese security forces have deported, mistreated, and exploited the Syrian refugees who have sought refuge in Lebanon.
There has been a strong campaign against them, which has caused some to hide or flee their homes.
Recently, Lebanese security forces began a campaign to deport Syrian refugees to Syria, which has been widely condemned by human rights groups.
Several rights groups and news agencies report that around 450 Syrians were arrested in more than 60 raids by the Lebanese army in April, and more than 130 were deported.
The UN estimates that about 900,000 Syrian refugees live in Lebanon, but other sources put the figure closer to 2 million.
If they return to Syria, they can face arrest, torture, and even execution in regime-held areas.
Men are also vulnerable to being forcibly conscripted into the regime's army. Women and children are not spared from the effects of this campaign.
Lebanese authorities have refused to renew residency papers for Syrians, demanding that they obtain a sponsor or work permit.
As a result, most Syrians in the country do not have the necessary documentation for legal residency. This puts them at risk of exploitation by Lebanese landlords.
Activists and human rights groups have heavily criticized the Lebanese government for its treatment of Syrian refugees. Reports of Syrian refugees being detained and deported to the war-torn nation have sparked outrage.
Thanks for tuning in to this week's edition of Inshallah, your go-to source for Middle Eastern news. Don't forget to share and subscribe to stay informed, all for free!
About 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
Did I miss any important news from the Middle East? DM me on Twitter.
Cover photo: Photo: Getty/archive - The New Arab