Global Outlook

  The fragile hopes for a Gaza truce were shattered this week as Hamas officials rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal , accusing the Israeli government of deliberately derailing negotiations. Two anonymous Hamas sources told AFP that the group refused to engage with the Israeli counteroffer, instead demanding that mediators pressure Israel to accept an earlier proposal from Egypt and Qatar. This latest rejection comes after months of failed diplomacy, leaving thousands of Palestinian civilians trapped in a worsening humanitarian crisis and Israeli hostages still in captivity. The sticking point appears to be Israel’s refusal to commit to key Hamas demands, including a full withdrawal of troops from Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners — many serving life sentences. Hamas claims the Egyptian-Qatari plan included a 50-day ceasefire, the release of five Israeli soldiers, and the return of 2,000 Palestinian detainees. But Israel’s counterproposal reportedly ...

  Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa from Syria has initiated a national dialogue in Damascus which includes promised democratic transformation and the formation of a transitional justice committee. The dialogue serves as a historically significant moment according to al-Sharaa and his HTS-led government for leading Syria to political transformation after the Assad downfall followed by civil war years. The high aspirations of the gathering are overshadowed by doubts about its usefulness because it was implemented too quickly while keeping attendance narrow. The speech by Al-Sharaa appealed for national solidarity by asking Syrians to unite against the injuries caused by the previous political order as he committed to controlling all state weapons to weaken the power of armed organizations. The compressed work sessions about transitional justice and constitutional reform and institutional reconstruction throughout one single day received strong criticism from both national and international...

  The streets of Dahiya, a Hezbollah stronghold near Beirut, erupted in chaos Friday as  Israel issued an unprecedented evacuation order for residents near a suspected militant facility . For the first time since the November ceasefire, the Israeli military marked a building in the densely populated Hadath neighborhood as a potential target, warning anyone within 300 yards to flee immediately. The sudden escalation has reignited fears of a return to full-scale conflict, leaving civilians scrambling for safety amid blaring car horns and frantic warnings. The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, posted a map on social media pinpointing the exact location under threat, accusing it of housing Hezbollah-linked “facilities.” This move came after rockets were fired into northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens in cities like Kiryat Shmona. While Hezbollah denied responsibility, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a chilling warning:  “If it’s ...

  While the world watches Ukraine and Gaza, Israel is quietly waging a high-stakes shadow war in Syria — and the latest strike on Latakia’s port reveals a dangerous escalation. For years, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria, often with little international outcry. But Thursday’s  attack on the port city of Latakia  marks a significant shift — targeting not just Iranian-backed militias or Hezbollah supply routes, but a critical Syrian trade hub. According to Syrian state media (SANA), Israeli jets struck near the Al-Abyad port, hitting what monitors describe as a hidden “munitions depot.” The strike raises urgent questions: Why is Israel escalating its shadow war now, and what does it mean for the region? Latakia isn’t just any Syrian city — it’s a strategic coastal gateway, a lifeline for trade, and, allegedly, a key transit point for Iranian weapons. Israel has long claimed that Syria’s ports are used to smuggle advanced arms to Hezbollah, a claim Damasc...

  In a bold and unprecedented act of defiance,  hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets this week, chanting  “Out, Hamas!”  — a direct challenge to the militant group that has ruled the enclave with an iron fist since 2007. The protests, captured in viral social media posts, reveal a growing backlash against Hamas’ leadership as civilians bear the brunt of a war they never asked for. Amid the ruins of Beit Lahiya, voices long silenced are finally speaking out:  “We don’t want war!” The scenes from northern Gaza, where entire blocks lie in rubble, paint a grim picture of life under constant siege. “It was a spontaneous rally because people are exhausted,” said one witness, too afraid to give his name. The demonstrators, many of whom have lost everything, directed their anger not just at Israel but at Hamas — the group whose October 7 attack triggered this devastating conflict. For the first time, frustration is boiling over into open dissent. Hamas o...

  As ceasefire talks collapse, Israel vows to seize more of Gaza—turning the strip into a battleground with no end in sight . Will Hamas bend, or face total annihilation? The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas has shattered, reigniting a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a chilling warning: if Hamas refuses to release the remaining hostages, Israel will expand its military operations, seize more territory, and intensify its campaign until the militant group is completely destroyed. This ultimatum comes after months of failed negotiations, leaving Gaza on the brink of even greater devastation. Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has maintained that its goal is the total eradication of Hamas as a governing and military force. The recent breakdown in ceasefire talks has only hardened this stance. Katz’s statement makes it clear—Israel will not stop until Hamas surrenders or is wiped out. With airstrikes and...

  Egypt has stepped in with a fresh proposal to revive ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, hoping to end the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza. The plan aims to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas while providing humanitarian relief to Gaza’s besieged population. The renewed negotiations come at a critical time, as hostilities have escalated following Israel’s unilateral decision to resume military operations last week. With both sides previously unwilling to compromise, the Egyptian mediation effort presents a potential breakthrough, but key challenges remain. The proposal outlines a phased exchange in which Hamas would release five living hostages, including an American-Israeli, in exchange for Israel allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Additionally, Israel would implement a weekslong pause in its military campaign. As part of the deal, Israel is expected to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return. While Hamas has reportedly responded positively to the pla...

  In a shocking turn of events, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, has been detained by US immigration authorities for his alleged support of the Palestinian cause. This incident, which occurred less than a week after another Indian student self-deported under similar accusations, raises serious questions about the state of free speech and political expression in the United States. Suri’s detention is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on student activists who oppose US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine. Suri, whose family hails from Jamia Nagar in New Delhi, was studying and teaching on a student visa when masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested him outside his home in Arlington, Virginia. According to his lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, the agents informed Suri that his visa had been revoked. The lawsuit filed for his immediate release reveals that Suri is being deported under...

  Gal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was supposed to be a celebration of her illustrious career, but it quickly turned into a battleground for political tensions. As the  Wonder Woman  star prepared to receive her star, pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters clashed outside the event, causing a 15-minute delay and overshadowing the festivities. The incident highlights the polarizing nature of Gadot’s outspoken support for Israel, a stance that has made her both a hero and a lightning rod in the ongoing conflict. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, was attended by Hollywood heavyweights like  Wonder Woman  director Patty Jenkins and  Fast and Furious  star Vin Diesel. However, the presence of several dozen protesters disrupted the event. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carried signs reading “Heroes Fight Like Palestinians” and “Viva Viva Palestina,” while pro-Israel supporters waved flags. Tensions escalated when a pro-Palestinian protester reporte...