### Under-reported news from Israel, Palestine, the Middle East and North Africa: July 4, 2025 *These roundups are, and will always be, free. No paywalls. If you find them useful, you can buy me a cup of coffee [here](https://paypal.me/ridaaburass?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US). Thanks!* [Subscribe](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get these roundups (and just these roundups) by email. No spam. **TL;DR**: Hundreds of Palestinian were killed in Gaza, including at aid-distribution sites. This, amid ongoing shortages in medical supplies, baby formula, and food. The West Bank saw escalating settler violence, as Israeli forces demolished homes, displacing many Palestinian families. Trump pushed for a comprehensive normalization deal between Israel and Arab states, though Syria has indicated it seeks only limited, security arrangements. Within Israel, Palestinians continue to face persecution, including restrictions on speech and assembly. Netanyahu backs a loyalist to lead the security services, as part of an ongoing trend toward executive aggrandizement and control of key agencies and branches of government. --- ##### Gaza: - 2025-06-30 - [The Israeli military killed at least 40 Palestinians](https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-attacks-kill-scores-gaza-ceasefire-momentum-builds) in Gaza today, including aid-seekers. #english - 2025-06-30 - [Al Jazeera reports](https://aje.io/hwexvf?update=3809746) the number has risen to 85. #english - 2025-06-30 - Report: [nearly 800 Palestinian athletes killed](https://www.newarab.com/news/nearly-800-palestinian-athletes-killed-israel-7-october) in Gaza since Oct. 7. #english - 2025-06-30 - [Missile strike on internet cafe](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-attack-gaza-city-beachfront-cafe-kills-least-22-including-journalist) - frequented by journalists - kills dozens. #english - 2025-07-04 - And [here's a detailed report](https://www.972mag.com/gaza-al-baqa-cafe-bombed-journalists/) on this incident, published today by 972mag. #english - 2025-07-01 - [US surgeon describes](https://www.democracynow.org/2025/7/1/al_baqa_cafe_gaza) his harrowing experience in Gaza. #english - 2025-07-02 - [At least 67 Palestinians were killed](https://aje.io/68cb8p?update=3813824) in Gaza today, including 11 at aid distribution sites. #english - [Among the dead was](https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-kills-director-indonesian-hospital-gaza-strike) the director of Gaza's Indonesian Hospital, who was killed by an Israeli strike on a residential building. #english - 2025-07-02 - Israeli [soldier killed](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-07-02/ty-article/.premium/00000197-cba1-d2cb-a79f-ffab3ac40000), others seriously injured in Gaza. #hebrew - 2025-07-02 - [US proposes](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/2/hamas-studying-new-ceasefire-proposals-calls-for-end-to-gaza-war) new deal to end the war in Gaza; Israeli government apparently receptive; Hamas has yet to respond. #english - 2025-07-03 - [At least 63 Palestinians killed](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165339) in Gaza today. #arabic - 2025-07-03 - [More than 300 Palestinians killed in Gaza over the past 48 hours](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/3/israel-kills-more-than-300-palestinians-in-48-hours-as-ceasefire-in-balance). #english - 2025-07-03 - [Important AP report](https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-gaza-contractors-aid-distribution-fe27f3ea83e06a09d66424eed7a5d56f) on aid-distribution sites in Gaza, includes harrowing footage of US contractors rejoicing after shooting at aid-seeking Palestinians ("I think you hit one!"; "Hell yeah boy!"). #english - 2025-07-04 - [Israeli military widens](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165458) no-go areas in Gaza. #arabic - 2025-07-04 - [At least 41 Palestinians killed](https://aje.io/xoi4su?update=3817768) in Gaza since dawn. #english - 2025-07-04 - [An Israeli soldier was killed, and another died](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-07-04/ty-article/00000197-d5c1-d2cb-a79f-f5ebfa570000) in an operational accident, in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. At least 883 Israeli soldiers died since Oct. 7, 2023; at least 32 died since March 18 of this year, when Israel violated its ceasefire with Hamas. #hebrew - 2025-07-04 - [Trump expects Hamas to make a decision in 24 hours](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606854/middle-east) on his ceasefire proposa;. #english ---- ##### West Bank, inc. East Jerusalem: - 2025-06-30 - Palestinian [died in Israeli custody](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165114), after being placed under administrative detention on March 26, 2024. He is the 73rd Palestinian prisoner to die in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023. #arabic - Since then, Palestinian prisoners have reportedly faced [torture](https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/palestinian-prisoners-face-medical-neglect-and-torture-israeli-jails), [medical neglect](https://www.972mag.com/israel-prisons-scabies/), and [starvation](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/1/palestinians-released-by-israel-show-signs-of-torture-starvation). #english - 2025-06-30 - [[Pasted image 20250630155403.png|Latest news]] (past 24 hours) from WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, including: - [Israeli forces close a central checkpoint](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158888_) (near Jerusalem), dispersing vehicles with teargas and stun grenades. #english - [Settlers burn](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158882) large swaths of agricultural land near Hebron, and seize livestock from Palestinian farmers. #english - [Israeli forces continue to bulldoze](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158879) buildings in Jenin. #english - [Israeli forces detain 15 Palestinians](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158878) near Hebron after settlers attacked them. #english - 2025-06-30 - Israeli forces [allow settlers to hold wedding](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606397/middle-east) within the al-Aqsa mosque courtyard - a notable escalation in settler encroachments. #english - The Mosque is managed by the [Jerusalem Endowments Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Waqf), which operates under Jordan’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Jews are not permitted to pray at the mosque. This status quo is slowly eroding: a growing number of settlers are holding prayers at the compound, accompanied by Israeli forces. The Mosque is politically sensitive, having [previously](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Intifada#Trigger_for_the_uprising) [served](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Israel%E2%80%93Palestine_crisis#April%E2%80%93May_2021_Ramadan_events) as a flash-point for Palestinian mobilization. - 2025-06-30 - Israeli forces [issue demolition orders](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165112) to 104 homes in Tulkarm. This is part of an ongoing home demolition campaign in Tulkarm and the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, which started early this year. See [[2025-06-27#West Bank|last week's roundup]] for more details. #arabic - [Another source](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158875), in English. - 2025-07-03 - Update: [Israeli supreme court freezes the decision](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165366) to demolish these homes after an appeal submitted by [Adalah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalah_(legal_center)). - 2025-06-30 - [Israeli forces are accused](https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-attacks-kill-scores-gaza-ceasefire-momentum-builds?blockId=block_57521) of opening fire on journalists as they were covering the ongoing (since January) home demolition operation in Jenin. #english - 2025-07-01 - [[Pasted image 20250701115818.png|Latest news]] (past 24 hours) from WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, including: - [Settlers set fire](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158927) to agricultural land. #english - [Israeli authorities issue](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158920) demolition and stop-work orders in Hebron. #english - [Israeli forces demolish](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158919) home in Jerusalem. #english - [Palestinian family demolishes](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158917) its own home on Israel's orders. #english - [Israeli forces demolish](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158913) Palestinian house south of Qalqilya. #english - [Israeli forces demolish house]() in Jericho. #english - 2025-07-01 - [Israeli army kills two in West Bank](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606530/middle-east), including teen. #english - [1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank](https://aje.io/bf7ows?update=3811481) since October 7, 2023. #english - 2025-07-02 - The number of Palestinian journalists in administrative detention [rises to 22](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165285). [English](https://aje.io/68cb8p?update=3813718). #arabic #english - 2025-07-02 - Israel [continues to expand home demolitions](https://aje.io/68cb8p?update=3813660) in Tulkarm and Jenin. #english - Context: The Israeli military has been demolishing homes in Jenin and Tulkarem's refugee camps since January, displacing tens of thousands of Palestinian residents from their homes. The demolitions appear to have intensified in recent weeks. - 2025-07-02 - [[Pasted image 20250702134119.png|Latest news]] from from WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, including: - [Israeli forces demolish home](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158958) in Shweika, a village near Tulkarm. #english - [Israeli settlers uproot trees](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158954), including olive and almond trees. #english - [Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158938) in Masafer Yatta / South Hebron Hills. - [Israeli forces raid](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158934) several homes Sebastia - a town near Nablus - and injure one man using live ammunition. - 2025-07-03 - [Israeli forces shoot and kill 61-year old Palestinian man](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165409) in Tulkarm. #arabic - 2025-07-03 - [[Pasted image 20250703124916.png|Latest news]] from from WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, including: - [Israeli authorities order 22 Palestinian families to vacate](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158991) their homes in Jerusalem. #english - [Settlers flood Palestinian farmland with sewage](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158982), try to steal livestock. #english - [Israeli settlers attack Palestinian home](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158981) under IDF protection. #english - 2025-07-04 - [Israeli raids across the West Bank](https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/7/4/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b6%d9%81%d8%a9-50). #arabic - [[Pasted image 20250704120224.png|Latest news]] from WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, including: - [30 Palestinian families forcibly displaced](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/159011) near Jericho. #english - [Settlers attack shepherd](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/159009) and steal livestock near Nablus. #english - [Settlers cut down dozens of trees](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/159007) near Nablus. #english - [Settlers attack, injure](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/159006) Palestinians near Nablus. ---- ##### '48 Palestinians: - 2025-06-30 - Several Palestinian figures persecuted for their political speech today: - [Palestinian lawyer disbarred](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/06/30/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A3%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A5%D8%BA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-7-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1) for expressing "sympathy" with Hamas on Oct. 7 social media posts. #arabic - Palestinian religious leader Kamal Khatib, deputy leader of the "[Northern Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Movement_in_Israel)" of the Islamic Movement in Israel (a '48 political-religious organization), [was convicted](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/06/30/%D8%A5%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B6-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%81-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8-) for "inciting terrorism and violence", and acquitted of "identification with a terrorist organization", for comments he made during the [May 2021 events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Israel%E2%80%93Palestine_crisis), also known as the "Unity" or "Dignity Intifada". #arabic - 2025-06-30 - Member of Knesset [Ayman Odeh's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayman_Odeh) [impeachment passes its first hurdle](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/2025/06/30/%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A5%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A9); approved by Knesset committee. The motion to impeach the Palestinian MK is expected to eventually garner the necessary supermajority of MKs. #arabic - [Context, in English](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/knesset-to-hold-hearing-on-impeaching-arab-lawmaker-who-hailed-release-of-hostages-and-prisoners/): during the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, on January 19, he said he was "happy for the release of the hostages and prisoners". This uncontroversial statement was nevertheless viewed by many Israeli lawmakers as grounds for impeachment. The motion to impeach him is likely to be supported by the necessary super-majority of 90 MKs. #english - 2025-06-30 - Several Palestinians arrested and indicted on terrorist charges: - [Two Palestinians indicted](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/06/30/%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4) as ISIS sympathizers. #arabic - [Palestinian man arrested](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/06/30/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%BA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4) on suspicion of supporting ISIS and Hamas. #arabic - 2025-07-01 - A Palestinian student at Haifa University [was interrogated](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-07-01/ty-article/.premium/00000197-c5e9-d0a5-a3ff-edfdccc20000) by Israel's internal security services (the Shin Bet) for his activities with [the DFPE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadash) student group. Though not without precedent, this does represent a serious escalation, as the DFPE is an open, legal political party. This should also be contextualized alongside efforts to impeach the party's leader, Ayman Odeh (see [[2025-06-27#'48 Palestinians|last week's roundup]]). #hebrew - 2025-07-02 - [Israeli forces destroyed](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/07/02/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9-242) the southern village of [al-Araqeeb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Araqeeb) for the 242nd time. Residents of the unrecognized, Bedouin village continue to re-build it time after time. #arabic --- ##### Israel: - 2025-06-30 - Netanyahu's candidate to head the Israeli internal security services (the Shin Bet) [came out against the Supreme Court](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/law/2025-06-30/ty-article/.highlight/00000197-c130-d4ef-ad9f-cf3b7b850000), and the judiciary broadly; said that the Shin Bet "primarily" reports to the prime minister. #hebrew - **Why this matters**: For years, Netanyahu has [slowly weakened Israel's checks and balances](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/israels-supreme-court-overturns-part-of-netanyahus-controversial-judicial-overhaul), staffing the [IDF](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/4/who-is-eyal-zamir-the-israeli-armys-new-chief-of-staff) and [security services](https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-855111) with loyalists. The judiciary branch and supreme court are viewed as the last bastion before democracy is completely eroded in Israel (before turning into something like a [competitive-authoritarian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarianism#Competitive_authoritarian_regimes) or a "hybrid" regime like Russia, Egypt, Hungary, etc.). #english - 2025-07-01 - Netanyahu to meet Trump and other US officials in Washington next week. --- ##### MENA + geopolitical: - 2025-06-30 - [Direct talks](https://alquds.com/ar/posts/165133) between Israel and the new Syrian regime over "limited security arrangements" and the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces southern Syrian territories they occupied after the fall of the al-Assad regime. [Al-Sharaa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_al-Sharaa) (correct transliteration: ash-Sharaʿ), Syria's new leader, claims he is not currently interested in signing a broader peace agreement with Israel. #arabic - 2025-06-30 - More talk of [US pushing for a comprehensive Middle East deal](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/30/trump-syria-sanctions-israel-deal) including Syria. #english - [Qatar claims](https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-attacks-kill-scores-gaza-ceasefire-momentum-builds?blockId=block_57519) "negotiations on Gaza are currently off the table, despite strong US efforts to restart talks". #english - Far-right finance minister [Smotrich reacts](https://x.com/bezalelsm/status/1939020994754097409), welcoming a deal but insisting Israel will not relinquish any territory. - My analysis: Neither the Saudis nor the Syrians are expected to sign a peace deal with Israel without significant Israeli territorial concessions, clear road-map toward a Palestinian state - more serious concessions than the vague overtures included in the [Abraham Accords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Accords). And so, with Netanyahu dependent on his coalition partners Smotrich and Ben Gvir to stay in power, the deal Trump is pursuing is unlikely to materialize - despite US pressure. - 2025-07-01 - "[Will Syria normalize relations with Israel?](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/will-syria-normalise-relations-with-israel)" (Spoilers: probably not). #english - 2025-07-01 - [Interesting analysis](https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/a-pact-between-al-shabab-and-the-houthis-threatens-red-sea-shipping/) on growing links between the Houthis in Yemen and al-Shabab in Somalia. The Houthis supply al-Shabab with weapons, while al-Shabab's pirate activities divert naval patrols, facilitating the smuggling of arms to Yemen. #english - 2025-07-01 - In leaked minutes, Kurdish group [PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan speaks out](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pkks-ocalan-no-israeli-dominance-through-kurds) against Israel. #english - The Kurds have long been courted by Israel as possible counterweights to Palestinian and Arab-nationalist forces in the Middle East. Syria-based Kurdish groups were also supported by the US, for a variety of reasons. While [the Kurdish movement has historical ties](https://newlinesmag.com/argument/the-kurds-who-died-for-palestine/) to the Palestinian national movement, Ocalan's stance should not be taken for granted, bearing US and Israeli efforts to co-opt the Kurdish movement in mind. - 2025-07-02 - [An interesting report](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/morocco-support-israel-military-equipment-war-gaza) highlights Morocco's role facilitating shipment of military equipment to Israel. #english - 2025-07-02 - [Interesting report](https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraqs-development-road-project-to-boost-turkeys-economy/) on massive road and rail project, co-funded by Turkey, UAE and Qatar, to connect gulf with Turkey. Project will reportedly generate tens of thousands of jobs for Turkey. Another win for Turkey, which is expanding its foothold in the region. #english - 2025-07-02 - Egypt negotiations with Ethiopia over their "Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam" reach a dead end. The dam will restrict the Nile's flow of water, affecting Egypt downstream. Egypt's reiterated it "reserves the right to defend itself" against this measure. #english - 2025-07-03 - [Israeli drone strile kills one](https://aje.io/65i9x7?update=3816354), injures three in Lebanon. #english - 2025-07-03 - [Egypt asks US to pressure authorities in Eastern Libya](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-asks-us-pressure-libya-khalifa-haftar-endorsing-turkey-maritime-deal) ([Haftar-led](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalifa_Haftar) Libya, as opposed to the UN-recognized government based in Tripoly) from ratifying a maritime deal with Turkey, "which would recognise Turkey's claim to an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) over a wide-swath of the Eastern Mediterranean". #english - Some context: Turkey was previously a rival of the Eastern Libyan government, so this move represents "a broader shift in the region where the old ideological fault-lines that defined conflicts after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings are dissipating". Despite the east-west split, things in Libya have been relatively calm in recent year. The Libyan conflict has long become a proxy theater for regional actors vying for influence, including Egypt, Turkey and Greece. - 2025-07-03 - [A thoughtful reflection](https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/the-toll-of-israels-war-on-iran/) of the Israel-Iran war's impact on ordinary Iranians. #english - 2025-07-04 - [Trump meets Saudi defense minister](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-saudi-defense-minister-white-house-meeting-iran) at the White House; possibly related to his push to expand the Abraham Accords. Will meet Netanyahu on Monday. #english - 2025-07-04 - [Syria says it's ready](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2606894/middle-east) to work with the US, but sets a low goalpost again - withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they captured after the fall of the Assad regime; return to status quo. #english - 2025-07-04 - In Turkey, [the DEM party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoples%27_Equality_and_Democracy_Partyc) (a relatively large, Kurdish-affiliated parliamentary party) [says](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-disarmament-set-to-begin-next-week-dem-party-says-211099) the PKK (main Kurdish-nationalist armed group within Turkey) will start disarming next week. Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan [called on the group to disarm](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/27/jailed-pkk-leader-calls-for-end-to-decades-long-conflict-with-turkiye) last February. #english --- Sign up [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get an email notification when the weekly roundup is posted.