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Analysis: The arms embargo on Iran ends this weekend – what next? 

Posted 14 October, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Middle East
Photo: Tasnimnews, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons A decade-old ban on the sale of conventional arms to Iran will come to an end this Sunday, potentially opening the way for Russia and China to assist the Islamic Republic in a major, potentially hugely destabilising, expansion and advancement of its military capability. Since 2010, the supply of…

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Analysis: Who might succeed Mahmoud Abbas?

Posted 29 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
Photo: Montaser.pal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons In his virtual address to the UN General Assembly last week, Mahmoud Abbas predictably denounced the historic normalisation agreements signed earlier this month by Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. But the president also announced new elections – the first for over 14 years – will take place…

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In Brief: Hamas threatens Palestinian peace activists with long jail terms

Posted 29 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Peace process
Image: Orthuberra, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Hamas is threatening to jail three Palestinian peace activists for holding a video call with Israelis in April. The activists, who belong to the Gaza Youth Committee, were charged by Palestinian military prosecutors last week with “weakening revolutionary spirit” for participating in a peace-building initiative called “Skype With…

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Analysis: After the Abraham Accords – what next for the Palestinians?

Posted 22 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Israel, Middle East, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
Mahmoud Abbas. Photo: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons In their steadfast opposition to the historic agreement signed last week between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have found a rare common cause. Earlier this month, President Mahmoud Abbas hosted a meeting in Ramallah which brought together all 14 major…

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Analysis: Israel and Bahrain normalise relations as historic UAE agreement is signed

Posted 16 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Iran, Israel, Israeli Politics, Middle East, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
Photo courtesy Tel Aviv Municipality In the third announcement of its kind in as many weeks, the Israeli and Bahraini Governments announced the normalising of relations. This follows a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and two Balkan states.  Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu traveled to Washington DC for a four day trip to…

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In brief: Hamas and Hezbollah to maintain an ‘axis of resistance’ against Israel

Posted 10 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Hezbollah, Middle East
Hassan Nasrallah. Photo, Unknown, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons The Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV announced on Sunday that leaders of Hezbollah and the Hamas met to discuss the consequences of diplomatic normalisation between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting comes on the back of US President Donald Trump announcing Israel and the UAE…

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In Brief: Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal reached after weeks of Gaza balloon attacks

Posted 2 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Israel, Middle East, Palestinian Territories
Hamas, the Gaza-based terror group, announced on Monday night that they had agreed a ceasefire with Israel. Shortly after Hamas’s statement, Israel’s military liaison to the Palestinians tacitly confirmed the agreement, saying it would reopen the border crossing, including to fuel deliveries, as well as the Gaza fishing zone to the full 15-nautical-mile limit. “This decision…

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Analysis: The historic Israel-UAE deal: what next?

Posted 2 September, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Iran, Israeli Politics, Middle East, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
  The United Arab Emirates is to become only the third Arab state – following Egypt and Jordan – to agree to the full normalisation of relations with Israel. The surprise, but historic, announcement of the move last month will have an important impact on the Jewish state’s efforts to broker stronger ties with the Arab world.…

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In Brief: We turned down $15bn aid because we wouldn’t disarm, says Hamas

Posted 28 July, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
Photo: council.gov.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons The head of Hamas has admitted it refused a recent offer of $15bn in aid for Gaza because it was conditioned on the terror group giving up its arms. Ismail Hahniye said that the proposed aid package also contained a pledge that Israel and Egypt would lift their…

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In Brief: Abbas says ready to talk peace as PA holds press conference with Hamas

Posted 9 July, 2020 in Analysis, Hamas, Israel, Middle East, Palestinian Territories, Peace process
Kremin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Mahmoud Abbas said this week that the Palestinian Authority is ready to enter peace talks with Israel. The president's comments came during a call with Vladimir Putin and follow a rare joint press conference between the PA and Hamas last week. Abbas told the Russian president that the Palestinians believe any…

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