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Saudi Arabia has increased its arrests of citizens for social media posts related to the Israel-Hamas war. The arrests are motivated by security concerns following the invasion of Israel by Hamas and its aftermath. Saudi Arabia and its regional allies are concerned about the potential for Iran and Islamist groups to exploit the conflict and incite uprisings. The recent detentions include individuals expressing views on the Gaza conflict deemed incendiary by authorities. The arrests indicate a hard line against citizens who do not support normalizing ties with Israel. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia has increased its arrests of citizens for social media posts related to the Israel-Hamas war, as the country signals a willingness to establish diplomatic relations with Israel if it commits to Palestinian statehood. The recent arrests are motivated by security concerns following the invasion of Israel by Hamas and its aftermath. Saudi Arabia and its regional allies are concerned about the potential for Iran and Islamist groups to exploit the conflict and incite uprisings. The arrests indicate that Saudi Arabia is taking a hard line against citizens who do not support normalizing ties with Israel. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the recent airstrike in Damascus that killed high-ranking Iranian military leaders and a Syrian family. The attack was cited by Tehran as the reason for Iran's first direct assault on Israel. The article highlights the role of Iran's proxy forces in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, and the potential for these forces to play a more prominent role in the conflict. It also discusses the vulnerabilities and capabilities of Hezbollah, Iran's most important regional proxy force. The article concludes by emphasizing the potential for escalation and the dangers of the situation. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have issued a joint statement calling for self-restraint in the Middle East to avoid the dangers of war. The statement comes after Iran's missile and drone strikes on Israel, which was seen as a retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus. The UAE, which has diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia, which has been in talks for normalization of ties, are concerned about the escalating tensions and the potential for a full-blown conflict in the region. They have also expressed support for Jordan's defense and security, as they see the country as crucial to their own national security. [Extracted from the article]

Iran's recent attack on Israel has raised concerns about the stability of Jordan, a key Western ally and a country seen as pivotal to the security of Gulf states. Jordan helped shoot down missiles and drones that flew over its capital, Amman, leading to online abuse from Iran. The country has already experienced protests in support of Hamas and has been on high alert after threats from an Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader. Jordan is caught between an Israeli government it sees as a threat and an Iranian regime seeking to expand its influence. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also expressed concern about the regional political situation but have not explicitly condemned Iran. Jordan relies on aid from the US and the EU and has deep military and security cooperation with the West, limiting its ability to distance itself from Israel. The country also faces a dilemma with Iran, as it has tried to maintain diplomatic ties while also confronting Iran-backed militias at its borders. Some officials fear that Iran and its allies are using the war in Gaza to destabilize Jordan. [Extracted from the article]

Iran's recent attack on Israel has raised concerns about the stability of Jordan, a key Western ally in the region. Jordan helped shoot down some of the missiles and drones that flew over its capital, Amman, leading to online abuse from Iran. The country has already seen protests in support of Hamas and has been on high alert after threats from an Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader. Jordan is caught between an Israeli government it sees as a threat and an increasingly confrontational Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have expressed concern about the situation but have not explicitly condemned Iran. Jordan relies on aid from the US and the EU and has deep military cooperation with the West, limiting its ability to distance itself from Israel. The country also faces a dilemma with Iran, as it has tried to maintain diplomatic ties while also dealing with the growing power of Iran-backed militias in the region. Some officials fear that Iran and its allies are using the war in Gaza to destabilize Jordan. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined other countries in condemning Israel after dozens of Palestinians were killed and injured in Gaza. Israel's army opened fire near a convoy of food trucks, but denied shooting at people, claiming that most of the victims were trampled or hit as the trucks tried to escape the chaos. The European Union has called for an independent investigation into the incident, while the US said it will monitor the investigation and press for answers. Talks are underway for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners. The war has left hundreds of thousands in Gaza with limited access to food and healthcare. The EU has allocated additional funds to support Palestinians through the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Saudi Arabia's comments highlight growing tensions between the kingdom and Israel, as the two countries had been close to reaching a normalization deal before the war. The Houthis, a group based in Yemen and backed by Iran, have criticized Israel and threatened to continue attacking ships until Israel stops fighting in Gaza. Witnesses reported numerous gunshot wounds among the dead and injured, and one witness described the chaotic scene as people swarmed the aid trucks. The Israel Defense Forces claimed that tanks were deployed to secure the corridor for the trucks and that troops fired warning shots to disperse a mob. The delivery of aid to northern Gaza has been challenging due to looting. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia has resumed talks with the US about strengthening defense ties after a pause due to the Israel-Hamas war. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman met with US senators in Alula, Saudi Arabia to discuss a defense pact that would also involve a historic tie-up between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, a major obstacle to the talks is Saudi Arabia's insistence on progress towards an independent state for Palestinians, which Israel opposes. Saudi Arabia is treading carefully to avoid backlash from Arabs and Muslims, and is also seeking a ceasefire in Gaza and engaging the US on postwar scenarios. The discussions also focused on countering the Houthis in Yemen and responding to the attack in Jordan. The Saudi leadership is primarily focused on repairing and strengthening the defense relationship with the US to attract investment and tourists as part of its economic transformation plan. Saudi Arabia is seeking to persuade President Joe Biden to ease or lift the freeze on the sale of offensive weapons imposed on the kingdom three years ago. Despite growing ties with China, Saudi Arabia believes there are no viable alternatives to its defense and security relationship with the US. [Extracted from the article]

Iran has sent a warship to the Red Sea, challenging US forces in the important trade route and supporting Houthi militants who have disrupted shipping in recent months. While Iran is unlikely to seek direct confrontation with the US-led maritime task force, tensions are rising as the Houthis target vessels they claim are linked to Israel. This has led to some of the world's largest shipping firms refusing to transit through the Suez Canal, impacting trade flows and causing oil prices to rise. There is a risk of further escalation, and the situation is being closely monitored. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the challenges and differing perspectives surrounding the future of Gaza after Israel's war on Hamas. There is little agreement among officials and analysts on how to restore order and achieve sustainable peace in the region. Some propose bringing the Palestinian Authority back into Gaza and restarting the building of a Palestinian state, while others suggest the involvement of a multinational or United Nations force. The article also highlights the contrasting views of Israelis and Palestinians on the events and the role of Hamas. The future of Gaza remains uncertain, with many variables and unknown decision-makers. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates met in Riyadh on Friday, indicating an effort by the two regional heavyweights to put differences to one side and confront the threat of the Israel-Hamas war becoming a wider conflict. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey and several other Middle Eastern countries have criticized Israel's bombardment of Gaza and warned it against a ground assault. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- For years, the US has been working with its allies in the Persian Gulf on something that long seemed impossible: normalizing ties with Israel. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, its state oil company and BP Plc have faced uncertainty over their $2 billion joint quest to take private NewMed Energy, an Israeli natural-gas producer. [Extracted from the article]

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, its state oil company and BP Plc have faced uncertainty over their $2 billion joint quest to take private NewMed Energy, an Israeli natural-gas producer. (Bloomberg) -- For years, the US has been working with its allies in the Persian Gulf on something that long seemed impossible: normalizing ties with Israel. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a vision for the Middle East that placed shared economic benefits at its heart - including an historic alliance with Israel. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed massive retaliation for Hamas's actions, it would be unthinkable for MBS to deliver an Israel normalization deal to his people during carnage in Palestinian territories, Dubowitz said. [Extracted from the article]

"I would like to thank the government and people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their outstanding organization and warm hospitality", Karhi said in his speech. Read More: White House Weighs Defense Treaties to Aid Israel-Saudi Pact Karhi, who is a member of Netanyahu's Likud Party, is the second minister to visit Saudi Arabia in the last 10 days after Tourism Minister Haim Katz. (Bloomberg) -- An Israeli minister spoke publicly for the first time in the Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh about "blossoming ties" between the two countries, the latest sign the duo are inching toward normalizing relations. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The White House is considering formal defense treaties with Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of its plan to get two of its closest allies in the Middle East to formally recognize each other, according to several people familiar with the matter. While many Senators are wary of any deal that obliges the US to defend Saudi Arabia, they would be more reluctant to reject a wider pact if such an action hurt Israel, said the people. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The US and Saudi Arabia continue to work on a framework aimed at Saudi recognition of Israel in exchange for US security guarantees for Riyadh - though the Biden administration signaled Wednesday there's still a long way to go. Biden, who is keen for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel, sent National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to the kingdom last month, partly to discuss the issue. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The US and Saudi Arabia continue to work on a framework aimed at Saudi recognition of Israel in exchange for US security guarantees for Riyadh - though the Biden administration signaled Wednesday there's still a long way to go. Read more: Netanyahu Says Bet on Israel and Saudi Arabia Deepening Ties Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Bloomberg on Sunday that his country and Saudi Arabia would deepen economic and business ties even if they don't formally recognize each other. [Extracted from the article]

Gaza is run by Hamas whereas the West Bank is presided over by the Palestinian Authority, which also condemned Israel's police action. (Bloomberg) -- Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas weapons manufacturing and storage sites in the central Gaza Strip Wednesday after a barrage of rockets and mortars from Gaza were fired at southern Israel as part of escalating violence. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Israel's new government has stepped up US-backed talks with Saudi Arabia on developing closer military and intelligence ties in light of growing concerns about Iran, according to several people familiar with the discussions. "They have contacts all the time, accelerated to an extent, though I would not overplay it", said Ehud Yaari, an Israel-based international fellow of The Washington Institute, referring to Saudi Arabia and Israel. [Extracted from the article]