Your regional news round-up

• Scores of Egyptian military advisers have been sent to Lebanon in the past two months as part of growing military co-operation between the two countries, sources in Cairo and Beirut told The National. They said weaponry from Egypt was also scheduled to be sent to Lebanon. The sources said that the advisers and weapons are intended to support the Lebanese government's efforts to strengthen state institutions through the military. Why it matters: Lebanon is under US pressure to accelerate the full disarmament of non-state actors, including Iran-backed Hezbollah, and reassert state sovereignty. The Lebanese army is expected to announce later this week the completion of the first phase of its plan to end the militant group's armed presence south of the Litani River, the zone closest to Israel.
• Israel's ​military on Monday launched strikes on ​what it said were Hezbollah and Hamas targets in Lebanon ​after issuing eviction orders for four villages in the country's east and south. Many in Lebanon argue that Israel must make concessions to allow the government to negotiate Hezbollah’s disarmament from a position of strength. Hezbollah refuses to hand over its arsenal as long as Israel continues daily attacks on Lebanon and maintains a presence at five points in the country’s south. Israel accuses Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild its capabilities after suffering significant losses in the war with Israel in 2024.
• French diplomatic sources told The National that a new round of Syrian-Israeli negotiations, mediated by the US, is to be held in Paris on Tuesday. US special envoy Tom Barrack is set to oversee the talks. Why it matters: The Trump administration is pushing both sides toward an agreement that would stabilise security along their shared border and could serve as an initial step towards eventual diplomatic normalisation.
• A delegation led by ⁠Aidarous Al Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen's ​main separatist STC group, will soon ​travel to Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, a potential sign of progress ​towards ending a conflict between separatists and Yemen's internationally recognised government.
• The death toll from Iran’s protest crackdown has risen to at least 29, with more than 1,200 people arrested during nine days of nationwide demonstrations, human rights group HRANA reported on Monday.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of "very dire implications for Iran" if Tehran decides to attack Israel, and voiced support for protests by the Iranian people, who "stand before a decisive moment".
• Syrian authorities denied reports that President Ahmad Al Shara was targeted in a security incident, after social media users circulated claims of gunfire at the presidential palace overlooking the capital on December 30.

Other developments

• The Israeli army said it was introducing a new technological system to enforce movement restrictions in the occupied West Bank for both Israelis and Palestinians, in a move Israeli media said aims to rein in surging settler violence.
• Some Iraqi citizens are taking the bold step of applying for the presidency, despite knowing they have almost no chance of winning. Their goal is not to secure the top job but to challenge the entrenched system of distributing posts based on sect and political affiliation, a system critics say perpetuates corruption, inefficiency and sectarianism. Read our Baghdad correspondent Sinan Mahmoud's full report here.
• The Palestinian embassy marked its official opening in London on Monday, months after the UK recognised Palestine in a historic decision in September. Ambassador Dr Husam Zomlot unveiled the embassy’s official plaque, marking the completion of protocol arrangements between the two states.
• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday received a phone call from Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Turkey and explored ways to expand co-operation, state news agency Wam reported.
• A judge has dismissed a claim by hundreds of Syrians against two brothers and a Qatari bank they accused of financing Al Nusra Front, after they failed to submit details of the allegations. The case was brought in 2020 at the High Court in London against Moutaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, who are described as “prominent Syrian/Qatari businessmen”, and the Doha Bank, but since then no evidence has been produced.

More goings-on

• The value of the Middle East and North Africa consumer packaged goods market is projected to expand by nearly a third by 2030, anchored by sustained spending in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to a new report by Bain & Company.
• Mastercard announced that Qatar National Bank (QNB) has been granted a Mastercard licence to extend its issuing and acquiring activities in Syria, according to a statement from the company. Why it matters: Since Assad’s ousting, Syria has been overhauling its banking sector and launching reconstruction and economic recovery projects. Last month, the US permanently lifted its so-called Caesar sanctions on Syria, clearing the way for renewed foreign investment in the country.
• Saudi Arabia raised $11.5 billion through a four-tranche dollar bond sale, marking its first issuance this year as the kingdom continues with its economic diversification plans.
• UAE humanitarian aid, including more than 387 tonnes of food, has arrived in Gaza. The supplies, including 10 million meals, mark the first aid from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ship – named in honour of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai – to enter the enclave.

Happening today

• New round of Syrian-Israeli negotiations, mediated by the US, set to be held in Paris
• Iraqi Army Day

Top picks from The National

Editorial: A destabilised Yemen is a danger to the whole region

Report: Israeli ban on international aid groups 'a disaster for Gaza’s children'

Comment: Why can't the US media get it right on Gaza?

This newsletter was compiled by Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor.

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