Saudi Arabia Wants American F-35s. Israel’s Success With Them Shows Why.

Israel has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to dismiss the arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that the prosecutor, Karim Khan, may have been influenced by sexual assault accusations against an aide. This legal maneuver comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding Netanyahu's leadership and the broader geopolitical situation in the region.

The U.S. Commerce Department has approved the sale of up to 70,000 advanced AI chips to two companies based in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This decision follows discussions between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflecting a strengthening of economic ties between the nations.

The family of Mohammed Ibrahim, a US teenager detained by Israel, is demanding independent medical care for him. An uncle of Ibrahim stated that a US official who visited the teen reported that his health is deteriorating while in Israeli detention.

Gaza's Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Palestinians and injured 77 others, causing widespread panic in the already war-torn enclave. This escalation comes amid ongoing violence despite a fragile ceasefire agreement.

Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel experienced significant antiwar protests. With the release of all living hostages from Gaza, these protests have diminished in size, with a notable shift in focus away from the plight of Palestinians and towards criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Saad Almadi, a 75-year-old US citizen, has been released by Saudi Arabia after being imprisoned for five months due to critical tweets about the government. His release follows a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and former President Donald Trump, which has been linked to Almadi's case. Initially sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2021, Almadi's charges were later reduced to cyber crimes, resulting in a 30-year travel ban.

Executives from Musk's xAI and Nvidia announced plans to develop a data center in Saudi Arabia during a gathering that included President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This collaboration highlights the growing interest in technological investments in the region.

Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on several towns in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in the destruction of multiple buildings. This military action is part of ongoing tensions in the region, particularly involving Hezbollah and Hamas.