Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Russia as mediator could change Israel, Hamas game rules

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Thursday, March 5 | Daily Briefing [By: Shlomi Eldar on Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2020]( Israel 1 [Russia as mediator could change Israel, Hamas game rules]( Hamas does not want to distance Egypt as the chief mediator between the group and Israel, but it would like to add Russia to the equation. Washington 2 [AIPAC gets Democrats to help Trump chip away at nuclear deal]( AIPAC is marshaling significant bipartisan backing for a bid to extend the Iran nuclear deal’s first sunset provision as hawks push for snapback sanctions at the United Nations. Iran 3 [Iran’s IRGC claims it's close to producing coronavirus vaccine]( As the coronavirus marches across Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that its research teams are set to produce a vaccine. Turkey 4 [Pentagon says Patriot sale to Turkey still on table]( The United States is reportedly still considering supplying Patriot missile systems to Turkey in what the administration may see as an opportunity to convince Ankara to walk back from the Russian system it acquired last year. Israel 5 [Could Israel’s president block indicted Netanyahu from premiership?]( In the coming weeks, President Reuven Rivlin will have to decide whether he wants to go down in history as the first president to offer the leadership of the state to an elected official accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Iraq 6 [Iran rallies religious leaders to expel US forces from Iraq]( While US policy takes its toll on Iran, the regime is seeking to increase pressure on Washington to exit the region, and particularly Iraq, by consolidating anti-American sentiment. Culture 7 [Gaza's female softball players in league of their own]( Baseball and softball fever is sweeping Gaza, where women and girls are learning to swing. Israel 8 [Blue and White’s fatal mistake of distancing Arab voters]( The Blue and White party has failed in three elections, largely due to the false assumption that building bridges with the country’s Arab citizens would scare off voters from the soft right. Palestine 9 [Israel OKs more Qatari funds for Gaza to contain escalation]( Israel seems to believe Qatar's deep pockets can help calm prevail in the Gaza Strip by alleviating some of the suffering there. Lebanon 10 [What impact will Lebanon’s looming debt crisis have on its society and economy?]( Lebanon’s government is still negotiating the issue of Eurobonds maturing next week, with analysts saying that whatever the steps, Lebanon will face an even more agonizing economic downturn. Syria 11 [Syrians in northern Aleppo terrified as regime advances]( Displaced Syrians and Aleppo natives alike are living in fear that the Syrian regime and its allies will invade their last refuge and set off a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel 12 [Netanyahu king of 'the second Israel']( For Israel’s poor, for the deprived and those outside of the elite circles, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an authentic leader fighting their fight. Iraq 13 [Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction]( Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. Palestine 14 [Israeli threats escalate against Hamas]( Israeli officials have recently increased their threat of a wide-scale military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting the movement to take precautionary measures. STAY CONNECTED [fb_icon_footer]( [twitter_icon_footer]( [instagram_icon_footer]( [rss_icon_footer]( CONTACT US [Support & Contact]( [Advertise](mailto:advertise@al-monitor.com) NEWSLETTERS [Subscribe]( TERMS OF USE [Visitor Agreement]( [Privacy Policy]( © 2020 Al-Monitor. All Rights Reserved. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe or manage your preferences]( at any time. Al-Monitor · 1850 K St NW · Suite 1225 · Washington, DC 20006 · USA