Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Extremist Syrian rebel group tests Turkey's limits in Idlib

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, May 1 | Daily Briefing [By: Fehim Tastekin on Friday, May. 1, 2020]( Turkey 1 [Extremist Syrian rebel group tests Turkey's limits in Idlib]( Jihadi forces resisting the reopening of the key M4 highway in Idlib are squeezed between Turkey’s amity and military might, but Turkey itself is not without dilemmas. Israel 2 [Israel’s top court to decide fate of Netanyahu’s unity government]( The political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the feasibility of a national unity government are now in the hands of the Israeli Supreme Court. Iran 3 [Iran’s hard-liners in tug of war over parliament speakership]( A battle for the speaker’s seat appears to be the opening episode of a fresh round of infighting among Iran’s hard-liners after their victory in a one-sided parliamentary election. 4 [Intel: US doubles down on Turkey S-400 sanctions threats]( The Donald Trump administration has doubled down on threats to sanction Turkey should it activate the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Israel 5 [Temple Mount closed to both Jews, Muslims over coronavirus]( The Waqf agreed to shut down the Temple Mount to Muslims during the coronavirus crisis, in exchange for a ruling that denies Jews access to the site. Gulf 6 [Oman’s sovereign wealth fund under pressure]( Ahead of the prospect of a high budget deficit in 2020, assets held by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) plunged by about a third to $14.3 billion. Israel 7 [European ambassadors warn Israel over annexation plans]( A group of 11 European ambassadors to Israel has made it clear that West Bank annexation plans will be met with fierce international objection. Egypt 8 [Egypt tightens sanctions for those who refuse to wear protective masks]( Egypt’s parliament approved a new bill that punishes citizens with imprisonment or a fine if they refuse to bury coronavirus victims or wear protective masks. Syria 9 [Idlib jihadist group uses Syria cease-fire to restructure, expand]( Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has announced the formation of three new brigades in what seems to be preparations for an upcoming battle in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. 10 [Lebanon to seek IMF assistance to help with economic crisis]( The prime minister said Lebanon would seek $10 billion in loans from the international financial institution after passing a reform bill. 11 [Israel’s largest bank admits to helping taxpayers use offshore accounts, facilitating FIFA conspiracy]( Bank Hapoalim agrees to pay the United States more than $900 million in connection with the two cases. 12 [Intel: US Syria envoy says Turkey must put pressure on Idlib militants]( Turkey should keep up the pressure on the hard-line Islamist group in control of Syria’s embattled Idlib province, the US special envoy for Syria said today. 13 [Arab League slams West Bank annexation plans as ‘war crime’]( The pan-Arab organization met to discuss Israeli plans for annexing parts of the territory the Palestinians envision for a future state. 14 [Report: Trump threatened to remove US troops from Saudi if no oil production cut]( Trump told the Saudi Crown Prince that US troops would leave Saudi Arabia if OPEC did not cut production, according to a new report. Israel 15 [Families of missing IDF soldiers call on government to push Hamas deal]( According to recent reports, Israel briefed the families of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul on advancement in talks over a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. 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