Notations From the Grid (Special Thursday Edition): Out & About in the Middle East

 Al-Monitor, the leading Middle East News Site, had a number of recent articles on Israel, Gaza, Iran: 

1 No victory picture for Israel in Gaza The IDF success in destroying Gaza underground infrastructure cannot erase photos of Hamas rockets reaching Tel Aviv.

2 East Jerusalem neighborhood key to halting Palestinian-Israeli fighting The planned eviction of Palestinian families from their lands in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, claimed by Israeli settlers, has shed light on the neighborhood and its history.

3 As Iran's election campaign picks up, boycott gains momentum as well Only one month out from Iran's presidential election, calls are growing for a boycott of the vote, widely seen as an undemocratic process with dim prospects of genuine change.

4 Change government joins casualties of conflagrations around Israel Yamina head Naftali Bennett must realize that in the worsening security chaos, his base will never support him heading an anti-Netanyahu government.

5 Further depreciation of Turkish lira appears inevitable  The surprise US inflation data last week could be the omen of deepening troubles for the Turkish economy.

6 Egypt pledges $500 million for Gaza's reconstruction Cairo, which is leading efforts to reach a cease-fire in the week-long conflict between Hamas and Israel, has pledged to help rebuild the battered Palestinian enclave.

7 Spain hit by massive wave of migrants from Morocco Morocco is also angry at Spain for providing medical care to the leader of a Western Saharan independence group.

8 US requested evidence after Israeli airstrike destroys foreign media offices in Gaza Israel said Hamas assets were in the building, but US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday he has yet to see evidence of this.

9 Vaccinated Saudis free to travel abroad as ban lifted Saudi Arabia on Monday rolled back an international travel ban that has remained in place since March 2020.

10 Congo proposes new initiative to break Nile dam deadlock The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the current chair of the African Union, has submitted a new initiative to resolve the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

11 Senate unlikely to block arms sale to Israel amid Gaza conflict The Biden administration aims to provide Israel with additional bomb guidance systems.

12 Spotlight on Egypt to help mediate with Hamas Egypt is stepping up efforts to reach an agreement to stop the escalation and violent fighting between the Palestinian factions and Israel, amid ongoing international calls for a cease-fire.

13 Senate Democrats, one Republican call for Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire The Biden administration has yet to explicitly call for a cease-fire in Israel and the Palestinian territories, resulting in criticism from his own party.

14 Dubai greenlights concerts, sporting events Authorities in the UAE's largest city removed several virus-related restrictions on gatherings on Monday following vaccine progress.

15 Hamas claims Israel cannot destroy tunnel network Despite Israel's relentless bombing of Hamas' leadership and tunnels, the Islamic resistance group claims the network will survive the assault.

16 Gaza violence sparks debate over conditioning US military aid to Israel  A number of progressive Democrats have called for the United States to reexamine Israel's annual aid package.