Damascus hunts down Assad loyalists, and US contractors admit to live fire at aid sites

Authorities in Damascus are capturing high-profile figures from Syria’s former Assad regime. US contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are firing live ammunition and stun grenades at Palestinians rushing to get food near the deadly distribution centres. And business activity in the UAE's non-oil private sector grew in June but was hindered by the Iran-Israel war. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: US contractors guarding Gaza aid sites admit to firing live ammunition at hungry Palestinians UAE non-oil private sector grew in June but Israel-Iran war weighs on demand This episode features Jihan Abdallah, Senior Correspondent; Deena Kamel, Senior Business Reporter — Aviation; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has approved a law suspending co-operation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. US President Donald Trump said Israel has taken a significant step towards finalising a ceasefire in Gaza. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party could begin disarming within days. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Trump says Israel has agreed on conditions to finalise 60-day Gaza ceasefire IAEA in dark as Iran's president approves law to sideline agency PKK disarmament could begin in days, Turkey confirms This episode features Senior Foreign Reporter Mina Aldroubi, Cairo Correspondent Hamza Hendawi and Turkey Correspondent Lizzie Porter. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Criminal gangs are thought to be behind the disappearance of a growing number of Alawite women in Syria. Members of what has been described as a terrorist cell were arrested in Beirut. Hamas officials have said the group is positively engaging with mediators for a ceasefire. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: 'Get the money fast if you want her alive': Syria's Alawite women and girls disappear in abductions Beirut 'terrorist cell' plotted day of attacks mirroring shock of Israel’s pager assault, security sources say Hamas says it is 'positively engaging' but fate of Gaza ceasefire lies in US-Israel talks This episode features Nada Maucourant Atallah, Beirut Correspondent; and Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor.

Lebanon is facing pressure from the US to disarm Hezbollah as soon as possible. Israel’s security service has clamped down on what it says is a network of Hamas militants in the occupied West Bank. Abu Dhabi’s population has crossed four million for the first time. This episode features foreign editor Mohamad Ali Harisi, Jerusalem correspondent Thomas Helm, and assistant features editor Evelyn Lau.

Israeli strikes killed several people in southern Lebanon. US President Donald Trump said a Gaza ceasefire could be close. The UAE welcomed the signing of a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israeli air strikes kill three in south Lebanon despite ceasefire Gaza ceasefire talks intensify as Trump suggests a deal may be within reach Trump says ceasefire in Gaza possible within 'next week' This episode features Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent.

Iran has made its conditions for a return to nuclear talks clear. Conflicting reports blur the scope of damage to Iran’s nuclear assets. The World Bank is extending about $400 million to Lebanon and Syria. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: How Iran views a return to nuclear talks Donald Trump announces new talks with Iran as hopes rise for Gaza truce War of words rages over Iran nuclear damage reports World Bank allocates $400m for war-devastated Lebanon and Syria reconstruction This episode features Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent; Sarmad Khan, Assistant Business Editor; and Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

A new militant group claims responsibility for a Damascus church attack. US President Donald Trump says Iran and the US will talk next week. Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in recent fighting in Gaza. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: How Iran views a return to nuclear talks Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza as Palestinian death toll mounts Newly-emerged militants claim responsibility for Damascus church attack This episode features Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran proved fragile just minutes after it took effect. Violence continues to plague aid distribution in Gaza. Today is the second day of the NATO summit. On today’s episode of Trending Middle East: Israel ponders next move in Gaza after Iran ceasefire Qatar reveals it helped broker Iran ceasefire Hungry Gazans killed while waiting for food as NGOs warn US-Israel aid group of war crime complicity Trump's focus on the Middle East could translate to less US involvement in Nato This episode features Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; and Sunniva Rose, Europe Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Iran launched missiles at the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. An attack on a church in Syria has left the Christian community reeling. Egypt is facing unique implications of a dominant Israel in the case of Iran’s defeat in the conflict. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Egypt faces prospect of Iran defeat further empowering Israel in region US attack on Iran could spark 'rat hole of retaliation', UN Secretary General warns Damascus church bombing threatens political gains of both Christians and new Syrian state This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Nada Atallah, Beirut Correspondent; and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog will today hold an emergency meeting after the US launched strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. Gulf countries and Iraq are monitoring radiation levels in the region as the conflict escalates. Meanwhile, Israel is dealing with the aftermath of retaliatory strikes from Iran. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Timeline: How Iran nuclear stand-off escalated into war Iran vows payback for US strikes but leaves door to diplomacy open Gulf countries and Iraq on alert for radiation levels as Israel-Iran war rages Iran attacks Israel after US bombs nuclear facilities Iran and Israel trade more strikes as air war enters second week This episode features Cody Combs, Technology Policy Editor; Aarti Nagraj, Deputy Business Editor; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.