US 'satisfied' with Lebanese response to Hezbollah disarmament proposal, and Israel-Houthi crossfire

Forced displacement of Palestinians is back in the spotlight. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have stepped up their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will begin the process of disarming with a ceremony this week. On this episode of Trending Middle East: Backlash grows over Israel’s proposal for prison-like city in Gaza Houthis’ tactical upgrade in Red Sea attacks and what it means PKK expected to destroy weapons at disarmament ceremony this week This episode features Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Chris Maxwell, Deputy National Editor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

US special envoy Thomas Barrack said he was satisfied with Lebanon’s response to a US call for Hezbollah to disarm. Yemen's Houthi rebels said they retaliated after an Israeli strike. Brics leaders condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: US envoy 'unbelievably satisfied' with Lebanese response to proposal on Hezbollah disarmament Israel strikes Yemen ports after ship attack by Houthis in Red Sea Brics leaders condemn attacks on Iran and tell Israel to leave Gaza This episode features Nada Homsi, Lebanon Correspondent; 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.  

Parties are back at the negotiating table for a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Hezbollah is reviewing a US proposal urging the group to disarm within a few months. Lebanon marked Ashura for the first time since Hezbollah lost significant power. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Crucial Gaza ceasefire talks resume in Doha ahead of Netanyahu's US visit Hezbollah 'divided' over whether to scale back its arsenal amid US pressure to disarm Lebanon's Shiite Muslims mark Ashura amid calls for Hezbollah to disarm and security threats This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; and Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

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.