Lebanon death toll rises and leaders call for de-escalation

Ukrainian and US officials are holding three days of discussions in Jeddah in an effort to end the war with Russia. A deal signed by Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has been welcomed by Arab countries. Negotiations over a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Doha. This episode features Taylor Heyman, Assistant Foreign Editor and Jerusalem Correspondent Thomas Helm.

Delayed talks for the second phase of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire remain in flux. Ten thousand members of the Alawite community have crossed into Lebanon over the past five days to escape the sectarian violence in Syria. Iran is sending mixed signals about the possibility of renegotiating a nuclear deal. This episode features Sara Ruthven, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in a wave of clashes between security forces and groups linked to former President Bashar Al Assad. The US has refused to renew a 120-day sanctions waiver for Iraq’s energy imports from Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia today.     This episode features Mina Aldroubi and Nada Maucourant Atallah.

The National has learnt US officials held several rounds of direct talks with Hamas leaders in Qatar in January. The UK government has lifted dozens of sanctions on Syria. The EU's 27 leaders met in Brussels on Thursday for emergency talks on boosting defence spending.   This episode features Hamza Hendawi and Sunniva Rose.

Reactions to the Arab League’s new plan on Gaza have been pouring in since it was announced late on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has promised a more “peaceful and prosperous” future for the Middle East. Syria and Lebanon are seeking to enhance their relations with Arab nations.   This episode features Assistant Foreign Editor Hadya Al Alawi, US Correspondent Ellie Sennett and Arab Affairs Editor Vanessa Ghanem.

Arab leaders presented a unified plan on Gaza following a summit in Cairo on Tuesday. Israel has launched strikes near Syria’s Tartous. Saudi Arabia is lowering salary raises amid an influx of talent.     This episode features Kamal Tabikha, Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Deepthi Nair.

An Arab summit on Gaza is taking place on Tuesday in Cairo. Reactions from the Middle East continue to pour in after Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land won Best Documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards. Iran's vice president for strategic affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif announced his resignation on Monday.     This episode features Hamza Hendawi, foreign correspondent for The National.

Israel has suspended the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza. Israel has also vowed to defend Syria's Druze community. Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in London for a crucial summit on Ukraine.     This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis.

The leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, Abdullah Ocalan made a historic call for the group to lay down arms and disband. Meanwhile, escalating violence in Jenin and Tulkarm has displaced 40,000 Palestinians, recalling decades-old military operations and adding to Gaza's destruction, with more than 48,000 dead.   This episode features Robert Tollast, military affairs reporter and Greg Tanner, head of multimedia.

The leading UN humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, says the body is overstretched and underfunded when it comes to supporting the roughly 300 million people in need around the world. Mines left over from more than a decade of armed conflict in Syria are threatening civilians trying to return to their homes. A Syrian shipping tycoon is controlling maritime and property businesses in Greece despite being sanctioned by the US for his alleged dealing with the Houthis and Hezbollah. Listen to this morning's episode on Trending Middle East.     This episode features Lizzie Porter and Tariq Tahir.