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German FM to Visit Israel as West Bank Annexation Looms

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will travel to Jerusalem on Wednesday, with Israel intent on toning down Europe's reaction to its annexation plans in the occupied West Bank.

Maas is the first foreign dignitary to visit since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a coalition government with his election rival Benny Gantz, although US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited just days before the May 17 swearing-in.

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Airstrikes Displace Thousands in Syria's Rebel Bastion

Suspected Russian airstrikes pounded villages on the edge of the last rebel enclave in northwestern Syria, sending thousands of civilians fleeing, activists reported Tuesday -- scenes unseen in the area since a ceasefire three months ago.

The violence at the edge of Idlib province is the most serious breach of the cease-fire in place since early March, when an agreement between Turkey and Russia halted the Syrian government's three-month air and ground campaign into rebel-held Idlib.

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Palestinian PM Submits 'Counter-Proposal' to Trump Plan

Palestinians have submitted a response to the US Mideast plan which sees parts of the West Bank being annexed by Israel, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said Tuesday.

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First Civilian Killed in NW Syria Raid since March

Russian air strikes on northwestern Syria killed a civilian Tuesday, the first such fatality since a ceasefire went into force three months ago, a war monitor said.

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Erdogan, Trump Agree 'Close Cooperation' on Libya

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed to "continue their close cooperation" on Libya in telephone talks on Monday, the Turkish presidency said.

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Production Resumes at Second Libya Oil Field

Libya's National Oil Company said Monday it had restarted production at Al-Fil oil field, closed since January by the forces of eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

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Syria Jihadist-Regime Clashes Leave 41 Fighters Dead

An al-Qaida offshoot led an offensive Monday against regime forces in northwest Syria, sparking clashes that left 19 pro-government fighters and 22 jihadists dead, a war monitor said.

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UAE Backs Egypt Peace Initiative in Libya

The United Arab Emirates on Monday backed an Egyptian peace initiative in Libya after a series of military victories by forces loyal to Tripoli's UN-recognised government against strongman Khalifa Haftar.

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Palestinians Fear Expulsion for Jerusalem High-tech Hub

Palestinian business owners in occupied east Jerusalem are worried they will be forced to shut up shop by Israeli authorities over plans to build a vast high tech hub in their neighbourhood. 

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Former Longtime Palestinian Islamic Jihad Leader Dies

The former head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement died Saturday night after a long illness. He was 62.

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