An Israeli raid in Jenin sparked “the fiercest fighting in years” in the occupied West Bank yesterday, Bloombergreports. At least five Palestinians were killed — among them a 15-year-old boy — and more than 90 others wounded when Israeli troops stormed the city’s refugee camp to arrest two wanted militants. The attack saw Israeli helicopter gunships used in the West Bank for the first time since the second Intifada two decades ago, Bloomberg said citing Israeli media. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli military for the raid.

Progress on Gaza Marine gas development? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office earlier this week gave its preliminary approval for the development of a gas field off Gaza’s shore, but said the progress would depend on “preserving the State of Israel's security and diplomatic needs” in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and Egypt, Reuters reports. We were expecting state owned EGAS to sign an agreement with the Palestine Investment Fund to develop the field —- which contains an estimated 1 tn cubic feet of gas and would provide a much needed boost to the Palestinian economy — back in 1Q 2023.

Also worth knowing this morning:

  • Kuwait has (another) new government: Kuwait has formed a new government under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah following the third round of parliamentary elections in as many years. (Reuters)
  • Iran-EAEU free-trade zone agreement could be signed this year: Russian officials said they expect Iran to sign a freetrade agreement with the Moscow-led trade bloc, the Eurasian Economic Union, by the end of the year. The EAEU is currently negotiating FTA agreements with several countries including Egypt. (Tass)
  • Refugee recruitment drive: Over 40 international companies including Amazon, Hilton, and Starbucks pledged to hire more than 13k refugees. World Refugee Day is today. (Financial Times)
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