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On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent country, signing a joint declaration with Somaliland's president. The move, framed as part of the Abraham Accords, has sparked widespread condemnation from Somalia, the African Union, and regional powers, who view it as a threat to Somalia's sovereignty and regional stability. Somaliland hailed the recognition as historic and a step toward strategic partnership.
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On February 16, 2026, Israel approved restarting land registration in Area C of the West Bank for the first time since 1967, enabling state registration of land and easing Jewish land purchases. The move, led by far-right ministers, is widely condemned by Palestinians, Arab states, and international bodies as de facto annexation and a violation of international law, intensifying tensions and threatening the two-state solution.
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Israeli authorities continue to restrict access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, citing security concerns linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. The Islamic Movement calls for mass gatherings and Jordan's intervention as worshippers face ongoing closures and restrictions, with tensions escalating in the region.
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Egypt's former foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, has been appointed as the new secretary-general of the Arab League, starting in July. The decision was supported by Arab foreign ministers during a virtual meeting, amid regional tensions from recent Iran and US-Israel airstrikes. Fahmy's appointment continues Egypt's long-standing protocol of hosting the post.