Morning Briefing: Feb. 2, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Israel reopening Gaza's Rafah crossing in a “pilot operation” after two years of closure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying a new meeting in the trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine format will take place in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5, and US President Donald Trump responding to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing hope to make a deal.

TOP STORIES

• Israel reopens Gaza's Rafah crossing in ‘pilot operation’ after 2 years of closure

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza​​​​​​​ has been reopened as part of a “pilot operation” after two years of closure, according to Israeli media.

“According to estimates, the movement of people will actually begin tomorrow (Monday) in both directions, with about 150 people expected to leave the Gaza Strip daily, compared to about 50 who will return to it,” the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported.

• New meeting in trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine format to take place in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a new Russia-US-Ukraine meeting will take place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 4-5.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy noted that the information came from the Ukrainian negotiating team that was set to hold talks with the Russian team on Sunday.

"Our negotiating team just gave a report. The dates for the next trilateral meetings have been set: February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine is ready for substantive talks, and we are interested in the outcome bringing us closer to a real and dignified end to the (Russia-Ukraine) war. Thank you to everyone who is helping!" he said.

• Trump responds to Iran's Khamenei, expressing hope to make deal

US President Donald Trump responded to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he warned that a US strike on Iran would trigger a regional war.

"Why wouldn’t he say that? Of course he is going to say that," Trump told reporters during his visit to Mar-a-Lago.

"We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close," he said, adding: "Hopefully, we’ll make a deal."

In case of a no-deal, Trump said, "then we'll find out whether or not he was right."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Severe winter conditions disrupted transportation and energy systems across the US, grounding more than 1,200 flights and leaving tens of thousands without electricity in multiple states, Bloomberg reported.
• Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said it had carried out an operation against the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab, killing 13 members, including five of its so-called leaders.
• The air forces of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have “neutralized” 20 ISIS (Daesh) terrorists during airstrikes in eastern Mali, the Malian army said.
• One person was killed and seven others were injured in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, marking a new violation of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
• Egyptian authorities have officially blocked the online gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns over content that officials say promotes harmful behavior among children, according to Egyptian media reports.
• The US said an independent Iraqi government is essential to keeping the country insulated from regional tensions, reaffirming Washington’s support for Iraq’s sovereignty and political stability.
• Iran’s foreign minister said that meaningful nuclear negotiations with the US are still possible if trust can be restored, while warning that any military confrontation would engulf the wider region.
• At least 145 militants and another 48 people, including 17 law enforcement personnel, were killed in a series of clashes between security forces and terrorists in several parts of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province over the past 40 hours, a top official said.
• Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah ordered a Cabinet reshuffle affecting seven ministerial portfolios, including the foreign affairs post.
• Israel banned the activities of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Gaza Strip and ordered the organization to leave the enclave by Feb. 28.
• British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in the latest in a series of visits by senior foreign officials to Ethiopia in recent weeks.
• Iraq’s parliament postponed a planned session to elect the country’s president for the second time amid ongoing disagreements between the nation’s main Kurdish political blocs.
• Violent clashes erupted in the northern Italian city of Turin during a demonstration in support of the Askatasuna social center, leaving at least 29 law enforcement officers injured and triggering strong condemnation from Italy's political leadership.
• Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order instructing city police to probe and document alleged misconduct by US federal immigration officers for potential prosecution.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• French IT giant Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with US immigration agency ICE

French IT giant Capgemini announced that it will sell its subsidiary providing services to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, French broadcaster RFI reported.

The company said it will put Capgemini Government Solutions up for sale, adding that the divestment process will begin immediately.

The unit represents around 0.4% of the group's estimated 2025 revenue and less than 2% of its turnover in the US, according to a company statement.

• India to buy oil from Venezuela, not Iran: Trump

US President Donald Trump said that India will buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, adding that China is also welcome to buy oil from Venezuela.

“We've already made a deal. India is coming in, and they're going to be buying Venezuelan oil, as opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we've already made that deal, the concept of the deal, but China is welcome to come in and buy oil,” Trump said on Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida.

His remarks came a day after India and Venezuela agreed to “further deepen and expand their bilateral partnership,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he spoke to Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of the South American country.