MIDDLE EAST

“We have a big desert, they can use it. But they didn’t," one resident said. "They chose to fight in the middle of the city.”

Israel and Islamic Jihad, the Gaza-based militant group, agreed to a cease-fire Saturday night, ending a five-day bout of violence that killed at least 35 people.

Sunday’s election could decide the future of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has moved toward one-man rule while wielding power on the world stage.

Stakes are high as a new phase of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis unfolds, with Islamic Jihad emerging as an influential force in Gaza and the West Bank.

Erdogan's rancorous rhetoric reflects the pressures and peril of an election unlike any other during his two decades as Turkey's dominant political figure.

At least 31 people have been killed in Gaza, a Palestinian enclave blockaded by Israel and Egypt, since Israeli airstrikes began Tuesday against the Islamic Jihad.

Even as their country sinks deeper into authoritarianism, Turks love to vote — and have a real chance of reshaping their country’s politics.

The recent flare-up of violence between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip has brought new attention to an old problem.

Amid intensifying tensions, a familiar sound returned to southern Israel: the blare of rocket sirens and the explosions of Iron Dome interceptors.

Cease-fire negotiations remain suspended as Israeli forces have targeted members of the Islamic Jihad leadership with 25 Palestinians killed so far, and Gaza militants lobbed rockets into southern and central Israel.

The rocket attacks by Gaza militants were the first sign of promised retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 20 people over the past two days.

Amid spiraling violence sparked by clashes in Jerusalem, a familiar sound has returned to southern Israel: the blare of rocket sirens and the explosions of Iron Dome interceptors.

“Turkey is a country of prohibitions," Kemal Kilicdaroglu told The Post in an interview this week. "When we are in power, Turkey will be a country of freedom.”

“If [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] loses power via elections, that will give a lot of people hope that the autocratic surge can be reversed,” Turkish politics expert Gonul Tol said.

Israel said the commanders were responsible for recent terrorist attacks. The Palestinian Health Ministry said women and children were among the dead.

The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, likely by an Israeli soldier, has become another example of Israel’s ability to sidestep accountability, according to a new report.

On May 14, Turks head to the polls in a pivotal election that could unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after 20 years in power.

The special program would construct massive battery banks in and around Heradi communities to provide them power without violating Sabbath restrictions.