Friday, December 19, 2025

Middle East

Israeli data reveals 83 percent of Gaza war dead are civilians

A classified Israeli military database has disclosed the vast majority of Palestinians killed in Gaza are civilians, according to a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call.

Famine officially declared in Gaza Strip by UN-backed global hunger monitor

Famine has been officially declared in the besieged Gaza Strip for the first time by the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC), the UN-backed global hunger monitor.

Several countries join EU, UN in opposing Israel’s illegal settlement plan

The United Kingdom, Australia and Japan are among 21 countries that have condemned Israel’s plans to build an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, which they say renders a future two-state solution for Palestinians impossible.

Israeli air force dismisses several officers over petition demanding end to Gaza war

Israel's air force dismissed 15 officers, including one with the rank of major general, for signing a petition that calls for ending the war in the Gaza Strip to return all hostages, according to a report.

Israel ignoring truce attempts by launching new Gaza aggression: Hamas

Hamas says Israel is ignoring mediators' efforts to reach a ceasefire by launching a new assault in Gaza City, believed to mark the first phase of the full occupation of the Strip.

UK business leaders call for action against Israel over Gaza war

Hundreds of business leaders in the United Kingdom have urged the British government to take action against Israel as the crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens.

US sanctions more ICC judges over cases against Israel

The United States has imposed sanctions on four more International Criminal Court judges or prosecutors, including from allies France and Canada, in a new effort to undermine the tribunal particularly over actions against Israel.

Most Americans believe countries should recognize Palestinian state: Poll

A 58% majority of Americans believe that every country in the United Nations should recognize Palestine as a nation, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos survey.

Israeli military to call up 60,000 reservist soldiers for Gaza occupation plan: Report

The Israeli army will call up 60,000 reservist soldiers to fight in Gaza City under an occupation plan, according to a report on Wednesday.

Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Paris on de-escalation measures: SANA

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Tuesday in Paris with an Israeli delegation to discuss de-escalation measures and stability in southern part of the war-torn country, Syria's state news agency SANA has reported.

Bipartisan US lawmakers meet with Syria’s president in Damascus

A group of bipartisan US lawmakers met with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, part of a growing group in Congress engaging with the new Syrian government as President Donald Trump has moved to lift sanctions.

Gaza shelters turned into ‘places of death’ as 540 children killed monthly by Israel: UN

An average of 540 children have been killed every month in the Gaza Strip since the resumption of Israeli attacks on the enclave in March, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Tuesday, as the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that its shelters have become “places of death” for civilians.

UN says record 383 aid workers killed in 2024

A record 383 aid workers were killed in 2024, the United Nations announced Tuesday, branding the figures and lack of accountability as a "shameful indictment" of international apathy -- and warning this year's toll was equally disturbing.

US does not oppose Israeli development of West Bank settlements: Envoy

The US ambassador to Israel has told Israeli Army Radio that "massive" development of the occupied West Bank was not a violation of international law and Washington would not oppose it.

UN Security Council starts negotiations on fate of peacekeeping force in Lebanon

The United Nations Security Council has started talks on a French-drafted resolution to extend a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and signal an intention to work on an eventual withdrawal of the U.N. troops.

US revoked over 6,000 student visas in 2025: Report

The US has revoked more than 6,000 student visas so far this year due to overstays and various violations of the law, including “support for terrorism”, Fox News has reported.

Hamas accepts 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal by mediators: Report

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has agreed to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Egyptian media reported Monday.

Amnesty slams Israel for ‘deliberately starving’ Gazans

The human rights group Amnesty International says Israel is implementing a “deliberate policy” of starvation in the besieged Gaza Strip as the United Nations and aid groups warn of famine in the Palestinian enclave.

Hamas needs to be ‘confronted and destroyed’ for Gaza hostage release: Trump

US President Donald Trump has argued that the only path to secure the releade of the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip is through the defeat of the Palestinian group Hamas.

Israeli military mulls recruiting Jewish youth from abroad amid soldier shortage

Israel’s army is weighing a plan to enlist Jewish youth from abroad to offset what officials describe as a severe shortage of soldiers, Army Radio reported Monday.

Israeli economy contracts by 3.5 pct in Q2: Report

Israel's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter, according to data released by the the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Iraq begins work on IS mass grave thought to contain thousands

Iraqi authorities have started excavating the site of a mass grave believed to contain thousands of victims of the Islamic State (IS) group near Mosul city, the project's director told AFP.

Israelis hold protest calling for end to Gaza war

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets across occupied territories demanding an end to the war in the Gaza Strip and a deal to free captives held there, as the military intensifies attacks on Gaza City to force tens of thousands of starving Palestinians to flee again.

US stops visitor visas for Gazans

The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it was halting all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while it conducts "a full and thorough" review, a move that has been condemned by pro-Palestine groups.

Israel says targeted energy infrastructure site near Yemeni capital

The Israeli military says it has targeted an energy infrastructure site that was used by the Houthis south of the Yemeni capital Sanaa early on Sunday.

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