Sunday, December 21, 2025

Middle East

US should ‘take’ Gaza and turn it into ‘freedom zone’: Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he wants Washington to "take" Gaza and turn it into a "freedom zone" as Israel tightens its siege and continues its military onslaught on the besieged enclave.

Trump’s announcement about Syria surprised US officials: Reuters

When US President Donald Trump announced in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would lift all sanctions on Syria, the decision, which will boost a country devastated by 13 years of war, took many in the region by surprise. It also caught some in his own administration off guard.

Syrian official appears to hint at normalisation of ties with Israel

A Syrian official has appeared to hint at possible normalisation with Israel after being questioned on the issue by an Israeli outlet.

Palestinians mark Nakba Day

Palestinians held marches in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to commemorate the Nakba — the “catastrophe” of their mass dispossession during the creation of Israel 77 years ago.

Saudi Arabia says fully supports US-Iran negotiations

Riyadh fully supports Washington-Tehran nuclear talks and hopes for positive results, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said on Wednesday.

Trump meets Syrian president, calls on him to establish ties with Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and urged him to normalise ties with longtime foe Israel, after a surprise Washington's announcement that it would lift all sanctions on Damascus.

Iraq releases over 19,000 prisoners under new amnesty, including ex-Daesh members

Iraq has freed more than 19,000 prisoners under a sweeping amnesty law designed to relieve pressure on its overcrowded prison system, including inmates convicted of being members of Daesh.

US spent $1bn bombing Yemen’s Hothis but failed to gain air superiority: NYT

US President Donald Trump’s administration declared a ceasefire in Yemen last week due to burning through expensive munitions while failing to establish air superiority over the Houthis, according to the New York Times.

Rights groups urge UK to end all arms sales to Israel as court case begins

Rights groups and charities gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice to support a legal challenge against the UK government's continuing export of F-35 jet parts for use by Tel Aviv.

Trump secures $600 billion Saudi investment pledge on Persian Gulf tour

President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to invest in the United States after Riyadh accorded him a gala welcome at the start of a tour of Persian Gulf states.

Trump says he will ease sanctions on Damascus, to meet Syria’s new ruler on Wednesday

US President Donald Trump has stated that he will move to normalize relations with and lift sanctions on Syria’s new government to give the country "a chance at peace."

British veterans detail war crimes by British forces in Afghanistan, Iraq

Former members of the United Kingdom’s special forces  recount war crimes committed by British soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq dating back over a decade.

Trump receives royal Saudi welcome from MbS in Riyadh

US President Donald Trump received a royal Saudi welcome Tuesday as he arrived in the capital, Riyadh, descending Air Force One on purple-carpeted steps to a greeting from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Syria’s new ruler skips Iraq summit after firestorm over invitation

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media reported on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred controversy over the rebel-turned-leader's potential return to a country where he fought and was jailed.

PA president lifts ban on operations of Al Jazeera TV inside Palestinian territory

Al Jazeera's Ramallah bureau chief has announced that the news channel could resume working in the Palestinian territories after president Mahmoud Abbas lifted a ban in place since January.

Hamas frees dual US-Israeli national and soldier Edan Alexander

Hamas has released Edan Alexander, a dual United States-Israeli national and soldier, as the Palestinian group seeks to revive ceasefire negotiations and an end to Israel’s blockade of the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip.

White House notifies US Congress of $1.45bn in proposed arms sales to UAE

The US State Department notified Congress on Monday of two proposed weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates totaling an estimated $1.45 billion as President Donald Trump embarked on a four-day Middle East tour.

Syria’s president proposes Trump Tower in Damascus, peace with Israel for sanctions relief: Reuters

Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly offered to build a Trump Tower in Damascus, establish peace with Israel, and grant the US access to Syria’s oil and gas, as part of his bid to secure sanctions relief from Washington, Reuters has reported.

Famine stalking across besieged Gaza Strip, 500k face starvation: Report

Israel’s blockade threatens the entire population of the Gaza Strip with famine, putting 500,000 people at risk of starvation, a global hunger monitor has warned.

EU sees Syria instability as terror risk for bloc: Reuters

The situation in Syria could pose security risks for Europe, according to a draft internal European Union counterterrorism document seen by Reuters which warned that the terror threat level in the bloc remains high.

Anti-Turkey Kurdish group PKK disbands after 4 decades of conflict

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and end its armed struggle for autonomy, following a call in February by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Study puts true death toll in Gaza war at around 110,000

A new report suggests that up to 109,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign across the besieged Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Israel asks ICC judges to withdraw PM arrest warrant 

Tel Aviv has asked judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw arrest warrants against Israel's Prime Minister and Defence Minister while the ICC reviews Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction over the conduct of the Gaza war.

Israel is prolonging war, hindering hostage agreement: US

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East has stated that Israel is prolonging the war in the Gaza Strip and reaching a new ceasefire and hostage deal is the correct next step to take.

Hamas confirms it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will soon be freed in the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas official has told Reuters, a move key Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt described as an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire negotiations in the war-torn enclave.

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