Friday, December 19, 2025

Middle East

Hamas returns bodies of two more hostages, says Israel violating Gaza ceasefire

Hamas has turned over the remains of two more deceased Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced, as the Palestinian group announced that Tel Aviv is continuing to commit ceasefire violations.

Israel commits 47 violations since Gaza truce came into effect: Media office

The government media office in the Gaza Strip has said in a press statement that Israel committed 47 breaches of the truce deal since it came into effect last week.

Hamas says will not commit to disarm until further negotiations

Hamas will not automatically commit to disarming and hopes the ceasefire with Israel will last three to five years to rebuild Gaza, Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal has stated in an interview with Reuters.

Venezuelan Nobel winner holds call with Israeli PM

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, in a call on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised the fight against "totalitarian forces", in what Tel Aviv presented as an endorsement of its Gaza offensive.

Hamas hands over remains of one more Israeli hostage

Hamas has handed over the remains of an additional captive it recovered in the ravaged Gaza Strip, as the Palestinian group calls on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to open border crossings and allow aid in.

Israel could resume Gaza military operations if Hamas fails to implement ceasefire terms: US

US President Donald Trump has warned that he would consider allowing Israel to resume a military campaign in the Gaza Strip if Hamas fails to implement the terms of his ceasefire accord.

Israel confirms it received bodies of 2 more hostages from Red Cross in Gaza

Israel has announced that it has received the bodies of two more Israeli hostages that were handed over by Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza in the latest transfer carried out under a ceasefire accord with the Palestinian group.

Gaza health ministry finds signs of torture on Palestinian bodies returned by Israel

Gaza’s Ministry of Health announced it has received the remains of 45 Palestinians who were held in Israeli custody via the International Committee of the Red Cross, bringing the total number of bodies returned to 90 as part of a United States-brokered ceasefire accord.

Syria says won’t wait for global community to reform economy

Damascus is in a hurry to rebuild its war-torn economy and will not wait for the international community to begin making those changes, Syria's finance minister stated Wednesday.

Al-Sharaa to Putin in Moscow: Syria seeks to ‘redefine’ Russia ties

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa told Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that Damascus seeks to “restore and redefine ties” with Moscow, a key ally of ousted longtime Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad.

WFP warns aid cuts risk pushing 13.7mn into extreme hunger

The United Nations World Food Programme warned Wednesday that "staggering" cuts to its funding risked pushing up to 13.7 million people currently receiving food aid into "emergency" levels of hunger -- one step before famine.

Iraqi parliamentary candidate killed

An Iraqi parliamentary candidate was killed and three of his bodyguards were wounded when a bomb exploded near his car close to the capital Baghdad, a security source has confirmed.

Trump announces start of ‘phase 2’ of Gaza ceasefire accord

US President Donald Trump announced the start of “phase two” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, following the release of 20 Israeli hostages under the first stage of the deal brokered by the US, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.

Municipality spox: Over 300,000 housing units in Gaza completely destroyed

The spokesperson for Gaza City Municipality says during two years of the Zionist regime’s war on Gaza, more than 300,000 housing units have been completely destroyed and another 200,000 partially damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of families displaced.

Syrian president to pay first visit to Russia

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Russia for a series of official meetings, according to sources close to the Syrian government.

Israel receives bodies of 4 captives from Red Cross in Gaza: Report

Israel has confirmed that it received the bodies of four hostages from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) inside the Gaza Strip.

UN says Gaza Strip reconstruction to cost $70bln

The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will require as much as $70 bln, Jaco Cilliers, the Special Representative of the Administrator for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, has stated at a briefing.

Italy says closer to recognizing Palestine after Gaza deal

Rome is closer to recognizing the state of Palestine following a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated.

Israel releases nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire agreement

Almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli detention  under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Netanyahu praises Trump as ‘Israel’s greatest friend’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised US President Donald Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

Tasnim exclusive images: Dozens of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israel’s Ofer prison as exchange begins

The exchange of Palestinian and Israeli prisoners began early Monday, with large numbers of Palestinian detainees released from Israel’s Ofer Prison near the Beitunia settlement, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

Kurdish leader says reached first deal on merging forces with Syria’s army

Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi has announced that he has reached a "preliminary agreement" with Damascus on the integration of his troops into Syria's military and security forces.

Hamas releases all living Israeli hostages in Gaza Strip

The Palestinian group Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, concluded on Monday the release of 20 living Israeli captives.

Isreal’s war on Gaza ‘over’: Trump

US President Donald Trump has declared to reporters that the war in the Gaza Strip “is over".

Israel says instructed to prepare for demolition of ‘Hamas tunnels’ after hostage release

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that he instructed the army to prepare for the demolition of what he claimed are underground tunnels used by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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