Friday, December 19, 2025

Middle East

Syria counts votes after indirect election for first parliament after Assad fall

Vote counting has begun in some districts in Syria’s first parliamentary elections since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, a landmark moment in the Middle Eastern country’s fragile transition after nearly 14 years of war.

Israel pounds Gaza, killing dozens, despite US call for it to halt bombing

Israeli attacks across the besieged Gaza Strip have killed at least 70 Palestinians, medical sources confirmed, despite calls from United States President Donald Trump for Tel Aviv to stop its bombardment after Hamas announced it had accepted some elements of the American leader’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war.

Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg abused in Israeli jail: Activists

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg was subjected to humiliation and harsh treatment in an Israeli prison after being captured aboard the Gaza aid flotilla, according to fellow activists and lawyers.

At least 562 aid workers killed in Gaza in nearly 2 years: UN

At least 562 aid workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since start of war, the United Nations announced on Friday, following the death of another aid worker in an Israeli attack.

Majority of US Democrats favour wide-ranging punitive measures against Israel: Survey

US voters who identify as Democrats are now in clear support of punitive measures against Israel for a genocide taking place in the Gaza Strip, poll results released on Friday showed.

More than 40,000 Gazans have life-changing injuries, needing years of rehabilitation: WHO

Over 40,000 people in the Gaza Strip have sustained life-changing injuries since Oct. 7, 2023, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report.

Guardiola calls for global action to end Israeli genocide in Gaza

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has renewed his call for international support to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe.

Hamas agrees to parts of US Gaza plan, seeks more negotiations

Hamas has announced that it accepts several parts of United States President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in Israel’s nearly two-year war on the Gaza Strip, but that some elements of the proposal require further talks.

Tehran Residents Rally Against Israeli Interception of Gaza-Bound ‘Sumoud’ Aid Convoy

A large number of Tehran residents, along with students from the city’s universities, held a rally on Friday in solidarity with the Sumoud Global Convoy — a humanitarian mission attempting to break the siege of Gaza — after it was intercepted by Israeli forces.

Over 220 activists detained by Israeli naval forces aboard international aid flotilla: Organizers

More than 220 international activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid convoy were detained by the Israeli troops, organizers announced on Thursday.

Trump executive order guarantees Qatar security after Israeli onslaught

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order in which the United States pledges to guarantee Qatar’s security – including retaliatory military action – if the Middle Eastern country were to come under attack again, in the wake of Israel’s unprecedented air strikes on Doha last month that drew regional and global outrage.

Israeli army kills 100 Palestinians every day in Gaza: UN

The Israeli military kills an average of 100 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip daily, in addition to those dying of starvation and lack of medical care, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has announced.

US reducing military mission in Iraq, citing success in fighting Daesh

The U.S. military has begun pulling its forces from Iraq following an accord signed with the Iraqi government a year ago, officials have confirmed, citing successes in fighting Daesh in the country.

Gaza starvation deaths rise to 453, including 150 children: Health Ministry

The death toll from malnutrition caused by Israel’s starvation policy in the Gaza Strip has reached 453 people since October 2023, the enclave's Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Judge rules US deportation drive against pro-Palestine students is illegal

An American judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump unlawfully targeted pro-Palestine student activists with deportation to silence criticism of Israel, violating their right to free speech.

Hamas has ‘3-4 days’ to respond to Gaza peace plan: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that he is giving Hamas three to four days to respond to his 20-point Gaza peace plan, warning of dire consequences if the Palestinian group rejects it.

Hamas pledges to study US Gaza plan ‘responsibly’: Qatar

Palestinian group Hamas has promised to study US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip “responsibly”, Qatar announced on Tuesday.

Most Americans oppose more aid to Israel: Survey

Israel is quickly losing US public support for its military operation in the Gaza Strip, a new poll suggested. Conducted by the New York Times and the Siena Research Institute, the survey was released hours after US President Donald Trump unveiled his new roadmap for peace in Gaza on Monday.

20% of children in Gaza born underweight or premature amid Israeli blockade: UNICEF

One in five children in the Gaza Strip is born premature or underweight, a consequence of the prolonged, systematic Israeli siege of the Palestinian territory over the past two years, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced.

US announces peace deal for Israel’s war on Gaza

US President Donald Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a proposal to end the Gaza war. The American leader stated that the agreement is still to be accepted by Hamas.

UK Labour conference votes to sanction Israel and recognise Gaza genocide

Labour party delegates have voted that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and should be sanctioned, in a shock development at the annual party conference.

Israeli PM apologises to Qatar over Doha attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Qatar for the killing of a Qatari citizen during an Israeli military operation on Hamas leaders in Doha this month, which drew global condemnation.

Hamas censures US plan to appoint Tony Blair in Gaza

The Palestinian group Hamas has announced that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is “an unwelcome figure in the Palestinian context,” stressing it has not received any proposal through mediators regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas tells Israel to cease Gaza City military attacks as captives lives in danger

Hamas has issued a “warning” that the lives of two captives held in Gaza City are in danger as Israeli army pushes deeper inside several neighbourhoods of the urban centre, where tens of thousands of Palestinians are trapped by Israel’s ground invasion and bombardment.

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