Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Middle East

Netanyahu rejects deal for release of Hamas-held hostages in Gaza: Report

The Israeli government prepared a proposal to initiate new negotiations with the Palestinian group Hamas for the release of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the offer, according to a report.

Medicine, aid for Palestinians, hostages arrive in Gaza: Qatar

Medicine and aid for Palestinians and the Israeli hostages entered the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry.

Palestinian labour minister warns of impending societal implosion as a result of skyrocketing unemployment

Palestinian labour minister Nasri Abu Jaish has stated that he estimated unemployment in Gaza to be around 90 percent, up from approximately 47 percent before the Israeli war, with unemployment in the occupied West Bank also sitting around 25 percent, up from around 13 percent before October 7.

Report: US conducts new airstrikes on Yemen

The United States reportedly launched a fresh wave of attacks against several targets across Yemen on Wednesday night, just hours after Washington designated the Houthi group as a terrorist organization.

IMF warns of “negative” impact if Red Sea disruption escalates due to Yemen’s strikes

The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned about the impact of the Red Sea disruption on the global economy if the situation escalates over Yemen's attacks.

Palestinian Investment Fund says Gaza needs at least $15bn to rebuild housing units

Palestine investment fund chairman Mohammad Mustafa has estimated that rebuilding housing units in the Gaza Strip would need at least $15 billion.

US re-designates Yemen’s Houthis as specially designated global terrorists

US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday re-designated the Yemeni movement Houthi as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) entity amid continued attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

“We cannot have in Lebanon another Gaza”: UN chief

A solution in Gaza will "allow for the de-escalation in other parts of the Middle East", warned United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday.

Biden to officially relist Yemen’s Houthis as terrorist group

The administration of US President Joe Biden is expected to re-designate the Yemeni Houthi group, as a global terrorist entity amid continued attacks in the Red Sea, a source familiar told CNN.

Qatar announces humanitarian deal between Hamas and Israel

Qatar has announced that it has successfully mediated an agreement between Israel and Hamas that will enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to civilians in Gaza in exchange for the delivery of medicines to Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group.

Israel needs ‘years’ to break up Gaza tunnels: Report

The Israeli military has been “astonished” by the size and quality of the tunnels Hamas has built under the Gaza Strip, according to a report.

French president explains decision not to join US-led strikes on Houthis

French President Emmanuel Macron has said Paris did not join US-led airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen to avoid escalation in the region.

Majority of Germans think Israel’s war on Gaza ‘unjustified’

A new poll has found that the majority of Germans are becoming more critical of the Israeli government’s policies and the ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip which has so far killed nearly 24,300.

Israel preparing for ground offensive into southern Lebanon: Report

Israel has been training its ground forces for a potential operation into southern Lebanon, according to a report, as trading of fire between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement keeps intensifying.

Hamas ‘far from being defeated’: Israeli war cabinet minister

A member of the Israeli war cabinet has confessed that Israel has not been able to defeat the Palestinian movement Hamas during its months-long war on the Gaza Strip.

Growing number of Gazans haven’t eaten in days: UN

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised the alarm  over the dire situation facing Palestinian refugees who have been displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Saudi Arabia says would ‘certainly’ recognize Israel if Palestinian issue resolved

Saudi Arabia's top diplomat indicated on Tuesday that Riyadh would recognize Israel if the Palestinian issue is resolved.

EU adds Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to terrorist list

The European Union has added Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to its “terrorist” sanctions blacklist over the October 7 attacks on Israel.

Shell suspends Red Sea shipments amid fears of Houthi strikes

The British oil company Shell has suspended all shipments through the Red Sea indefinitely after the US and UK attacks against Yemen triggered fears of further escalation, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the decision.

Iran’s Leader lauds Yemenis’ ‘great achievement’ in supporting Gaza

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has hailed the Yemenis’ anti-Israel naval operations in the Red Sea, stressing they did a “great job” in defiance of US threats and military operation.

Linking Yemen’s attacks to Tehran meant to conceal Israeli crimes in Gaza: Iran’s UN envoy

Iran’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has roundly dismissed Western allegations about Tehran’s involvement in strikes by Yemeni forces in the Red Sea, stating that such claims are meant to deviate the world public opinion from Israeli atrocities in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Iraq vows to take Iran to UNSC over Erbil missile attack

The Baghdad government on Tuesday condemned the Iranian strikes on Erbil in northern Iraq, calling it an "act of aggression" and a "violation of its sovereignty". Iran says it has targeted anti-Tehran terror bases.

US, UK raids on Yemen strategic mistake: Iran FM to UN chief

Iran's Foreign Minister, in a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, has strongly condemned the recent strikes on Yemen by the United States and the UK as illegal and a strategic mistake.

Hundreds of thousands starving in Gaza as famine arrives at “incredible speed”: UN aid chief

Israel's war in Gaza has brought famine with "such incredible speed", the United Nations’ relief chief told CNN on Monday, as he warned that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving in the besieged strip.

US to send 1,500 soldiers to Iraq, Syria amid regional standoff: Report

The United States is sending 1,500 troops to Iraq and Syria, as its regional standoff with Iran-aligned groups in those countries is rapidly heating up.

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