Friday, December 19, 2025

Middle East

Lebanese military warns against unrest amid calls for demonstrations over exclusive state control of weapons

Lebanon’s Army Command has issued a strong warning against moves that could “jeopardize national security” amid online calls for protests sparked by the government’s decision to place exclusive control of weapons in the hands of the state.

Israelis in Tel Aviv condemn Gaza reoccupation plan, demand hostage deal: Report

Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters blocked streets in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night, demanding a prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinian factions and voicing opposition to a recent government decision to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, according to local media.

Palestinian FM demands action to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza

The international community must “shoulder its responsibility” and take action against Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian foreign affairs minister has told Al Jazeera before an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

British Police arrest 474 people at protest over Palestine Action ban in London

More than 470 people have been arrested in central London at the largest demonstration relating to Palestine Action since the group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation.

Iraqi influencer launches campaign supporting Iran’s missile capabilities

A popular Iraqi TikToker known as “Abu Jud,” who has more than three million followers, has launched a campaign during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, marking the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, urging his audience to express support for Iran’s missile capabilities against Israel.

Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City ‘war crime, ethnic cleansing’: Hamas

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has condemned the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to occupy Gaza City as a “war crime and an act of ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

Germany to halt arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza

Germany will halt the export of military equipment and weapons to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Friday, sparking an angry response from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli plan to take control of Gaza City a ‘dangerous escalation’: UN

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has criticized Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City. Meanwhlie his spokesperson has stressed that the decision marks "a dangerous escalation" that will result in forced displacement of Palestinians.

US has ‘no plans’ to recognise Palestinian statehood: VP

US Vice President JD Vance has stated that Washington has "no plans" to recognise a Palestinian state as he met UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kent.

Israel’s security cabinet approves plan for occupation of Gaza City

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military occupation of Gaza City.

More than 800 athletes killed in Gaza amid Israeli war

Over 800 athletes have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of Israel’s offensive in October 2023, as the sports community continues to suffer under bombardment, famine and the collapse of infrastructure, according to Palestinian officials.

Hundreds of former Israeli security chiefs, diplomats warn Netanyahu against full Gaza reoccupation

Hundreds of former Israeli security chiefs and diplomats have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against proceeding with plans for the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.

Another Palestinian baby dies of severe malnutrition in Gaza due to Israeli blockade

A Palestinian infant on Thursday died of severe malnutrition resulting from Israel’s starvation policy in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to medics.

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco shed $800bn in market value since 2022 peak

Saudi Arabia's Aramco has lost around $800bn of its market value since its peak in 2022, a drop of nearly 40 percent.

Almost 80,000 Israeli soldiers rehabilitated since start of Gaza war

The Israeli Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department announced Wednesday it has received 80,000 soldiers since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, including 26,000 for mental illnesses.

Hezbollah labels Lebanon’s government decision to disarm non-state groups ‘grave sin’

The Lebanese group Hezbollah on Wednesday denounced Beirut's decision to disarm non-state groups as a “grave sin".

5 more Gazans die of starvation under Israeli blockade, death toll rises to 193

Five more Palestinians died of starvation in the last 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll since October 2023 to 193, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave announced on Wednesday.

EU Parliament groups call on top officials to take action to end Gaza genocide

Leaders of the Left, Greens/European Free Alliance and Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament urged top European Union officials to take immediate steps to end Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.

It is ‘up to Israel’ whether to occupy all of Gaza: Trump

United States President Donald Trump has suggested that he will not block possible Israeli plans to take over the Gaza Strip.

Gaza death toll from Israeli war tops 61,000

At least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, including 188 who have died from hunger, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

US says will withhold disaster funding to states boycotting Israel

US states and territories that boycott Israeli companies or those operating in the occupied territories will be denied federal funds for natural disaster preparation, Reuters has reported.

US House speaker becomes highest-ranking American official to visit illegal settlements in West Bank

US House Speaker Mike Johnson became the highest-ranking American official to visit an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank during his trip.

Netanyahu has decided on full occupation of Gaza: Report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to announce plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, Israeli media have reported.

US House Democrats call on Trump administration to recognize Palestinian state

Over a dozen US House Democrats have signed a letter urging the Donald Trump administration to officially recognize a Palestinian state.

1,500 Gazans killed while seeking aid since May: UN

Around 1,500 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since May while seeking humanitarian aid, the United Nations has announced.

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