Saturday, December 20, 2025

Middle East

US ignored report saying GHF was not fit to deliver aid in Gaza: CNN

The main US government agency that distributes foreign aid raised “critical concerns” about a newly formed aid group’s ability to deliver food safely and effectively to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, just days before the Donald Trump administration announced $30m in funding for the organisation, CNN has reported.

Disarmament to happen fast in Turkey peace process: PKK founder

The Kurdish militant PKK group's disarmament process will happen quickly but establishing a Turkish political framework to ensure the switch to democratic politics will be crucial, its jailed founder announced Wednesday.

UN expert slams countries that let Netanyahu fly over airspace to US

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, has hit out at states that allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fly over their airspace en route to the United States, suggesting that they may have flouted their obligations under international law.

US envoy suggests Gaza ceasefire agreement is close

An aide to United President Donald Trump has suggested a Gaza ceasefire is close, saying Washington hopes to see a deal finalised by the end of the week.

Three killed in Red Sea in suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthis

A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi group on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea has killed three sailors and wounded two others, a European Union naval force has announced.

Lives of Gaza’s children ‘marked by war and destruction’: UN

The lives of one million children in the Gaza Strip “are marked by war and destruction”, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) announced on Tuesday.

At least 4 killed, 13 injured in Israeli attack in Lebanon

Four people were killed and 13 wounded in separate Israeli strikes Tuesday in southern and northern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry has announced.

US has only %25 of Patriot interceptors needed for military operations globally: Report

Washington has only about 25 percent of the Patriot missile interceptors that planners at the Pentagon assess are needed for all the US’s military operations globally, according to a report by The Guardian.

Israel holds 10,800 Palestinian prisoners in its jails: Rights groups

Israel is holding 10,800 Palestinians in its jails, prisoners’ affairs groups have announced in a report.

US envoy lauds Lebanon’s response to Hezbollah disarmament proposals

A senior United States envoy has hailed the Lebanese government’s response to a US proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah amid Israel’s continued military presence in the country.

Netanyahu meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas discuss Gaza ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, discussing a range of issues including the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel confirms five soldiers killed in Gaza

Five Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel's military announced on Tuesday, as Tel Aviv and Hamas held indirect negotiations in Qatar on an elusive ceasefire.

Thousands of babies in Gaza lack proper nutrition: UNICEF

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) chief Catherine Russell has warned of a deepening nutrition crisis among infants in the Gaza Strip as humanitarian access remains severely restricted.

US revokes foreign terrorist designation for Syria’s Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham group

The United States has announced that it was revoking the foreign terrorist organisation designation for Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, months after it spearheaded the overthrow of the long-serving Assad dynasty.

Crew abandons cargo ship in Red Sea after aerial strike

Crew members onboard a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned ship that was set ablaze in an attack in the Red Sea have abandoned the vessel and were rescued, a British maritime agency has announced.

Israel bombs Yemen, Houthis fire more missiles

Israel’s military has bombed three ports and a power plant in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, prompting the group to fire more missiles towards the occupied territory.

Israel strikes several targets across Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israeli military aircraft carried out airstrikes late Sunday on towns in northern, eastern, and southern Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire, Lebanese media reported.

Hezbollah secretary-general says won’t disarm until Israel leaves southern Lebanon

Hezbollah chief has stated that the Lebanese group remains open to peace, but it will not disarm or back down from confronting Israel until it ends its air raids and withdraws from southern Lebanon.

Over 700 Palestinians killed seeking aid in Gaza: Health Ministry

More than 700 Palestinians have been killed trying to get food in the Gaza Strip over the past few weeks, according to new figures from the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave, spurring renewed condemnation of a contentious United States and Israeli-backed aid scheme.

Thousands of Israelis demand release of hostages in Gaza

Thousands of Israeli protesters demonstrated Saturday night in Tel Aviv, demanding the return of hostages from the Gaza Strip as part of a "comprehensive deal” with Hamas.

Lebanese PM denounces Hezbollah’s armed parade in Beirut, orders detain of participants

A heavily armed parade organized by Hezbollah in Beirut has sparked widespread criticism, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday calling the display “unacceptable” and ordering the arrest and investigation of those involved.

Britain resumes diplomatic ties with Syria during its 1st ministerial visit in 14 years

The United Kingdom has formally resumed diplomatic relations with Syria, eight months after Bashar al-Assad's government collapsed, signaling a significant shift in British foreign policy.

EU to propose sanctions on Israel: Report

The European Union is preparing to roll out a list of possible sanctions against Israel due to concerns of human rights violations during the war in the Gaza Strip, Euractiv reported on Saturday, citing sources.

Hamas’ changes to Gaza ceasefire proposal ‘unacceptable’: Israeli PM’s office

Israel has announced that Hamas made “unacceptable” changes to a Qatari proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Iraqi Kurdistan region denies existence of Zionist regime’s bases

The Iraqi Kurdistan region's Interior Ministry has expressed serious concern over renewed allegations regarding the existence of Israeli-operated centers in the the territory.

Latest news