Middle East

China pledges support for Syria in ‘achieving peace’

China's top diplomat Wang Yi has pledged support for Damascus in "achieving peace at an early date", as his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani made his first official visit to Beijing on Monday.

Almost 100 Palestinians have died in custody since October 2023: Israeli data

Israeli data show at least 98 Palestinians have died in custody since October 2023, and the real toll is likely substantially higher because hundreds of people detained in the Gaza Strip are missing, an Israel-based human rights group has reported.

Palestinians say US proposal for multinational force in Gaza aims to impose external control

Palestinian factions have warned that a US draft resolution to deploy an international force in the Gaza Strip amounts to an attempt to impose foreign guardianship over the territory and sideline Palestinian decision-making.

Lebanese military says working with ‘friendly states’ to halt Israeli violations

The Lebanese army has announced that it is coordinating with “friendly countries” to halt the ongoing Israeli violations of last year’s ceasefire accord.

Israeli man indicted for handing over intelligence to Tehran

Israel’s Haifa District Court indicted Shimon Azarzar from Kiryat Yam, on charges of transmitting sensitive military information to the Iranian intelligence.

UN peacekeepers say Israel fired on them in Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has announced that Israeli soldiers have shot at its peacekeepers in their latest targeting of UNIFIL as Israel continues to attack Lebanon on a near-daily basis in violation of a yearlong ceasefire with Hezbollah.

7,000 tons of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza pose great danger to civilians: The Economist

The Gaza Strip may now contain the highest concentration of unexploded ordnance of any conflict zone in the world, posing a significant and enduring threat to civilians even after Israel's bombardment campaign against the besieged coastal area has ended, according to a report.

Gaza Municipal Union warns of disaster as 700,000 tons of waste pile up in enclave

The Union of Gaza Strip Municipalities has warned of the consequences of 700,000 tons of accumulated waste in random dumping sites, as municipalities are unable to provide even the minimum level of essential services due to severe shortages of fuel and equipment.

Israel wants broader security accord with US: Axios

Israel wants to strike a 20-year security accord with the US, doubling the duration of the previous one and emphasizing “cooperation” between the two sides rather than one-sided reception of military aid, Axios has reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Displaced Gazans suffer as heavy rains flood tent camps

Displaced Palestinians are reeling after heavy rains flooded their tents in makeshift displacement camps in Gaza City, as the United Nations warns that Israeli restrictions on aid have left hundreds of thousands of families without adequate shelter in the enclave.

Congresswoman introduces US Congress resolution to recognise Gaza genocide

Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib has introduced a resolution in the United States Congress to recognise Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip as a genocide.

Rocket attack in Syria’s Damascus injures one

A woman has been injured in an explosion caused by rocket attacks in the Mezzeh district of the Syrian capital Damascus, according to Syrian state media.

Syrian flag hoisted at Britain embassy after 12-year closure

The flag of Syria has been raised once more over its embassy building in London, marking the first time the mission has been active since its closure in 2013.

US knew Israeli officials discussed use of human shields in Gaza: Reuters

The United States had evidence last year that Israeli officials discussed how their soldiers sent Palestinians into tunnels in the Gaza Strip that the Israelis believed were potentially lined with explosives, two former American officials have told the Reuters news agency.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s coalition comes first in Iraqi parliamentary election

A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has emerged as winner in the Arab country’s parliamentary election, according to electoral authorities.

Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza ceasefire

United States President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog asking him to pardon Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, slamming the corruption charges against the PM as “political” and “unjustified”.

Israel-backed militia to oversee ‘rehabilitation’ of Rafah city in Gaza: Report

An Israel-backed armed group that has been accused of stealing aid in the Gaza Strip is set to oversee the “rehabilitation” of Rafah city, according to reports.

6,000 Gazans amputated since onset of Israeli war: Health Ministry

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported 6,000 amputations in the besieged enclave since the start of Israel’s two-year war in October 2023.

Iraq vote turnout over 55%

Iraq's electoral commission on Wednesday reported a turnout of more than 55 percent -- an unexpectedly high figure -- in Tuesday's general election.

Syria’s national museum robbed: Report

Thieves have broken into Syria’s National Museum in Damascus and stolen several valuable Roman artifacts, according to multiple reports.

Top adviser to Israeli PM resigns

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced his resignation on Tuesday, according to reports.

US plans ‘temporary housing’ in Gaza behind Israeli lines: The Atlantic

Washington is weighing a plan to build housing for thousands of "screened" Palestinians behind the so-called yellow line in the Gaza Strip, which is occupied by Israeli troops, according to a report by The Atlantic.

Report accuses Israel of ‘systematic’ torture of Gazans

Israel is operating “an organised and systematic practice of sexual torture” against Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip in its custody, according to a new report by a leading rights organisation.

Hamas: Israel has killed over 270 Palestinians since Gaza ceasefire

Palestinian group Hamas says Israel has killed 271 Palestinians since the Gaza ceasefire accord came into force last month.

Syrian president claims he ‘had nothing to do’ with 9/11 attacks

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has downplayed his past links to the terrorist group Al-Qaeda and distanced himself from the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

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