Monday, December 22, 2025

Middle East

Hamas halts talks with Israel until release of Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire accord

A Hamas leader said Sunday that his group will not engage in negotiations with Israel until the release of Palestinian inmates held by Tel Aviv.

Israel won’t allow Syria military south of Damascus: Netanyahu

Israel will not allow the new Syrian government’s military forces to operate in the territories south of Syria’s capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated.

Israel says expanding West Bank offensive, soldiers to remain ‘for next year’

Israel has announced it is expanding its military offensive across the West Bank and preparing for soldiers to remain in some refugee camps “for the next year”.

‘Lebanon is tired of others’ wars’: President tells Iranian speaker

Iranian parliament speaker was told by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that “Lebanon is tired of others’ wars, and the unity of the Lebanese is the best way to confront any loss or aggression”.

Mass funeral held in Lebanon for slain Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

Tens of thousands of people in Lebanon paid their last respects to Hezbollah’s late leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut last September.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Resistance against Usurpation, Occupation Will Never End

The Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on the occasion of the funeral and burial ceremonies for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the assassinated leaders of Hezbollah, underlined that that resistance against usurpation and arrogance will never end.

Israel delays prisoner release in violation of ceasefire accord

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced overnight into Sunday that it would postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners, claiming that Hamas has violated the ceasefire accord.

Hamas frees six Israeli captives in Gaza as part of ceasefire accord

Hamas has released six Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip ahead of the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons in the final swap under the first phase of the ceasefire between the Palestinian group and Tel Aviv.

Two Palestinian children killed in West Bank by Israeli army

Two Palestinian children were shot in the back and killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.

Satellite images reveal Saudi Arabia may be quietly expanding ballistic missile force

Saudi Arabia may be quietly modernising and expanding its long-range missile capabilities, newly published satellite imagery disclosed.

Hamas releases remains of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas after ‘mix-up of bodies’

Bibas family in Israel has confirmed that the remains of Shiri Bibas have been returned by Hamas. It comes a day after it announced that the Palestinian group had returned an unidentified body.

Arab leaders discuss alternatives to US plan for Gaza

The leaders of seven Arab states have held talks in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to hash out a plan for the future of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli military targets West Bank after bus blasts near Tel Aviv

The Israeli army is gearing up for an intensive operation in the occupied West Bank after bombs detonated on "three empty buses" in a parking depot near Tel Aviv.

Hamas hands over bodies of 4 Israeli captives

Palestinian group Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives on Thursday under a Gaza ceasefire accord.

Israeli military Jenin raid enters 2nd month; mass displacement in West Bank

The Israeli army continues its large-scale military operation in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp, forcing thousands to flee.

Israeli drone attack kills 1 in Lebanon despite ceasefire

At least one person was killed in an Israeli drone attack on a vehicle in southern Lebanon, just one day after Israeli soldiers withdrew from most of the border area.

Over $50bn needed to rebuild Gaza after Israel’s war: Report

Reconstruction bids in the Gaza Strip will require more than $50bn after 15 months of Israel’s devastating war, according to a new assessment by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.

Israeli onslaught on West Bank sees most Palestinians displaced in occupied territories since 1967 War: Report

Israel’s deadly aggression on the occupied West Bank has displaced about 45,000 Palestinians from their homes, according to human rights experts - more than any time since the 1967 War.

Israel partially withdrawing military forces from Lebanon as deadline expires

Israel is pulling its troops out of southern Lebanon as the deadline for their withdrawal under a fragile ceasefire accord has passed.

Netanyahu says Israel committed to Trump’s plan for Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that Tel Aviv is 'committed' to a United States proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip and displace its Palestinian residents. This comes as Washington’s top diplomat visits Saudi Arabia to promote the plan, which is opposed by Arab countries.

President: Kurdistan will not be used as launchpad for threats against neighbors

The president of the Iraqi Kurdistan says the autonomous region will never be a launchpad for threats against neighbors including Iran.

Hamas leader killed in Israeli air raid on south Lebanon

Hamas leader Mohammed Ibrahim Shaheen was killed in an Israeli air strike on his vehicle in Sidon, southern Lebanon, the Palestinian group has confirmed.

Israel says its soldiers will stay in five locations across southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announced that it will keep soldiers stationed in five locations in southern Lebanon beyond the withdrawal deadline. This decision comes after Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed concerns that a complete withdrawal might not be achieved.

Health ministry warns of severe oxygen shortage in Gaza hospitals after Israeli war

Gaza’s Health Ministry has warned of a severe oxygen shortage in hospitals across the blockaded enclave after the destruction of 10 power plants in Israel’s genocidal war.

Several Iraqi banks to be banned from US dollar transactions: Reuters

Iraq's central bank will ban five more local banks from engaging in US dollar transactions. The move comes after meetings with American Treasury officials in efforts to combat money laundering, dollar smuggling and other violations, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.

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