UK terms UN resolution on Gaza as ‘good news’
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron termed it good news that that the UN has come together to "back a resolution to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza." Cameron's remarks came after the Security Council voted to approve a watered-down resolution that demands all sides allow the "unhindered" delivery of humanitarian...UN resolution urges more aid for Gaza as death toll rises
Fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raged as the UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution to boost aid to the besieged Palestinian territory where civilians are struggling to find food. The Hamas-run health ministry said more than 410 people had been killed in Israeli bombardment over 48 hours.UN says Gaza on cusp of famine due to Hamas-Israel war
The Israel-Hamas war is pushing Gaza towards famine, the United Nations warned ahead of an expected Security Council vote on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire. Separate diplomatic efforts were also underway for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war.More than 20 countries join coalition to protect Red Sea shipping
The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is battling Hamas. The deaths of 20.000 people in Gaza have provoked widespread anger in the Middle East and provided an impetus for attacks by...UN Security Council to vote on Gaza aid as famine fears mount
Separate diplomatic efforts were also under way for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war, which was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel in October. With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid...Lebanon economy to plunge into recession due to Gaza war
The impact of the conflict had reversed a slight recovery for Lebanon, which has battled a deep economic crisis for years, the Washington-based bank said in a report. "Prior to October 2023, economic growth was projected -- for the first time since 2018 -- to slightly expand in 2023," by...Rights group slams Meta for silencing pro-Palestinian voices
"Meta's censorship of content in support of Palestine adds insult to injury at a time of unspeakable atrocities and repression already stifling Palestinians' expression," said Deborah Brown, acting associate director of HRW's technology and human rights division. On Tuesday, Meta's independent oversight board had already criticized the social media titan...Macron says fighting terror does not mean ‘to flatten Gaza’
President Emmanuel Macron told the France 5 broadcaster, "We cannot let the idea take root that an efficient fight against terrorism implies to flatten Gaza or attack civilian populations indiscriminately." While acknowledging "Israel's right to defend itself and fight terror", Macron said France called for the protection of civilians and...Israel orders more evacuations of Gaza’s main southern city: UN
The Israeli army said Wednesday that "ground, aerial and naval operations were carried out on dozens of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure" on military command and control centers in Khan Yunis. Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza has so far killed at least 20,000 people, the majority of them children and...World Food Program transfers Gaza aid from Jordan via Israeli border
"Delivering food from Jordan, to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing, will increase the volume and speed of food reaching the Gaza Strip, as millions face the risk of starvation," WFP said. Israel last Friday approved the temporary delivery of aid into Gaza via its Kerem Shalom border crossing, opening a...Music gives Gaza children respite from horrors
The United Nation says children make up half of the 1.9 million displaced Palestinians and a sizable number have been killed in Israeli strikes.Malaysia bans Israeli-flagged ships over Gaza war
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a statement said that ships bound for Israel will also be barred from loading cargo at any port in the largely Muslim Southeast Asian nation with immediate effect. He particularly targeted Israel's biggest shipping firm ZIM. Malaysia's cabinet authorised ZIM to dock its vessels at...UN Security Council due to vote on delayed Gaza resolution
This week's back and forth comes after an impasse earlier this month, when the United States, despite unprecedented pressure from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, blocked the adoption of a Security Council resolution on the war. It had called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip.Israeli army strikes renders Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital non functional
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - One of the last remaining hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip stopped operating on Tuesday after being stormed by the Israeli army, its director said. Fadel Naim told AFP Israeli troops had attacked the Al-Ahli hospital and arrested doctors, medical staff and patients, destroying part of...UNICEF terms Gaza world’s ‘most dangerous place’ for children
Geneva, Switzerland - Gaza is "the most dangerous place in the world" for a child, the UN children's agency spokesperson said Tuesday, expressing his rage at the situation there after returning from the Palestinian territory. "I'm furious that those with power shrug at the humanitarian nightmares unleashed on a million children,"...UNSC stumbles for common ground on Gaza, delaying ceasefire vote
Israel -- backed by its ally Washington, a veto-wielding permanent Security Council member -- has opposed the term "cease-fire." This is one of the sticking points for the divided body to navigate as diplomats call for a "pause" or a "truce," or try to qualify any cease-fire as "humanitarian."First commercial trucks enter Gaza since war: US
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the first private trucks entered Saturday and more came through on Monday. Miller, without confirming the meeting, said that the United States supported a new deal that would include the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza.Israel air force denies indiscriminate bombing in Gaza offensive
A report by Washington's Director of National Intelligence, quoted by US media, said that nearly half of munitions dropped by Israeli aircraft on Gaza were "dumb" bombs -- unguided munitions with limited accuracy. Israel insists Hamas is to blame for mass civilian casualties, accusing the group of using innocent Palestinians...South Africa threatens citizens fighting for Israel with prosecution
"Such action can potentially contribute to the violation of international law and the commission of further international crimes, thus making them liable for prosecution in South Africa," the ministry said. It did not specify how many South Africans are thought to have enlisted.Egypt’s Sisi wins third term despite painful economic crisis
The outcome of the December 10-12 poll was widely expected after the former army chief with a fondness for infrastructure mega-projects campaigned against a small field of relative unknowns. It secures 69-year-old Sisi his third and, according to the Egyptian constitution, final term in office, starting in April and set...Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen suspends Israel cargo services
Due to "escalation of war situation in recent days, Evergreen will temporary suspend Israel import and export service due to rising risk and safety considerations with immediate effect until further notice," Evergreen said in a brief notice to its customers.Israeli army shoot four Palestinians dead in West Bank
Israeli forces shot dead four Palestinians in a West Bank refugee camp, the Palestinian health ministry said. Mohammad Samir Milhem, 17, his brother Hikmat, 24, and Yazan Khatib, 20, were shot in the head by Israeli troops in the Al-Fara camp near Tubas, the ministry said. Rashed Habib al-Aydi, 17,...Algerian footballer to face trial in France over Gaza post
Nice, France - Algerian international footballer Youcef Atal goes on trial in France on Monday accused of inciting hatred after posting a video in which a Palestinian preacher purportedly threatens Israel with a "black day". Atal, who plays for Ligue 1 side Nice, shared the video on his Instagram account, which...Maritime agencies report explosion off Yemen coast
Dubai, UAE - A "possible explosion" struck a key shipping lane off Yemen on Monday, two maritime agencies said, the latest incident in the vital waterway threatened by Houthi rebel attacks. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning of a potential explosion striking near a vessel passing through...Israel intentionally starving civilians in Gaza: HRW
Following months of fierce bombardment and fighting, most of Gaza's population has been displaced and people are grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine. Israel on Friday approved the "temporary" delivery of much-needed aid to Gaza via its Kerem Shalom crossing.Israel faces mounting outrage over Gaza war
The Israeli government has come under growing pressure from the international community to pause the fighting and do more to protect civilians. The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million Gazans -- around 80 percent -- have been displaced by the war.WHO denounces ‘destruction’ of Gaza hospital
All health care facilities in the Gaza Strip have been hit hard by the bombardments and ground invasion launched by Israel following Hamas's unprecedented attack October. Israel's retaliatory strikes on the crowded enclave have killed 18,800 people, of which three-fourths are children, according to the Hamas-run health services.Pope deplores death of two women in Gaza parish
Pope Francis spoke a day after the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said a Christian mother and daughter had been shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church. He said at the end of the Angelus prayer that he continues to receive "very serious...Killed Israeli hostage’s brother says army ‘murdered’ him
Alon Shamriz, 26, was one of the three Israeli hostages shot dead by soldiers during an operation in the Gaza City suburb of Shejaiya, even as they carried a white flag and cried for help in Hebrew. Shamriz, Yotam Haim and Samer El-Talalqa were killed when troops mistook them for...Israeli strikes kill 24 Palestinians as pressure grows for Gaza ceasefire
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna was the latest envoy to call for an "immediate and durable" truce leading to a lasting ceasefire as she visited Tel Aviv, stressing that "too many civilians are being killed".US warship downs 14 Houthi-fired drones in Red Sea
The operation took place as Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin headed to the Middle East, where he would meet with Bahrain on "US efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping. Houthis have threatened to attack any vessels heading to Israeli ports unless food and...Al Jazeera journalist killed in Israel strike laid to rest in Gaza
Samer Abu Daqqa's body, bearing his bullet-proof vest and helmet, was carried through a crowd in the city of Khan Yunis before being buried in a grave dug by fellow journalists. His colleague, Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, was wounded in the same attack. Dahdouh had lost his wife and two...UK, Germany call for ‘sustainable ceasefire’ in Gaza
In a joint article written in Sunday Times, UK foreign minister David Cameron and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock said the "need is urgent" for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza. They said "too many civilians have been killed" in the conflict, and raised the pressure on Israel to bring its operation...Gaza hospital military ‘activity’ over, says Israel
Israeli forces, according to the Gaza health ministry, fired at "patient rooms" and arrested staff at the Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza City during a "siege" that lasted several days. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said the same day that the hospital director and about 70 other medical staff were...UAE leads humanitarian efforts in Gaza, seeks truce
"The Gulf country will continue its efforts to achieve peace through tangible steps and a roadmap for a two-state solution. This solution envisions an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and negotiated between the two parties with full international backing," he adds.UAE, Turkey explore ways to enhance bilateral relations
Abu Dhabi, UAE - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral ties with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey. The two explored boosting cooperation to achieve further prosperity for the UAE and Turkey, local media reports said. Al Nahyan and Erdogan also exchanged views on various regional...Volunteers offer help to Arab-Israeli farmers amid Gaza war
Baqa al-Gharbiya, Israel--In Baqa al-Gharbiya, an hour's drive from Haifa, city folk have temporarily traded pens for boots to aid farmers in Israel facing a labour shortage exacerbated by the Gaza war. Whether teachers or lawyers, Arab or Jew, they have come together during their leisure time to lend a helping...Israel troops kill 3 hostages mistaking them for ‘threat’
The Israeli army said that it had mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat, and fired, killing three of them. It added that "immediate lessons" have been learnt from the event, which have been passed on to all IDF troops in the field," it added, expressing "deep remorse over...Israeli attack killed journalist in Gaza: Al Jazeera
The Qatari network had first reported that cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa and Gaza bureau chief Wael Al-Dahdouh were wounded in a school in Khan Yunis, where they were hit by "shrapnel from an Israeli missile attack". In a subsequent statement condemning the Israeli military, Al Jazeera attributed the injuries to...France steps up Middle East effort with foreign minister’s Lebanon visit
There have been near-daily cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Hamas ally in Lebanon, and Israel since the Palestinian group's unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel.Sullivan calls for Gaza transition, rejects long-term Israeli occupation
The US has suggested the internationally-recognized PA could play a role in governing Gaza after the war, though the Ramallah-based administration is deeply unpopular among PalestiniansMultiple rockets intercepted over central Jerusalem: AFP
Jerusalem, Undefined -- Multiple rockets were intercepted over central Jerusalem on Friday, AFP journalists reported. Staff saw two explosions and heard three blasts, as sirens warning of incoming fire blared in the city for the first time since October 30, according to the Israeli military. Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam...Gaza ‘integral part’ of Palestinian state: Abbas tells US official
The talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan came as Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza despite mounting international calls for restraint, with key backer the United States saying the war must not lead to a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory. "The president underscored that separation or any...Erdogan says US has ‘historic responsibility’ to ensure Gaza ceasefire
Erdogan has been one of the Muslim world's most vocal critics of Israel's military tactics in Gaza. He has referred to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu as "the butcher of Gaza" and branded Israel a "terror state".Multi-day Israeli raid kills 11 in West Bank: ministry
The latest death was a 17-year-old boy who the ministry said was shot in the chest by the Israeli army in Jenin. In addition to 11 killed by Israeli forces, Palestinian health officials said a sick 13-year-old boy also died after Israeli forces prevented him from reaching hospital.US urges Israel to scale down Gaza offensive
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made the push during talks in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, discussing the war Israel launched after the October 7 attacks. Washington has strongly backed Israel's right to defend itself, but mounting civilian casualties in the Palestinian territory...Palestinian presidency slams mosque ‘desecration’ by Israel army
Video footage obtained by AFP showed soldiers inside a mosque in Jenin refugee camp using loudspeakers to recite the Shema Yisrael, a central prayer in Judaism. Towards the end of the clip, laughter can be heard as troops walk outside the mosque and a Hanukkah song rings out from the...Palestine sees 3.7% economic shrink amid conflict
The World Bank reports a severe economic downturn in Palestinian economy due to Israel-Hamas conflict, with Gaza's economic contribution falling from 36% to 17% since 2005.Will Israel try to force Gaza’s population into Egypt?
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, warned Wednesday that pushing Gazans across the frontier would be "extremely destabilizing for Egypt". "It's very important to insist that this evacuation of people beyond (the border) must not be promoted, must not be advanced, forced," the UNHCR chief told journalists in...Israeli envoy to UK rules out two-state solution with Palestinians
Tzipi Hotovely told Sky News that she did not believe in the long-standing position of the UK government and the United Nations that an independent Palestinian state should be established.




















































