BORDER TENSIONS: Over 19,000 displaced in Lebanon, UN says

October 23, 2023

More than 19,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon amid an uptick in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah at the country’s southern border, figures released yesterday by a United Nations agency showed. “An increase in cross-border incidents” has resulted in the displacement of 19,646 people in Lebanon, “both within the south and elsewhere within the […]Continue Reading

Gaza death toll from Israeli airstrikes climbs to 5,087: Health Ministry

October 23, 2023

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 5,087, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Monday. “The fatalities include 2,055 children, 1,119 women and 217 elders,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference in Gaza City. He said 15,273 people were also injured in […]Continue Reading

At least 4,137 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since Oct 7: health ministry

October 20, 2023

At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed and 13,000 wounded in Gaza in Israeli strikes since Oct 7, the Palestinian health ministry said on Friday in a statement, Reuters reports.  Continue Reading

Hamas says it frees two hostages, a US mother and daughter

October 20, 2023

The Islamist group Hamas said on Friday it had released two US hostages – a mother and daughter – for what it called “humanitarian reasons” following Qatari mediation efforts, Reuters reports. Hamas armed wing spokesman Abu Ubaida issued a statement announcing the release, the first since gunmen from the Islamist militant group burst into Israel […]Continue Reading

In deadly day for Gaza, hospital strike kills hundreds

October 18, 2023

Gaza’s health ministry spokesman said an Israeli air strike on Tuesday killed hundreds of people at a hospital in the Palestinian enclave, but Israel said a Palestinian barrage had caused the blast, Reuters reports. The death toll was by far the highest of any single incident in Gaza during the current violence, triggering protests in […]Continue Reading

Gaza death toll rises to 2,215 including 724 children: Ministry

October 14, 2023

Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel one week ago have killed at least 2,215 people, including 724 children, the Palestinian territory’s Hamas-controlled health ministry said Saturday, AFP reports. Some 458 women were among those killed, the ministry said. It added that 8,714 people have also been wounded, after an […]Continue Reading

Saudi Arabia puts Israel deal on ice amid war, engages with Iran

October 13, 2023

Saudi Arabia is putting US-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh’s thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas, Reuters reports. The conflict has also pushed the kingdom to engage with Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed […]Continue Reading

Israel lays total siege to Gaza

October 9, 2023

Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip on Monday and cut off utility supplies as it kept bombing targets in the crowded Palestinian enclave in response to the Hamas surprise assault, global news agencies report. Reeling from the Islamist group’s unprecedented ground, air and sea attacks, Israel has counted over 800 dead and […]Continue Reading

Netanyahu vows to ‘change Middle East’ in war with Hamas

October 9, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed today to “change the Middle East” in Israel’s war with Palestinian militant group Hamas, as the army pounded the Gaza Strip with air strikes, AFP reports. “What Hamas will experience will be difficult and terrible… we are going to change the Middle East,” Netanyahu told officials visiting Continue Reading

Hamas-Israel war slams door on US-Iran thaw

October 9, 2023

Through quiet diplomacy with Iran, US President Joe Biden’s administration had strived to keep a lid on Middle East troubles. That bet came crashing down with Saturday’s massive offensive by Hamas against Israel, AFP reports. Iran’s clerical leadership openly supports the group, who control the blockaded and impoverished Gaza Strip, and hailed the sneak Continue Reading