Middle East
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CONFLICT / Hezbollah losses strengthen Turkey against Iran: analysts
Israel’s onslaught against Hezbollah in Lebanon is reassuring for Turkey, which could seize the opportunity to strengthen its regional influence in the face of its rival Iran, analysts told AFP.
Iranian strike shows capability for greater scale
The Iranian ballistic missile attack against Israel on Tuesday was larger, more complex and involved more advanced weapons than the strikes in April, experts say, putting greater stress on missile defences and allowing more warheads to get through.
Iran says attack on Israel is over as fears grow of wider conflict
"Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation," Iranian foreign minister said in a post on X early on Wednesday.
Iran confirms firing 200 missiles at Israel: state TV
Iran fired 200 missiles at Israel, state TV reported Wednesday, a barrage that Israel vowed to make Tehran "pay" for
Israeli airstrikes kill 37 in Gaza
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 37 people in Gaza yesterday, Palestinian medics said and fighting ramped up, as the Israeli military said it had been targeting command centres used by Hamas members.
Israeli troops invade southern Lebanon
Israel’s elite units launched limited ground raids into southern Lebanon yesterday, as arch-foe Hezbollah fired missiles at Tel Aviv, with the US warning it had indications Iran may be preparing to enter the fray with a ballistic missile attack on Israel.
Iran fires 180 missiles at Israel
Iran launched around 180 missiles at Israel last night in response to the killings of Tehran-backed militant leaders, prompting alarm across the region and vows of retaliation.
ISRAEL’S INCURSION INTO LEBANON / US out of step as world reacts to offensive
The United States appeared out of step with the rest of the globe as it pledged its support for Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon.
Hamas fights back in Gaza
Israeli forces and Hamas fought fierce battles throughout Gaza yesterday, witnesses said, suggesting Israel’s ground offensive was meeting stiffer resistance as the US nudged its ally to change a strategy that has inflicted a huge civilian death toll.
Western nations urge Israel to halt settler violence: joint statement
Western nations and the European Union Friday urged Israel to "take concrete steps to halt unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank," in a joint statement published by France's foreign ministry
Disease stalks hungry Gazans
Israel pounded the length of the Gaza Strip yesterday, killing families in their homes despite intensifying international calls to reduce civilian casualties from its bombardment as a surge in deadly diseases sweeps through displaced residents.
DHS staff blast leaders over Gaza war
More than a hundred staff members from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have signed an open letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denouncing the department’s handling of war in Gaza.
Gaza residents ‘running out of time, options’
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned Wednesday that the people of Gaza were “running out of time and options” as Israel’s war against Hamas grinds on.
COP28 SUMMIT: Deal struck to transition away from fossil fuels
Representatives from nearly 200 countries yesterday agreed at the COP28 climate summit to begin reducing global consumption of fossil fuels to avert the worst of climate change, a first of its kind deal signalling the eventual end of the oil age.
Allies press Israel over Gaza ceasefire
Israel came under pressure from its allies over its war in Gaza yesterday, as US President Joe Biden told the long time ally that its “indiscriminate” bombing of civilians was hurting its international support.
Gaza rain worsens misery of displaced families
Strong wind and heavy rain in Gaza overnight yesterday brought even worse misery to displaced families, tearing and flooding flimsy tents, drenching clothes and blankets and making everyone cold.
COP28 forced into overtime
The COP28 climate talks went into overtime yesterday and countries engaged in shuttle-diplomacy to seek a new draft agreement and try to close a rift over ending the world’s use of fossil fuels.
Aid distribution to Gaza largely halted
Israeli warplanes and tanks pounded southern Gaza overnight and yesterday and the UN said aid distribution to Palestinians facing hunger had largely stopped because of the intensity of fighting.