Israel, Hamas signal readiness for next ceasefire talks
March 9, 2025 by Reuters
Israel will send a delegation to Doha for ceasefire talks as Hamas says there are “positive indicators” over the possible start of negotiations for a new deal. Read more
Trump cuts all US federal funding to South Africa
South Africa says it will not “partake in a counterproductive megaphone diplomacy” after US President Donald Trump cut all federal funding to it. Read more
Trump envoy to push for Gaza truce extension
February 24, 2025 by Reuters
A US envoy will fly to the Middle East to try and secure an extension of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and see more hostages released. Read more
Hamas will free six hostages and hand over bodies
In a surprise announcement, a top Hamas leadersays the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages and the bodies of four more. Read more
Hamas says it will release Israeli hostages as planned
Hamas says it intends to release three Israeli hostages as scheduled following mediation talks in Egypt. Read more
Israel calls up reservists as Gaza ceasefire fears rise
February 12, 2025 by Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns “intense fighting” will resume in Gaza if Hamas does not return hostages by noon on Saturday. Read more
Ceasefire should be cancelled over Hamas delay: Trump
February 11, 2025 by Reuters
The US president Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Hamas after the militant group said it was delaying the release of hostages. Read more
Hamas delays hostages release
A Hamas spokesman says the group will delay the next hostage release, accusing Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement. Read more
Trump might lose patience with ceasefire over hostages
Donald Trump has compared the appearance of the recently released hostages to Holocaust survivors, saying he’s losing patience with the ceasefire deal. Read more
Netanyahu offers support for Trump’s plan for Gaza
February 6, 2025 by Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is nothing wrong in Donald Trump’s idea to displace Palestinians from Gaza after the US president’s proposal was widely criticised internationally. Read more
Trump aides defend Gaza proposal, walk back on elements
February 6, 2025 by Reuters
US President Donald Trump’s top diplomat and his main spokesperson are walking back the idea that he wants the permanent relocation of Palestinians from Gaza. Read more
Trump’s Gaza plan rejected by allies and adversaries
February 5, 2025 by Reuters
President Donald Trump’s proposal the United States own the rebuilding of Gaza while Palestinians settle elsewhere has caused shockwaves around the world. Read more
Trump announces US will take over Gaza Strip
February 5, 2025 by Reuters
President Donald Trump says he wants the US to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere. Read more
Hamas says talks start on second phase of Gaza deal
February 5, 2025 by Reuters
Talks have started on the second phase of the Gaza Strip ceasefire deal, a spokesman for the Palestinian militant group Hamas says. Read more
Home at last
January 31, 2025 by Reuters
Hamas has freed three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza and Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process in anger at the swarming crowds at one of the hostage handover points. Read more
Trump undoes Biden pause on 2000-pound bombs for Israel
January 26, 2025 by Reuters
Republican President Donald Trump has instructed the US military to release a hold imposed by Democratic former president Joe Biden on the supply of 2000-pound bombs to Israel. Read more
Hamas names four Israeli female soldiers to be freed
January 25, 2025 by Reuters
Hamas has announced the names of four Israeli women soldier hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in the second swap under the ceasefire deal in Gaza.
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Trump envoy says he’ll go to Gaza to monitor ceasefire
US officials will be part of a team deployed in the Gaza Strip to ensure safety following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, envoy Steve Witkoff says. Read more
Next Israeli hostages to be released on Saturday: Hamas
January 21, 2025 by Reuters
One of the Israeli hostages freed from Gaza says she has “returned to life” as Hamas says the next group of Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday. Read more
Gaza ceasefire as hostage release poised to begin
January 19, 2025 by Reuters
Israeli forces have started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reports. Read more
Israeli security cabinet approves ceasefire deal
January 18, 2025 by Reuters
A Gaza Strip ceasefire deal is still conditional on an approval from Israel’s full cabinet after it was backed by the country’s security cabinet. Read more
Ben-Gvir threatens to quit over Gaza deal
January 17, 2025 by Reuters
Israel’s hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he will resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if it ratifies a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip, which he has strongly opposed. Read more
Biden urges immediate ceasefire in call with Netanyahu
US President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House says, as US officials race to reach a Gaza Strip hostage and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office. Read more
Lebanon’s army chief elected president by MPs
January 10, 2025 by Reuters
Lebanon’s parliament has elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state, filling the vacant presidency with a general who enjoys US and Saudi approval and showing the diminished sway of the Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel. Read more
UN body issues damning report on Israeli attacks
A UN Human Rights Office report has condemned Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, saying they had devastated the Palestinian enclave’s health system and raised serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law. Read more
Israel gives Houthis ‘final warning’ to stop attacks
December 31, 2024 by Reuters
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has issued what he called a final warning to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants to halt their missile attacks on Israel, saying they risked the same “miserable fate” as Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad if they persisted. Read more
Hamas and Israel blame each other for ceasefire delay
December 26, 2024 by Reuters
Hamas and Israel have hit some more snags in efforts to conclude a ceasefire agreement. Read more
Pope labels Gaza airstrikes ‘cruelty – not war’
December 22, 2024 by Reuters
In an address to Catholic cardinals, Pope Francis has condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, saying children are being bombed, labelling it ‘cruelty – not war’. Read more
Israel says it will shut Ireland embassy over policies
December 16, 2024 by Reuters
Israel will close its Dublin embassy due to the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israel policies,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says, citing its recognition of a Palestinian state and support for legal action against Israel. Read more
Israeli govt announces plan to expand Golan settlements
December 16, 2024 by Reuters
Israel’s government has agreed to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights while saying threats from Syria remain despite the moderate tone of rebel leaders who ousted president Bashar al-Assad a week ago. Read more
