Middle East

Influencer lists items Israel has blocked from entering Gaza for 19 years

Israeli soldier charged with spying for Iran for cryptocurrency

Israeli authorities charge soldier with espionage for allegedly sharing military intelligence with Iranian operatives in exchange for cryptocurrency and $200,000 travel offer.

Netanyahu bloc secures 53 seats as Israel ends vote count

Israel's Central Elections Committee completed vote counting Thursday, with Netanyahu's bloc winning 53 seats, opposition parties 48 and Arab factions 19, leaving no clear majority.

Syria floods kill five including four children, five missing

Syria's Emergency and Disaster Management Ministry said on Thursday that five people including four children were killed and five others remain missing after heavy rainfall and flash floods struck several provinces, as rescue teams continue search operations and emergency response efforts across the affected regions.

Yemeni army says 324 Houthis neutralized in 24-hour operation

Yemeni military spokesman says government forces conducted 982 operations in 24 hours targeting Houthi command centers and destroying 108 military vehicles amid escalating clashes.

Türkiye rejects claims of interference in Israeli elections

Ankara dismisses allegations of meddling in Israel's recent elections as "entirely baseless," warning of a deliberate disinformation campaign as Netanyahu's bloc fails to secure a majority.

Palestinian president eyes renewed dialogue with Israel after government formation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope that a new Israeli government would open the door to serious political dialogue based on international resolutions.

Türkiye, Jordan FMs discuss situation in Palestine

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi discussed regional developments including the Palestinian situation during diplomatic consultations on Thursday.

Qatar denies claims of Israeli election interference

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari categorically denied allegations of election interference, warning that Israeli politicians were using Doha as a scapegoat for their political failures.

Iran president says regional countries can ensure security without US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that regional countries are capable of ensuring their own security through cooperation without US involvement, calling for closer ties among neighboring Muslim nations amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Yemen violence kills nearly 1,700 since August: WHO

The World Health Organization said Thursday that nearly 1,700 people have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in Yemen since August amid renewed military escalation, warning that damage to health facilities and supply shortages are leaving residents without access to essential care.

Retired colonel warns Israel’s ‘geography’ would change in 24 hours if it attacks Türkiye

Shell profits double to $10.8B amid Middle East conflict

British energy giant Shell said on Thursday its quarterly adjusted net income doubled to $10.8 billion from $5.4 billion a year earlier, as oil and gas prices surged amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

WFP chief: Gaza hunger 'unacceptable', vows staff protection

Luke Lindberg told reporters in New York that the hunger situation in the Gaza Strip is "unacceptable" as he pledged to defend World Food Program employees against attacks, stressing that staff security is his top priority amid rising violence against aid workers worldwide and citing funding constraints on relief efforts.

Iranian foreign minister says Tehran in talks on 7-day plan with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Tehran maintains contact with mediators to review proposals for implementing a seven-day plan with the United States, stating that the Islamic Republic continues to give diplomacy a chance despite persistent military tensions with Washington.

Netanyahu bloc leads with 53 seats, Eisenkot 48 in Israel vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing alliance was projected to win 53 parliamentary seats against former general Gadi Eisenkot's 48, leaving both blocs short of the 61-seat majority required to form a government as officials counted more than 500,000 outstanding ballots.

Yemeni army says 239 Houthis neutralized in 749 operations in 24 hours

Yemeni military spokesman Col. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili reported that 239 Houthi fighters were neutralized in 749 operations over 24 hours as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, while government forces continued consolidating gains in southwestern Taiz province and other fronts.

Canada urged to reassess refused study permits for Gazan students

Rights advocates urge Canada to review refused study permits for Palestinian graduate students from Gaza, citing broken promises of fair treatment and aggressive immigration interviews.

Israeli president urges parties to avoid repeat election

President Isaac Herzog urges Israeli political parties to prevent another ballot after deadlocked preliminary results leave both blocs short of majority.

French minister accuses foreign actors of distorting protest images

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot accused foreign rivals of spreading distorted images of protests to damage France's image, naming the US, Israel, Russia and China as sources.