Middle East

Israeli rights group warns of 'ethnic cleansing' in Hebron

B'Tselem said Saturday that Israel is extending its 'ethnic cleansing' campaign to the West Bank city of Hebron, urging governments to prevent forcible displacement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to apply the 'refugee camp model' to urban areas following a deadly shooting.

Yemeni FM: Decade of talks with Houthis failed, operations continue

Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba said Saturday that nearly a decade of negotiations with the Houthis has failed to secure a political settlement, pledging to continue military operations until the group is disarmed and the country's objectives are achieved.

Israeli forces seize Hebron homes for barracks, observation posts

Israeli forces seized Palestinian residences in Hebron for use as military barracks and observation posts, displacing hundreds of families across the southern occupied West Bank as the army entered a second day of operations following a deadly checkpoint attack that killed two soldiers.

UK Labour MP urges full sanctions, isolation of Israel over West Bank

Labour MP John McDonnell urged the UK government to impose full sanctions on Israel over its West Bank offensive, warning against turning the territory into a "second Gaza."

Four Palestinians killed in latest Israeli Gaza attacks

Medical sources told Anadolu Agency that four Palestinians, including two women and a child, were killed and eight others wounded in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, as violations of the ceasefire agreement continued unabated.

Istanbul court probes Turkish nationals over Gaza flotilla abuse

The Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court ordered prosecutors to investigate Turkish nationals allegedly involved in the mistreatment of Global Sumud Flotilla participants held in Israel, while maintaining arrest warrants against 35 defendants including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US urges citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, UAE

The US State Department has renewed travel advisories for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, urging American citizens to reconsider trips due to heightened threats of armed attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis and potential Iranian targeting of US officials in the region.

Türkiye, Qatar FMs discuss Gulf security, mediation efforts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed Gulf security and ongoing negotiations in a phone call on Saturday.

Trump weighs Iran strikes amid warship deployment: Report

US President Donald Trump is considering renewed military action against Iran as Washington deploys additional warships to the Middle East amid intelligence warnings of advanced Iranian plots.

Israel displaces 1,500 Palestinians in Hebron, plans to remove 2,500 more

The Hebron municipality said Israeli forces have displaced 1,500 Palestinians from two neighborhoods since Friday, warning that another 2,500 face imminent forced removal as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to expand military operations across the occupied West Bank city.

Russia condemns 'cynical' terrorist attack on Jordan church

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned a deadly attack near a church in Jordan's southern Karak governorate that killed at least nine people, expressing solidarity with Amman in the fight against terrorism and extremism while offering condolences to the victims' families.

US warns citizens against travel to Iraq 'for any reason'

The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory warning American citizens against traveling to Iraq "for any reason" due to risks of armed conflict, terrorism and kidnapping, noting that Washington's ability to provide emergency services in the country remains severely limited.

Iran vows 'several times greater' response to any strike

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Saturday that even limited military action would provoke disproportionate retaliation, as a US envoy suggested Washington could strike this weekend while President Donald Trump denied knowledge of such plans.

Israel's Joint List 'decisive' in blocking Netanyahu: Tibi

Ahmad Tibi said the Joint List holds the decisive parliamentary leverage to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from retaining power after next week's vote, outlining strict conditions for providing a safety net to any alternative government while firmly ruling out joining the coalition itself.

Trump advisers see post-Netanyahu Israel as easier partner

Senior advisers to US President Donald Trump believe an Israeli government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could offer greater flexibility on regional priorities, even as the president publicly backed the Israeli leader ahead of Tuesday's election, according to a report.

Israeli forces maintain Hebron siege, detain 19 in West Bank

The Israeli army maintained its siege of Hebron for a second consecutive day on Saturday, forcing dozens of Palestinian residents from their homes in the southern West Bank while conducting sweeping arrest operations that netted 19 detainees across the occupied territory amid heightened tensions following a deadly shootout, according to Palestinian media.

Türkiye condemns deadly Karak church attack in Jordan

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned a deadly armed attack on a church in Jordan's Karak province, expressing solidarity with Amman and extending condolences to the families of the eight victims.

2 Palestinians, including woman, killed in Gaza

Medical sources in Gaza said two Palestinians were killed and four others wounded Saturday in fresh Israeli attacks across the Strip, including a woman shot dead in northern Beit Lahia and a youth killed in Gaza City, as documented ceasefire violations since October claimed more civilian lives.

D8 bloc key to peace amid global conflicts: Secretary-General Mahmood

D8 Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized the organization's geostrategic importance and unique capacity to foster dialogue among member states, as the nine-nation bloc — comprising Türkiye, Pakistan, Iran and others — seeks to expand economic integration amid escalating global conflicts and rising protectionism.

UN Women official calls for women’s role in Gaza peace talks

UN Women Regional Director Belen Sanz Luque emphasized the critical need for women's participation in Gaza peacebuilding efforts, drawing on her experience from Colombia's historic peace accord with FARC rebels to highlight how gender inclusion strengthens diplomatic sustainability and ensures lasting post-conflict stability.