Middle East
Latest stories
Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children

The U.N. condemned on Friday the staggering number of civilians killed in Israel's war in Gaza, saying women and children comprised nearly 70 percent of the thousands of fatalities it had managed to verify.

The United Nations rights office said it had verified 8,119 of the more than 34,500 people reportedly killed during the first six months of the war, finding "close to 70 percent to be children and women".

W140 Full Story
Israeli soccer fans attacked in Amsterdam as tensions mount over Gaza, Lebanon wars

Rioters "actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them" after a soccer match, Amsterdam authorities said Friday as Israel announced it was sending planes to the Dutch capital to fly fans home.

An unknown number of Israeli supporters were injured in the Thursday night violence that was condemned by the leaders of both the Netherlands and Israel as antisemitic.

W140 Full Story
France sees 'window' to end Gaza, Lebanon wars after Trump win

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday in Jerusalem he saw prospects for ending Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president.

"I believe a window has opened for putting an end to the tragedy in which Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region have been immersed since October 7" last year, Barrot told reporters alongside outgoing Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, citing Trump's "wish to see the end of the Middle East's endless wars" as well as Israel's recent "tactical successes".

W140 Full Story
Iran's Supreme Leader says Hamas, Hezbollah remain strong

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says its alliance of militant groups opposed to Israel remains strong despite the killing of many of their senior leaders.

“God willing, the world will see a day when the Zionist regime will be defeated by them,” Iranian state TV reported the leader as saying Thursday.

W140 Full Story
New law allows Israel to deport relatives of attackers

Israel’s parliament passed a law early Thursday that would allow it to deport family members of Palestinian attackers, including Israel’s own citizens, to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip or other locations.

The law, which was championed by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and his far-right allies, passed with a 61-41 vote. But legal experts said that any attempt to implement it would likely lead to it being struck down by Israeli courts.

W140 Full Story
Israel announces $5.2 billion fighter jet deal with Boeing

Israel says it has reached an agreement to purchase 25 advanced F-15 fighter jets from U.S. aerospace giant Boeing for $5.2 billion.

The Defense Ministry said the agreement, concluded Wednesday, was part of a broader aid package approved by the U.S. government earlier this year. Deliveries will begin in 2031, and there’s an option for the purchase of an additional 25 aircraft.

W140 Full Story
Trump promises lasting peace to tumultuous Middle East but it won't be easy

Donald Trump will return to the U.S. presidency at a time of unprecedented conflict and uncertainty in the Middle East. He has vowed to fix it.

But Trump's history of strong support for Israel coupled with his insistence during the campaign that the war in Gaza should end quickly, the isolationist forces in the Republican party and his penchant for unpredictability raise a mountain of questions over how his second presidency will affect the region at this pivotal moment.

W140 Full Story
Netanyahu says Trump election offers recommitment to Israel-US alliance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday congratulated Donald Trump, who claimed victory in the U.S. presidential election, calling it "history's greatest comeback" and a new beginning in the U.S.-Israel alliance.

W140 Full Story
Thousands in Israel protest sacking of defense minister

Thousands of Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of his defense minister, demanding the government do everything in its power to bring home hostages held in Gaza.

The demonstration erupted soon after Netanyahu's office announced the sacking of Yoav Gallant on Tuesday following public differences over the war with Hamas.

W140 Full Story
Netanyahu dismisses defense minister in surprise announcement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as Israel is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival. Netanyahu cited "significant gaps" and a "crisis of trust" between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.

W140 Full Story