Middle East

UN Security Council ambassadors are holding a meeting as violence and tensions in the occupied West Bank escalate and international efforts to advance a plan for Gaza stall. The session comes amid growing concern among member states over the deteriorating situation on the ground and the lack of progress on a political way forward for both the West Bank and Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly disputed claims made by Donald Trump regarding Gaza. The disagreement, reported by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, adds to ongoing tensions among Western leaders over the war and post-war plans for the Palestinian territory. Observers are weighing how the split between the two leaders could affect diplomacy around a ceasefire and reconstruction efforts.

The New York Times reports, based on satellite imagery analysis, that Israel has continued expanding its military presence and positions inside Gaza despite an agreed cease-fire. The findings suggest the truce has not halted changes on the ground, raising questions about whether the agreement is being honored and what this means for Palestinian residents and ongoing negotiations.

Israel says its forces killed a militant in Gaza who took part in the October 7 attack and abducted an Israeli hostage couple. The announcement comes as the fate of hostages seized during the attack remains a central issue in the war and in ongoing mediation efforts.

The New York Times is examining Israel's military and territorial advances in Gaza since the cease-fire took effect, presenting a visual account of the encroachment. The piece highlights how positions have shifted on the ground despite the truce, raising questions about compliance and the durability of the agreement.

French President Emmanuel Macron publicly responded to Donald Trump's proposal for Gaza, telling him "that peace does not exist" and questioning whether the US plan can deliver a real settlement. The exchange puts fresh friction between two Western allies over the Middle East conflict, drawing broad international attention as debate grows over the future of Gaza and possible peace terms.

Satellite imagery reported by The New York Times indicates that Israeli forces have continued expanding their positions inside Gaza despite the cease-fire agreement. The images point to ongoing construction and fortification within the territory, raising questions about whether the truce terms are being honored and what the military build-up means for Gaza's future and stalled negotiations over the next phase of the deal.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani used his address at the United Nations to condemn Israel over the war in Gaza, telling Israel to stop crying anti-Semitism as a defence and accusing it of deflecting from the humanitarian crisis. The fiery speech criticised the conduct of military operations and its toll on Palestinian civilians, drawing wide attention across Middle East-focused media and social platforms.

The Israeli military says it has discovered a 600-meter-long tunnel in Gaza, which it describes as a Hamas hideout, and footage shows the structure being demolished. The find is being widely covered, with clips showing the tunnel's scale and its destruction drawing large audiences and debate over Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas infrastructure in the territory.

A ship incident is being reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that carries a large share of the world's oil shipments. Details about the vessel involved, the cause of the incident, and any casualties or damage remain limited, and officials have not yet issued a full account of what happened.

Germany has called on Israel to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to a report by Anadolu Agency. The appeal adds to mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in the territory, where aid agencies have repeatedly warned of severe shortages of food, water and medical supplies amid the ongoing conflict.

The Dutch government is preparing for possible US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, which is headquartered in The Hague. The sanctions could disrupt the court's operations, including its banking and staff arrangements. The move follows the ICC's warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and European governments are weighing how to shield the court from American pressure.

Egypt warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that an attack on Israel was imminent shortly before Hamas launched its October 7 assault, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The disclosure raises new questions about how Israeli leadership assessed the threat ahead of the deadliest attack in the country's history, and could intensify scrutiny of the security and intelligence failures that allowed it to happen.

The New York Times reports that Israel has continued to take over more territory in Gaza even as a cease-fire remains formally in place. The report highlights the gap between the truce agreement and the reality on the ground, where Israeli forces have expanded control over additional areas. It is fueling debate over whether the cease-fire is holding and what it means for prospects of a lasting settlement.

Satellite and on-the-ground photographs published by Israeli media show the widespread devastation across the Gaza Strip after months of fighting. The images document destroyed residential neighbourhoods, collapsed buildings and infrastructure damage across large parts of the territory. They are being circulated as international attention stays fixed on the humanitarian situation and reconstruction estimates for the enclave.

A group of Israeli rabbis has publicly called for the Gaza peace plan to be abandoned, voicing opposition to the deployment of international forces in the territory. The appeal puts religious leaders at odds with the framework backed by international mediators, adding a new voice of domestic resistance to the plan just as debates over its implementation continue.

Germany has called on Israel to allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies into Gaza. The appeal adds to mounting international pressure over the dire humanitarian situation in the territory, where aid deliveries have been severely restricted and large-scale rebuilding has been blocked. Berlin, historically a firm ally of Israel, framing the issue this way highlights growing European concern over access for relief and reconstruction materials.

Israel is reported to have inadvertently published images showing the destruction in Gaza as well as photos of a secret military outpost. The disclosure has drawn attention to the scale of devastation in the territory and raised questions about the exposure of sensitive military positions. The report is circulating widely among Bengali-language news audiences, with viewers reacting strongly to the security lapse and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says the death toll in Gaza has risen to 74,022, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency. The updated figure reflects the continued counting of casualties in the territory. No further details about the circumstances of the newly recorded deaths were provided in the report.

The UK foreign secretary has admitted that critics of Labour's approach to Gaza 'were right,' and pledged tougher action over the conflict. The statement marks a notable shift in tone from a senior government figure on one of the most contested foreign policy issues in British politics, and is likely to intensify debate within Labour over its handling of the war and humanitarian crisis.

The UK's foreign minister publicly condemned Israel's government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged stronger measures over its conduct of the war in Gaza. The statement marks a sharper tone from London toward a close ally, amid mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in the territory.

TBN Israel has released an exclusive report from inside 'Little Gaza', an Israeli training facility where IDF troops rehearse urban warfare scenarios ahead of a possible renewed conflict with Hamas. The footage shows soldiers preparing for the next war, highlighting ongoing military readiness along the Gaza front and drawing wide attention amid continued tensions in the region.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi reportedly met with the former head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the controversial US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution group that replaced UN-led relief efforts in Gaza. The question of why such a meeting took place is drawing scrutiny, given that UN agencies have publicly criticised the foundation's operations and warned its aid model violates humanitarian principles.

The BBC is reviewing its list of journalists killed during the war in Gaza after reports that 53 named individuals were affiliated with terrorist organisations. The list, cited in coverage of press casualties in the conflict, has come under scrutiny over the accuracy of its inclusion criteria. The review raises questions about how press-death tallies are compiled and verified during the war.

Updated Google Earth satellite imagery showing widespread destruction across Gaza has drawn widespread shock. The images reveal the extent of damage to buildings and infrastructure following months of conflict, offering the public a rare broad view of conditions on the ground that has prompted strong reactions online.

Thousands of Israelis, joined by government ministers and members of parliament, have rallied in support of reestablishing Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, which were dismantled and declared illegal under Israeli law when Israel withdrew in 2005. The demonstration reflects pressure on the Israeli government over the future of the territory during the ongoing war.

Newly released satellite imagery shows the widespread destruction across Gaza, offering an independent view of the devastation from above. The images underline the scale of damage to buildings and infrastructure in the territory, and are drawing attention to the humanitarian situation as international focus remains on the war's consequences for civilians.

The Board of Peace has stated that its policy regarding UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, remains unchanged in Gaza. The statement was reported by Middle East Monitor. No further details about the board's reasoning or any reactions were provided, and the significance of the timing of the declaration is not yet clear.

Israeli forces have killed a global jihadist terrorist involved in the kidnapping of Noa Argamani during the October 7 attacks, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post. Argamani became one of the most recognisable hostages of the Hamas-led assault before being rescued in June 2024. The killing of the abductor is drawing attention as Israel continues operations against those responsible for the attacks.

Activists pushing for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis say their movement is not giving up, with one leading figure arguing it has not been 'militant enough' in its campaign. The movement, which seeks to re-establish Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip more than two decades after they were dismantled, continues to organise despite limited political traction, keeping a contentious idea alive in Israeli public debate.

Iran has declared it is ready to fight an 'apocalyptic war', according to a Hindi-language news bulletin circulating widely online. The claim comes against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions involving Yemen's Houthi conflict, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the wars in Gaza and the West Bank. Viewers are debating whether the rhetoric signals a serious escalation or propaganda aimed at deterring US and Israeli action.

British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has described a 'reset' in the UK's policy toward Israel, saying that critics of the war in Gaza 'were right.' His remarks signal a sharper stance within the British government over the conflict and its handling, drawing attention to growing political pressure in the UK over the Gaza war and calls for a firmer response toward Israel.

The Israeli military says it eliminated a Hamas sniper who was threatening its troops operating in Gaza. The strike was announced by Israel National News, which published footage of the operation. The incident underscores the ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, where troops continue to face sniper and guerrilla attacks during ground operations.

Ed Miliband has publicly conceded that Labour was wrong in its approach to Gaza, telling critics 'you were right'. The admission from the former Labour leader is a notable break with the party's earlier position, which drew sustained criticism over its response to the conflict. The statement is generating strong reaction, with some welcoming the candour and others questioning why it took so long.

Mauritius on Saturday refused landing clearance for a scheduled flight arriving from Israel. Reports quote officials saying the decision was based on political and diplomatic considerations, and link it to the absence of the Mauritian delegation during Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The move has drawn attention amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over Israel's conduct in Gaza and relations between Israel and African nations.

Protesters linked to Palestine Action confronted the UK foreign secretary over the government's stance on Gaza and the decision to ban the group. The activists challenged the minister publicly, voicing anger at Britain's policy toward the war and at the proscription of Palestine Action, which made membership a criminal offence. The clash underscores ongoing tension between the government and pro-Palestinian campaigners, with critics arguing the ban curbs free speech while ministers defend it as a security measure.

A student from Gaza has been suspended by a Dutch university after claiming a role in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post. The case has drawn attention to how Dutch institutions handle students who publicly identify with the attack, amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism on European campuses.

Thousands of people have headed toward the Gaza border in a call to renew Israeli settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. The demonstration comes amid heightened tensions over the future of Gaza, with participants pressing for resettlement of the area. The movement is drawing significant attention in Israeli and regional media, reflecting ongoing debates about the territory's political fate.

Egyptian exports to Israel have risen sharply, increasing by 148 percent even as the Gaza war continues. The figure has drawn attention because Egypt has been a key mediator in the conflict and public opinion there remains strongly critical of Israel. Observers are questioning the scale and composition of the trade and what it says about economic ties between the two countries during the war.

Israeli politician and former Knesset member Einat Wilf, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, set out a plan for a future Israeli government to disarm Hamas, arguing Palestinians must 'stop being treated like infants'. She said lasting security depends on removing Hamas's military capacity and ending international policies she views as infantilising Palestinian leadership.