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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, is escorted by Hamas fighters as he is handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Israel

Hamas releases 3 Israeli hostages in latest Gaza exchange

The handover is part of a two-phase agreement that will see the release of more hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas frees 5 Thai hostages under ceasefire deal

Israel-Gaza war

Thai hostages in ‘fair’ health after Gaza release, Israeli doctors say

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel frees Palestinian prisoners after delay over chaotic hostage release

During the earlier handover, a crowd of people had gathered around the hostages in a way Israel said was a threat to their safety.

A Palestinian former detainee is greeted by family and friends as he arrives in Ramallah on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Syria

Syria rebel leader Sharaa declared interim president, consolidating his power

After toppling Bashar al-Assad, Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised a political transition, an inclusive government and eventual elections.

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Israel-Gaza war

Hamas to free 3 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages next, Israeli official says

Two women, Arbel Yehoud, 29, Agam Berger, 19, and Gadi Mozes, an 80-year-old man, will be released with the group of Thai nationals.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong-flagged ship drifts abandoned in Red Sea after explosion

An official described the cargo aboard the ASL Bauhinia container ship as ‘dangerous’. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

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The Hong Kong-flagged container ship ASL Bauhinia is seen off Melbourne, Australia in 2022. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Netanyahu hopes to meet Trump in Washington as soon as next week: US officials

Israel’s PM could be first foreign leader to meet Trump at White House since inauguration. India’s Modi also to meet Trump in US next month.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel says 8 hostages set for release in first phase of truce are dead

Of 26 hostages yet to be freed under first phase of deal, only 18 are still alive; government spokesman said the families have been informed.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel allows Palestinians to return to heavily destroyed northern Gaza

Israel opened roadblocks for large crowds of Gazans after a hostage breakthrough with militant group Hamas.

Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel’s order during the war, make their way back to their homes in northern Gaza. Photo: Reuters
Lebanon

Ceasefire in Lebanon extended as Israeli forces stay

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire until February 18, even as tensions flare again.

Israeli soldiers secure a roadblock near the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Deal reached to release more Israeli hostages, allow Gazans to return home north

Deal preserves a fragile ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, which has devastated the Gaza Strip.

Food and Drinks

Dish in Focus: roasted eggplant at Terracotta Lamma

Converting even the biggest meat-lovers, Terracotta Lamma’s roasted eggplant is a must-order from the charcoal grill menu.

Israel-Gaza war

Lebanon says Israeli forces kill 22, wound 124 in south on pull-out deadline

Israel its troops in southern Lebanon ‘fired warning shots to remove threats’ where ‘suspects were identified approaching the troops’.

This picture taken from Lebanon’s southern village of Shaqra on Saturday shows an Israeli army tank moving along a road on the outskirts of the village of Mais al-Jabal along the border with Israel in south Lebanon. Photo: AFP
Israel

Trump approves supply to Israel of 2,000-pound bombs, ends Biden’s hold

Biden has put the hold on the delivery of the bombs due to concern over the impact they could have on the civilian population in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the end of a hold imposed by former president Joe Biden on the supply of 2,000-pound (907kg) bombs to Israel. Photo: TNS
Israel-Gaza war

Israeli female soldiers freed by Hamas in second Gaza swap

Hamas handed the four female Israeli soldier hostages over to the ICRC on Saturday who transported them to the Israeli military.

Africa

Sudan’s civil war sets ablaze country’s largest oil refinery

Fighting nearby set the sprawling complex ablaze, satellite data shows, amid famine and Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

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Israel-Gaza war

Letters | For powers like the US, ‘crimes are those that others commit’

Readers discuss the exceptional impunity that the US enjoys, Donald Trump’s ‘golden age of America’, and Elon Musk’s support for the extreme right.

Palestinians sit near the rubble of buildings in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on January 22, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Hamas names four Israeli female soldier hostages to be freed in second swap

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag will be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal.

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Israel

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire set to be extended beyond next week

Negotiations have been taking place on extending the January 27 deadline to ensure the conflict isn’t resumed.

Donald Trump

Saudi crown prince vows US$600 billion investment in call with Trump

The US$600 billion pledge could help secure a return visit by the US president to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump in 2017. File photo: AP
The Philippines

17 Filipinos, 8 other crew of seized ship freed after 14 months in captivity

The rebels hijacked the Israeli-linked vessel in November 2023 to express solidarity with Gaza.

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Crew members of the merchant ship Galaxy Leader at Sanaa airport in Yemen on January 22. Photo: SABA/AFP
Israel

Israel continues ‘significant’ military operation in West Bank, days after Gaza ceasefire

Israel’s prime minister said the West Bank campaign is aimed at Iran-backed militias in the territory.

Donald Trump

Trump strips protection from ex-adviser Bolton, target of Iran murder plot

After leaving his White House job, Bolton had called his former boss ‘unfit to be president’ and said he would appease China and Russia.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s top general resigns over October 7 Hamas attack failures

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi acknowledges military’s failures, own command responsibility for cross-border assault from Gaza.

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Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi in 2024. File photo: Israeli Army via AFP
Israel-Gaza war

After 15 months of war, Hamas still rules over what remains of Gaza

Hamas remains in control of Gaza post-ceasefire, despite heavy losses in Israel’s military campaign.

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Hamas fighters wearing green headbands and military fatigues in Gaza City on Sunday. Photo: AP
Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Palestinian president Abbas ‘ready to work’ with Trump on two-state solution

Mahmoud Abbas calls for security and stability in the Middle East in a message to the US president.

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Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says next Gaza hostages will be released on Saturday as scheduled

Hamas clarifies date of next hostage-prisoner swap after official says it will be next Sunday.

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