Middle East

Reports of Russian special forces fighting in Idlib in Syria

Russia has sent special forces in recent days to fight alongside Syrian army troops struggling to make gains in a more than two-month assault in north western Syria to…

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Air raids kill 11 civilians in northwest Syria

Syrian government air strikes on Tuesday killed 11 civilians in opposition-held northwest Syria, the target of months of bombardment by the government and its ally Russia, a war monitor said.…

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Photo Story: La Liga project at Zaatari refugee camp

Refugee children, beneficiaries of La Liga Foundation socio-educational project, prepare to join a celebration, at the Big Sports House Stadium, in the Zaatari refugee camp, about 100 km north of…

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Hezbollah leader warns Israel will vanish in next war

Israel will be wiped out in the next war with Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah warned on Friday in an interview with Al-Manar TV on the 13th anniversary of the Second…

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Controversy as Israeli education minister favours gay conversion therapy

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has said he believes so-called "gay conversion therapy" can work, triggering widespread condemnation. "I think it's possible," Peretz, an Orthodox rabbi, told Israel's Channel…

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UN’s Guterres condemns ongoing airstrikes on Syria’s hospitals, medical workers

Reports that airstrikes have hit several health facilities in north-west Syria have been strongly condemned by the UN Secretary-General. In a statement issued late Thursday evening, António Guterres said that…

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At least seven children killed in yet another airstrike in Syria

According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least seven children were killed in an airstrike against displaced civilians on Saturday on the village of Mhambel, in the outskirts…

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UPDATED: Royal Marines board oil tanker in Gibraltar

Royal Marines have boarded an oil tanker on its way to Syria thought to be breaching EU sanctions. The government of Gibraltar said there was reason to believe the ship,…

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The RAF continues to take the fight to Daesh in Syria

Following the liberation by the Syrian Democratic Forces of the last territory held by Daesh or ISIS in Syria, Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to fly daily armed…

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UNESCO removes Bethlehem’s Nativity Church from its list of heritage sites in danger

The United Nations’ cultural agency, UNESCO, announced that it was removing the place that is officially recognized as the Birthplace of Jesus, from its List of World Heritage in…

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Israeli missile strikes near the Syrian cities of Damascus and Homs

Four civilians were killed and 21 injured in Israeli missile strikes near the Syrian cities of Damascus and Homs, Syrian state media said. The Syrian military responded to missiles launched…

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Pregnant in Idlib, Syria means giving birth outdoors alone

This was not how Rabaa al-Shamaa imagined the birth of her fifth child. Out in an open field near the Syrian-Turkish border, the expectant mother lay on the grass, doubled…

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U.S. wants the Netherlands to supply ground support in Syria

The Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reported that the United States asked the Netherlands to supply ground military resources as part of a new mission to Syria. The newspaper quoted the…

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Warning that Syria’s Idlib ‘on the brink’ of a nightmare

The heads of 11 global humanitarian organizations warned on Thursday that the embattled rebel-held province of Idlib in Syria, stands on the brink of disaster, with three million civilian lives…

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German firm Brenntag under the spotlight for selling chemicals to Syria

Shares in German chemicals distributor Brenntag dropped 4.4% on Wednesday after a German media report that said the company sold substances to Syria that could be used in chemical weapons.…

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“Trump Heights” opens in Golan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday unveiled a "Trump Heights" sign, featuring an Israeli and a US flag, to mark the site of the new settlement on the Golan…

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Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara admits misusing public funds

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has admitted to misuse of state funds and will have to pay $15,000 . She was charged with fraud…

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Moldova’s decision to move embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem draws criticism from Turkey

The interim government of Moldova announced it will be moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Interim Prime Minister Pavel Filip additionally pledged to push forward…

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Syrian and Russian bombardment leaves 28 dead

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian and Russian air strikes and shelling on Thursday killed at least 28 people including seven civilians in embattled northwest Syria. The attack…

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Nechama Rivlin, Israeli First Lady, dies aged 73

Israel is mourning first lady Nechama Rivlin, who died Tuesday months after a lung transplant. She was 73 years old and was a frequent presence beside her husband, President Reuven…

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Israel retaliates after rockets fired at Golan Heights

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck Syrian army targets on Sunday after rockets were fired at the Golan Heights with an Israeli military spokeswoman saying it was still unclear…

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Israel heads to new elections in September

Israeli lawmakers have voted in favor of dissolving parliament following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to form a coalition government. The move comes after weeks of difficult negotiations. The Knesset,…

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Possible East Med alliance in the offing to counter Russia

Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says the U.S. is looking for friendly nations in the Eastern Mediterranean region that share core democratic values in light…

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Netanyahu struggles to form new government

By Benjamin Netanyahu own admission, he started "final effort" to break a deadlock on forming a governing coalition ahead of a Wednesday deadline for a deal. Netanyahu has unexpectedly struggled…

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US to send 1,500 extra troops to Middle East

The US is to send 1,500 troops to the Middle East to counter the "ongoing threat posed by Iranian forces", the acting defence secretary says. Congress has been notified about…

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UAE to guarantee maritime freedom in the region

While hosting Jordan's King Abdullah, on an official visit to Emirates, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince said the United Arab Emirates is working with Arab countries to guarantee maritime freedom in…

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Madonna scolded by Eurovision for Palestinian flag display

Eurovision Song Contest organizers expressed their disapproval for the display of a Palestinian flag during Madonna's guest appearance during the final night of the contest. Something defied contest rules.…

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Probable Israeli drone attack in Syria

Syrian state media reported that "foreign bodies" - the use of the term indicates they may be unmanned drones - Saturday evening entered Syrian air space from Israel in the…

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Photo Story: Michela’s rehearsal for the Grand Final of 64th Eurovision Song Contest

Michela of Malta performs during rehearsals for the Grand Final of the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at the Expo Tel Aviv, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 17 May 2019.…

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Madonna confirms Eurovision performance

Madonna will perform during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, it has finally been confirmed. The singer will perform two songs: her 1989 hit Like…

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Prayer ordered by Israeli rabbis because of Eurovision ‘desecration’

Leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis in Israeli called for prayer in response to the expected desecration of the Jewish holy day of rest by the Eurovision song contest. This year's competition…

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Eurovision gets clouded in political controversy

As Israel gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, despite the best branding efforts, the kitschy festival is clouded in a heated political conflict and controversy.…

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Slideshow: The opening ceremony of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv

Images from the orange carpet during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Habima square in Tel Aviv, Israel, 12 May 2019. Malta's entry for this year is Micvhela…

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Israel doesn’t exclude possibility of Iranian attack

An Israeli cabinet minister warned on Sunday of possible direct or proxy Iranian attacks on Israel should the stand-off between Tehran and Washington escalate. The United States has increased economic…

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Israel reacts to Eurovision boycott campaign

Reuters reports that Israel has launched a PR campaign to counter calls for a boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest final in Tel Aviv, using Google ads which refer…

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Eurovision 2019: Malta’s Michela in the 7th place with bookmakers

As preparations get underway in Tel Aviv for this year's edition of the Eurovision Song Festival, as usual there is much speculation about who will win. Among the bookmakers top…

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A behind the scenes look at the violence between Israel and Hamas

Amid the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, the New York Times takes a look at why there are these sudden explosions of violence between the two that…

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Photostory: All set for the Eurovision in Tel Aviv

Israeli artist Rami Meiri paints an artwork at the 'Eurovision Village' complex for shows and parties near the beach in Tel Aviv, Israel. Eurovision, a five-day event starting May 14,…

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Two Israelis arrested in global ‘dark’ Internet probe

Two Israelis have been arrested on suspicion of setting up a "dark" Internet site that was used to buy weapons, drugs and stolen credit cards. Israeli police said the…

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Egyptian-mediated ceasefire has been reached between Palestinians and Israel

After a weekend of some the worst cross border violence in recent years between Israel and Palestinian in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire has been…

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Reports that Israeli invasion of Gaza imminent

The Independent is reporting that an armoured brigade is poised to launch a ground invasion into Gaza. It quoted the Israeli army saying that after militants in the besieged…

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UPDATED: Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory

As rockets continued to be fired from Gaza towards Israel on Sunday, Israeli Police announced that two people killed in Ashkelon by rocket fire from Gaza. Militants in the Gaza…

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Photostory: Holocaust Remembrance Day At Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial In Jerusalem

Israeli soldier Shira Tessler holds the hand of her grandmother, Holocaust survivor Hanna Tessler, during a ceremony marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in…

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Netanyahu given mandate to form new government

Israel's president Reuven Rivlin nominated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to head the next government, after he won the backing of a majority of members of parliament following an April 9…

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Photostory: Prestigious prize for EPA’s staff photographer in Syria

EPA's staff photographer in Syria, Mohammed Badra, was awarded 2nd prize in the 'Spot News - Stories' category in the World Press Photo 2019 Contest for his photo story 'Syria, No…

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Three soldiers injured in Israeli air strike in Syria

An Israeli air strike on a military position in central Syria injured three soldiers, possibly Iranian, on Saturday, the official Syrian news agency SANA said. SANA, citing a military source,…

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Exit polls give Netanyahu a slight advantage in Israeli election

Exit polls in Israel suggest there will be no clear winner in the closely fought general election but Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have just a one seat lead, and…

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A quick look… Israel votes

Israelis vote Tuesday in an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to extend his long tenure in power despite corruption allegations against him. But he is…

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Turkey condemns Netanyahu’s plan to change West Bank status

Turkey on Sunday criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "irresponsible" for saying he would annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins Tuesday's election. Turkish Foreign…

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Eurovision to go ahead in Tel Aviv amid security concerns

During these last days for the second time in less than two weeks, rockets were fired toward central Israel. With 50 days until the Eurovision kicks off in Tel Aviv,…

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Air France pilot from Entebbe hijacking dies at 95

Captain Michel Bacos, whose flight was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists on June 27, 1976 and insisted on staying with Israeli captives in Entebbe, has died aged 95. Bacos…

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Kurds want an international court to try ISIS foreign fighters

Kurdish Syrian fighters that defeated and removed ISIS fighter from their last strongholds called for an international tribunal to prosecute hundreds of foreigners rounded up in the nearly five-year campaign…

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Israeli military targets Hamas leader office in Gaza

UPDATE: An Israeli air strike targeted the office of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Hamas radio reported. Haniyeh was unlikely to have been in the office, as…

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Netanyahu cuts short US visit after Tel Aviv attack…reports of IAF attacks on Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to the U.S. after the rocket attack on Tel Aviv that left seven people wounded. On news of the attack, Netanyahu…

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People wounded in rocket attack on Tel Aviv

At least six people were wounded in a rocket attack on Tel Aviv. The Israeli military said the rocket was launched from Gaza. Attack comes 10 days after other rockets…

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Trump welcomes fall of ISIS in Syria

US President Donald Trump welcomed the fall of ISIS's five-year "caliphate", but warned that the terror group remained a threat. Mr Trump's remarks came after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces…

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Israeli who lead capture of Nazi mastermind Eichmann dies at 92

Rafi Eitan, who led the operation to capture fugitive Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann, has died at the age of 92. Apart from the Eichmann capture in Argentina, Eitan was also…

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