Displaying items by tag: Middle East

Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal: Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), along with peace activist Oded Lifshitz (83). The IDF transported the bodies to Israel for identification, while mourning swept across the nation. President Isaac Herzog expressed deep sorrow and asked for forgiveness for failing to bring all hostages home alive. Negotiations on a second ceasefire phase are set to resume this week, aiming for the release of all remaining hostages. However, Israel insists it will not withdraw forces until Hamas is eliminated, while Hamas demands an end to the war before releasing further captives. Meanwhile, Hamas used the hostage handover for propaganda, displaying missiles alongside the coffins and blaming Benjamin Netanyahu for their deaths. The Hamas group stated they would have preferred them to return alive, but accused Israel of choosing war over negotiations.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in effect since 19 January, is at risk of collapsing. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to mediate continue, as a senior Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to salvage the truce. Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that if hostages are not released by Saturday, intense military operations will resume. The situation has been further complicated by Donald Trump's recent proposal to remove Gaza’s Palestinian residents, which has emboldened Israel’s far-right leaders. Some Israeli ministers are now demanding a total military takeover of Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli security officials argue that breaking the ceasefire would endanger hostages still held in Gaza. Families of captives and displaced Gazans fear renewed conflict. Breaking news: Hamas has said it will release three hostages on 15 February as agreed, although earlier it had threatened to cancel the ceasefire, claiming that Israel had failed to fulfil key commitments.

Donald Trump has proposed permanently resettling Palestinians out of Gaza, calling it a ‘demolition site’ and suggesting US involvement in rebuilding the territory. His remarks, made during a visit to Washington by Benjamin Netanyahu, seem to signal a major shift in US policy on Israel and the Palestinians. Arab nations have strongly rejected the plan, warning that it could destabilise the region and expand the conflict. Under international law, forced population transfers are prohibited. Trump’s vision, which includes an international takeover of Gaza, aligns with far-right Israeli groups advocating for indefinite war against Hamas and the expansion of Jewish settlements. They might welcome Trump’s position, but for millions of displaced Palestinians, it represents the threat of permanent exile and collective punishment. Meanwhile, sick and wounded Palestinians have left the Gaza strip as the fragile ceasefire continues: see

Born into poverty in Lebanon, George El Khoury pursued wealth, power, and pleasure, becoming a successful businessman. As the founder of five international banks, he amassed riches, lived in luxury, and indulged in a hedonistic lifestyle. Despite his success, George felt unfulfilled and began questioning life’s meaning, especially after surviving a plane crash over Paris. The experience left him shaken but not yet transformed. The turning point came when a blackmail threat from a former girlfriend jeopardised his career and reputation. At his son’s urging, George prayed to Jesus Christ, surrendering his life and vowing to change. Miraculously, the blackmail was withdrawn, and George experienced a profound sense of peace and joy. He gave his life to Christ, left his sinful lifestyle, and reconciled with his ex-wife after 31 years of divorce. Now, he ministers the gospel in Europe, telling how Jesus redeemed and restored his life, even returning what sin had stolen.

A ceasefire deal has been reached, ending fifteen months of conflict in the Gaza strip. This agreement, hailed by Joe Biden, Qatar’s prime minister, and Hamas officials, aims to bring a much-needed break in violence. It will also lead to the release of dozens of hostages and prisoners from both sides. The phased plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the Gaza border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return home, as well as providing humanitarian aid and rebuilding Gaza's healthcare infrastructure. Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, while Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the 7 October attacks. The deal follows months of intense diplomatic efforts, particularly by the USA, Egypt, and Qatar. Breaking news: the Israeli cabinet has not yet ratified the deal, with Benjamin Netanyahu saying that Hamas were reneging on some parts of the agreement. See Also, Israel has continued air strikes on Gaza, with at least 73 killed on 16 January.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and head of HTS, has met senior Christian leaders in Damascus to reassure minorities about their safety under his administration. The meeting follows protests over attacks on Christian and Alawite symbols. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria that safeguards diverse communities' rights. Al-Sharaa has also held talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), proposing their integration into the national army. Despite attempts to stabilise the country after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, incidents of violence and unrest persist. The SDF, backed by the USA, remains locked in conflict with Turkish-backed factions, while Turkiye alleges SDF ties to the PKK, a group it deems terrorist. Syria’s Christian population, once about one million, has dwindled to 300,000 since the civil war began in 2011, highlighting the challenges minorities face amid ongoing instability.

After months of deadlock, there are new signs that Israel and Hamas could be moving closer to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The USA, Qatar, and Egypt are reporting greater willingness by both sides to conclude a deal. Talks are reportedly in a decisive stage. Israel’s defence minister has indicated that they are close to an agreement, though challenges remain, including far-right Israeli cabinet opposition and Hamas's conditions. A three-phase plan proposes releasing civilian and women hostages, with Israeli troop withdrawals and a mechanism for displaced Gazans to return. Subsequent stages include freeing remaining hostages and a broader troop withdrawal. Of 96 hostages in Gaza, 62 are believed to be still alive; a hundred others have been freed through negotiation or military action. The negotiations have been given a new push by Donald Trump’s election; he has warned that a ceasefire deal should be reached before he takes office, because otherwise ‘it’s not going to be pleasant’.

On 8 December, Syrian rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad, ending his 24-year rule and his family’s half-century grip on power. Their victory caps a devastating 13-year civil war which killed over 500,000 people, displaced millions, and involved major global powers. Turkey, a key player, supported rebel groups, primarily to counter Kurdish militias. Turkey, which would also like to repatriate three million Syrian refugees, has played a role in brokering ceasefires and aiding the rebels’ recent offensive. Russia, Assad’s staunch ally, provided air support and troops starting in 2015, securing key military bases in Syria. However, its focus on the Ukraine war weakened its ability to sustain Assad’s regime, leading to his downfall. Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow. The USA has backed moderate rebels and Kurdish-led forces against Assad and ISIS, maintaining about 900 troops in the northeast. Iran and Hezbollah, longtime Assad allies, have also seen their influence wane due to internal and external conflicts. Breaking news: the rebels have announced that the Syrian parliament and constitution will be suspended for three months.

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes and naval operations in Syria, targeting military assets and creating a buffer zone near the Golan Heights. Defence minister Israel Katz stated the actions aim to establish a ‘sterile defence zone’ to prevent terrorist activities. Israeli strikes reportedly destroyed Syria’s naval fleet, military warehouses, air-defense facilities, and weaponry near Damascus. There were probably as many as 250 strikes, with video evidence of naval wreckage in Latakia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed significant damage to Syria’s military infrastructure. Israel claims its operations are temporary and limited to precluding advanced weaponry from extremist groups. However, several nations have condemned the strikes as violations of international law. The UN criticised the buffer zone seizure as a breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement, despite Israel’s assurances of its defensive intent.

Buoyed by their lightning capture of Aleppo and swathes of northern Syria, rebel forces – led by Islamist factions – are now targeting the strategically important town of Hama. This offensive, ending four years of relative calm in the region, has already displaced nearly 50,000 people, with many fleeing nearby towns. Over 600 people, including 104 civilians, have been killed to date. Hama is a former stronghold of anti-Assad sentiment; its capture would ‘pose a threat to the regime's popular base’. The Syrian military say that sizeable reinforcements have arrived to bolster the defence of Hama, with Russian air support. Abandoned military equipment along roads highlights the intense clashes. As winter deepens the plight of displaced civilians, the renewed violence underscores Syria’s enduring humanitarian crisis, drawing international appeals for peace.