Israeli defence minister says troops will remain in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely

Reference Photo (AP) JERUSALEM: Israel‘s defence minister said Wednesday that troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria indefinitely, remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release. Israeli forces have taken over more than half of Gaza in a renewed campaign to pressure […]

‘Except Israel’ inscription reintroduced in Bangladeshi passports amid public anger over Gaza situation

An anti-Israel protest in Dhaka (AP) Bangladesh’s interim government announced on Sunday it has reintroduced the “except Israel” inscription on the country’s passports, formally debarring its citizens from travelling to the Jewish state.“We issued the letter to the passport and immigration department on April 7,” Nilima Afroze, deputy secretary of the Bangladesh home ministry, told […]

7 years after pulling out, why is Donald Trump re-engaging Iran on nuclear deal, and what does Israel want?

On the eve of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranians wave the flags of Palestine and Hezbollah as they march in Tehran to denounce the US and Israel on Friday, April 11, 2025. (NYT News Service) US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, April 7, 2025, that Washington and Tehran would begin talks over […]

Israel cuts off Rafah from Gaza, vows to expand rapidly

Israel announced on Saturday that it would expand “rapidly” across much of Gazahad after completing building a new security corridor cutting off the southern city of Rafah from the rest of Gaza, reported news agency Associated Press. The corridor, called Morag, is named after a former Jewish settlement located between Rafah and Khan Younis. It […]

Hostages Still Held in Gaza Cast Shadow Over Passover in Israel

When Yona Schnitzer, a marketing writer from Tel Aviv, attended the traditional Passover Seder meal last year, he said a special prayer for the return of all of the hostages still being held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. He had thought their freedom would be secured by Passover 2025, but that did not happen. “It’s […]

Spain wants Israel ousted from Eurovision song contest over its role in Gaza war

Spain’s RTVE has urged the EBU to debate Israel’s Eurovision participation due to the Gaza war, prompting the EBU to acknowledge concerns while affirming all members’ eligibility. The contest, set in Basel, faces protests over Israel’s inclusion, with Yuval Raphael representing the nation amidst the ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023. Spain’s public […]

Quds force commander claims US and Israel ‘powerless in practice’ against Iran and allies: Report

Image used for representative purposes The commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qa’ani, asserted on Thursday that the United States and Israel are “powerless in practice” against Iran and its regional allies, despite their tough rhetoric. “They cannot even comprehend why our missiles accurately hit their targets. This is our strength,” Qa’ani said, […]

Israel foreign minister dismisses France’s stand on the recognition of a Palestinian state

Israel foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar dismisses French President Macron’s plans In an interview with a French broadcaster on April 10, President Macron of France suggested that France is planning to recognize a Palestinian state by June. These remarks were dismissed by Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar.President Macron was hopeful that by recognizing a Palestinian state […]

Israel releases Palestinian who took part in attack aged 13 and developed mental illness in prison

JERUSALEM – Israel on Thursday released a Palestinian who took part in an attack when he was 13 and developed schizophrenia in prison as requests for early release were denied. Israel says Ahmad Manasra is a terrorist who tried to kill Jews his own age. Palestinians accuse Israel of subjecting a child to harsh incarceration […]

Guterres, at U.N., Denounces Israel’s Gaza Aid Blockade

The U.N. secretary general, António Guterres, on Tuesday sharply criticized Israel’s renewed blockade of aid to Gaza as a violation of its obligations under international law and said it had opened “the floodgates of horror.” “Gaza is a killing field and civilians are in an endless death loop,” Mr. Guterres said in prepared remarks to […]