Middle East News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Trilateral Summit in Athens: FM Saar Meets with Greek and Cypriot Counterparts to Advance Regional Alliance
Tel Aviv, March 13: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met Thursday in Athens with the foreign ministers of Greece and Cyprus, Giorgos Graffitris and Constantinos Kombos, as part of a trilateral summit of Israel's "Hellenic Alliance" with Greece and Cyprus. The focus of their discussions was on regional developments and the Iranian nuclear threat.
Israel conducts airstrikes on Palestinian organisation in Syrian capital Damascus
Tel Aviv, March 13: The Israeli Air Force on Thursday conducted strikes on a command center of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organisation in Damascus, the Israel Defence Forces said.
Israel drops 10,000 humanitarian aid packages for Syrian Druze
Tel Aviv, March 13: Israel has dropped 10,000 humanitarian aid packages to Druze communities in southern Syria, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar disclosed on Thursday.
Lebanese FM says Israeli withdrawal essential for regional stability
Beirut, March 13: Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji reaffirmed the urgent need for Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
UN envoy calls for coordinated efforts to reduce tensions in Yemen
Aden, March 13: UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg emphasised the necessity of coordinating regional and international efforts to decrease tensions and advance an inclusive political process in Yemen.
UAE President receives Crown Prince of Bahrain
Abu Dhabi, March 13: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during a meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi.
Israel's FM meets with Ethiopian counterpart in Jerusalem
Tel Aviv, March 13: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hosted Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos in Jerusalem, on his first visit to Israel.
UN welcomes agreement between Syrian government, Kurdish forces
United Nations, March 12: The United Nations welcomed an agreement reached by the Syrian interim government and the Kurdish-led forces after the violent escalation in the country's coastal region last week, a UN spokesman said.
Efforts continue to advance Gaza peace talks: Hamas
Gaza, March 12: Hamas said that Egyptian and Qatari mediators are continuing efforts to finalise the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate the second phase of negotiations.
Jordan condemns Israel's halting electricity supply to Gaza
Amman, March 11: Jordan's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel's decision to halt the electricity supply to Gaza to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
Israeli FM hosts Luxembourger counterpart in Jerusalem
Tel Aviv, March 10: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met in Jerusalem with Xavier Bettel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg.
Iran rules out nuclear talks under pressure, intimidation
Tehran, March 10: Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stressed Monday that his country will not consider holding nuclear negotiations under pressure and intimidation.
US condemns attacks on Syrian minorities as coastal violence escalates
Washington, DC, March 10: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned the recent killings in western Syria, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter), "The United States condemns the radical Islamist terrorists, including foreign jihadis, that murdered people in western Syria in recent days. The United States stands with Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities, and offers its condolences to the victims and their families. Syria's interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these massacres against Syria's minority communities accountable."
Hezbollah vows to end Israeli presence in Lebanon
Beirut, March 10: Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem reaffirmed that the group will not permit any Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, emphasising Hezbollah's enduring strength and commitment to Lebanon's defence.
Israel plans to establish 'migration administration' for relocating Gazans: Minister
Jerusalem, March 10: Israel is working to establish a "migration administration" to advance the relocation of Palestinian residents from the Gaza Strip, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.
Israel to 'soon' allow Syrian druze to work in Golan, Defense Minister says
Tel Aviv, March 9: Israel is preparing to "soon" allow Syrian Druze to work in the Golan Heights, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.
Israel to send delegation to Doha on March 10 to advance Gaza ceasefire talks
Jerusalem, March 9: Israel will send a delegation to Qatar's capital Doha on Monday to advance negotiations for renewing the ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
Arab League, Iraq, Egypt voice concern over Syria's security situation
Cairo/Baghdad, March 9: The Arab League (AL) has been following with great concern the security situation in Syria, the pan-Arab body said in a statement.
Hamas says positive signs emerge in negotiations for Gaza ceasefire's 2nd phase
Gaza, March 9: Hamas has said that there were positive signs regarding negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Israeli army says struck suspects collecting drone crossing from Israel to Gaza
Jerusalem, March 8: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its Air Force attacked on Saturday suspects attempting to retrieve a drone in southern Gaza.
Iran voices concern over violence, insecurity in Syria
Tehran, March 8: Iran has expressed grave concern over escalating violence and insecurity in Syria. Iran closely monitors Syria's internal developments and follows with great concern the reports of violence and insecurity in various parts of the Arab state, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to discuss second phase of Gaza ceasefire
Cairo, March 7: A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt's Cairo on Friday for talks on implementing terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal and pushing forward negotiations on its second phase, Egypt's State Information Service said in a statement.
Release hostages or it is over for you: Donald Trump gives 'last warning' to Hamas
Washington, DC, March 6: US President Donald Trump has issued a final warning for Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages and return of the dead bodies of the people who have been "murdered" by them or "it is over" for them.
White House confirms direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages
Washington, March 6: The White House has confirmed that the Trump administration is having direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages.
Israel's new military chief takes office, vows to strike enemies with 'tremendous force'
Jerusalem, March 5: Eyal Zamir took over on Wednesday as the 24th Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), warning that Israel's multi-front conflict would be ongoing and vowing to strike its enemies with "tremendous force."
Israel Approves USD 1 Billion Development Plan for Druze, Circassian Communities
Tel Aviv, March 5: The Israeli government is preparing to adopt an unprecedented five-year 3.9 billion NIS (USD 1.08 billion) development plan for the Druze and Circassian communities to boost local economies, housing, and local planning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday.
Turkey summons Iranian envoy amid diplomatic tension
Ankara, March 4: The Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Ankara in response to Tehran's criticism of Turkish foreign policy, Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on Tuesday.
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia stress importance of enhancing Arab cooperation on key issues
Beirut, March 4: Lebanon and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed in a joint statement the importance of enhancing Arab cooperation and coordinating positions on key regional and international issues, the Lebanese official National News Agency (NNA) reported Tuesday.
Israel's Defense Minister Katz thanks US counterpart for 'Accelerating Shipments of Weapons'
Tel Aviv, March 4: Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whom he thanked, for President Trump's support for accelerating shipments of weapons and security equipment to Israel, and for his commitment to the "strong alliance between the countries."
Israel strikes Syrian air defence battalion in coastal city
Damascus, March 4: Israel launched airstrikes targeting a Syrian air defence battalion near the western coastal city of Tartus, Syrian state media and a war monitor reported.
Netanyahu thanks Trump for unwavering support for Israel, sending munitions that were being held up
Tel Aviv, March 4: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his "unwavering support" for Israel, particularly with the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Iran slams IAEA's claims about nuclear programme's nature
Tehran, March 3: Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, on Monday slammed what he described as "untrue" claims by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Rafael Grossi, regarding the nature of Iran's "peaceful" nuclear programme.
Iran says Turkish FM's remarks 'unconstructive'
Tehran, March 3: Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described on Monday the recent remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as "unconstructive" while emphasising the significance of Tehran-Ankara relations.
Israel only to retrieve hostages through prisoners' swap: Hamas
Gaza, March 3: Israel will only be able to "get its captives back" through a prisoner exchange deal, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said in a press statement.
Egypt urges full implementation of Gaza ceasefire agreement
Cairo, March 3: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed the importance of fully and faithfully implementing the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, stressing the necessity of transitioning to the second phase of the deal to ensure a lasting truce.
Croatian FM Meets Israeli FM in Jerusalem Visit
Jerusalem, March 2: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met in Jerusalem with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman.
Israeli army kills 4 Palestinians across Gaza
Gaza, March 2: The Israeli army killed at least four Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Palestinian health authorities and medical sources.
Hamas says extending 1st phase of Gaza ceasefire 'unacceptable'
Gaza, March 2: The Israeli proposal of extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is "unacceptable," Hamas said.
Iran, UAE discuss bilateral relations; focus on mutual interests, trade
Dubai, March 2: Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, on Saturday, met with Majid Takht Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Political Affairs.
Israeli Military eliminates Hezbollah operative responsible for Lebanon weapons smuggling
Tel Aviv, March 1: The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that on Thursday night, in the Al-Harmal area in Lebanon, an Israel Air Force aircraft attacked and killed Muhammad Mahdi Ali Shahin, a Hezbollah terrorist who was involved in the concentration of terrorist transactions for the purchase of weapons on the Syria-Lebanon border after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into force.