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Israel-Gaza war

Israel-Gaza war
On October 7, 2023, armed Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets and breaking through the Gaza-Israel barrier. At least 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attacks, which included an assault on a music festival, and hundreds more civilians and soldiers were taken hostage. In response, the Israeli government declared war on Hamas. The resulting barrage of artillery on Gaza and a subsequent blockade of aid caused the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and led to an international outcry.
A video screengrab show a person gesture toward smoke after a Saudi-led airstrike on Tuesday targeting UAE-backed separatists in Mukalla, Yemen. Photo:.Aden al-Mustakillah TV/Reuters
Middle East

UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen after Saudi ultimatum over air strike

Decision to withdraw follows Saudi air strike on a supply dock Riyadh claimed was used for weapons, marking a major split between the allies.

Israel

Israel to ban aid groups from Gaza in 2026 over vetting rules

United Nations

‘World stands at a crossroads’: UN chief issues grim New Year message

Australia

Bondi Beach attack hero wanted to protect ‘innocent people’

Recovering from gunshot wounds, Syrian Ahmed al Ahmed says he ‘saved lots’ but mourns the 15 victims of the tragedy.

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Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, is seen tackling one of the Bondi gunmen in this screengrab from a social media video. Photo: X
Israel

Trump and Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan during US visit

Israel’s prime minister is making his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year.

Keir Starmer

Starmer under fire for activist’s return from Egypt as old posts resurface

Prime minister faces criticism from Jewish groups and Britain’s opposition over Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s return to the UK.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Quiet courage of ordinary people can rebuild a world in crisis

It’s easy for us to feel powerless as deadly wars rage on, but the resilience of ordinary men and women gives us hope for the new year.

A man and a child wait to collect food at a camp set up by a local humanitarian organisation to donate meals and medication to people displaced by war in Meroe, Sudan, on January 9. Photo: AFP
Israel

Israel seals off Palestinian village in West Bank after deadly attack

The army imposed a lockdown on Qabatiya after a local resident killed a 68-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl in northern Israel on Friday.

Italy

Italy arrests 9 suspected of funding Hamas via charities

Among those arrested was the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who reportedly funnelled funds to Hamas’ military wing.

Israel

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

Flags flutter in front of the Arrow 3 air defence system in Annaburg, Germany. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong

Opinion | How to invite meaning to your Christmas feast in a turmoil-filled world

Helping others, starting meaningful conversations and making the festive season more sustainable are just a few ways to celebrate this year.

Being more sustainable and contributing to causes you care about, are just a few ways to create meaning with your Christmas feasts. Photo: courtesy Chomp
Pope Leo XIV

Pope calls for end to all wars in first Christmas as pontiff

‘May the clamour of weapons cease … and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue’.

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Christmas

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

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Middle East

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in October. Photo: AFP
Britain

Elusive street artist Banksy unveils latest work in central London

The artist confirms a new mural - as a mysterious, identical piece appears just kilometres away.

A new mural by anonymous artist Banksy, in Bayswater, London on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Israel

Ex-Israeli PM calls for Netanyahu’s resignation over ‘Qatargate’ affair

Naftali Bennett accuses the premier’s office of ‘treason’, alleging aides acted as paid agents for Qatar during wartime.

Australia

Australian PM Albanese booed as Bondi Beach attack victims honoured

Tens of thousands attended Sunday’s memorial. The Sydney event was heavily guarded by police, including snipers on rooftops and police boats.

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Israel

Jews worldwide urged to ‘come home’ to Israel after Bondi massacre

Gideon Saar says ‘Jews are being hunted across the world’ following the December 14 Isis-inspired shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia.

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A person with Israel’s flag and other people attend a ceremony to mark the National Day of Reflection for victims and survivors, at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AP
Israel

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices in Bethlehem as peace returns to Gaza

Palestinians are flocking again to Manger Square, bringing much-needed revenue to the city after two years of fighting.

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Israel

UN declares Gaza famine over, but ‘situation remains critical’

Meanwhile, Oxfam says hunger in Gaza remains ‘appalling and preventable’, accusing Israel of blocking aid from humanitarian agencies.

War and conflict

War-torn Sudan tops global humanitarian crisis watch list for third year

International Rescue Committee highlights a stark concentration of human suffering in a small number of countries in latest rankings.

A Sudanese refugee girl who fled from El-Fashir city, Sudan, at a transit camp in eastern Chad. Photo: Reuters
United Nations

Aid cuts causing millions of refugees ‘unnecessary pain’: UN

‘The sudden, drastic, irresponsible and short-sighted collapse of foreign assistance’ has inflicted ‘so much unnecessary pain in its wake’.

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Sudanese refugee children stand at sunset in a transit camp amid the conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Army, in November. Photo: Reuters
Australia

World leaders express horror at Bondi Beach attack as vigils held for victims

Israel’s Herzog condemned the ‘cruel attack on Jews’ by ‘terrorists’; Trump branded the shooting that killed 15 people ‘purely antisemitic’.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu accuses Australia’s PM of inaction in tackling antisemitism

After the Bondi Beach shooting, the Israeli PM said he warned Albanese months ago that Australia’s policy was ‘encouraging antisemitism’.

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Israel

Israel says it killed Hamas weapons chief in Gaza

PM Netanyahu said arms production head Raad Saad was ‘one of the architects’ of the October 7 attack that sparked the war.

A car destroyed in an Israeli strike is seen on Saturday near the Nablusi junction in the Gaza City area. Photo: EPA
Israel

‘My future is paralysed’: Gaza amputees desperate to walk again

The World Health Organization estimates there are some 5,000 to 6,000 amputees from the Israel-Gaza war, 25 per cent of them children.

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Haneen al-Mabhouh, who lost her leg in an Israeli strike on her home, sits in a wheelchair in her family home in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on November 6. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Kuala Lumpur restaurant brings Palestine’s rich flavours to Malaysia

Yafa Restaurant was set up to showcase Palestinian food and hospitality, with a little extra spice to cater to Malaysian tastes.

Thailand

‘May he rest in peace’: remains of last Thai hostage in Gaza repatriated

Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains returned to Thailand after being held in Gaza since 2023, allowing his family to perform funeral rites.

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