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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
A pedestrian walks past a Jerusalem mural on Friday showing portraits of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas militants. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Israelis await names of next 4 hostages to be released by Hamas

As the fragile ceasefire continues, relatives call on PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump to ensure all captives are freed.

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Israel

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire set to be extended beyond next week

Donald Trump

Saudi crown prince vows US$600 billion investment in call with Trump

The Philippines

17 Filipinos, 8 other crew of seized ship freed after 14 months in captivity

The rebels hijacked the Israeli-linked vessel in November 2023 to express solidarity with Gaza.

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Crew members of the merchant ship Galaxy Leader at Sanaa airport in Yemen on January 22. Photo: SABA/AFP
Israel

Israel continues ‘significant’ military operation in West Bank, days after Gaza ceasefire

Israel’s prime minister said the West Bank campaign is aimed at Iran-backed militias in the territory.

Donald Trump

Trump strips protection from ex-adviser Bolton, target of Iran murder plot

After leaving his White House job, Bolton had called his former boss ‘unfit to be president’ and said he would appease China and Russia.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s top general resigns over October 7 Hamas attack failures

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi acknowledges military’s failures, own command responsibility for cross-border assault from Gaza.

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Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi in 2024. File photo: Israeli Army via AFP
Israel-Gaza war

After 15 months of war, Hamas still rules over what remains of Gaza

Hamas remains in control of Gaza post-ceasefire, despite heavy losses in Israel’s military campaign.

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Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Palestinian president Abbas ‘ready to work’ with Trump on two-state solution

Mahmoud Abbas calls for security and stability in the Middle East in a message to the US president.

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Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says next Gaza hostages will be released on Saturday as scheduled

Hamas clarifies date of next hostage-prisoner swap after official says it will be next Sunday.

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Palestinian Hamas militants hand over Doron Steinbrecher on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Syria

EU considers ‘staged approach’ to suspending Syria sanctions

European capitals began reassessing Syria policies after ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 by insurgent forces.

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Mount Qasioun after the removal of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza holding after first hostage-prisoner swap

China said it ‘welcomes’ Gaza ceasefire as Israel and Hamas begin swapping hostages and prisoners.

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Malaysia

Malaysia prepares to return wounded Palestinians to Gaza after fragile ceasefire

The Palestinians, who were evacuated in August, requested to return home during the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

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Israel-Gaza war

Tears and hugs for released Palestinian prisoners as Gaza ceasefire takes hold

Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees three Israeli hostages in Gaza ceasefire deal.

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Scenes in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as freed Palestinians arrive by bus. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Hong Kong bankers plan working group to build business ties in emerging markets

The working group will do roadshows and update industry players on new policies and regulatory measures in Hong Kong, association says.

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A working group will look at ways to engage with more industry players in emerging markets, HKAB chairwoman Mary Huen Wai-yi says. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Fragile ceasefire in Mideast at least offers a glimmer of hope

Tentative truce between Israel and Palestinian groups is a step in the right direction but many hurdles remain before true peace can prevail.

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas frees hostages, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as Gaza truce begins

Hostage-prisoner swap begins, Gaza residents return to devastated neighbourhoods as ceasefire suspends 15-month-old war.

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Israel-Gaza war

Who are the 3 Israelis released on the first day of the Gaza ceasefire?

Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher were freed in a tense handover to the Red Cross on a Gaza City street on Sunday.

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Romi Gonen steps out of a van next to her mother Merav, left, before boarding a helicopter. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Ceasefire begins, pausing devastating Israel-Gaza war

Many Gazans have now begun the journey home, while Israel waits for hostages due to be released by Hamas.

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Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu says Hamas hasn’t provided hostage list, warns Gaza truce could fail

Israel retains ‘the right to return to fighting if necessary’, the prime minister warned in a speech.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi weighs Israel recognition amid Trump’s return and Gaza ceasefire

Riyadh has insisted a Palestinian state must be established before they can agree to recognise Israel.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: AP
Iran

Gunman shoots dead 2 Iranian judges tied to 1988 mass executions

The killings come as Iran faces economic turmoil, the mauling of its Middle East allies by Israel and the return of Donald Trump.

An Iranian cleric walks next to an anti-US mural in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s full cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Lawmakers met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath for the vote, in a reflection of the moment’s importance.

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Iran

Opinion | Why time is right to press Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions

Iran’s economic vulnerabilities, the region’s changing dynamics and a new reform-minded administration present an opportunity for a new deal.

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Russia

Russia, Iran to boost military and trade ties in ‘real breakthrough’ pact

Both countries signed a broad cooperation pact in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as they attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

My Take | Despite the Gaza ceasefire, history will not be kind to Blinken, Biden

In the annals of Western genocide, the US secretary of state and his boss deserve much more than a footnote for providing Israel with weapons.

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Destroyed buildings by Israeli bombardments as seen inside the Gaza Strip from southern Israel, January 16, 2025. Photo: AP
Insurance

Hong Kong life insurance bonanza driven by local buying; overseas buyers rise

New life insurance sales in the first nine months of 2024 stood at HK$169.6 billion (US$21.8 billion), the highest since the authority set up in 2016.

Israel-Gaza war

Fate of youngest remaining hostages grips Israel after Gaza deal

The Bibas family are among the highest profile hostages still held in Gaza. Ariel and Kfir are the only children left.

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