Lebanon’s parliament has elected the country’s army chief as president, ending a power vacuum that has lasted more than two years. Joseph Aoun’s candidacy for the mainly ceremonial role –…
Tag: Middle East
Palestine: Israeli strikes kills 19 in southern Gaza, health officials say
At least 19 Palestinians, including eight children, were killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Gaza overnight, local health officials say.A mother and her four children were reportedly killed when…
Iran: Authorities free Italian journalist Cecilia Sala
An Italian journalist detained in Iran last month has been freed and is on a flight back to Rome, the Italian government says.Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested on 19 December,…
Iran: Authorities reportedly executed at least 901 people in 2024- UN
At least 901 people were reportedly executed in Iran last year, including about 40 in a single week in December, according to the UN human rights chief. “It is deeply…
Palestine: Hamas lists 34 hostages it may free under ceasefire
A senior Hamas official has shared with the BBC a list of 34 hostages that the Palestinian group says it is willing to release in the first stage of a…
Syria: New government’s school curriculum changes spark concern
There is concern growing in Syria that the new Islamist-led authorities have already decided on changes to the school curriculum, without the input of the rest of society. The Facebook…
Palestine: WHO appeals for end to attacks on Gaza’s hospitals
The head of the World Health Organization has called for an end to attacks on hospitals in Gaza. “Hospitals in Gaza have once again become battlegrounds and the health system…
Palestine: UN says Israeli attacks pushing Gaza healthcare towards total collapse
The UN Human Rights Office says Israeli attacks on and around hospitals have pushed Gaza’s healthcare system to “the brink of total collapse” and raised serious concerns about war crimes…
Syria: Foreign fighters given senior Syrian army posts- reports
Syria’s new leaders are reported to have given some foreign Islamist fighters senior official posts in the country’s armed forces. The army is being re-organised by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)…
Gaza babies dying from the cold as winter temperatures drop
Sila was less than three weeks old when her mother Nariman realised she wasn’t moving.”I woke up in the morning and told my husband that the baby hadn’t stirred for…