WEATHER ALERT
Vatican's keffiyeh Nativity scene raises eyebrows and then disappears — at least until Christmas Eve
Read full article: Vatican's keffiyeh Nativity scene raises eyebrows and then disappears — at least until Christmas EveOne of the Vatican's Nativity scenes raised eyebrows when it was unveiled because it featured a keffiyeh, the Palestinian headscarf.
What to know about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah
Read full article: What to know about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's HezbollahA ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group has gone into effect.
Leader of Palestinian Authority denounces Israeli Gaza offensive at UN, insists: 'We will not leave'
Read full article: Leader of Palestinian Authority denounces Israeli Gaza offensive at UN, insists: 'We will not leave'The head of the Palestinian Authority has denounced Israel in front of world leaders.
The veteran Palestinian leader Abbas says he will visit Gaza and calls on Muslim leaders to join him
Read full article: The veteran Palestinian leader Abbas says he will visit Gaza and calls on Muslim leaders to join himPalestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to travel to Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war rages.
UK Foreign Secretary visits Israel and West Bank and calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza
Read full article: UK Foreign Secretary visits Israel and West Bank and calls for an immediate cease-fire in GazaThe new British foreign secretary has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, his second international trip since Labour’s resounding victory in elections earlier this month.
New British Prime Minister Starmer seeks to improve on 'botched' trade deal with European Union
Read full article: New British Prime Minister Starmer seeks to improve on 'botched' trade deal with European UnionBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he would seek to improve the trade deal with the European Union as he began a two-day tour of the U.K. as part of an “immediate reset” with governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
UN assembly approves resolution granting Palestine new rights and reviving its UN membership bid
Read full article: UN assembly approves resolution granting Palestine new rights and reviving its UN membership bidThe U.N. General Assembly has voted by a wide margin to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and has called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine's request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.
Hamas again raises the possibility of a 2-state compromise. Israel and its allies aren't convinced
Read full article: Hamas again raises the possibility of a 2-state compromise. Israel and its allies aren't convincedThe Palestinian militant group Hamas has said for more than 15 years that it could accept a two-state compromise with Israel — at least, a temporary one.
US vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
Read full article: US vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for PalestineThe United States has vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine.
Palestinians want April vote on UN membership despite US saying peace with Israel must come first
Read full article: Palestinians want April vote on UN membership despite US saying peace with Israel must come firstThe Palestinians want the Security Council to vote later this month on their revived request for full membership in the United Nations, despite the United States reiterating that Israel and the Palestinians must first negotiate a peace agreement.
Ships with a second round of aid for Gaza have departed Cyprus as concerns about hunger soar
Read full article: Ships with a second round of aid for Gaza have departed Cyprus as concerns about hunger soarA three-ship convoy has left a port in Cyprus to deliver 400 tons of food and other supplies to Gaza as concerns about hunger there soar.
Palestinian leader appoints longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reform
Read full article: Palestinian leader appoints longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reformPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his longtime economic adviser to be the next prime minister.
Biden hopes cease-fire, hostage deal to pause Israel-Hamas war can take effect by next Monday
Read full article: Biden hopes cease-fire, hostage deal to pause Israel-Hamas war can take effect by next MondayPresident Joe Biden says he hopes a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that would pause hostilities and allow for remaining hostages to be released can take effect by early next week.
Live updates | UN top court hears genocide allegation as Israel focuses fighting in central Gaza
Read full article: Live updates | UN top court hears genocide allegation as Israel focuses fighting in central GazaThe United Nations' top court has started hearings over allegations that Israel's war with Hamas amounts to genocide, which Israel strongly denies.
Live updates | Fighting in central Gaza near hospital, as Blinken seeks postwar plan
Read full article: Live updates | Fighting in central Gaza near hospital, as Blinken seeks postwar planIsraeli military operations in Gaza are focused on the southern city of Khan Younis and urban refugee camps in the territory’s center.
Blinken seeks Palestinian governance reform for postwar Gaza as deadly Israeli strikes continue
Read full article: Blinken seeks Palestinian governance reform for postwar Gaza as deadly Israeli strikes continueU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to seek governance reforms.
Israeli military says it mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages in battle-torn part of Gaza
Read full article: Israeli military says it mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages in battle-torn part of GazaIsraeli troops mistakenly shot three hostages to death in a battle-torn neighborhood of Gaza City, and an Israeli strike killed a Palestinian journalist in the south of the besieged territory.
Palestinian poll shows a rise in Hamas support and close to 90% wanting US-backed Abbas to resign
Read full article: Palestinian poll shows a rise in Hamas support and close to 90% wanting US-backed Abbas to resignA wartime opinion poll among Palestinians shows a rise in support for Hamas, which appears to have ticked up even in the devastated Gaza Strip.
Israel says it will maintain 'overall security responsibility' for Gaza. What might that look like?
Read full article: Israel says it will maintain 'overall security responsibility' for Gaza. What might that look like?Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not elaborate when he said that Israel would maintain indefinite “overall security responsibility” in Gaza once it removes Hamas from power in response to the Islamic militant group's cross-border raid.
Blinken urges united future Palestinian government for Gaza and West Bank, widening gulf with Israel
Read full article: Blinken urges united future Palestinian government for Gaza and West Bank, widening gulf with IsraelSecretary of State Antony Blinken is calling for a united and Palestinian-led government for Gaza and the West Bank after the war ends, as a step toward Palestinian statehood.
Live updates | Israeli troops divide north and south Gaza as UN fails to reach cease-fire resolution
Read full article: Live updates | Israeli troops divide north and south Gaza as UN fails to reach cease-fire resolutionIsraeli troops have divided the northern and southern parts of Gaza, as communications across the besieged territory were temporarily cut Monday for a third time since the war started.
Blinken shuttles from the West Bank to Iraq trying to contain the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war
Read full article: Blinken shuttles from the West Bank to Iraq trying to contain the fallout from the Israel-Hamas warSecretary of State Antony Blinken brought his diplomatic push on the Israel-Hamas war to the occupied West Bank and then to Iraq.
The US has strongly backed Israel’s war against Hamas. The allies don’t seem to know what comes next
Read full article: The US has strongly backed Israel’s war against Hamas. The allies don’t seem to know what comes nextWhen Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked who would govern the Gaza Strip following Israel’s war against Hamas, he said a return of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority made “the most sense.”.
An Israeli ministry, in a 'concept paper,' proposes transferring Gaza civilians to Egypt's Sinai
Read full article: An Israeli ministry, in a 'concept paper,' proposes transferring Gaza civilians to Egypt's SinaiIsrael’s Intelligence Ministry has drafted a wartime proposal to transfer the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people to Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.
At Cairo summit, even Arab leaders at peace with Israel expressed growing anger over the Gaza war
Read full article: At Cairo summit, even Arab leaders at peace with Israel expressed growing anger over the Gaza warEgypt and Jordan have harshly criticized Israel over its actions in Gaza at a summit in Cairo.
Live updates | Israel plans to step up attacks on the Gaza Strip
Read full article: Live updates | Israel plans to step up attacks on the Gaza StripAid deliveries have begun moving into the besieged Gaza Strip, two weeks after the militant group Hamas rampaged through southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes.
Gaza carnage spreads anger across Mideast, alarming US allies and threatening to widen conflict
Read full article: Gaza carnage spreads anger across Mideast, alarming US allies and threatening to widen conflictWithin hours of a blast said to have killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital, protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces in the occupied West Bank and at riot police in neighboring Jordan.
Israel will let Egypt deliver some aid to Gaza, as doctors struggle to treat hospital blast victims
Read full article: Israel will let Egypt deliver some aid to Gaza, as doctors struggle to treat hospital blast victimsIsrael says will allow Egypt to deliver limited quantities of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the first crack in a 10-day seal on the territory.
Destruction at Gaza hospital increases stakes for Biden’s trip to Israel and Jordan
Read full article: Destruction at Gaza hospital increases stakes for Biden’s trip to Israel and JordanPresident Joe Biden’s efforts to tamp down tensions in the escalating war between Israel and Hamas faced major setbacks even before he departed for the Middle East on Tuesday.
In first call with Palestinian president Abbas, Biden discusses support for humanitarian aid to Gaza
Read full article: In first call with Palestinian president Abbas, Biden discusses support for humanitarian aid to GazaPresident Joe Biden has spoken with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the leaders to allow humanitarian aid to the region and affirmed his support for efforts to protect civilians.
Blinken and Austin bolster US support for Israel as potential ground offensive in Gaza looms
Read full article: Blinken and Austin bolster US support for Israel as potential ground offensive in Gaza loomsDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin is assuring Israel that “we have your back” as he and America’s top diplomat met with Israeli and Arab leaders.
1st Saudi envoy to the Palestinians in West Bank, Israeli minister in Riyadh amid normalization push
Read full article: 1st Saudi envoy to the Palestinians in West Bank, Israeli minister in Riyadh amid normalization pushSaudi Arabia’s newly appointed envoy to the Palestinian Authority has presented his credentials to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Palestinian politicians lash out at renowned academics who denounced president's antisemitic remarks
Read full article: Palestinian politicians lash out at renowned academics who denounced president's antisemitic remarksPalestinian politicians have denounced dozens of Palestinian academics who criticized President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent remarks on the Holocaust.
Paris strips Palestinian leader Abbas of special honor for remarks on Holocaust
Read full article: Paris strips Palestinian leader Abbas of special honor for remarks on HolocaustParis has rescinded a special honor it bestowed on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas because of recent antisemitic comments minimizing the Holocaust.
Clashes resume between factions in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp
Read full article: Clashes resume between factions in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee campClashes have resumed in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, with heavy gunfire and shelling wounding at least 20 people.
Damage from clashes could delay start of school year in Lebanon's largest Palestinian camp, UN says
Read full article: Damage from clashes could delay start of school year in Lebanon's largest Palestinian camp, UN saysThe United Nations says damage to the school complex in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp from clashes between factions could delay the start of the school year for some 6,000 children.
Lebanon warns Palestinian president that troops may intervene if clashes continue in refugee camp
Read full article: Lebanon warns Palestinian president that troops may intervene if clashes continue in refugee campLebanon's caretaker prime minister has demanded an end to the volatile clashes in the country's largest Palestinian refugee camp, warning that troops may have to intervene if the deadly violence doesn't stop.
Thousands take to streets in Gaza in rare public display of discontent with Hamas
Read full article: Thousands take to streets in Gaza in rare public display of discontent with HamasSeveral thousand people briefly took to the streets across the Gaza Strip to protest the territory’s chronic power outages and difficult living conditions.
Palestinian factions meet in Egypt seeking reconciliation as violence surges in the West Bank
Read full article: Palestinian factions meet in Egypt seeking reconciliation as violence surges in the West BankPalestinian factions have met in Egypt to discuss reconciliation efforts amid surging violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian president visits Jenin refugee camp after devastating Israeli military raid
Read full article: Palestinian president visits Jenin refugee camp after devastating Israeli military raidPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas paid a brief visit to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank in the wake of a devastating Israeli offensive last week.
As Israel ends 2-day West Bank offensive, Palestinian residents emerge to scenes of vast destruction
Read full article: As Israel ends 2-day West Bank offensive, Palestinian residents emerge to scenes of vast destructionPalestinian residents of the Jenin refugee camp encountered scenes of widespread destruction as they emerged from their homes and returned from nearby shelters following the most intense Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank in nearly two decades.
A year of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians just escalated. Is this an uprising?
Read full article: A year of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians just escalated. Is this an uprising?Israel’s latest large-scale military raid into the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank had undeniable similarities with the second Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s.
Palestinian leader Abbas ends China trip after backing Beijing's crackdown on Muslim minorities
Read full article: Palestinian leader Abbas ends China trip after backing Beijing's crackdown on Muslim minoritiesPalestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has wrapped up a trip to China, after seeking economic aid and voicing support for Beijing's repressive policies toward its Muslim minorities.
Chinese premier meets with Palestinian president in effort to increase Middle East presence
Read full article: Chinese premier meets with Palestinian president in effort to increase Middle East presenceChinese Premier Li Qiang is meeting with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a drive by Beijing to elevate relations and increase its overall presence in the Middle East.
Palestinian President Abbas begins China visit as Beijing seeks larger role in Mideast
Read full article: Palestinian President Abbas begins China visit as Beijing seeks larger role in MideastPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has begun a visit to China that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Mideast politics and competing for energy resources.
Abbas urges UN to suspend Israel during first commemoration of 1948 flight of the Palestinians
Read full article: Abbas urges UN to suspend Israel during first commemoration of 1948 flight of the PalestiniansPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging the United Nations to suspend Israel’s membership in the U.N. unless it implements resolutions establishing separate Jewish and Arab states and the return of Palestinian refugees.
Palestinian Authority blocks registration of legal aid group
Read full article: Palestinian Authority blocks registration of legal aid groupThe Palestinian Authority has blocked the registration of a legal advocacy group representing critics and opponents detained in Palestinian jails, a move condemned as the authority’s latest effort to stifle civil society in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli settlers rampage after Palestinian gunman kills 2
Read full article: Israeli settlers rampage after Palestinian gunman kills 2Scores of Israeli settlers have gone on a violent rampage in the northern West Bank, setting cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman.
Arab leaders warn Israeli actions threaten regional turmoil
Read full article: Arab leaders warn Israeli actions threaten regional turmoilDozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries have condemned recent Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, where violence has surged between Israel and the Palestinians.
Blinken calls for Israel-Palestinian calm seem to fall flat
Read full article: Blinken calls for Israel-Palestinian calm seem to fall flatU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up a two-day visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank with little to show for his renewed appeals for Israeli-Palestinian calm amid an alarming spike of violence.
Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visits
Read full article: Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visitsAn alarming spike in Israeli-Palestinian violence and sharp responses by both sides are testing the Biden administration as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plunges into a cauldron of deepening mistrust and anger on visits to Israel and the West Bank this week.
Israeli military kills Palestinian teacher, militant in raid
Read full article: Israeli military kills Palestinian teacher, militant in raidPalestinian officials and media reports say Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian schoolteacher and a militant during a military raid in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank confrontation
Read full article: Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank confrontationPalestinian health officials say Israeli forces have killed two Palestinians during a confrontation that erupted when troops entered a village in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian activist's family seeks ICC probe into his death
Read full article: Palestinian activist's family seeks ICC probe into his deathThe family of an outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority who died last year after allegedly being beaten by Palestinian security forces says it has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the death.
Palestinians say killing caught on video was unjustified
Read full article: Palestinians say killing caught on video was unjustifiedPalestinians have pushed back against Israeli police claims that an Israeli border police officer who shot to death a 22-year-old Palestinian at close range acted in self-defense.
As Israel's far right parties celebrate, Palestinians shrug
Read full article: As Israel's far right parties celebrate, Palestinians shrugThe apparent comeback of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the dramatic rise of his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies in Israel’s general election this week have prompted little more than shrugs from many Palestinians.
UN: 2022 likely deadliest for Palestinians in West Bank
Read full article: UN: 2022 likely deadliest for Palestinians in West BankThe U.N. Mideast envoy says 2022 is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the U.N. started tracking fatalities in 2005 and called for immediate action to calm “an explosive situation” and move toward renewing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Israeli troops raid gunmen's hideout; 5 Palestinians killed
Read full article: Israeli troops raid gunmen's hideout; 5 Palestinians killedThe military says Israeli forces have raided a stronghold of an armed group in the occupied West Bank’s second largest city, blowing up a bomb lab and engaging in a firefight.
German leader condemns Abbas' '50 Holocausts' remark
Read full article: German leader condemns Abbas' '50 Holocausts' remarkGermany’s chancellor says that he was “disgusted by the outrageous remarks” made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Berlin, accusing Israel of committing “50 Holocausts” against Palestinians over the years.
Biden's Saudi visit aims to balance rights, oil, security
Read full article: Biden's Saudi visit aims to balance rights, oil, securityPresident Joe Biden has exchanged a cordial fist bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but says he then raised the issue of the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence has said the crown prince approved.
The Latest: Biden says he raised issue of Khashoggi's murder
Read full article: The Latest: Biden says he raised issue of Khashoggi's murderPresident Joe Biden says he raised the “outrageous” murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who U.S. intelligence officials say ordered his killing.
Israeli court sentences Palestinian jailbreakers to 5 years
Read full article: Israeli court sentences Palestinian jailbreakers to 5 yearsAn Israeli court has sentenced six Palestinian inmates to five years in prison for tunneling out of their cell last year and escaping from a high-security facility.
Blinken set to see Israelis, Arabs wary about Iran, Ukraine
Read full article: Blinken set to see Israelis, Arabs wary about Iran, UkraineU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will try to use his three-nation tour of the Middle East and North Africa to reassure wary Israelis and Arabs that the Biden administration is committed to the region’s security at a time when Washington is confronting multiple foreign policy challenges.