Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) meets his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on March 18. Photo: AFP

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

4 hours ago

Israel team to visit US over Biden concerns on Rafah, Gaza ‘anarchy’

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for first time in a month amid growing tensions over the war in Gaza.

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for first time in a month amid growing tensions over the war in Gaza.

4 hours ago

Gaza’s food shortage means mass death is imminent: monitor

Global hunger monitor warns that escalation of the war could push half of Gaza’s total population to the brink of starvation.

Global hunger monitor warns that escalation of the war could push half of Gaza’s total population to the brink of starvation.

4 hours ago

Netizens slam K-pop singer for drinking Starbucks coffee: ‘educate yourself’

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:56PM

Israeli army launches operation at Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital

Israeli troops were undertaking a ‘precise operation’ targeting the main hospital in the northern metropolis, citing Hamas activity.

Israeli troops were undertaking a ‘precise operation’ targeting the main hospital in the northern metropolis, citing Hamas activity.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:03PM

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Palestinians wait to receive food in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Unicef says over 13,000 children killed in Gaza in Israel offensive

Israel has carried out a relentless bombardment and ground offensive which has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children.

18 Mar 2024 - 1:31PM

Germany’s Scholz calls for Gaza deal with ‘longer-lasting ceasefire’

In Jerusalem on Sunday, Scholz called for a ‘negotiated two-state solution’ to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying ‘terror cannot be defeated with military means alone’.

In Jerusalem on Sunday, Scholz called for a ‘negotiated two-state solution’ to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying ‘terror cannot be defeated with military means alone’.

18 Mar 2024 - 10:30AM

Deadly strikes hit Gaza as Israel mulls truce talks position

Shelling and clashes have been reported in south Gaza’s main city of Khan Younis and elsewhere, with 12 members of the same family among those killed overnight.

Shelling and clashes have been reported in south Gaza’s main city of Khan Younis and elsewhere, with 12 members of the same family among those killed overnight.

17 Mar 2024 - 8:15PM

19 truffle hunters in Syria killed by landmine blast

The blast that hit the vehicle of the truffle searchers happened in a desert area known as a hideout for jihadists.

The blast that hit the vehicle of the truffle searchers happened in a desert area known as a hideout for jihadists.

17 Mar 2024 - 3:52PM

Mossad chief expected to resume Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha on Sunday

Talks will focus on remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas including over prisoner releases and humanitarian aid.

Talks will focus on remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas including over prisoner releases and humanitarian aid.

16 Mar 2024 - 10:31PM

In Gaza at Ramadan, starvation adds to deaths amid Israel-Hamas truce impasse

With ceasefire talks stalled, fears are growing that events will ‘spiral out of control’ in Gaza, where deaths from malnutrition and dehydration are adding to the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed by Israel’s months-long bombardment.

With ceasefire talks stalled, fears are growing that events will ‘spiral out of control’ in Gaza, where deaths from malnutrition and dehydration are adding to the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed by Israel’s months-long bombardment.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:36AM

In Gaza, there are no more ‘normal-sized babies’, UN official says

Doctors are seeing small and sickly newborns, stillbirths and mums having c-sections without enough anaesthesia, the UNFPA representative for Palestine says.

Doctors are seeing small and sickly newborns, stillbirths and mums having c-sections without enough anaesthesia, the UNFPA representative for Palestine says.

16 Mar 2024 - 7:47AM

Ukraine war: G7 threatens sanctions if Iran sends Russia ballistic missiles

Among the steps that have been discussed is ending national airline Iran Air’s flights to Europe.

Among the steps that have been discussed is ending national airline Iran Air’s flights to Europe.

16 Mar 2024 - 3:09AM

Hamas proposes 6-week Gaza truce, hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel: official

During the proposed truce, Gaza militants would release about 42 hostages seized during the October 7 attack that triggered the war in Gaza, the official said.

During the proposed truce, Gaza militants would release about 42 hostages seized during the October 7 attack that triggered the war in Gaza, the official said.

15 Mar 2024 - 10:58PM

First aid boat unloads as Israel-Gaza war drags into Ramadan

The vessel was seen towing a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of food for Palestinians threatened with famine after more than five months of war.

The vessel was seen towing a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of food for Palestinians threatened with famine after more than five months of war.

16 Mar 2024 - 3:43AM

‘Brands that fatten them up’: Israeli dates under Muslim boycott in Southeast Asia

Chat groups are warning Muslims to be alert when buying dates – a sweet fruit eaten to break fast during Ramadan – after some were repackaged in Malaysia to hide their origin.

Chat groups are warning Muslims to be alert when buying dates – a sweet fruit eaten to break fast during Ramadan – after some were repackaged in Malaysia to hide their origin.

15 Mar 2024 - 10:44PM

Red Sea attacks: Yemen’s Houthis reported to have a hypersonic missile

Russian media report says Iran-backed Houthis have successfully tested a missile capable of Mach 8, potentially raising the stakes in their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Russian media report says Iran-backed Houthis have successfully tested a missile capable of Mach 8, potentially raising the stakes in their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

15 Mar 2024 - 3:16PM

Israel denies Palestinian claim forces killed Gazans awaiting aid

At least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Gaza’s health ministry said. The Israeli military said the reports are ‘false’.

At least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Gaza’s health ministry said. The Israeli military said the reports are ‘false’.

15 Mar 2024 - 4:07PM

US Senate leader pushes for Israel elections, calls Netanyahu an obstacle to peace

Democrat Chuck Schumer’s remarks are the most strident criticism yet by a senior American official of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza.

Democrat Chuck Schumer’s remarks are the most strident criticism yet by a senior American official of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza.

15 Mar 2024 - 4:48PM

China opening the taps amid Middle East ‘pivot’ with UAE desalination plant

A water desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates highlights China’s ongoing move towards the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

A water desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates highlights China’s ongoing move towards the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

14 Mar 2024 - 6:05PM