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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 farewell ceremony was held at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Tuesday for Sudthisak Rinthalak before his body was flown back to Thailand for burial. Photo: AP
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.

War and conflict

RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year

United Nations

UN hits out at global ‘apathy’ as it slashes aid appeal for 2026

War and conflict

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

Destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: AP
Thailand

‘We’ll bring him home’: Thai family to end long wait for Gaza hostage return

Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was killed two years ago by Hamas militants, is among 47 hostages whose bodies will be returned under a ceasefire deal.

War and conflict

Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel: Qatar PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Qatar and fellow truce guarantors are ‘getting together’ to advance the next phase of the deal.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Music

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

China trade

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

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Middle East

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

Houthi fighters participate in a rally marking the second anniversary of the attacks carried by Hamas against Israel, in Sana’a, Yemen in October. Photo: EPA
Israel

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants wait for Red Cross members to receive a body before it is handed over to Israel in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct civilian talks in decades

Talks were held days after the first anniversary of the start of the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Middle East

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

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Donald Trump

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on October 13. Photo: AFP
Israel

Israel’s Netanyahu seeks presidential pardon in corruption cases

The Israeli leader, who was indicted in 2019 on corruption charges, has long denied allegations against him.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

Israel

Egypt trains hundreds of Palestinian officers to police post-war Gaza

Palestinian movements have agreed to a force of around 10,000 officers but Israel opposes Hamas or Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza.

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Israel

Israeli drone attack kills two children in Gaza, say medics

Over 350 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire came into effect on October 10, with more than 70,000 killed since the war began.

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A boy pushes a bucket for water at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday. The level of violence in the enclave has reduced since a ceasefire began last month, but Israel has continued its strikes. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Hezbollah leader leaves open possibility of new war with Israel

The group’s top military commander was killed days ago in an Israeli attack, and the militants say they have a right to retaliate.

Israel

Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian men in West Bank after they appear to surrender

The Israeli army says its investigating the circumstances in which two Palestinians were shot dead.

Indonesia

Will Indonesian peacekeepers in Gaza be forced to fight Hamas?

By joining a peacekeeping force, Jakarta could be seen as siding with the US and Israel in the Gaza conflict, analysts say.

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Hamas militants escort members of the Red Cross towards a designated area in Gaza last week. Photo: Reuters
Israel

Israeli generals dismissed over failures from Hamas’ deadly attack

The firings come amid growing pressure for an inquiry and revelations of systemic military flaws to prevent the October 7, 2023, assault.

Palestinians take control of an Israeli tank after crossing the border fence with Israel from Khan Younis on October 7, 2023. Photo: dpa
Israel

Hezbollah military chief killed in Israeli strike on Beirut

Israel’s prime minister said Hezbollah’s Haytham Tabtabai was leading efforts to rebuild the militant group’s strength.

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Hong Kong society

Compassion in conflict: Hong Kong medics brave Gaza war to deliver critical care

Medical staff from the city recount saving lives and bringing comfort in war-torn communities as part of Red Cross humanitarian efforts.

Israel

Israeli air strikes kill at least 20 in Gaza, in latest test of ceasefire

The military says it was responding to a gunman crossing into Israeli-held territory, but Hamas called the allegation ‘an excuse to kill’.

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Smoke rises following an Israeli military bombardment east of Nuseirat on Friday. Photo: AP
Palestinian Authority

Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering

The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation.

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A Palestinian woman hangs clothes to dry amid the ruins of a building in Gaza City on November 18. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Europe seeks common ground with Indo-Pacific nations bruised by US-China rivalry

Senior officials and diplomats from Asia, Africa and the Pacific will attend a forum in Brussels. Beijing and Washington aren’t invited.

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Israel

Israeli air strikes kill 25 in Gaza, rattling ceasefire

Israel says it struck Hamas targets after troops were fired upon; Hamas condemns the actions as a dangerous escalation.

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