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Middle East conflict

March

Trump’s tango with Russia’s autocrat Vladimir Putin over the terms of a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine has sowed doubts.

For Trump, the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must

The US president’s hastiness to secure peace overlooks the often laborious work usually required for a long-term, stable and durable solution to a conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets after fire from within Lebanon

Israel vowed a forceful response to rocket fire from Lebanon on Saturday as a fragile four-month truce with Hezbollah showed new signs of strain.

An Israeli soldier Stans on a tank as it is taking position in front of the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops begin limited ground incursion in Gaza

Israel’s army began “targeted ground activities” in the Palestinian territory, with the aim of creating a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza.

 Palestinians carry the body of someone killed during Israeli airstrikes at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, Gaza.

Netanyahu says Israeli strikes across Gaza are ‘only the beginning’

The prime minister said the military would press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims: destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militants.

Palestinians inspect damage following an Israeli airstrike in the Shejaiya residential district, east of Gaza City.

Will Israel return to a full-scale war in Gaza?

Deadly bombardment has strengthened Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition but drawn the ire of hostages and their families.

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February

Donald Trump first publicly raised the idea that the US would take over Gaza in early February.

Without Egypt or Jordan onboard, Trump retreats from his Gaza plan

Donald Trump had said he favoured taking control of Gaza and displacing the Palestinians who lived there. But Egypt and Jordan rejected cooperating.

Two people embrace amid a sea of Israeli flags in hostages square in Tel Aviv.

Hamas says it has handed over body of Shiri Bibas

Israeli medical authorities said forensic teams were preparing to examine the body, which Hamas transferred via the Red Cross, and confirm its identity.

A coffin containing the body of Ariel Bibas is taken to Red Cross representatives in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

‘Horrific’: Mother not among dead hostages handed over by Hamas

The Israeli military says a body released by Hamas did not belong to any of the hostages held in Gaza, accusing the militant group of violating the ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Netanyahu signals he’s transferring Palestinians from Gaza

The Israeli prime minister discussed the plan in Jerusalem with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said Hamas “must be eradicated”.

An Israeli soldier driving a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border.

Netanyahu threatens to restart war if hostages not returned

“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will end,” the Israeli leader said, adding he’s ordered the military to prepare.

Relatives of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip protest in Tel Aviv.

Trump says ‘all’ Israeli hostages must be released by Saturday

The US president says “all hell is going to break out” if the remaining Israelis are not freed after Hamas threatened to delay the deal.

Guantanamo Bay’s Camp Delta.

US to fly illegal migrants to Guantanamo Bay

The first planeload of illegal immigrants will land in the notorious prison on Tuesday; Michaelia Cash emphasises Peter Dutton’s strength over his likeability; Elliott swoops on BP. Here’s how the day unfolded.

Trump has announced a stunning proposal of a US take-over of the war-torn Gaza Strip to redevelop the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Albanese must stand up to Trump’s Gaza plan

Australia must be prepared to stick up for the international rule of law system that has contributed to our nation’s security, peace, and stability for decades.

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up next to destroyed buildings following the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Is Trump’s Gaza gamble ‘morally bankrupt’ or bold?

Donald Trump’s breathtaking plan for the US to takeover Gaza stunned the world and ripped up the foreign policy status quo in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump reiterated his vision for Gaza in a post on his social media site.

Trump slaps sanctions on international court for targeting Israel

The president has placed sanctions on International Criminal Court officials who investigate the US and its allies such as Israel.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

Netanyahu backs Trump’s ‘remarkable’ Gaza plan

The White House defended Donald Trump’s “take-over” plan of the war-torn territory as US allies across Europe and the Middle East condemned the move.

January

Israeli Arbel Yehoud, 29, who had been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, is escorted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters as she is handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, local time.

The Gaza ceasefire hasn’t got to the hard part yet. Will Trump persevere?

The prime example of a phased, conditions-based performance agreement was the Oslo Accords. And those failed.

Hamas fighters at the scene of a hostage handover.

Israel delays prisoner swap after chaotic hostage handover

Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai hostages but Israel decried “shocking” scenes at the site of the handover as fighters swarmed the hostages.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu from a meeting in Jerusalem in 2017.

Trump invites Netanyahu to the White House

The Israeli prime minister would be the first foreign leader to visit Washington in Donald Trump’s second term after receiving an invitation for February 4.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians walk towards their homes in northern Gaza, via the Netzarim Corridor.

Thousands of Gaza residents stream back to the north on foot

Palestinians began returning to the ravaged territory and what was left of their homes and families, after Israel and Hamas agreed to keep a ceasefire in place.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/middle-east-conflict-6h14