Sickening ceremony stuns the world
An macabre ceremony in the Middle East has sent shockwaves around the world.
Middle East
Israeli soldiers charged with horror jail act
Disturbing footage shows the incident that led to the charging of five Israeli prison guards with horrific crimes.
Hamas’ youngest hostages have been killed
One of the hostages released by Hamas has been hit by devastating news, weeks after he was released by the terror group.
Worst news on youngest Hamas hostages
Images of a mum and her two red headed young kids being taken hostage by Hamas shocked the world. But an update on them appears grim.
Israel hails Trump’s ‘bold vision’ for Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commended US President Donald Trump’s ‘bold vision’ for the future of the Gaza Strip.
Tears on street after anti-Semitic video
Nurses have gathered to condemn hate speech after an “abhorrent” video of two NSW nurses on an anti-Semitic tirade surfaced online.
Trump’s seven-word claim about Gaza
US President Donald Trump made a number of questionable claims during a press conference on Monday but one was a blatant misrepresentation.
![CORRECTION / Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. Hamas militants handed over three Israeli hostages on February 8, as part of the fifth exchange under a fragile Gaza ceasefire, with 183 prisoners held by Israel due to be released later in the day. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) / âThe erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Eyad BABA has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Eli Sharabi] instead of [Or Levy]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.â](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/5089f1cbd0178567151c80d790ab4e60?width=650)
Hamas to stop releasing hostages
The announcement by Hamas has been met by fury from Israel and means the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is now on the brink of collapse.
‘Violate’: Big call on Trump’s Gaza plan
A senior minister has suggested parts of Trump’s plan to take “ownership” of Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” could violate international law.
Israeli hostages released in bizarre parade
Hamas militants handed over three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the fifth exchange under a fragile Gaza ceasefire.
Coalition at odds with Trump’s Gaza plan
The Coalition has held off embracing Donald Trump’s plan to take “ownership” of Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
‘Has no idea’: Trump’s Gaza plan baffles
Donald Trump’s blockbuster suggestion that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip isn’t malicious. It just doesn’t make any sense.
‘Hang on’: PM defies Donald Trump
Anthony Albanese has refused to endorse Donald Trump’s radical blueprint to take over the Gaza Strip, insisting Australia’s stance is unchanged.
Thorpe wades into uni anti-Semitism row
Firebrand independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has stormed into a uni anti-Semitism row, saying the symposium at the centre of the controversy was “amazing”.
Fears for family of released Hamas hostage
Hamas have released the latest round of hostages, including young father Yarden Bibas, but fears are growing about his wife and sons.
Stunning photo of nation on the move
An unending stream of people marched along the coast on January 27, carrying their belongings in plastic bags and repurposed flour sacks.
Heartbreaking moment hostages freed from ‘hell’
The Israel Defense Forces has shared footage of the emotional moment four female Hamas’ hostages reunited with their families.
Hamas to free female soldiers within hours
Four female Israeli soldiers will be released by Hamas in the second exchange under a ceasefire deal that has halted the Gaza war.
‘Irresponsible’: Call for Albo to spill the beans
Anthony Albanese is facing calls to give more details on foreign actors allegedly involved in the recent spate of anti-Semitic attacks.
Israel launches large-scale military operation
Just days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in the Gaza Strip, Israel has launched a major new military operation.
Inside Hamas’ sick goodie bags to hostages
The three Israeli hostages were presented with “gift bags” by Hamas before their release – in what the survivors described as a “cynical game”.
‘Pathway to peace’: Wong’s call on Trump
Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong has signalled high hopes for Donald Trump’s second presidency ahead of his inauguration in Washington DC.
Grim call on spate of anti-Semitic attacks
The NSW Premier has made a grim admission about the spate of anti-Semitic attacks gripping Sydney, flagging possible changes to the law.
Israel votes to seal ceasefire deal
The hotly-anticipated Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal will go ahead after being approved by the Israeli government in a marathon meeting.
Key Israel question hanging over Labor
Labor’s most senior Jewish MP’s high-stakes trip to Israel comes at one of the most consequential points of the 15 month war in Gaza.
‘A crisis’: Fears Israel ceasefire in tatters
Israel has delayed a critical cabinet meeting, accusing Hamas of reneging on elements of the long-awaited peace deal.
Warning to Dutton, Bandt over ceasefire
The Liberal and Greens leaders have been cautioned against bringing the Israel-Gaza conflict into Australia following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
‘A joke’: Israel ceasefire, Trump takes credit
Israel and Hamas have finally agreed on a ceasefire deal which will see hundreds of hostages released – and Donald Trump is trying to take the credit.
Albo reacts to Gaza ceasefire talk
Anthony Albanese has responded to murmurs Israel and Hamas are close to striking a peace deal in war-torn Gaza.
‘First time’: Insider proves Trump right
Incoming US President Donald Trump has made a major claim this morning – and one key detail may just prove him right after all.
’On the brink’: Huge Gaza development
After 15 long months of war a ceasefire in Gaza in ‘on the brink’ as peace talks enter their final round.
‘Difficult’: Big call on high-stakes Israel trip
Mark Dreyfus’ mission to salvage relations with Israel is “as important as it will be difficult”, an Australian Jewish group is warning.
‘Significant’: Huge news for Israel hostages
A tentative ceasefire deal hatched between Israel and Hamas is set to see dozens of hostages freed after 15 months in captivity in Gaza.
15 dead in horror fuel station explosion
A horror explosion at a fuel station has left at least 15 people dead and almost 70 more injured.
Aussie ex-hostage dies in Afghanistan
An Australian academic and ex-Taliban hostage has died in Afghanistan after battling cancer “for a long time”.
‘Positive step’: Jewish Response to Dreyfus trip
The head of a key Jewish group has welcomed news that Labor’s most senior Jewish MP is heading to Israel amid severe friction with Australia’s Middle East ally.
Disturbing new video of teen hostage
Hamas has released a new video indicating that a 19-year-old hostage is possibly still alive – and showing her in pure despair.
Single photo that got Aussies kidnapped
An Aussie couple has spoken for the first time about their horrific kidnapping ordeal, revealing the unlikely way they managed to escape.
Israel kills leader of brutal October 7 attack
An elite Hamas commander who led one of the most horrific attacks on Israel on October 7 has been killed in a targeted strike.
WHO head caught in Israeli air strike
The chief of the UN’s World Health Organisation was at an airport where it was bombed by Israel on Thursday.
Outrageous Christmas act sparks global fury
The burning of a Christmas tree in a Syrian Christian town has raised concerns about minority rights under new Islamist rule.
‘Truman Show’: Spies say everything is fake
Two former senior spies have revealed how they “create a pretend world” where “we’re the main actors”, likening it to The Truman Show.
‘Won’t allow it’: New Syrian leader’s decree
The new leader of Syria has announced that all weapons will be surrendered to “state control” during a press conference.
Dictator’s exiled wife ‘wants a divorce’
The British wife of Syria’s ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad is reportedly seeking a divorce just weeks after the pair fled to Moscow.
Huge move after shocking attacks rock Aus
One Australian state has made a major move to ensure safety at places of worship, after a spate of attacks shocked the nation.
Israel lashes Wong in fiery phone call
Israel’s Foreign Minister has reportedly lashed Penny Wong in a fiery phone call where Australia’s allegiance was called into question.
100,000 bodies found in Syrian mass grave
A grave containing the bodies of at least 100,000 people killed under President Bashar al-Assad’s rule has been discovered in Syria.
‘Enough is enough’: Albo booed at protest
A crowd of protesters have booed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during protests calling for greater action against anti-Semitism in Australia.
Humiliating truth about freed prisoner
A supposed Syrian prisoner who was dramatically freed by a CNN journalist on-air was actually a notorious torturer in Bashar al-Assad’s government.
The ‘hidden cancer’ undermining Australia
A grim warning has been issued after Islamophobic graffiti appeared in a Western Sydney suburb over the weekend.
‘Terrorist’: Exiled Syrian dictator unleashes
Syria’s former president Bashar al-Assad has spoken for the first time since rebels took over the country, denying he ever “planned” to leave Damascus.
‘Earthquake bomb’ in Syria, Israel responsible
A mammoth explosion in Syria’s Tartus region was picked up by earthquake monitors 820km away, as Israel makes a big claim.
Wong doubles down on Israel UN snub
Penny Wong has again called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid intense friction between Australia and Israel.
Chaos in Syria, leaders’ tomb burned
Fighters were seen holding up the flag of the revolution as they stood atop the charred gravesite of Syria’s late president Hafez al-Assad.
‘Disgraceful’ reason teen jailed in Dubai
A London teenager has been sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail, after an incident on a holiday.
Assad’s secret escape tunnels found
A network of tunnels equipped with living spaces has been found under Maher al-Assad’s former mansion – exposed after the bloodthirsty regime was toppled by rebels.
Blind mystic’s alleged Syria prediction
The stunning fall of the Syrian regime to armed rebels has led to claims that blind mystic Baba Vanga foretold the events as marking the start of World War III.
Israel wipes out Syria’s navy in bomb spree
The entire Syrian navy has been decimated in an attack by Israel, with 80 per cent of the Assad regime’s military destroyed in the past two days.
Dictator, glam wife’s humiliating new life
Stripped of power and chased from their own country, dictator Bashar al-Assad and his wife must now start a humiliating new life.
Horrific death toll in Ukraine revealed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed the horrific death toll of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nation’s civil war has exploded again
A sudden flare-up in Syria’s long-running civil war has stunned international observers, as a complex web of factions battle for control.
Mysterious figure who overthrew dictator
After operating from the shadows for years, how did this man bring down Syria’s president and end five decades of Baath Party rule?
‘Bloodthirsty’: World reacts to Assad downfall
The ousted dictator appears to have little love among his counterparts, some of whom have celebrated his loss of power.
‘Executions’: Frightening next steps in Syria
A dictator is gone. But Russia, Iran and Islamic State extremists are all circling as the fallout from 50 years of repression shapes the Middle East.
‘Dangerous’: Chilling detail as leader emerges
The rebels who overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad are currently “saying the right things”. But there is ample reason to worry.
ISIS Brides call sparks wild radio blow-up
An activist has accused 3AW radio host Tom Elliott of trying to “ramp up people’s fear” in a fiery clash on air.
Labor under fire after firebombing
The Coalition is attacking Labor after it launched an anti-Semitism taskforce following the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.
‘Games’: Concerning claim against Dutton
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been accused of playing “partisan games” after the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.
Chilling pictures of Syrian ‘death camp’
Teams are searching underground cells for survivors in a notorious Syrian jail dubbed the “human slaughterhouse”.
‘Geeky’ doctor killed 500,000 people
One shocking twist of fate saw a “geeky, lanky” eye doctor transform into a bloody tyrant responsible for the deaths of half a million people.
Putin’s big claim as Syrian dictator flees
Syria’s deposed dictator is “safe” in Moscow with his family and will be granted asylum, with Russia making a big claim about the end of his rule.
Country of 23m headed for ‘full-scale collapse’
A nation of more than 23 million is teetering on the brink of total collapse as rebel forces take hold, with a dictator now facing an uncertain future.
‘PM, how did you let it get to this?’
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Indigenous trailblazer Nova Peris have posed a brutal question to the prime minister after Friday’s synagogue attack.
Israeli PM’s astonishing claim on Australia
The Israeli Prime Minister has made an extraordinary claim about Australia after a Melbourne synagogue was firebombed.
Chilling detail in Middle East peace deal
The much-anticipated ceasefire in Lebanon might have grim implications for another Israeli battlefront.
Fury over army’s ‘grotesque’ Spotify Wrapped
Israel’s military has been panned after posting about their “Spotify Wrapped”, and appearing to brag about its war against Hamas.
‘Leading us to destruction’: Israeli PM blasted
A former defence minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has unleashed on the Israeli Prime Minister.
Why ex-Israeli minister blocked from Aus
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he barred the ex-Israeli minister from coming to Australia due to concerns her views could “undermine social cohesion”.
‘Immediate’: Trump team’s huge war claim
Donald Trump has not even set foot in office yet, but already his team is making a major claim about his impact on global affairs.
‘All a lie’: Putin takes extreme step in war
Russia has been bolstering its troops on the frontline with the help of “human trafficking” from a Middle Eastern militant group.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east