Middle East

‘Not entitled to sovereignty’: Israel’s occupied territories in Palestine found to be illegal by top UN court

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‘Not entitled to sovereignty’: Israel’s occupied territories in Palestine found to be illegal by top UN court

The top United Nations court says Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and should end, and for settlement construction to stop immediately. The ruling was an unprecedented, sweeping condemnation of Israel’s rule over the lands it captured 57 years ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly denounced the nonbinding opinion issued by … Read more

Melbourne surgeon Bushra Othman describes working in Gaza: ‘An open wound that never closes’

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Melbourne surgeon Bushra Othman describes working in Gaza: ‘An open wound that never closes’

Australian surgeon Bushra Othman was surprised so many young Palestinian men were being shot in their groins and legs in Gaza and suffering instant infections. She soon found out it was so they would be paralysed. The brutalities of war and crippling lack of resources were quickly laid bare to Othman when she returned to … Read more

Dozens of bodies found in Gaza after Israeli assault

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Dozens of bodies found in Gaza after Israeli assault

Dozens of bodies have been dug out of collapsed buildings and pulled off rubble-covered streets, after an Israeli assault in a district of Gaza City. The discovery of the bodies came after Israeli troops reportedly pulled out of parts of the Tal al-Hawa and Sinaah neighbourhoods following days of bombardment and fighting there. The Israeli … Read more

Australian Labor MP condemns Israel’s bombing of Gaza schools

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Australian Labor MP condemns Israel’s bombing of Gaza schools

A cabinet minister has condemned the killing of civilians and the bombing of schools in Gaza following warnings from an ex-Labor senator that Muslim and Arab voters are feeling disenfranchised by the federal government’s rhetoric. Education Minister Jason Clare said the war in Gaza had affected his community in Western Sydney more than most, due … Read more

Gaza destruction likely helped push Hamas to soften cease-fire demands, several officials say

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Gaza destruction likely helped push Hamas to soften cease-fire demands, several officials say

Dubai: Several officials in the Middle East and the US believe the level of devastation in the Gaza Strip caused by a nine-month Israeli offensive likely has helped push Hamas to soften its demands for a cease-fire agreement. Hamas over the weekend appeared to drop its longstanding demand that Israel promise to end the war … Read more

‘Reformist’ Masoud Pezeshkian elected president

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‘Reformist’ Masoud Pezeshkian elected president

FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian shows the victory sign during a campaign event in Tehran, Iran June 23, 2024. Majid Asgaripour | Via Reuters Iran elected Masoud Pezeshkian to its presidency, in an unexpected victory for the country’s reformist camp amid deep social discontent, economic hardship, and regional war. Pezeshkian won 16.3 million votes, … Read more

Israel-Hezbollah war risk rises. Can Iron Dome be overrun?

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Israel-Hezbollah war risk rises. Can Iron Dome be overrun?

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, in southern Israel, October 20, 2023. Amir Cohen | Reuters On Thursday morning, Hezbollah said it launched 200 rockets into Israel — one of its largest attacks yet — following the Israeli assassination of one of the group’s senior … Read more

Pro-Palestine protesters scale Parliament House as climate activists occupy foyer

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Pro-Palestine protesters scale Parliament House as climate activists occupy foyer

Two groups of protesters are staging action at Parliament House in Canberra, with one group currently sitting atop the building and another glued to pillars in the foyer. At least four pro-Palestine activists from the group Renegade Activists have scaled the marble pillars out the front of the building, unfurling three banners over the side … Read more

Iran votes in presidential election amid economic strife, regional war, crackdowns

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Iran votes in presidential election amid economic strife, regional war, crackdowns

Iranian women cast their ballots at a polling station during elections to select members of parliament and a key clerical body, in Tehran on March 1, 2024. ATTA KENARE | AFP Iran is voting for its next president Friday in a snap election following the unexpected death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter … Read more

‘Time to leave’ Lebanon as violence escalates, Joly urges Canadians – National

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‘Time to leave’ Lebanon as violence escalates, Joly urges Canadians – National

The federal government is urging Canadians in Lebanon to get out of the country while they still can, warning the security situation is becoming “increasingly volatile and unpredictable” as violence escalates between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday the situation could further deteriorate without warning, leaving Canadians … Read more