Turkey US opposed to Turkey re-joining F-35 programme, State Department says Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme and its Defence Industry Agency was sanctioned after Ankara announced in 2017 it would purchase Russian S-400 missiles. 21/08/2025
West Bank West Bank settlement project approved as IDF begins Gaza City assault Israel gave final approval Wednesday for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two. Meanwhile, the IDF said it had begun the first stages of its planned assault to seize Gaza City. 21/08/2025
No Comment Aid agencies criticise Gaza airdrops as unsafe and ineffective International donors carried out new airdrops of humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip, where residents continue to face acute food shortages under Israel’s blockade and ongoing military operations. 20/08/2025
Syria US-led coalition in Syria captures senior IS group commander The IS jihadist group broke away from al-Qaeda more than a decade ago and attracted supporters from around the world after it declared a so-called caliphate in 2014 in large parts of Syria and Iraq. 20/08/2025
Qatar 365 Education in Qatar, from book fairs to scholarships | Qatar 365 In partnership with Media City The annual Doha International Book Fair brings together bookworms, literary fans and cultural exchanges from all over the world. We explore how Qatar’s libraries and national reading campaigns incorporate technology and art into their strategies, and meet a few international publishers. 20/08/2025
Israel Israel to mobilise 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation Israel is preparing a major military operation in Gaza City, calling up tens of thousands of reservists. Human rights groups warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis. 20/08/2025
Syria Syria and Israel hold first direct talks in US-brokered meeting In US-brokered talks, Syria and Israel discussed restoring a 1974 ceasefire to de-escalate tensions following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. 20/08/2025
Egypt Aid drivers hope for Gaza entry as leaders meet at Rafah crossing Euronews travelled to the Rafah border crossing with the Egyptian foreign minister and the Palestinian premier. 20/08/2025
Gaza Israel yet to respond to ceasefire proposal as strikes on Gaza persist Qatar has stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal from Arab countries, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive in some of the territory's most densely populated areas. 20/08/2025
Lebanon Iraq says tip-off to Lebanon led to destruction of captagon factory Western governments estimate that captagon has generated billions of euros in revenue for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his associates and allies. 19/08/2025
Gaza Ship with hundreds of tonnes of aid for Gaza nears Israeli port Cyprus was the staging area last year for 22,000 tonnes of aid deliveries by ship directly to Gaza through a pier operated by the international charity World Central Kitchen and a US military-run docking facility known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore System. 19/08/2025
Business Israel to finalise 'largest' gas supply deal in its history to Egypt After two years of delays, the Israeli government is expected to finalise the deal with Egypt in the next two weeks, involving exports from Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field. 19/08/2025
Gaza Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, reports claim Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets. 18/08/2025
Lebanon US envoy wants long-term end of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon US special envoy to Lebanon Tom Barrack said his team would discuss a long-term deal with Israel after Beirut endorsed a US-backed plan for Hezbollah to disarm. 18/08/2025
Partner content Not just a night out: how 7 Management is redefining hospitality Partner content presented by 7 Management We talk to 7 Management’s CEO, Rabih Fakhreddine, about how he turned a Beirut lounge into a global hospitality empire blending dining, nightlife and immersive storytelling. 18/08/2025
No Comment WATCH: Thousands rally in Israel calling for Gaza hostage deal Thousands marched in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, as well as in Jerusalem, on Sunday, blocking roads and shutting businesses in protests demanding a deal to free hostages held in Gaza. 18/08/2025
Israel Dozens arrested in Israel as demonstrators demand hostage release deal Dozens were arrested in Israel as protesters gathered outside politician's homes, military headquarters and on major highways to demand the Israeli government strike a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza. 17/08/2025
Gaza Israel prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza Israel says it is preparing to mass move Palestinians from combat areas in Gaza to the south as plans of its new military offensive reach final stages of planning. 17/08/2025
Cyprus UK trade envoy resigns over visit to occupied northern Cyprus Labour MP Afzal Khan said he was visiting for personal reasons, but also held a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. 16/08/2025
No Comment Survivors gather to remember victims of Hamas attack at Nova Festival Thousands, including survivors, gathered in Tel Aviv for the Nova Healing Concert, held to remember victims of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival. 15/08/2025
Lebanon Hezbollah refuses to hand over its weapons to Lebanese government Hezbollah's Naim Qassem rejected Lebanon's decision to disarm the Iran-backed militant group, calling it a US-Israeli order and warning of a major crisis. 15/08/2025
Syria Turkey to provide weapons and support to Syria under new defence pact Syria's interim government has faced mounting challenges in restoring order after nearly 14 years of civil war following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebel forces in December. 14/08/2025
Cyprus Greek and Turkish Cypriots unite to restore cemeteries in Green Line The €700,000 project involves work at 15 sites in the Green Line, the island's demilitarised zone. 14/08/2025
Gaza IDF approves plan for expanded offensive in Gaza, spokesperson says No further details about the plan that has been agreed to or a timeline have been released but the announcement comes days after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans for the take over of Gaza City following an all-night session. 13/08/2025
Syria Turkey says Israel and Kurdish fighters shouldn't destabilise Syria Since Islamist-led insurgents ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in a rebel offensive in December, the interim government in Damascus has struggled to maintain stability and heal the wounds of the nearly 14-year civil war. 13/08/2025
Israel Netanyahu says Gaza ceasefire talks now focus on hostages The long-running indirect talks appeared to break down last month; however, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for ceasefire talks on Tuesday, according to Egyptian state media. 13/08/2025