Middle East

Trucks carrying aid were seen driving through a market in Khan Younis after Palestinian detainees and prisoners were reunited with their families as part of a ceasefire deal that started on Monday. “We are tired and we want to raise our children,” said a Gaza resident hoping for stability and …

In an exclusive interview with CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed claims from President Donald Trump that the “war is over” and responded to comments about whether he’s difficult to work with. The interview was conducted in an Israeli hospital tending to freed hostages. …

Two French nationals have been handed lengthy prison sentences by a court in Iran after being convicted of espionage, Iranian state media reports. The reports do not name the defendants but they are believed to be Cecile Kohler, 40, and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, the only French nationals being …

Jeremy BowenInternational editor EPA/Shutterstock Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Trump declared “the historic dawn of a new Middle East” Donald Trump’s quick trip to Israel and Egypt was the victory lap he wanted. Anyone watching the speeches he made in Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh, could see a man luxuriating in …

EPA There have been celebrations across Israel and the Palestinian territories as a major hostage and prisoner exchange on Monday marked a significant step towards ending two years of war in Gaza. In a crucial first phase of the US-brokered plan to end the war, Hamas returned all living Israeli …

Getty Images The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people is one of the longest-running and most violent disputes in the world. Its origins go back more than a century. There have been a series of wars between Israel and Arab nations. Uprisings – called intifadas – against Israeli occupation, …

An Israeli survivor of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova musical festival who saw his girlfriend murdered in front of him has been found dead. Roei Shalev’s body was recovered on Friday evening near Tel Aviv. Hours earlier the 30-year-old wrote on social media that “I just …

Royal Navy The boats were travelling across the Gulf of Oman A Plymouth-based ship has intercepted three small boats travelling across the Gulf of Oman carrying £35m worth of illegal narcotics, the Royal Navy has said. Commando snipers from Bickleigh barracks were used to disable the boats and the Navy …

Tammy GoodingBBC Hereford & Worcester House of Commons Former Worcester MP, Mike Foster, was a minister in Sir Tony Blair’s government A former Labour MP for Worcester has said former prime minster Sir Tony Blair would be well-placed to help lead the peace process in Gaza. President Trump’s 20-point peace …

Footage published by the Israeli military shows the freed hostages moments after they were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza and brought to Israel. Israeli hostages Alon Ohel and Guy Gilboa-Dalal are seen speaking to IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers after representatives of the Red Cross handed them over to …

Reuters US President Donald Trump has said “the war is over” as he travels to Israel for the release of hostages from Gaza under the ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas. Speaking on board Air Force One, he said the ceasefire would hold and a “board of peace” would …

Alice CuddyTel Aviv and Jaroslav Lukiv Tel Aviv crowd boos as Witkoff thanks Netanyahu Hundreds of thousands of people have held a rally in Tel Aviv, ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Addressing the crowds, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said the hostages “are coming home” …

Caroline HawleyDiplomatic correspondent BBC Alaa Abdel Fattah spoke via video link to the BBC’s Today programme “I’m learning how to get back into life,” says freed British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, as he recovers from more than a decade in jail in Egypt. “I’m doing much better than I …

BBC A ceasefire deal has taken effect in Gaza that should see Hamas release all the 48 Israeli and foreign hostages it is still holding after two years of war, 20 of whom are assumed to be alive. All but one were among the 251 people abducted during the Palestinian …

“There is a sense of happiness” in Gaza, says BBC correspondent US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace plan, in a major step towards a permanent end to their war. It comes two years and two days after the …

Alice Cuddyin Jerusalem, Helen Sullivan and James Chater Getty Images “Matan is coming home!” Mother of hostage Einav Zangauker (right) said while celebrating in Tel Aviv World leaders have welcomed the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace plan. The deal paves …

Hugo BachegaMiddle East correspondent, Jerusalem Watch: Palestinians react to Gaza peace deal announcement The ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, announced after intense negotiations in Egypt, is a long-awaited breakthrough that brings them closer to ending the two-year-old war in Gaza. But, despite the momentum, there is no …

The committee which organised Syria’s first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad has acknowledged “significant shortcomings”, after results showed only 13% of the seats contested were won by female and minority candidates. Observers said six women and 10 members of religious and ethnic minorities were among the 119 …

Rushdi AbualoufGaza correspondent, Istanbul EPA Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled an Israeli offensive in Gaza City in recent months “In these two years, I lost so much,” says Emaan al-Wahidi. She is living in a rented garage, struggling each day to find food and clean water, and has …

Jeremy Bowen International editor, Jerusalem Anadolu via Getty Images Israel’s devastating military response to the 7 October attacks has destroyed most of Gaza After two years of war, there is a chance of a deal that will end the killing and destruction in Gaza and return the Israeli hostages, living …