Middle East

Palestinians have said they will not leave Gaza after US President Donald Trump said he wanted his country to “take over” the territory. “After all we’ve been through, how could we agree to such a decision?”, one woman told BBC Arabic. Trump’s comments, which have been met with shock and …

BBC Verify examines international law to understand if the US has the authority to “take over” the Gaza Strip. BBC News

Many Israelis and Palestinians are concerned about what the latest announcements could mean for the current talks on extending the Gaza ceasefire. The next stage of the deal is meant to see the return of some 60 remaining Israeli hostages – not all of whom are alive – and a …

Asked about the idea, Trump said that he envisions “a long-term ownership position.” “We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” Trump said. He added that “everyone loves the idea” and that the US would “create an …

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC on Tuesday. Since the ceasefire deal was agreed on 19 January, Trump had, in different interviews, talked about whether he thinks the ceasefire would stand, the plan to rebuild Gaza, and if Palestinians could …

Two-year-old Palestinian Habiba al-Askari suffers from a rare disease that has cut off the blood supply to her limbs. Doctors treating her said she needed to be evacuated to a hospital outside of Gaza to save her life, and some of her limbs. Jordan has been trying to get Israeli …

For the Israeli PM, this is a boost on the world stage after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on allegations of war crimes. Washington, does not recognise the court – meaning it has no obligation to detain Netanyahu – and has strongly condemned the …

Fifteen people, including 14 women, have been killed in a car bomb attack on a vehicle transporting agricultural workers in northern Syria, first responders say. Another 15 women were wounded by the blast on the outskirts of the city of Manbij, east of Aleppo, according to the Syria Civil Defence. …

Two Israeli hostages have been handed to the Red Cross in a highly-orchestrated event in Khan Younis. Ofer Kalderon, 53, and Yarden Bibas, 34, were among the hostages taken to Gaza by Hamas during the 7 October attacks. It is the fourth release of hostages since the ceasefire deal between …

Also on Wednesday, the Syrian government called on Russia to address “past mistakes” by paying war reparations, during the first visit by a top Kremlin delegation since the fall of Assad, its staunch ally. Sharaa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed “rebuilding trust with the Syrian people through …

The Palestinian armed group Hamas has released the names of three hostages it says it will free on Saturday under the ceasefire deal with Israel. They are Israelis Ofer Kalderon, 53, and Yarden Bibas, 34, and American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65. Mr Bibas is the father of Kfir, the youngest hostage …

There were jubilant scenes in the West Bank as more Palestinians were released on Thursday. BBC News

Hamas has confirmed that its military chief, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip last year. Israel’s military said in August that it had killed Deif the previous month, but Hamas had not confirmed this until now. Hamas has also announced the death of …

Hundreds of Israeli security forces backed by helicopters, drones and armoured vehicles have been deployed to Jenin and its refugee camp, long seen as a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. More than 20,000 people have reportedly fled their homes in the camp, where many …

The latest releases of hostages held by Hamas as part of the ceasefire with Israel is under way in the Gaza Strip. Soldier Agam Berger was handed to the Red Cross in a stage-managed event after being brought out of from a scene of rubble by gunmen in Jabalia, north …

Helicopters from the Jordanian air force have delivered aid into Gaza for the first time since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect. The BBC’s Fergal Keane joined the mission as an aerial aid bridge flew supplies into Israeli-held territory in southern Gaza. Read more about the operation …

There are some details that the group cannot speak about publicly because of concerns that it could compromise the security of the operation. Ms Davies says planning is crucial to ensuring that the exchange runs smoothly. They have mapped out alternative routes to get to different locations in Gaza, knowing …

Palestinians are continuing to arrive back into northern Gaza after Israel reached a deal with Hamas to release six hostages this week. Israel began to allow Palestinians to move north on Monday, as well as freeing more Palestinian prisoners later in the week. Among those heading back to Gaza City …

As Israel prepares to outlaw the main UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday, there are warnings that it could undermine vital aid delivery and long-term chances of peace. Israeli officials have not spelt out how they will enforce the legislation passed last year by Israel’s parliament, which accused Unrwa …

Aid agencies have described a catastrophic situation in northern Gaza, where more than 300,000 displaced Palestinians have so far returned to their neighbourhoods under the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. The UN says almost 70% buildings across Gaza have been destroyed or badly damaged by Israeli …