Middle East

Saturday 13 April, 2013 19:19:13

Palestinian premier quits

Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad has resigned, according to officials.

Sunday 07 April, 2013 11:26:14

Cyberattack against Israeli government causes 'hardly any real damage'

A cyberattack campaign targeting Israeli government websites failed to cause serious disruption, officials said today.

Wednesday 03 April, 2013 07:22:51

Israel launches air strikes on Gaza

Israeli warplanes struck targets in the Gaza Strip today in response to rocket fire toward southern Israel.

Thursday 21 March, 2013 12:39:48

Obama: Gaza settlements are 'not appropriate'

US President Barack Obama said today he is not giving up on stalled peace talks in the Mideast but that continued Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank is not helping the cause.

Wednesday 20 March, 2013 16:38:59

Obama confirms US' 'unwavering commitment to Israel’s security'

President Barack Obama has arrived in Israel and vowed "eternal" support for his top Middle East ally.

Saturday 23 February, 2013 19:31:54

Two Palestinians shot in clashes

Jewish settlers have shot two Palestinian demonstrators in clashes in the West Bank, officials say.

Saturday 02 February, 2013 13:47:46

Clashes at West Bank protest camp

Israeli troops have fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse Palestinian activists who pitched a camp in the West Bank to protest against Israeli restrictions on building in the territory.

Thursday 31 January, 2013 18:32:15

Israeli settlers 'clearly violating Palestinians' rights': UN report

The Israeli government’s settlement policy has clearly violated the rights of Palestinians and breaches one of the Geneva Conventions, a UN report says.

Thursday 31 January, 2013 13:56:39

Russia condemns Israeli air strike

Iran and Russia have joined the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in condemning a rare Israeli air strike on Syria.

Tuesday 29 January, 2013 17:03:49

Israel misses human-rights review without giving reason

Israel has become the first nation to miss a UN review of its human rights record without giving a reason.

Tuesday 22 January, 2013 07:09:49

Netanyahu poised for victory Israelis head to the polls

Benjamin Netanyahu seems poised for re-election as Israel’s Prime Minister because of the failure of his opponents to unite behind a viable candidate against him .

Saturday 12 January, 2013 18:06:37

Israel blocks tent protest roads

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu closed roads leading to a strategic West Bank site tonight in preparation to evacuate Palestinians who pitched tents there to protest at plans to build a Jewish housing project.

Friday 04 January, 2013 15:10:15

Fatah stages mass rally in Gaza

The Fatah party of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has staged a massive rally in the Gaza Strip, the first such gathering in the territory since the Islamist Hamas group took control there in 2007.

Monday 24 December, 2012 13:17:24

Gaza rockets 'breached international laws'

Gaza militants violated laws of war by launching hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians during last month's fighting, Human Rights Watch has said.

Monday 10 December, 2012 16:30:44

Netanyahu hits out at 'double standards'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the international community of double standards.

Saturday 08 December, 2012 08:53:47

Thousands gather for Hamas rally

Thousands of Palestinians are gathering in Gaza today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hamas militant group.

Tuesday 04 December, 2012 11:24:02

Israel deputy foreign minister: Settlement plan response 'not the end of the world'

Israel’s deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon has said that Israel is not happy about the international response to the plan for settlements in east Jerusalem, but “it’s not the end of the world”.

Monday 03 December, 2012 14:49:04

Tánaiste criticises new wave of Israeli settlements

The Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore has today strongly criticised Israel’s decision to construct 3,000 new settlement units in East Jerusalem and West Bank.

Monday 03 December, 2012 11:14:10

Israel called to account over homes

Israel’s approval of 3,000 new homes on occupied territory has drawn sharp condemnation from European allies with at least three governments summoning ambassadors over an action they say undermines an already troubled peace process.

Friday 30 November, 2012 07:09:23

UN upgrade of Palestine status a sharp rebuke for Israel and US

The United Nations has voted overwhelmingly to recognise a Palestinian state, but the Palestinians still face enormous limitations: they do not control their borders, airspace or trade, they have separate and competing governments in Gaza and the West Bank, and they have no unified army or police.

Tuesday 27 November, 2012 09:55:03

Tzipi Livni to head new Israeli party

Israel’s former foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, is returning to politics and will be heading a new party, her aide said today.

Tuesday 27 November, 2012 08:05:10

Yasser Arafat's remains exhumed in search for clues to cause of death

The remains of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat were exhumed from his grave today so international forensic experts could search for additional clues to his death, Palestinian officials said.

Saturday 24 November, 2012 13:54:09

Israel eases border restrictions

Israel has eased some border restrictions as part of its truce with the Palestinian territory's Hamas rulers, Gaza residents said today, allowing farmers to visit land near its security fence and letting fishermen head further out to sea.

Saturday 24 November, 2012 09:55:53

Arafat remains to be exhumed on Tuesday

The remains of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will be exhumed on Tuesday, to enable foreign experts to take samples as part of a probe into his death, a Palestinian official said today.

Saturday 24 November, 2012 09:29:09

Fence-surge Gazans test no-go zone

Israeli troops fired on Gazans as they surged towards their border fence, killing one person but leaving intact the fragile two-day-old ceasefire between Hamas and the Jewish state.

Thursday 22 November, 2012 09:06:10

Cautious hope as Gaza fighting ends

A ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers brought an end to eight days of the fiercest fighting in years and possibly signalling a new era of relations between the bitter enemies.

Wednesday 21 November, 2012 17:56:19

Israel and Hamas agree ceasefire

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been agreed, Egypt has announced.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 18:03:56

Hopes of Gaza peace deal draw close

The prospect of a Hamas-Israel ceasefire drew closer tonight after encouraging hints that both sides were near to a deal.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 16:59:38

Hamas: Middle East truce to come into effect tonight

A Hamas official has said Israel and Gaza militants have reportedly agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 13:43:32

Morsi: Israel 'aggression' in Gaza will end soon

The Egyptian President has said Israel's operation in Gaza will end today and that ceasefire talks mediated by his Government will yield results within hours.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 13:05:47

Gaza rocket lands in Jerusalem

A Palestinian rocket has hit the outskirts of Jerusalem, landing harmlessly in an open area in one of the longest strikes fired from the Gaza Strip in nearly a week of fighting.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 11:05:12

Envoys try to end Middle East chaos

The world’s top diplomats were today trying to end the week-long convulsion of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 09:49:55

Armed man attacks US Embassy guard in Tel Aviv

A man has been arrested after an armed attack on a security guard at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israeli police said today.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 08:07:34

Obama sends Clinton to Middle East

US President Barack Obama is sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Middle East in the hope that she can help mediate an end to the bloody conflict in the region.

Tuesday 20 November, 2012 07:51:49

Israeli jets pound Hamas bank HQ

Israeli aircraft have battered the headquarters of the Gaza Strip bank set up by Hamas chiefs to sidestep international sanctions.

Monday 19 November, 2012 18:32:42

Fighting continues between Israel and Hamas

Israel and Hamas continued to bombard each other today as attempts began to broker a cease-fire after six days of death and destruction.

Monday 19 November, 2012 11:28:58

Death toll mounts in Gaza

More Israeli airstrikes hit crowded areas in the Gaza Strip today, increasing the civilian death toll.

Monday 19 November, 2012 10:36:05

Charities call for Gaza ceasefire

World leaders should enforce a ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilian lives and infrastructure, a group of 38 charities has said.

Monday 19 November, 2012 10:09:24

British Foreign Secretary leads fresh ceasefire calls

William Hague has led fresh calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East after the bloodiest day of the Gaza crisis increased growing concerns over the safety of innocent civilians caught up in the conflict.

Monday 19 November, 2012 09:37:51

Middle East clashes see oil price rise

The price of oil rose to nearly 88 US dollars a barrel in Asia today as the conflict between Israel and Hamas showed no signs of abating, raising concerns about crude supplies.

Monday 19 November, 2012 08:45:18

Warning on Gaza children's plight

Hundreds of thousands of children are trapped in houses in Gaza facing prolonged power cuts and depleting supplies of food and water, according to Save the Children.

Monday 19 November, 2012 07:00:44

Civilians killed in Israeli strikes

An Israeli missile ripped through a two-story home in a residential area of Gaza City on Sunday, killing at least 11 civilians, including four young children and an 81-year-old woman, in the single deadliest attack of Israel’s offensive against Islamic militants.

Saturday 17 November, 2012 08:46:20

Israel widens air assault on Gaza

Israel expanded its fierce air assault on rocket operations in the Gaza Strip today, striking Hamas government and security compounds, smuggling tunnels and electricity sources after an unprecedented rocket attack aimed at the holy city of Jerusalem raised the stakes in its violent confrontation with Palestinian militants.

Friday 16 November, 2012 18:29:02