Latest fromMiddle East Conflict

‘Highest level of f**k-up imaginable’: What we know about US war chat scandal
Officials in the chat included Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and VP JD Vance.

‘Bailing Europe out again’: Journalist added to US Defence chat on Yemen strikes
The Atlantic magazine's editor got advance notice of the strikes via Signal.

Israel launches strikes on Lebanon after cross-border rocket fire, risking ‘new war’
Lebanese PM warned the escalation risks dragging the country into ‘a new war’.

Israel threatens to annex parts of Gaza unless hostages released
Israel resumed bombing Gaza, killing 11 people, amid stalled truce negotiations.

Tallying the dead once again: Photos from the Gaza strikes
New York Times: After a 60-day truce, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed over 400 people

NZ ‘deeply concerned’ as Gaza conflict escalates - Peters
Ceasefire 'critical for ending the incomprehensible human suffering', Winston Peters says.

Netanyahu warns Gaza strikes ‘only the beginning’ amid stalled talks
Netanyahu warned future talks with Hamas 'will take place only under fire.'

Trump says Iran ‘will be held responsible’ for Houthi attacks
US strikes on Yemen killed 53 people and wounded 98 on Saturday.

‘Hates America, hates Trump’: US expels South African Ambassador
Marco Rubio accused Ebrahim Rasool of hating America and President Trump.

$700m cut: Columbia University accused of failing Jewish students amid protests
The cuts are due to alleged inaction on harassment of Jewish students.

‘American lives on the line’: Trump official confirms talks with Hamas
Hamas is believed to hold five Americans. Only one is alive.

‘America is back’: Trump addresses Congress, saying tariffs will bring ‘disturbance’ to economy
It was his first address to Congress since returning to power

Kurdish separatists declare ceasefire with Turkey after 40 years of armed struggle
Outlawed Kurdish militants declare ceasefire after Abdullah Ocalan’s call to disband.

‘Day of celebration’: Tears of joy as Hamas frees more Israeli hostages
Emotions ran high in Tel Aviv with crowds clapping and weeping.

Israel says hostage body returned by Hamas is not Bibas boys' mother Shiri
Israel is also accusing Palestinian 'terrorists' of killing Shiri Bibas's two boys.

‘Abhorrent and cruel’: UN slams Hamas' handover of hostages' remains
Hamas handed over four hostages' remains in a public ceremony in Khan Yunis.

‘Ready to release’: Hamas official on next steps in Gaza truce
Hamas is ready to release all hostages in one batch during the second phase.

Israeli minister demands Hamas surrender, leave Gaza amid truce talks
Bezalel Smotrich demands that Hamas surrender arms and leave Gaza immediately.

With fighting stilled, Palestinians face new trauma: Searching for their dead
New York Times: Families face fresh horrors as they search the rubble.

Threats of intense new war if Hamas hostages not released
The current truce is strained, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

‘No more games’: Israel urges action as hostage deadline looms
Hamas has delayed hostage release, accusing Israel of violating ceasefire terms.