Australia says relations with Israel 'difficult' after aid worker death

Syria says no Turkish military build-up planned at airbase struck by Israel

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said he made clear to Israel there were no plans to establish a Turkish military base at Abu al-Duhur airbase, which Israel struck on Tuesday, saying the site was being rehabilitated for use by the Syrian Air Force.

Israeli warns Turkey against 'dangerous adventures' in Syria; Syria says no Turkish build-up planned

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria", Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, following an attack on a Syrian airbase earlier this week. Israel struck the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria

Australia summons Israeli ambassador over Gaza aid worker death

By Renju Jose SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australia summoned Israel's ambassador on Thursday and expressed outrage at a decision by its military not to pursue criminal proceedings over the death of an Australian aid worker in a 2024 airstrike in Gaza. The Israeli military said

'Ray of hope': Gaza seed bank rebuilds after wartime destruction

From a small makeshift tent in the central Gaza Strip, a dedicated team works to carefully store and document some of the war-shattered territory's most precious commodities: local seeds. Shelves of unassuming plastic tubs line the walls of the Al Qarara Seed Bank, each

Trump warns of economic consequences for any country that supports Iran

By Kanishka Singh and Parisa Hafezi WASHINGTON/DUBAI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump warned of economic consequences against any country that provided "any type of lifeline to Iran" as the United States looks to resolve a war it began alongside Israel nearly six

UK summons Israeli envoy over West Bank settlement project

Britain said on Wednesday it had summoned Israel's charge d'affaires and demanded a halt to a major West Bank settlement project after Israeli authorities opened bidding for more than 1,200 homes in the area. The E1 plan, green-lit by Israel last year, has drawn international

'More confrontational': Iran's new hardline security leadership

Earlier this month Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei reshuffled Tehran's top security team, putting his own personal stamp on the appointments and readying the Islamic republic for a long-term confrontation with the United States. Khamenei, in power since his father Ali

Trump vows 'tremendous' economic costs on Iran partners

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was launching a major new campaign to target Iran's economy, threatening "tremendous" punishment on any country that helps or does business with the Islamic republic. The intensified economic pressure campaign comes as the war nears

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.

Russia’s Putin hosts Saddam Hifter amid instability in Libya: What to know

Moscow has built a strong relationship with Libya’s eastern camp, as Washington and Ankara pursue efforts to reunify the country’s political and military institutions.

Trump the builder carves his legacy in stone as pressures mount

WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - With Iran diplomacy stalled, financial markets uneasy and his approval rating at another low point, President Donald Trump reverted to familiar territory on Wednesday, leading reporters on a tour of White House construction projects he hopes will

As election looms, Netanyahu puts Turkey in Israel's crosshairs

After more than two years of ordering on Israel's enemies across the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a tough re-election fight, is zeroing in on another perceived villain -- Turkey. On Tuesday, Warplanes bombed a base in northern Syria a short drive from

Sources: Mossad chief, Syria's FM discussed Turkish troops before IDF strikes

Sources told Reuters the phone call was held days before the Israeli military reportedly struck a Syrian air base. Netanyahu: 'We conveyed a message ... apparently they didn't hear it well enough, so we made sure they understood it better'

US to provide $206 million for Gaza peacekeeping force, letters show

By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration has told Congress it is sending more than $206 million for a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force, the first significant funding for the stalled U.S. plan to rebuild the devastated enclave.

US provides $206 million for Gaza force despite deadlocked peace plan

By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration has told Congress it is sending more than $206 million for a proposed Gaza peacekeeping force, the first significant funding for the stalled U.S. plan to rebuild the devastated enclave.

UAE suspends trade with Iran after coming under renewed missile fire

The Emirati Foreign Ministry said it decided to impose the punitive measures on Iran after two ballistic missiles were fired at the country, while also saying it remained committed to 'dialogue, cooperation and regional integration'

Exclusive-Mossad director, Syria foreign minister discussed Turkish military deployments before strikes, sources say

Aug 19 (Reuters) - The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, Roman Gofman, held a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani last week in which they discussed Turkey's military presence in Syria, three people familiar with the matter said. The call, which the

Exclusive-Mossad chief, Syrian foreign minister discussed Turkish military deployments before strikes, sources say

By Timour Azhari and Rami Ayyub

Reijnders leaves Man City for Saudi's Al Qadsiah

Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders completed a move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah on Wednesday in a deal reportedly worth 61 million euros ($71 million). An AFP correspondent saw Reijnders arrive at the club's headquarters in Al Khobar on Tuesday

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran

Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s Ghalibaf makes high-level visit to Iraq ahead of disarmament deadline

The Iraqi parliament speaker is calling on his Iranian counterpart to help Iraq export oil through Hormuz amid the regional conflict.

Visiting Iraq, Iran's parliament speaker hails 'new order' in the region

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday stressed the importance of strengthening the "new order" in the region, on the first stop in a three-day visit to Iraq. Ghalibaf's trip comes at a time when Iraq is facing American pressure to disarm factions

Iran warns Gulf countries against helping US after UAE cuts trade ties

Iran's armed forces warned Gulf countries against assisting the US military on Wednesday, hours after the United Arab Emirates announced it was severing economic ties with Tehran following new attacks on shipping. The Gulf is dotted with US military installations, including in

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said state oil giant TPAO and private companies are ready to explore for oil and gas onshore and offshore in Syria.

With talks stalled, Iran ups threats against Gulf, Europe: What to know

The threats have raised concerns that the conflict between Iran and the United States could expand beyond the region.

France says West Bank violence justifies its sanctions against Israeli minister Ben-Gvir

PARIS, Aug 19 (Reuters) - French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned on Wednesday violence in the West Bank by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, and added that this justified France's recent sanctions against Israel's far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. •

Israel army launches criminal probe into killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had ordered a criminal investigation into the 2024 killing in Gaza of five-year-old Hind Rajab, whose death drew international outrage after a harrowing recording of her last words. Hind's body was recovered from a car riddled with

Israel army admits firing on car in death of five-year-old Hind Rajab

The Israeli military on Wednesday admitted its troops fired on a car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza in 2024, saying it had ordered a criminal investigation into the killing which drew international outrage. Hind Rajab's body was recovered from a car riddled with

Germany, France, UN condemn far-right Israeli minister's 'inhumane' Gaza remarks

Germany, France and the UN on Wednesday condemned remarks by Israel's far-right national security minister, who declared that Israel should kill "30 or 40" people every night in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz "strongly condemns the inhumane

Germany, France condemn far-right Israeli minister's 'inhumane' Gaza remarks

Germany and France on Wednesday condemned remarks by Israel's far-right national security minister, who declared that Israel should kill "30 or 40" people every night in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz "strongly condemns the inhumane appeals

As election nears, Israelis fear polarisation could spark violence

Warnings are multiplying that violence could break out between rival political camps ahead of Israel's October 27 election, with powerful figures including top government ministers accused of incitement against opponents. Israel was rocked in 2023 by mass protests against a

Report: Israeli strike in Syria risked direct military conflict with Turkey, U.S. envoy says

Tom Barrack told The Jerusalem Post that Turkish forces were not aware that Israeli aircraft were en route to the base or of their intended mission, and therefore could have been inclined to scramble their own jets

UAE's financial embargo on Iran after missile threat puts rivalry back in spotlight

DUBAI, Aug 19 - The United Arab Emirates' decision to suspend all financial and economic transactions with Iran until further notice, citing amilitary escalation by Tehran with a missile threat, has refocused the spotlight on fraught ties between the major Gulf Arab oil

Israel opens criminal probes over killings of Hind Rajab and Gaza rescue workers, military says

By Emily Rose and Nidal al-Mughrabi JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Israel's military will open internal investigations over its troops' high-profile killings in Gaza of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in January 2024 and 15 emergency and aid workers in March 2025,

UN laments 'unacceptable' toll of 350 aid workers killed in 2025

IDF refused for three days to say where a beaten, hospitalized Palestinian detainee was being held

Sultan Jabarin was arrested after Israelis invaded his village south of Bethlehem, and required medical treatment. Only after petitions to the High Court of Justice was his family told where he was, and the ban the Shin Bet had imposed on meeting his lawyer was lifted

Report: Iran partially loses control of Strait of Hormuz as traffic shifts to Omani route

According to Kpler, over 80 percent of traffic through the strait in the past two weeks has passed through Omani-controlled territory; Iran opposes the arrangement and has responded by targeting vessels on Oman's north coast

Turkey slams Israel's 'untenable' claims after strikes on Syrian base

ANKARA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Turkey firmly rejected on Wednesday what it called "untenable allegations" by Israel regarding its military position in Syria, after Israel bombed a Syrian air base near the Turkish border and said Syria was on the verge of permitting Turkish troops