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A view from the Israeli border with Gaza shows smoke billowing over the centre of Gaza after Israeli bombardment

Israel 'agrees for UN mission to assess northern Gaza'

US top diplomat Antony Blinken has said Israel has agreed on a plan for a UN mission to assess the situation in war-torn northern Gaza to enable the safe return of displaced Palestinians.

Middle East • 09 Jan 24

As it happened: Gaza facing famine risk - report

All of today's updates from the Israel-Hamas war as a UN-backed report found that the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger and the risk of famine.

Middle East • 21 Dec 23

As it happened: US 'losing credibility' on Gaza

Tuesday's developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Middle East • 19 Dec 23

A Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in November

US launches multinational push to protect Red Sea trade

The US has announced the creation of a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea following a series of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

Middle East • 19 Dec 23

As it happened: Israel to press on with 'just war'

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would continue its "just war" to destroy Hamas.

Middle East • 09 Dec 23

As it happened: 'Israel must respect international law'

Follow developments in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, as the US urges that civilians must be protected.

Middle East • 03 Dec 23

As it happened: Gaza 'dangerous place' for children

A look back on the day's developments after Israel and Hamas reached a deal that will see the release of 50 hostages and a four-day pause in fighting.

Middle East • 22 Nov 23

As it happened: Body of hostage 'found near hospital'

As it happened: Israeli soldiers near Gaza's largest hospital found the body of a hostage seized by Hamas militants in their attacks on southern Israel on 7 October the army said.

Middle East • 16 Nov 23

Al Shifa hospital has become a chief target of Israeli forces

As it happened: Hamas centre found in hospital - IDF

Follow live updates as Israeli forces raid Gaza's biggest hospital in a "targeted" operation against Hamas.

Middle East • 15 Nov 23

Israeli soldiers walk through the Al Shifa hospital complex (Pic: IDF via Reuters)

Israeli troops enter Al Shifa hospital in Hamas raid

Israeli troops have entered Gaza's biggest hospital and are searching its rooms and basement following a days-long siege that caused global alarm over the fate of thousands of civilians trapped inside.

Middle East • 15 Nov 23

A Palestinian woman gestures as she explains how her home was destroyed during the Israeli bombardment in Gaza

Hamas has command centre at Gaza hospital - US

The White House has said its independent intelligence supported Israel's claim that Hamas was using Gaza's hospitals, including its biggest, to hide command posts and hostages while a glimmer of progress emerged in hostage negotiations.

Middle East • 14 Nov 23

As it happened: Israeli envoy responds to Dáil motion

Follow developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as the WHO says Gaza's largest hospital is no longer functioning.

Middle East • 13 Nov 23

Israel says 1,400 people were killed, mostly civilians, and about 240 were taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October

Media groups deny allegations they knew of Hamas attack

Major international media outlets have strongly denied that their Gaza photographers had prior knowledge of the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, following allegations taken up by the Israeli government.

World • 10 Nov 23

World oil prices are set to fall about 5% on the week

Oil prices set for third weekly decline in a row

Oil prices rose today but are set to fall for a third week amid signs of slowing demand and as market attention turns to a key meeting of OPEC and its allies this month which will determine the group's next move on production.

Business • 10 Nov 23

The aftermath of an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza

Palestinians say Gaza hospitals, school hit by strikes

Palestinian officials have said Israeli air strikes hit three Gaza hospitals and a school today, killing at least 22 people.

Middle East • 10 Nov 23

Oil prices gained more than $2 a barrel yesterday, but were on track to lose about 4% on the week

Oil heads for weekly loss as supply concerns ease

Oil prices were little changed today, but were headed for a second week of losses as supply concerns driven by conflict in the Middle East eased, while the demand outlook from the world's top crude importer China remained uncertain.

Business • 03 Nov 23

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had already had some 'very impressive successes' with troops 'more than on the outskirts of Gaza City'

US urges 'pauses' in fighting as Israel besieges Gaza

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken has met Israeli leaders to call for more to be done to protect Palestinian civilians during the war to destroy Hamas.

Middle East • 04 Nov 23

As it happened: Israel hits Hezbollah targets

Follow live developments as the conflict in Gaza rages for a 27th day, with more foreign nationals set to leave by the Rafah border crossing.

World • 02 Nov 23

Palestinians conduct a search and rescue operation after an Israeli attack on the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza City

Israeli military says it has Gaza City surrounded

Israel's military has said its forces have surrounded the Hamas stronghold of Gaza City after a day that saw the Palestinian territory pounded by deadly fire.

Middle East • 02 Nov 23

Oil prices climbed about 2% today ahead of a keenly watched meeting of the US Federal Reserve and as the Middle East conflict continues

Oil prices up over 2% as Middle East conflict rages

Oil prices climbed about 2% today ahead of a keenly watched meeting of the US Federal Reserve for clues on interest rate policy, while the conflict in the Middle East remains in focus.

Business • 01 Nov 23

Yocheved Lifshitz was freed after two weeks in captivity

'I went through hell', says freed Israeli hostage

An elderly Israeli hostage who was released by Hamas overnight told reporters outside a hospital in Tel Aviv that she "went through hell," during the attack, but was treated well in Gaza.

World • 24 Oct 23

Oil prices are on track to rise for a second week in a row

Oil set for second weekly gain on Gaza escalation fears

Oil prices climbed today and were on track to rise for a second week on heightened fears that the Israel-Palestinians crisis may spread in the Middle East and disrupt supply from one of the world's top-producing regions.

Business • 20 Oct 23

As it happened: Aid to cross Rafah 'within 48 hours'

Developments in Gaza and Israel as they happened today as US President Joe Biden asked Americans to spend billions more dollars to help Israel fight Hamas.

Middle East • 20 Oct 23

Tents for Palestinians seeking refuge are set up on the grounds of a United Nations relief centre in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza

As it happened: Medical aid for Gaza 'ready to go'

Developments in Gaza and Israel as they happened where the region remains volatile in the aftermath of an explosion at Gaza's Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital.

Middle East • 19 Oct 23

Oil prices gained more than $3 to touch their highest levels in two weeks earlier today

Oil spikes as Middle East woe heightens supply concerns

Oil prices climbed about 2% to a two-week high today on a bigger-than-expected US storage draw and as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt oil supplies from the region, with Iran calling for an oil embargo on Israel.

Business • 18 Oct 23