country in Western Asia
Key FactsEscalation of Conflict and Israeli Strikes in Syria
6 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: france24.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: france24.com
- Syrian government forces allied with Bedouin fighters to battle Druze groups in the city of Sweida.
- Israel targeted Syria's military headquarters in Damascus, warning of intensified strikes to defend the Druze minority.
- This conflict marks the deadliest outbreak since earlier battles in April and May, with continuous casualties.
- Relations between Syria's Islamist-led government and its religious minorities have worsened since December's regime change.
The situation is an existential battle for the Druze community.— Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the head of the Druze community in Israel, describes the current situation in Syria.
ICC judges reject Israel's request to withdraw Netanyahu arrest warrant: Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday rejected Israel's request ...
middleeasteye.net/news/icc-judges-reject-israel-request-withdraw-netanyahu-arrest-warrant
An Al Jazeera reporter shields himself while live on air as a large explosion hit a building behind him in Damascus, Syria ... Show more
Israel ‘dog on a leash’ of US, says Khamenei, warns of ‘bigger blows’ next time: Khamenei said in a statement that Israel’s attacks during the 12-day war were ...
wionews.com/world/israel-dog-on-a-leash-of-us-says-khamenei-warns-of-bigger-blows-next-time-1752684581170
Key FactsKhamenei Threatens Stronger Retaliation After Conflict
4 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: wionews.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: wionews.com
- Khamenei described Israel as a US-controlled entity and accused America of complicity in attacks on Iranian territory.
- Israeli strikes aimed to destabilize Iran’s system and provoke unrest to overthrow its government.
- Iran declared readiness to respond with more severe military actions if further attacks occur.
- Iran’s parliament refuses to resume nuclear negotiations without preconditions being met.
The fact that our nation is ready to face the power of the United States and its dog on a leash, the Zionist regime (Israel), is very praiseworthy.— Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement regarding Iran's readiness to confront the US and Israel amidst ongoing military tensions.
Another Netanyahu ally quits governing coalition, leaving Israeli leader with minority in parliament
pbs.org/newshour/world/another-netanyahu-ally-quits-governing-coalition-leaving-israeli-leader-with-minority-in-parliament
Netanyahu government loses majority in parliament: Israel's head of government loses his second coalition partner within a few days. According to reports in ...
spiegel.de/ausland/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-verliert-nach-rueckzug-der-schas-partei-seine-mehrheit-a-f87233d7-7165-42c1-a67f-bf072fc5c5d3
Government crisis in Israel: Netanyahu loses another coalition partner: Yesterday, the first party left the coalition in Israel - now the ultra-orthodox Shas ...
tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/israel-koalition-zerbricht-100.html
Huge explosions were seen in Damascus as Israel bombed Syria’s defence ministry during a live Al Jazeera broadcast nearby.
ICC prosecutor warned to drop Netanyahu case or be ‘destroyed’: Report: British-Israeli defence lawyer at International Criminal Court linked to a Netanyahu ...
aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/icc-prosecutor-warned-to-drop-netanyahu-case-or-be-destroyed-report
Israel welcomes EU no response to Gaza, Palestinians are 'shocked': The EU’s 27 foreign ministers decided at a meeting in Brussels earlier this week not to ...
euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/16/israel-hails-eu-decision-not-to-sanction-over-gaza-while-palestinians-are-shocked
Key FactsEU Fails to Sanction Israel Over Gaza Violations
15 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: euronews.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: euronews.com
- The Palestinian foreign minister called the EU's refusal to sanction Israel both shocking and disappointing despite clear evidence.
- The EU report highlights 38 violations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank that have occurred openly.
- EU countries could not reach consensus on penalties as key states like Germany and Hungary opposed action.
- Humanitarian aid to Gaza increased after an EU-Israel deal, yet civilians continue dying while seeking food.
It’s shocking and disappointing, because everything is crystal clear. I mean, there's a new EU report that clearly stated that Israel has been violating ... 38 violations were indicated in that report. And it's an EU report.— Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in an exclusive interview with Euronews.
Dozens of Israeli teenagers in Tel Aviv burned their draft orders, refusing to serve in the military in protest against the war on Gaza.
Damascus skyline after Israel strikes Syria Damascus skyline after Israel strikes Syria
Damascus skyline after Israel strikes Syria: Reuters Live on X (Twitter)
x.com/i/broadcasts/1jMJgkLjEokJL
War on Gaza: Four Israeli soldiers kill themselves in under two weeks: Recent rise in suicides comes as Hamas ramps up attacks against Israeli soldiers across ...
middleeasteye.net/news/war-gaza-four-israeli-soldiers-take-their-own-lives-suicide-cases-spike
Key FactsSurge in Israeli Soldier Suicides Amid Gaza Conflict
9 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: middleeasteye.net
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: middleeasteye.net
- Four Israeli soldiers took their own lives within a two-week span during the Gaza war.
- Suicide cases among soldiers rose to 14 in 2025, following 21 deaths in 2024.
- Hamas escalated attacks on Israeli forces, killing at least 12 soldiers in recent weeks.
- Exposure to intense combat is believed to be the main factor driving the rise in suicides.
This war also kills souls.— Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the rising number of soldier suicides as unbearable.
Another 20 Palestinians die at US-backed Gaza aid center: The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation acknowledges that a deadly incident occurred near one of ...
politico.eu/article/palestinians-die-us-backed-gaza-humanitarian-aid-center-israel-united-nations-human-rights/
Key FactsDeadly Crowd Surge at Gaza Aid Distribution Site
5 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
- A crowd crush at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation center in Khan Younis resulted in at least 20 Palestinian deaths.
- The U.S.-backed group blamed armed agitators linked to Hamas for instigating the unrest, which Hamas denied.
- The UN and local representatives have criticized the aid distribution approach as unsafe and poorly managed.
- Meanwhile, Israel completed a road in southern Gaza aimed at disrupting Hamas amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
People kept gathering and pressuring each other; when people pushed each other... those who couldn’t stand fell under the people and were crushed.— Mahmoud Fojo, an eyewitness who was hurt in the stampede.
BREAKING: A blast was heard in Syria's capital, Damascus, according to a Reuters witness. The Syrian state news agency and Al Jazeera reported Israeli strikes ... Show more
Blast heard in Syrian capital Damascus, Reuters witness says
Blast heard in Syrian capital Damascus, Reuters witness says
Powerful airstrikes rocked Damascus, targeting the defense ministry and striking near the presidential palace, as Israel escalated its campaign against Syrian ... Show more
Israel launches heavy airstrikes in Damascus, vowing to protect Druze
Israel launches heavy airstrikes in Damascus, vowing to protect Druze
Father of U.S. citizen killed in West Bank speaks out | Here & Now: Last week, Sayfollah Musallet, a U.S. citizen from Tampa, Florida, was killed while he was ...
wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/07/16/sayfollah-musallet-father
Netanyahu government in Israel loses majority as key coalition partner quits: The political turmoil comes as Israel and Hamas are negotiating on a US-backed ...
financialexpress.com/world-news/netanyahu-government-in-israel-loses-majority-as-key-coalition-partner-quits/3916927/
US ambassador calls on Israel to 'aggressively investigate' West Bank killing: Mike Huckabee calls for "accountability" after a young Palestinian-American was ...
bbc.com/news/articles/c75ry4k3nrzo
Yemen intercepts record number of Iranian weapons bound for Houthis, U.S. CENTCOM says
cbsnews.com/news/us-centcom-houthis-yemen-seizure-military-weapons/
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visits Netanyahu's corruption trial: Huckabee said the visit was meant as an American message signaling that 'we want ...
haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-16/ty-article/.premium/u-s-ambassador-to-israel-mike-huckabee-visits-netanyahus-corruption-trial/00000198-127c-d292-a9fe-137d6abd0000
Yemen’s Ansarallah Strikes Again, Eilat Port Shuts Down Permanently: Yemen’s Ansarallah launched fresh attacks on Israeli military sites and intensified their ...
palestinechronicle.com/ansarallah-strikes-again-eilat-port-shuts-down-permanently/
At least 21 Palestinians were killed in a stampede at the US- and Israeli-backed GHF aid site, with many others, including children, rushed to the hospital.
Turkey has conveyed its views on Syria strikes to Israel via intelligence agency: Turkey has conveyed its views regarding Israel's air strikes on Syria to ...
reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-has-conveyed-its-views-syria-strikes-israel-via-intelligence-agency-2025-07-16/
Several states vow to take six 'concrete' steps against Israel at Bogota summit
middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-war-several-states-announce-six-concrete-steps-against-israel-bogota-summit
Israel: Netanyahu loses government majority - Shas leaves coalition: Strictly religious men have long been exempt from compulsory military service in Israel ...
welt.de/politik/ausland/article256412046/israel-netanjahu-verliert-regierungsmehrheit-schas-verlaesst-koalition.html
US lawyer and Palestinian rights activist Tarek Khalil says the Israeli state cannot effectively investigate illegal settler violence against Palestinians ... Show more
Fighting in Syria: Druze push to Syrian-Israeli border: Following fighting that left hundreds dead in Syria, the Druze community in Israel has called on its ...
spiegel.de/ausland/syrien-drusen-draengen-nach-kampfen-an-grenze-zu-israel-a-de6a80ea-bae0-4819-b867-a4978baaa528
Israel speaks of retaliatory strike: Live broadcasts show the force of the attack on Damascus
n-tv.de/mediathek/videos/politik/Live-Schalten-zeigen-Wucht-von-Angriff-auf-Damaskus-article25905371.html
Key FactsDeadly Clashes Intensify in Syria’s Suwaida Region
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: spiegel.de
- At least 89 individuals, including Druze, Bedouins, and government soldiers, were killed in violent clashes in Syria’s Suwaida province.
- The unrest was triggered by a robbery targeting a Druze youth, sparking kidnappings and ongoing confrontations over several days.
- Syrian military forces intervened alongside Bedouin fighters to protect civilians and restore state authority amid the violence.
- Israel launched attacks on tanks approaching Suwaida and issued a warning to the transitional Syrian government against further provocations.
The restoration of security and stability in Suwaida is a shared responsibility between the state and its citizens.— The ministry stated that it would make every effort to restore state authority.
US says 'specific steps' agreed to end Syria violence after Israeli strikes hit Damascus
bbc.com/news/articles/cp90l77187zo
Israel hits Syria's military HQ and near presidential palace: The Israeli army said on Wednesday it struck the entrance to the Syrian military's headquarters in ...
139.162.210.149/article/160520-israel-hits-syrias-military-hq-and-near-presidential-palace
Far-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for Israel to “eliminate” Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ... Show more
Key FactsEurope Tightens Borders Amid Migration Concerns
11 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nytimes.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nytimes.com
- Germany implemented stricter border checks in May to curb migration flows.
- These measures cause delays and challenge the European Union’s principle of free movement.
- Several neighboring countries reinstated border controls citing similar immigration issues.
- The average number of migrants stopped daily at German borders rose compared to the year's start.
The checkpoints are beginning to undermine the ideal of free movement in the European Union.— A German official on the impact of new border checks on free movement within the EU.
Small Christian village in the West Bank blames Israeli settlers for a spate of recent attacks.
Full story: West Bank Christian village prays for help after Israeli settler attacks
Key FactsGrowing Violence Threatens West Bank Christian Village
16 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: u.afp.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: u.afp.com
- Residents of Taybeh face ongoing aggression and property damage from Israeli settlers.
- Clerics and diplomats visited the village to witness the aftermath of recent assaults and arson.
- Local leaders worry that worsening security will prompt emigration and erode the Christian presence.
- International officials warn that settler violence undermines peace efforts in the region.
The message that we are getting (from the international community) is that we don't matter... and that whether or not we still exist in the coming 50 years doesn't change anything.— Qassam Muaddi, a young journalist expressing frustration over the perceived indifference of the international community.
Trump spoke of victory – now the Houthis are sinking ships again: The US president ordered a military operation against the militia, but they are responding with ...
derstandard.at/story/3000000278846/trump-sprach-vom-sieg-nun-versenken-die-huthi-wieder-schiffe
Pogacar crashes before anti-Israel protester disrupts Tour stage finale: Tadej Pogacar went down about five kilometres from the line after touching wheels with ...
reuters.com/en/abrahamsen-wins-tour-de-france-stage-11-pogacar-crashes-2025-07-16/
OpinionIsraeli settlers attack media: Prevented from working: In the West Bank, journalists from the US broadcaster CNN have been attacked by extremist settlers ...
taz.de/Israelische-Siedler-greifen-Medien-an/!6098177/
Benjamin Netanyahu loses another government partner: Two ultra-Orthodox parties have withdrawn from the Israeli government in the space of just a few days ...
berliner-zeitung.de/news/benjamin-netanjahu-verliert-weiteren-regierungspartner-li.2340458
After pressure from Palestine supporters: Israeli restaurant cancels planned reopening
berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metropole/nach-druck-von-palaestina-anhaengern-israelisches-restaurant-sagt-geplante-neueroeffnung-ab-li.2340434
UN's Albanese calls out 'appalling' EU failure to sanction Israel as 32-nation summit in Bogota kicks off
middleeasteye.net/news/bogota-summit-palestine-begins-more-30-states-discuss-concrete-measures-against-israel
Crowds gather at Israel-Syria border fence after Israeli airstrikes: Reuters Live on X (Twitter)
x.com/i/broadcasts/1mrxmPkdLrqJy
Netanyahu suffers another blow as second Haredi party quits Israel government: Shas departs over failure to enshrine ultraorthodox military exemption but says it ...
ft.com/content/04f6f100-4e5d-4619-9b98-9afa90d0766f
Middle East: Israel expands attacks in Syria - ministry targeted: With attacks on the Syrian capital, Israel wants to force the withdrawal of government troops ...
handelsblatt.com/politik/international/nahost-israel-weitet-angriffe-in-syrien-aus-ministerium-im-visier/100142183.html
With Damascus strikes, Israel seeks to tear up Trump's vision for Syria: Israel and the US appear to be on divergent paths in Syria.
While the allies aren't on ...
middleeasteye.net/news/israel-strikes-damascus-different-vision-trump-syria
Discussion on Israel's future at Aspen Security Forum: Reuters Live on X (Twitter)
x.com/i/broadcasts/1jMJgkLaaojJL
UN rapporteur demands global action to stop Israel’s ‘genocide’ in Gaza: Francesca Albanese addresses delegates from 30 countries to discuss ways nations can try ...
aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/15/un-rapporteur-demands-global-action-to-stop-israels-genocide-in-gaza
Israeli Settlers Attack CNN Journalists Investigating Killing of Musallet: Masked settlers followed the journalists’ car and smashed the windshield.
truthout.org/articles/israeli-settlers-attack-cnn-journalists-investigating-killing-of-musallet/
Israel becomes a fault line for Trump's MAGA base again – this time, over Jeffrey Epstein
haaretz.com/us-news/2025-07-15/ty-article/.premium/israel-becomes-a-fault-line-for-trumps-maga-base-again-this-time-over-jeffrey-epstein/00000198-0e5e-d62d-a7b9-7e5e7eba0000
Key FactsTrump Rebukes Former Supporters Amid Epstein Dispute
1 hours ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
- Donald Trump labels those criticizing his handling of Epstein-related information as ‘past supporters’ and ‘weaklings’.
- He calls the Epstein controversy a politically motivated hoax and accuses Democrats of exploiting the issue.
- The administration denies the existence of any ‘client list’ and maintains Epstein’s 2019 prison death was a suicide.
- The issue has caused rifts within the US right, with some supporters continuing to question official accounts despite Trump’s admonitions.
Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘b*******,’ hook, line, and sinker.— Donald Trump referred to his past supporters as 'weaklings' and labeled the controversy surrounding Epstein as a 'hoax' orchestrated by his political enemies in a post on Truth Social.
Albanese Slams EU for 'Consciously Supporting Israel’s Genocide': UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has accused the EU of "consciously supporting Israel's ...
palestinechronicle.com/albanese-slams-eu-for-consciously-supporting-israels-genocide/
Francesca Albanese has called for nations to immediately cut ties with Israel.
The UN special rapporteur was addressing the Hague Group ... Show more
Over 6,000 IDF soldiers reached out to ERAN, a mental health organization in Israel that offers emergency emotional first aid, last month ... Show more
US envoy to Israel tells Ireland to ‘sober up’ over occupied Palestinian territories bill
cnn.com/2025/07/16/europe/us-envoy-ireland-palestinian-territories-bill-intl
Family of 13 killed in IDF strike in Gaza filmed trying to survive under rubble: According to relatives of the family that was killed in Gaza, which included ...
haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2025-07-15/ty-article/.premium/family-of-13-killed-in-idf-strike-in-gaza-filmed-trying-to-survive-under-rubble/00000198-0f76-d292-a9fe-1f7f38750000
Thucydides trap averted: China speed, dodgy data and the Houthis: You may say I’m a dreamerBut I’m not the only oneI hope someday you’ll join usAnd the world ...
asiatimes.com/2025/07/thucydides-trap-averted-china-speed-dodgy-data-and-the-houthis/
Israel bombs Syrian Army headquarters in Damascus after ceasefire violation: The Israeli forces launched strikes on Syrian Army headquarters in capital Damascus ...
wionews.com/world/israel-bombs-syrian-army-headquarters-in-damascus-after-ceasefire-violation-1752661705776
Escalation in Syria: Sharaa's dangerous power struggle: The conflict with the Druze is becoming a test for the new Syrian leadership. Israel is intervening ...
faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/eskalation-in-syrien-scharaas-gefaehrlicher-machtkampf-110593755.html
Paid articlePaywallIsraeli research finds that when plants talk, insects listen: There is evidence that plants and insects interact through sound, researchers at Tel Aviv ...
reuters.com/science/israeli-research-finds-that-when-plants-talk-insects-listen-2025-07-15/
Israel launches national advertising campaign urging citizens not to spy for Iran
english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/07/16/israel-launches-national-advertising-campaign-urging-citizens-not-to-spy-for-iran
Violence in Syria: A religious minority fights for a say: The conflict is spreading in southern Syria. Druze militias are fighting against the Syrian army ...
tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/syrien-kaempfe-suweida-drusen-100.html
Israel bombs Syria: TV anchor runs for her life mid telecast as Israeli Army strikes Damascus - WATCH
wionews.com/world/israel-bombs-syria-tv-anchor-runs-for-her-life-mid-telecast-as-israeli-army-strikes-damascus-watch-1752676021606
Underground facilities destroyed: Enormous blast wave: IDF films blasts in Gaza Strip
n-tv.de/mediathek/videos/politik/Enorme-Druckwelle-IDF-filmt-Sprengungen-im-Gazastreifen-article25903845.html
USA announces ceasefire: Syrian government troops withdraw from Druze region: Following the killings of Druze civilians in southern Syria, Israel intervenes in ...
n-tv.de/politik/Syrische-Regierungstruppen-ziehen-aus-Drusen-Region-ab-article25905713.html
At least 20 killed in crush at Gaza aid point – Middle East crisis live: Israeli-backed logistics group the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims people trampled ...
theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/16/khan-younis-gaza-israel-aid-crush-qatar-trump-middle-east-crisis-live
Without U.S. pressure, Israel and Hamas could be locked in excruciating limbo for weeks
haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-16/ty-article/.premium/without-u-s-pressure-israel-and-hamas-could-be-locked-in-excruciating-limbo-for-weeks/00000198-0faa-d3d2-a7dc-1ffe093e0000
'Dirty Zionist, we won't listen to the song because of you': Israeli-American producer Yuval Chain has written music for the likes of Drake and Bad Bunny ...
haaretz.com/life/2025-07-15/ty-article-magazine/.premium/dirty-zionist-we-wont-listen-to-the-song-because-of-you/00000198-0477-db31-a79a-45ffd4300000
Scores of Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes, Including 20 Aid Seekers: Israeli occupation forces killed at least 37 Palestinians, including children and aid ...
palestinechronicle.com/scores-of-palestinians-killed-in-israeli-strikes-including-20-aid-seekers/
Key FactsRising Civilian Casualties Amid Gaza Conflict
2 days ago · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: bostonglobe.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: bostonglobe.com
- An Israeli strike on a water collection point in Nuseirat killed ten people, including six children, due to a technical error.
- Eleven civilians, including surgeon Dr. Ahmed Qandil, were killed in an attack in Gaza City while he was en route to a hospital.
- At least eleven people died from strikes on homes in Zawaida, with women and children among the victims.
- Funerals were held in the West Bank for a Palestinian-American killed by Israeli settlers and his friend who was shot.
The overwhelming majority of the people in Israel have spoken loudly and clearly: We want to do a deal, even at the cost of ending this war, and we want to do it now.— Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage killed in captivity.
As more Israelis begin to grasp the scale of horror in Gaza and the role of the GHF, celebrity restaurateur Shahar Segal is facing harsh criticism in Tel ... Show more
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu addressed the #Druze community and urged them not to cross into #Syria .
Druze-Israeli Knesset members Afef Abed (Likud) and Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beytenu) crossed the border into Syria on Wednesday amid the severe clashes in the ... Show more
The IDF struck the Syrian regime’s military HQ and later Damascus’s Presidential Palace on Wednesday, as clashes with Druze forces continue ... Show more
Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier: 'It's unconscionable that we would sit by as the Druze are being slaughtered, raped, tortured by Islamists ... Show more
Israel strikes on Syria draw global condemnation - Region - World: Israels air strikes in the heart of the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing and wounding several ...
english.ahram.org.eg/News/549727.aspx
Israeli strikes on east Lebanon kill 12: ministry: BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes killed 12 people on Tuesday in the Bekaa Valley in the ...
arabnews.com/node/2608141/middle-east
IDF spotted dozens trying to cross from Syria into Israel and is working to stop them. A few Israelis also crossed into Syria from Majdal Shams—troops are ... Show more
Second Israeli ultra-Orthodox party to quit government in blow to Netanyahu: The ultra-Orthodox Shas party says it will leave the government in response to ...
aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/israeli-ultra-orthodox-party-quits-government-as-netanyahu-loses-majority
GCC and Muslim World League condemn Israeli strikes on Syria: The Gulf Cooperation Council and Muslim World League denounce Israeli attacks on Syria ...
saudigazette.com.sa/article/653482
