Syria claims:
Syria claims: Israel carried out air strike in Homs area
Syrian media report explosions in the Homs area as a result of an air strike which was blamed on Israel.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
France:
France: We expect verifiable proof that hostages received medication
Medicine for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas entered the Gaza Strip last month, but there has been no indication that the hostages received it.
State Department:
State Department: US will redirect UNRWA funds to other agencies
State Department says the Biden administration will redirect any funds for UNRWA to other aid agencies in Gaza if Congress passes legislation barring funding of UNRWA.
Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince discuss Gaza war
The US Secretary of State is on a trip to the Middle East which will include a stop in Israel.
EU foreign policy chief:
EU foreign policy chief: Cutting funds to UNRWA could be considered collective punishment
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warns against defunding UNRWA.
US national security adviser:
US national security adviser: We will take further action against pro-Iranian militias
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the US strikes over the weekend were "the beginning of our response" to drone attack which killed three US service members.
Iran begins construction of four nuclear plants
Iran has begun construction on four more nuclear power plants in the country’s south, with expected total capacity of 5,000 megawatts.
Despite the allegations
Norwegian MP nominates UNRWA for Nobel Peace Prize despite allegations against it
Norwegian politician says he nominated UNRWA for the Nobel Peace Prize: Their work has been crucial for over 70 years.
UNRWA warns:
UNRWA warns: We will be forced to shut our operations by the end of February
UNRWA Commissioner-General says the agency will most likely be forced to shut down its operations if international funding does not resume.
Algeria-drafted UN Security Council resolution calls for Gaza ceasefire
Algeria shared the draft with the 15-member council on Wednesday, but it is unclear when or if the resolution will be put to a vote.
Senior Israeli official:
Senior Israeli official: Chances of a hostage deal are no more than 50/50
Senior Israeli official urges caution on the prospects of a hostage release deal being reached with Hamas.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister:
South Africa’s Foreign Minister: All states are obliged to stop Israel's actions in Gaza
South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, calls on all states to stop funding and facilitating Israel's military actions in Gaza in wake of ICJ ruling.
UN organizations warn:
UN organizations warn of 'catastrophic consequences' if UNRWA funding not restored
In joint statement, array of UN organizations urge key donor countries to resume funding for UNRWA.
US officials:
US officials: UNRWA needs to make 'fundamental changes' before aid is restored
US Ambassador to the UN says US is seeking more detail from Israel about the allegations against UNRWA. State Department spokesperson: US needs to see accountability from UNRWA.
UN aid coordinator:
UN aid coordinator: Nothing can replace UNRWA
UN's coordinator for Gaza aid, Sigrid Kaag, says nothing can "replace or substitute" UNRWA after several countries suspend funding.
European Commission demands:
European Commission demands review of all UNRWA staff
European Commission calls on UN agency for “Palestinian refugees” to investigate all its staff to ensure they were not involved in Hamas’ October 7 attack.
New Zealand suspends funding to UNRWA
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the allegations against UNRWA are "incredibly serious" and his country will suspend funding.
Blinken:
Blinken: UNRWA needs to address allegations against it
Secretary of State calls on UN agency for “Palestinian refugees” to address allegations its staff were involved in October 7 attack.
Blinken:
Blinken: There is real hope for a hostage release deal
US Secretary of State says "important, productive work has been done" on a deal to free the hostages still being held by Hamas.
After protests:
German far-right party suffers electoral defeat after protests against it
AfD party suffers a narrow electoral defeat after huge protests against the party over revelations of debates about mass expulsions of immigrants.
Iran seizes oil tanker, detains 14 crew members
Iran claims the foreign oil tanker was transporting “smuggled fuel”, says crew on board was "of Asian origin".
'Extremely concerned'
'Extremely concerned': Japan becomes latest country to pause funding to UNRWA
Japan says it is extremely concerned about alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in October 7 attack on Israel.
Kuwait foils plan to attack Shiite places of worship
Kuwait's interior ministry says three people were arrested over plan by a terrorist cell to attack Shiite Muslim places of worship.
State Department:
State Department: Qatar is an integral, irreplaceable, key regional partner
US State Department responds to Netanyahu’s comments criticizing Qatar’s role as “problematic.”
Report:
Report: US secretly alerted Iran ahead of ISIS attack
Wall Street Journal reports that the US secretly warned Iran about ISIS' plan to carry out the terrorist attack in Kerman early this month.
Iran:
Iran: 'Moderate' ex-President Rouhani banned from running for elite assembly
Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani banned from running in election for the body which appoints and can dismiss the supreme leader.
North Korea tests strategic cruise missile
North Korea claims the test-firing had no impact on the security of neighboring countries.
Yemen:
US army destroys two Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen
In latest strike against Iranian-backed rebels, US army destroys two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were ready to be launched.
Push for Gaza ceasefire
British Foreign Secretary to visit Israel, push for Gaza ceasefire
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron expected to advocate for a pathway out of the war during visit to Israel on Wednesday.
Houthi leader:
Houthi leader: US and British strikes will only make the Yemeni people stronger
Houthi leader unfazed by US and Britain's strikes: The American and British must understand that our people do not know how to surrender.
US Navy commander:
US Navy commander: Iran very directly involved in Houthi attacks on ships
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, says Iran is clearly funding and supporting Houthi attacks.
“Operation Poseidon Archer”
“Operation Poseidon Archer” underway: US and Britain strike Houthi targets in Yemen
US and Britain strike eight Houthi targets in Yemen as the US names the ongoing operation to target Houthi assets in Yemen “Operation Poseidon Archer”.
UK Defense Secretary:
UK Defense Secretary: No other option than a Palestinian state
Britain’s Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, says Netanyahu's comments rejecting the prospect of a Palestinian state were "disappointing".
Iran:
Iran: Soldier opens fire on fellow soldiers, killing 5
The attack took place in Kerman, where 94 people were killed in an ISIS attack earlier this month.
UN chief at it again:
UN chief at it again: Killings of Gazans are heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizes Israel again, calls for “immediate humanitarian ceasefire to relieve the suffering in Gaza".
IAEA chief:
IAEA chief: Iran is barely cooperating with us
Rafael Grossi says the International Atomic Energy Agency feels it is being held "hostage" to Iran's disputes with Western countries.
Mexico and Chile to ICC:
Mexico and Chile ask ICC to investigate possible crimes in PA territories
Without directly mentioning Israel, Mexico and Chile ask International Criminal Court to investigate whether crimes have been committed in Palestinian Arab territories.
Over campus antisemitism:
Complaint filed against American University over antisemitism on campus
American University hit with federal complaint over allegations of a "rampant and pervasive" antisemitic environment on campus.
Schumer:
Schumer: Democrats discussing possible conditions on aid for Israel
Senate Majority Leader says Democrats are discussing possible conditions that could be imposed on US aid for Israel but does not say they will seek such conditions.
After attack on vessel:
US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen after attack on vessel
US conducts fourth round of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen after CENTCOM confirms a US-owned ship was attacked.