Middle East

GAZA CITY – Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the Gaza truce and to returning the remains of Israeli hostages believed to be buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. The statement comes as Turkey dispatched specialist teams to assist in locating the bodies of 19 hostages, who were killed alongside large numbers of Palestinians […]

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa- Six SA flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have returned home to a warm welcome at OR Tambo International Airport. The group was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international initiative that set sail to deliver humanitarian assistance to war-stricken Gaza. Their vessel was […]

PRETORIA, South Africa- South African officials have confirmed that Mandla Mandela and five other South African activists detained by Israeli forces will be released on Tuesday, following diplomatic efforts to secure their freedom. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said it had held “intensive and ongoing talks” with Israeli authorities and international partners […]

DOHA, Qatar- Hamas’s senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has appeared on television for the first time since last month’s Doha strike, in which Israel targeted him and other Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital. In a pre-recorded message aired overnight in Qatar, al-Hayya broke weeks of silence, appearing calm but defiant. Six people were killed in […]

PRETORIA, South Africa- The South African government is working to secure the release of Mandla Mandela and four other citizens detained by Israeli forces during a recent humanitarian flotilla mission to Gaza. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has been holding confidential talks with Israeli authorities to facilitate the release. President Cyril Ramaphosa […]

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa- The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has announced the immediate suspension of its relationship with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), citing concerns over the ongoing Gaza crisis. SAMA said its decision followed a comprehensive review of its professional and bilateral ties with the IMA. The association is also urging the World Medical […]

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories- A senior Hamas official has said the Palestinian group needs additional time to assess Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory. The unnamed official told the media on Friday that Hamas was “continuing consultations regarding Trump’s Gaza plan” and had informed […]

TEL AVIV, Israel- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised recent recognitions of a Palestinian state by several Western nations, including the UK, France, and Canada. Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday before departing for the United States, Netanyahu described these actions as a “shameful capitulation to Palestinian terror” and insisted that such […]

NEW YORK, USA- France and a growing number of countries have signalled plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations’ annual General Assembly. On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal declared their recognition of Palestine, adding momentum to diplomatic moves that have angered Israel. The […]

TEHRAN, Iran- Iran has said it will suspend cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog if European powers move ahead with plans to reimpose sanctions. The announcement came after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to pass a resolution on Friday that would have permanently lifted sanctions against Tehran. France, Germany and the United Kingdom, […]