A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached on Monday, with both sides entering the initial phase of a six-week pause in fighting that could end the war that began in October 2023. So far, three of the 99 hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza have been freed, with 30 more set to be … Read more
Damascus, Syria – The mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist who was captured while on a reporting trip to Syria in August 2012, arrived in Damascus to intensify the search for her son and said she hoped to be able to take him home. Tice, who worked as a freelance reporter for The Washington … Read more
Vatican City – Pope Francis called for “immediate respect” of the Gaza ceasefire on Sunday, as he thanked mediators and urged humanitarian aid to be ramped up as well as the return of hostages. “I express my gratitude to all the mediators,” the Argentine Pope said shortly after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began. … Read more
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, set to take effect at 8:30 a.m. local time, would not begin as scheduled unless Hamas provides a list of hostages scheduled for release on Sunday . “The Prime Minister instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] “The ceasefire, which is to take effect … Read more
Natalie Sanandji, an Iranian Israeli woman who survived Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and public relations officer for the “Combat Antisemitism Movement” organization, recently participated in a campaign designed to demonstrate “solidarity with the courageous Iranian women who resisted.” Participated in group dance video. Persecution of the Islamic Republic.” Click here for full story … Read more
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Iran unveiled an underground naval missile base at an undisclosed Gulf location on Saturday, state TV said, two days before the start of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States. It was unveiled at a time when there are widespread fears of increased tensions with Washington. Iranian … Read more
Kobanî residents have been preparing food for fighters since the beginning of the fighting at the Tishrin Dam, with families or groups taking turns boiling food and delivering it to the fighters daily. Click here to see the full story in Kurdish. Source link
Mediator Qatar said on Saturday that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, after Israel’s Cabinet voted to approve a truth-and-hostage release deal. After a meeting that lasted more than six hours on Saturday morning, the Israeli government ratified the agreement, which could bring a permanent end … Read more
A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty in federal court in Virginia on Friday to charges that he leaked classified information about Israeli plans to attack Iran. Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, Virginia, was arrested in Cambodia last year and later flown to Guam. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on … Read more
Kurdish women in Syria, who played a key role during the civil war, are now advocating for gender equality in post-Assad Syria. They are demanding a role in drafting the new Syrian constitution to ensure that it enshrines women’s rights. VOA’s Zana Omar filed this report from Qamishli, Syria, narrated by Amy Katz. Camera: Zana … Read more