Mideast News
Tahrir al-Sham members on the frontlines of battle against the Syrian regime
On Israel's doorstep: Sunni rebels capture Quneitra in southern Syria
Following unprecedented advances by HTS and other rebel groups in the cities of Hama and Daraa, sources confirm they have taken over Quneitra province in southern Syria, a stone throw away from the Israeli border; IDF is 'calling up additional forces for defensive missions in the Golan Heights area, adjacent to the Israel-Syria border'
Yoav Zitun, Lior Ben Ari | 14:00 | 12.07.24
מורדים בסוריה השתלטו על שדה תעופה צבאי בעיר חמה שנכבשה במסגרת הקרבות נגד צבא אסד
Syrian rebels rally toward Homs, threatening third major city in country
Anti-Assad forces continue to push against Syrian army while taking control of two critical border crossings; IDF bolsters forces on border; source says Hezbollah aiding regime
Lior Ben Ari, News Agencies | 19:54 | 12.06.24
דיון ב מועצת הנגידים של סבא"א נגד איראן מטה וינה רפאל גרוסי גרעין
Iran 'dramatically' increasing enrichment to near bomb grade, IAEA chief says
UN watchdog head reports Tehran's nuclear program enriched uranium to up to 60% purity and adds rate is expected to more than double itself in the near future
Reuters | 18:45 | 12.06.24
Christians at church in Aleppo
Aleppo’s Christians celebrate Christmas amid changing leadership
After opposition factions take control of Aleppo, the city’s Christian community prepares for the holidays while navigating newfound freedoms and lingering uncertainties
Rizik Alabi/The Media Line | 14:36 | 12.06.24
סוריה חלב מנהיג הייאת תחריר א שאם אבו מוחמד אל ג'ולאני מסייר בעיר סיור ניצחון מצודת חלב
Syrian rebel leader says his aim is to end Assad regime
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani tells CNN severed ties with jihadist groups, urges US, Russian, Turkish and Iranian forces to leave Syria, seeks to ease fears of Sunni extremism and expresses hope for displaced Syrians to return home
Lior Ben Ari, news agencies | 13:25 | 12.06.24
סוריה מורדים ש נכנסו ל עיר חמה
Syrian rebels enter Hama, pushing army from key city
Capture of Hama, which had remained in government hands throughout the civil war triggered by a 2011 rebellion against Assad, to send shockwaves through Damascus and fears of a continued rebel march south
News Agencies | 16:03 | 12.05.24
מורדים סורים בפרברי העיר חמה סוריה
Syrian rebels advance close to Hama city, piling pressure on Assad and his allies
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Tehran would consider sending troops to Syria if Damascus asked; Russian President Vladimir Putin urges end to 'terrorist aggression' in Syria
Reuters | 07:20 | 12.04.24
מורדים ב סוריה חלב מסירים תמונה של אסד
Sunni rebels advance deeper into Syria, Assad prepares for counterattack
Syrian rebels, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, have captured key areas near Hama and Aleppo, exploiting Assad's weakened allies; As civilians flee, fears grow in Aleppo under rebel rule, with minorities wary despite promises of protection 
Lior Ben Ari, News Agencies | 19:02 | 12.03.24
Cairo talks consider ousted Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan’s role in postwar Gaza
Egypt is trying to broker an agreement in the long-standing conflict between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, and bridge internal divisions within Fatah 
Mina Nader and Jacob Wirtschafter / The Media Line | 18:19 | 12.03.24
Opposition forces on their way to Aleppo, Syria, Dec. 1, 2024
Aleppo and Idlib under opposition control, with eyes on Hama
The opposition’s victories follow fierce battles with regime forces and Iranian-backed militias, reshaping control in northern Syria
Rizik Alabi/The Media Line | 09:48 | 12.03.24
סוריה מצודת חלב מתקפת פתע של מתנגדי בשאר אסד
From the 'Jewel of Syria' to a symbol of sectarian bloodshed: This is Aleppo
Anti-Assad forces seize one of world’s oldest cities, once home to vibrant Jewish community that fled before 1948; divided during Syria’s civil war, 2016 recapture by Assad marked turning point, but regime now faces renewed fight for control
Lior Ben Ari | 20:10 | 12.02.24
אזרחי אוזבקיסטן בשדה התעופה באיחוד האמירויות לאחר שסורבו כניסה
Dozens of Uzbek nationals denied entry to UAE and interrogated after murder of Chabad rabbi
Uzbekistan’s UAE embassy reports nearly 100 Uzbeks barred from entering Abu Dhabi under unclear circumstances; women and children detained but later released, while passports of dozens of men aged 20-40 confiscated, leaving them stranded at airport
Itamar Eichner | 19:45 | 12.02.24
בסיס אל-נייראב ב חלב סוריה
US, UAE discussed lifting Assad sanctions in exchange for Syrian break with Iran, sources say
The discussions took place before anti-Assad rebels swept into Aleppo last week in their biggest offensive in Syria for years;  If Assad embraces Iranian help for a counter-offensive, that could complicate efforts to drive a wedge between them
Reuters | 15:41 | 12.02.24
President Bashar al-Assad meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
At least 25 killed as Russian, Syrian jets intensify bombing of Syrian rebel territory
The Syrian army and its ally Russia say they target the hideouts of insurgent groups and deny attacking civilians; army also says it had recaptured several towns that rebels had overrun in recent days
Reuters | 07:25 | 12.02.24
סוריה מצודת חלב מתקפת פתע של מתנגדי בשאר אסד
Rebels have captured Assad's palace in Aleppo; Syrian president says 'Terrorism only understands power, we will break it'
Two Iraqi militias loyal to Iran are considering deploying forces to Syria, framing their potential involvement as vital to protecting the 'resistance axis'; A militia spokesperson warned that Syria’s instability could spill into Iraq, justifying urgent action
Lior Ben Ari, News Agencies | 17:24 | 12.01.24
אבו מוחמד אל-ג'ולאני
Assad's worst nightmare: Meet Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani
Northwestern Syria is now entirely out of Syrian president's control, mostly due to Sunni coalition known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, a Salafist Jihadi organization headed by an elusive figure who broke contact with both ISIS and Al Qaida to take his group in a new direction
Ynet | 11:55 | 12.01.24
מורדים בחלב, סוריה
US blames Assad's reliance on Russia, Iran for loss of Aleppo control
White House National Security Council spokesperson says US had nothing to do with Hayat Tahir Al Shams (HTS) offensive; Russia vows support for Damascus regime
News agencies | 08:23 | 12.01.24
חלב
Syrian rebels capture Aleppo International Airport amid rapid gains in northern offensive
Russian and Syrian forces continue to launch airstrikes to repel rebel advances, as death toll rises to 327; Syrian regime says preparing counteroffensive; army forces reportedly withdraw from Hama, military source denies
Lior Ben Ari, Niv Shaoivich | 20:03 | 11.30.24
נג'יב מיקאתי
Lebanon’s wealthiest man seeks to bring order, but Hezbollah stands in the way
Long aligned with Hezbollah and Syrian regime, Western-educated billionaire Najib Mikati pledged to steer Lebanon out of its economic crisis but has proven too weak to effect meaningful change on the ground
Lior Ben Ari | 15:42 | 11.30.24
קרבות בין מורדים לצבא סוריה חלב
As Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo, army closes airport and roads, sources say
Russia promises Assad regime extra military aid to thwart rebels onslaught; sources say new hardware would start arriving in next 72 hours
Reuters | 08:04 | 11.30.24
לוחמים בארגון המורדים הג'יהאדיסטי הייאת תחריר א שאם חלב סוריה
In Aleppo countryside, the opposition turns the tables on the Syrian regime
For the first time in years, Syrian opposition groups have launched a significant military operation against regime forces, indicating a potential strategy shift for the diminished opposition
Rizik Alabi/The Media Line | 22:33 | 11.28.24
לוחמים בארגון המורדים הג'יהאדיסטי הייאת תחריר א שאם חלב סוריה
130 dead in surprise attack against the Syrian army, Russian planes bombed near Turkish border
The rebel organizations in northern Syria launched a "deterring aggression" operation in Aleppo and Idlib provinces and captured settlements; Fierce fighting is going on between the parties, and the number of people killed in the fighting is the highest in the region in recent years; Russian planes bombed rebel strongholds
Lior Ben Ari, AFP | 12:33 | 11.28.24
הריסות בלבנון
Shiites voice growing criticism of Hezbollah as cease-fire stalls: 'You could have prevented death and destruction'
Critics of the terror group say an agreement could have been reached months ago under the same conditions after 1 million people were displaced and thousands killed; Shiite cleric calls on community to reject sectarianism and unite as Lebanese 
Lior Ben Ari | 15:56 | 11.25.24
עלי חמינאי
Iran's Khamenei calls for death sentence for Israeli leaders
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says arrest warrants are not enough and death sentences must be issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
Reuters | 12:40 | 11.25.24
מטוס של חברת מידל איסט איירליינס מעל ביירות המופצצת, 16 בנובמבר
Lebanon's national carrier becomes a source of pride amid war
Middle East Airlines continues to operate flights despite Israeli strikes near Beirut's international airport keeping vital connection open to the world 
Lior Ben Ari | 12:12 | 11.24.24
מוחמד חיידר חוסל
Fate of Hezbollah's operations chief remains unknown after IDF strike
While Israel believes Muhammad Haydar would not have had time to escape the bombing, his death remains officially unconfirmed; known as Abu Ali, he was a close confidant and advisor to slain Hassan Nasrallah
Smadar Perry | 11:09 | 11.24.24
צבי קוגן נעדר באיחוד האמרויות
Missing Chabad emissary found dead in UAE
Rabbi Zvi Kogan's body identified after local authorities detect signs of a struggle in his abandoned vehicle; believed to be the victim of Iran-backed terror squad; NSC posts warning to Israelis in or traveling to UAE
Itamar Eichner, Yossi Yehoshua | 09:54 | 11.24.24
Iranians visit Mao Zedong painting by Andy Warhol at the Eye to Eye exhibition
Iran’s much long hidden collection of Western art re-emerges despite high tensions with US
Eye to Eye exhibit draws women, their hair uncovered, to the underground galleries of the museum in Tehran’s Laleh Park with a collection likely worth billions of dollars 
Associated Press | 15:36 | 11.23.24
דיון ב מועצת הנגידים של סבא"א נגד איראן מטה וינה רפאל גרוסי גרעין
IAEA Board passes Iran resolution as West pushes Tehran toward talks
UN atomic watchdog orders Tehran to improve cooperation with agency and provide it with 'comprehensive' report; Iran warns action against it could have the opposite effect
Reuters | 09:37 | 11.22.24
דיווח סורי על תקיפה ישראלית שכוונה לעיר תדמור באזור הכפרי המזרחי של חומס
Sending a message to Assad: New details behind the unusual attack in Syria blamed on Israel
At least 82 Hezbollah terrorists and militia leaders were killed while the Syrian president was hosting them, and the timing at the height of cease-fire negotiations is no coincidence; 'Israeli attacks in Syria have increased significantly, both in frequency and scope'
Yoav Zitun, Lior Ben Ari | 21:43 | 11.21.24
נשיא אוקראינה וולודימיר זלנסקי ו נשיא טורקיה רג'פ טאיפ ארדואן במסיבת עיתונאים
Erdogan boasts Turkey blocked Herzog's plane from airspace: 'We take a stand'
President Isaac Herzog reportedly canceled trip to UN climate conference in Baku after Ankara barred official Wing of Zion plane from airspace
Itamar Eichner | 00:43 | 11.20.24
Ali Khamenei
Would Khamenei’s death bring reform or revolution to Iran?
A new leader, perhaps Khamenei’s son, could bring the illusion of reform or else spark a popular uprising; regime change, though possible, is thought to be unlikely
Maayan Hoffman/The Media Line | 21:27 | 11.19.24
סעודיה מוחמד בן סלמאן ג'ניפר לופז
Saudi festival featuring J.Lo criticized amid Gaza war, destruction
As Gaza war rages, Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes under fire; performance by Jennifer Lopez in revealing outfit sparks accusations of undermining country's cultural values and sanctity
Lior Ben Ari | 21:48 | 11.18.24
מוחמד בן סלמאן יורש העצר הסעודי
Saudi prince's 'genocide' accusation against Israel 'intended to placate public and Iran’
'Over-the-top anti-Israel statement' result of Saudi recognition normalization and possible defense treaty with Washington won't be achieved soon due to ongoing war in Gaza and presidential transition in US, security expert says
Giorgia Valente/The Media Line | 17:37 | 11.18.24
Firefighters try to contain the blaze in downtown Beirut
Beirut attack sparks chaos as Israeli missiles hit key targets
Israeli missile attack in Beirut targets vehicle and building, reportedly killing Jamaa Islamiya's Secretary-General and Hezbollah commander;  Casualties rise to two dead and 13 injured, prompting school closures 
ynet correspondents | 23:02 | 11.17.24
תקיפת מבנה באזור ראס א-נבע בביירות
Hezbollah propaganda chief reportedly killed in rare strike in heart of Beirut
After a wave of attacks in Dahieh, the headquarters of the Ba'ath leadership in Lebanon was bombed  and according to reports, Mohammad Afif was killed; Watch the building collapse
Lior Ben Ari, Eitan Glickman, Yoav Zitun | 14:29 | 11.17.24
ארה"ב אילון מאסק קמפיין של דונלד טראמפ מיליון דולר ל קריסטין פישל
Iran on report Musk spoke with officials: 'a fabricated story by American media'
Country's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denies foreign report claiming it was 'fabricated' by US media due to ulterior and unclear motives
Ynet, News Agencies | 21:49 | 11.16.24
מחליפו של חמינאי, המנהיג העליון של איראן יהיה בנו, מוג'תבא חמינאי
Iran secretly elected its next leader, report says
Sources close to Tehran's regime claim Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei elected his second son for the role and may abdicate even before his death
Itamar Eichner | 21:15 | 11.16.24
הצנטריפוגות בנתנז
IAEA chief visits two nuclear sites during Iran trip
Grossi visits the Natanz nuclear plant and the Fordow enrichment site, which is dug into a mountain around 100 km (60 miles) south of the capital Tehran
Reuters | 15:39 | 11.15.24
נשיא טורקיה רג'פ טראיפ ארדואן
Erdogan claims Turkey has 'severed ties with Israel'
In the wake of criticism in local media of Turkey's 'secret financial ties', Turkish president – who has spoken out harshly against Netanyahu since the beginning of the war – tells reporters that his country has severed relations with Israel; Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv is still operating and Jerusalem says not informed about cut in ties
Itamar Eichner, Reuters | 15:02 | 11.13.24
מוחמד בן סלמאן יורש העצר ה סעודי סעודיה פסגה ערבית איסלאמית ב ריאד
Saudi-Iranian geopolitical romance blossoms as Israel is cast aside
Saudi Arabia and Iran, under the watchful mediation of China, are engaged in rebuilding relations marked by joint military exercises and economic cooperation, which strategically positions Saudi Arabia as a humanitarian conduit for Iran amid American sanctions; Normalization with Israel is not on the menu, at least for now
Smadar Perry | 12:33 | 11.13.24
עלי חמינאי
Iran builds 'defensive tunnel' in capital after Israeli strikes
Tunnel located near Tehran center will link a station on the metro line  to the Imam Khomeini hospital, allowing underground access
Reuters, Ynet | 12:06 | 11.12.24
Iranian and Saudi Arabian flags
Saudi armed forces chief of staff in Iran for talks with officials
Iran state media says the leaders of the two militaries discussed development of defense diplomacy and the expansion of bilateral cooperation'
ynet, Reuters | 23:43 | 11.10.24
אל-ח'זנה בפטרה
Jordan's tourism industry struggling as Gaza war deters visitors
Jordan’s tourism sector, crucial to its economy, facing severe losses as Middle East tensions deter Western travelers; Petra’s hotel occupancy drops as low as 10%, with operators reporting 90-95% drop in future bookings and international airlines canceling flights
Reuters | 16:46 | 11.09.24
אנתוני בלינקן עובד במשרדו במטוס
Blinken holds calls in final Middle East diplomacy push
US officials say it is unclear how much leverage they have over Israel and other actors in the region now focused on the incoming administration of former President Donald Trump
Reuters | 22:43 | 11.08.24
הקמפיינים שהחות'ים מפיצים לגיוס כספים מהציבור בתימן
Houthis turn to social media to raise funds for war
Iran's proxy tells the already impoverished population in Yemen that they can be partners in the path to victory; 'Fire your own missile,' a post reads 
Lior Ben Ari | 10:05 | 11.05.24
גבר מוחה נגד ישראל בדאחייה שבביירות, דרום לבנון
Rubble, smoke and bewildered people: A drive through 'broken' Lebanon
'The end of Iran's era': The Atlantic highlights Lebanon's dire situation, depicting a nation fractured by economic crisis and conflict, where Hezbollah's influence wanes, communities are displaced, and people argue among themselves about what kind of a nation Lebanon will be after the war
Ynet | 22:49 | 11.03.24
נשים איראניות במפגש עם המנהיג העליון עלי חמינאי
American Iranian journalist jailed for months in Iran
Detention of Reza Valizadeh,  former staffer of an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that’s overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media to increase tensions with the U.S. ahead of threatened strike on Israel
News Agencies | 10:29 | 11.03.24
קמלה האריס ודונלד טראמפ
Fearing a Trump win, Iran waits for US election results before striking Israel
Iran delays retaliatory strike on Israel for US election results, fearing further regional chaos might bolster Trump’s campaign; Meanwhile, tensions rise as both sides prepare for potential post-election confrontations
Lior Ben Ari | 12:23 | 11.02.24
Members of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Iraq tries to avoid regional fight as militias fire at Israel
Country is working to avoid being drawn into the growing regional conflict as Iran-backed terror groups launch attacks on Israel from Iraqi soil
Reuters | 09:37 | 11.01.24
Fethullah Gülen
Exiled cleric’s death likely to improve Turkish-US relations, analysts say
Turkish justice minister said there were 256 extradition requests for people in the US that Ankara believes are members of Gülen’s network and there are still diplomatic disagreements over the handling of those suspected of being his followers
The Media Line, Kristina Jovanovski | 19:20 | 10.31.24
מוחמד בן סלמן מב"ס יורש העצר של סעודיה
Saudi-US bilateral accords 'not that connected' to Israel normalisation, Riyadh says
Country's foreign minister says 'moving ahead' with normalization efforts with Israel after negotiating with officials in Washington 
Reuters | 18:08 | 10.31.24
Sheikh Naim Qassem
From school teacher to international terrorist - Meet Hezbollah's new chief
He served as the Iranian proxy's number 2 for 34 years, and now Naim Qassem  gets his 15 minutes of fame as head of the terror group, officially replacing Nasrallah; He is a Hezbollah co-founder and is also a former high school teacher 
Lior Ben Ari | 22:33 | 10.29.24
צילומי לוויין שמראים נזק ל מרכז החלל שאהרוד שמשמש לשיגורים של משמרות המהפכה בצפון איראן במחוז סמנאן לכאורה בגלל תקיפה של ישראל מבצע ימי תשובה
New satellite images from Iran: Attack damaged Iran Revolutionary Guard missile base
New footage following Israel's retaliatory strike on Iranian territory reveals damage to the Shahroud base, where the IRGC launches satellites into space; Iran is 'still assessing the damage'
AP | 17:25 | 10.29.24
עלי חמינאי
Iran plans to triple military budget, government spokesperson says
Budget increase submitted by the government to parliament for approval includes an estimated 200% addition, government spokesperson tells local media 
Reuters | 12:33 | 10.29.24
איראן השעתה את כל הטיסות בשטחה
Iran says two soldiers, one of which was an officer, were killed in Israeli strike
As the Islamic Republic contemplates whether to respond or swallow their pride, an announcement says two Iranian troops were killed during the Israeli strike; Al-Mayadeen, associated with Hezbollah, says this was 'a win for Iran'
Lior Ben Ari | 14:49 | 10.26.24
איראן נרגס מוחמדי פעילה למען זכויות אדם כלואה מועמדת אולי ל פרס נובל ל שלום
Iran’s imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate sentenced to another 6 months in prison
Free Narges Coalition says Narges Mohammadi was sentenced on Oct. 19 to an additional 6 months in prison on the charge of 'disobeying and resisting orders'
Associated Press | 17:56 | 10.25.24
Coptic Christians in Egypt
Caught between sympathy and fear: Egypt’s Christians confront the Gaza war
Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Christians are torn between support for Palestinian civilians and fear of Hamas, complicating their response to the ongoing war
Mina Nader and Jacob Wirtschafter/The Media Line | 21:03 | 10.23.24
עמוס הוכשטיין
U.S. proposal for northern cease-fire revealed, criticized for violating Lebanese sovereignty
Following discussions between U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, and Lebanon's PM and parliament speaker, Hezbollah news service Al-Akhbar reveals the specifics of a fresh proposal aimed at resolving northern tensions; Plan involves extending international forces' jurisdiction north of Litani River, but Prime Minister Najib Mikati rejects Western oversight
Lior Ben Ari | 12:17 | 10.22.24
לבנון עימותים בין עקורים לחיילים ב ביירות
There are 1.2 million displaced people in Lebanon and the fear of sectarian conflict is growing
Lebanon is unable to cope with the masses of displaced people who left their homes because of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, and many of them are staying in tents; In a poor country unprepared for such a crisis,  a full-blown sectarian conflict could rip the country apart
Lior Ben Ari | 08:57 | 10.22.24
Mideast News
""