Trending Middle East

Mohammed Sinwar, the presumed leader of Hamas in Gaza, is dead. Syrian security forces have killed several gunmen in the coastal Alawite heartland. Sudan's paramilitary commander is now the head of a parallel government. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Latest: Hamas confirms death of military chief Mohammed Sinwar Sudan's RSF chief Gen Mohamed Dagalo sworn in as head of parallel Darfur...

Israel's displacement orders in Gaza trigger alarm and confusion. Three European countries have launched the process to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme. Israel has landed commandos on the outskirts of Damascus. On this episode of Trending Middle East: European powers trigger snapback nuclear sanctions on Iran Confusion and dire conditions face Gaza city residents amid con...

Iraq has revoked a controversial draft law favouring the Popular Mobilisation Forces. US envoy Tom Barrack cuts his Lebanon trip short. Palestinian leaders criticise an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank. On this episode of Trending Middle East: Iraqi government gives in to US pressure and withdraws bill regulating PMF militias US envoy Tom Barrack cuts short visit to south Lebanon after prote...

Israel 's former prime minister Ehud Olmert says he is on a mission to help topple Benjamin Netanyahu . The US is offering new incentives for Lebanon . Riad Salameh is to be released from prison. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israel's Ehud Olmert on mission to topple Benjamin Netanyahu Beauty and beast versus 'animalistic' media: Barrack and Ortagus in awkward Beirut briefing Lebanon...

Israel announced it would begin to withdraw from Lebanon only after the Lebanese army starts to disarm Hezbollah . Tensions rise again between Israel and the Houthis. Five journalists were among at least 20 people killed in Israeli attacks on a Gaza hospital. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: No withdrawal from Lebanon until army begins disarming Hezbollah, Israel says Escalation in Isra...

Syria 's upcoming parliamentary election will not include Sweida, Hasakah or Raqqa. The Norwegian Refugee Council has called for investment into Syria. Iranian security forces reportedly killed six Israel-linked militants. On this episode of Trending Middle East: Syria delays parliamentary vote in Sweida and two Kurdish-held areas World needs to do more to help Syrians rebuild lives, says Norwegia...

Israel has begun its operation to take over Gaza city ahead of a full ground offensive. Syria’s President approved a temporary electoral law. The Syrian government is preparing to reopen a route from Sweida to Damascus. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Gaza city assault is a pressure tactic with devastating results, warn ex-Israeli officials Al Shara approves temporary electoral law ahe...

Hamas seeks withdrawal by Israeli troops in Gaza. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it is stronger than before the war with Israel started. Pope Leo is expected to visit Lebanon this year. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Hamas seeks Israeli pullback of 800 metres from homes in Gaza truce deal Iran's IRGC claims it is 'stronger now than before war with Israel' Pope Leo expec...

Israel has demanded the release of all hostages in any Gaza deal. The US has called on Israel to comply with Lebanese government actions. Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient Christian cross in Abu Dhabi. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israel demands release of all hostages in any Gaza deal US must clarify Israel’s obligations after disarmament vote, sources close to Hezbollah say...

The US has called on Israel to honour its ceasefire with Lebanon. New details emerge on Jordan 's new conscription programme . Negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire remain up in the air. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Hamas agrees to Gaza ceasefire terms as mediators eye 'positive announcement' US envoy calls on Israel to honour ceasefire with Lebanon Three months, 6,000 men and no phone...

Mediators are making one last push to pause the fighting in Gaza. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has met one of the country’s senior Christian leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to Washington today. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Mediators revive plans for 60-day Gaza truce in final effort to stop Israeli ground assault Zelenskyy heads to Washington aft...

US President Donald Trump is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin today in Alaska. Aid efforts in the southern Syrian province of Sweida are under attack. A security agreement between Iran and Iraq is getting backlash from Washington. On this episode of Trending Middle East: European leaders make last-ditch appeal to Trump ahead of Alaska summit Kaja Kallas: Trump-Putin talks in Alaska need Uk...

Lebanon rejects foreign interference, its President tells Iran. Syria and Turkey 's foreign ministers accuse Israel of undermining Damascus's rule. Civilian transitional rule in Gaza may last for up to a year. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Lebanon rejects foreign interference, President Aoun tells top Iranian official Syria and Turkey strike new military deal US offers incentives to...

A Hamas delegation attended ceasefire talks in Cairo. The US is offering incentives to Syria's government to curtail conflict with minorities. Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar has appointed his son as his second-in-command. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Hamas negotiators in Cairo to discuss blueprint for 'comprehensive' Gaza deal US offers incentives to Syria to back off from fi...

The international community condemns Israel's killing of a group of journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif, in Gaza. Footage of an execution in Sweida sparks outrage. Iran has rejected inspections by the UN’s nuclear watchdog. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Fury as Israel admits deliberately killing Al Jazeera journalists 'The message will not stop': Palestinia...

Iraq has dismissed two senior commanders of the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces over a deadly attack on a government building last month. The National has boarded a Jordanian aid flight to Gaza. Hundreds were arrested in London for marching in support of the banned Palestine Action group. On this morning's episode of Trending Middle East: Iraq dismisses two senior PMF commanders over atta...

Israel weighs occupying Gaza. Lebanon votes to disarm Hezbollah. Egypt's Rafah border crossing has been revived. This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Kamal Tabikha, Cairo correspondent. On this episode of Trending Middle East: Netanyahu seeks full control of Gaza under Israeli plan to force half its population south Lebanese governmen...

Lebanese security officials fear Israel may attempt to infiltrate its eastern region. Syrian leadership questioned the July operation in Sweida. At least 20 people have been killed after an aid lorry overturned on a crowd in Gaza. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Lebanon fears Israeli ground incursions from Syria into eastern region The full story of the Sweida operation: How a lightnin...

New details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues. Lebanon 's government failed to vote on a motion to disarm Hezbollah . Israel is divided over reported plans for a full military occupation of Gaza. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Startling new details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues Israel divided as reports indicate plans for 'full occup...

Five more people have died from hunger in Gaza . Hamas says it's open to negotiating a ceasefire deal that would end the war. A man has been charged with the murder of a student from Saudi Arabia in the UK. On this episode of Trending Middle East: 'This war left us with nothing': Gazan father who lost half his body weight pleads for end to conflict Hamas open to shift by Israel and US towards comp...

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is drawing backlash after praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Today marks five years since the explosion that rocked Beirut. New clashes arise in Syria's north-east. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Jordan denounce Itamar Ben-Gvir's 'provocative' visit to Al Aqsa Mosque 'No accountability' for Beirut port...

The US has imposed sanctions on officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. A senior Syrian official has visited Russia for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. The US is turning to the UAE for energy. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: US 'punishes' Palestinian leadership for seeking recognised state Syria seeks closer Russia...

New settlements in East Jerusalem could further threaten prospects of a Palestinian state. Lebanon is on the cusp of a move to disarm Hezbollah. At least five people were killed by Israeli troops while waiting for aid in Gaza on Wednesday. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Lebanon approaches critical juncture in push for Hezbollah disarmament Hunger and heartbreak as families struggle to...

The UK is close to recognising a Palestinian state. Gaza's mothers are dying in childbirth at an accelerated rate. Lebanon has sentenced a man to death over the killing of a UN Irish peacekeeper in 2022. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Keir Starmer pushes Gaza peace plan and recognition of Palestinian state Lebanon sentences man to death for killing Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney Thi...

Food and medicine levels are critically low in Sweida, Syria. Deadly clashes in Iraq have fuelled anger across the country. Wildfires rage in Turkey, Greece and Albania. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Sweida running out of supplies under Syrian government siege Public fury in Iraq after clashes between militia and security forces Ten killed in Turkey as forest fires rage in soaring he...