Damascus with the famous Umayyad Mosque in the centre. The city exploded into communal violence in 1860. Photo: The Bonfils Collection
A history of reconciliation in Damascus that offers hope for Syria's future

New book argues the capital’s recovery from sectarian massacres in 1860 shows there is a ‘pathway back from the brink of mass murder’

July 12, 2024
A man cycles past a waste dump where the Firas market used to be in the centre of Gaza city. The UN has warned of the vast environmental damage from the war, including contamination of water. AFP
Gaza war has caused significant damage to environment, UN warns

UNEP estimates the conflict has created more than 39 million tonnes of debris in the enclave, with water systems heavily damaged

June 18, 2024
A protester dressed as Lady Liberty at a march calling for a ceasefire and hostage deal, and early elections in Israel, outside Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday. EPA
Five Arab states urge warring sides to accept Gaza ceasefire plan

Foreign ministers urge both sides to engage with truce plan 'seriously and positively' in joint statement

June 03, 2024
A Palestinian woman holds her daughter as she walks past destroyed buildings in the north of Al Nusairat refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, 29 April 2024. EPA
Israel and Hamas urged to end devastating Gaza war

Growing clamour for ceasefire at World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh, as truce talks resume in Cairo

April 29, 2024
Young American Jewish people hold placards protesting against what they see as misleading pro-Israel education. Photo: Israelism still handout
The young Jewish people challenging pro-Israel education and marching for Palestine

Recent documentary 'Israelism' captures increasing community divisions in the US and UK as the young turn against traditional support for the country

April 26, 2024
Palestinian children wait to collect food rations from a charity kitchen in Deir Al Balah, amid the continuing war in Gaza. Bloomberg
What is a famine? How the UN measures lack of food in Gaza and elsewhere

Five-stage scale is used to assess level of food insecurity and starvation

April 12, 2024
Clothes of members of the World Central Kitchen aid charity inside their car after it was hit by an Israeli air strike. EPA
Israel says killing of Gaza aid workers was 'grave mistake'

WCK demands independent investigation and says Israel 'cannot credibly investigate its own failures'

April 05, 2024
People gather near Iran's embassy in Damascus after an air strike on the compound. AFP
IRGC generals killed in air strike on embassy compound in Syria

Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi among 11 dead as Iranian officials vow revenge

April 01, 2024
Two women mourn relatives who were killed during Israeli bombardment of Gaza during Ramadan. AFP
More than 800 killed in Gaza in first 10 days of Ramadan

Casualty figures reveal bloody toll of failure to secure a ceasefire before holy month

March 21, 2024
Mohammad Mustafa at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2006. Bloomberg
Mohammad Mustafa appointed Palestinian Prime Minister

Adviser to President Mahmoud Abbas seen as economic expert but may lack influence with key factions

March 14, 2024
Children queue for food in Rafah, Gaza. Getty Images
Ramadan to begin in Gaza with no ceasefire in sight

Saudi Arabia's King Salman says 'painful' holy month to start against backdrop of 'Palestinian suffering'

March 10, 2024
A Palestinian man carries flour bags distributed by the UN during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel in November in Gaza's Khan Younis. Reuters
Sea aid plan gains pace but critics say famine in Israel's hands

Experts and aid agencies warn that Israel allowing more aid via land crossing is only way to prevent disaster

March 06, 2024
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh also called on the Arab world to support 'the resistance' in Gaza and the occupied West Bank with money and weapons 'before it is too late'. Reuters
Hamas says it is showing 'flexibility' to reach pause in Gaza war

Leader Ismail Haniyeh also calls on Arab countries for funding and supply of weapons

February 28, 2024
Riyad Mansour, Palestine's Permanent Observer to the UN, speaks to delegates at the Security Council. EPA
What are the different ceasefires proposed for Gaza?

US has repeatedly vetoed resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire at the Security Council

February 28, 2024
A Saudi girl wearing traditional clothes celebrates Saudi Arabia's Founding Day at The Boulevard in Riyadh. Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Founding Day: How is it different from National Day?

The new annual event celebrates the origins of Saudi Arabia

February 21, 2024