Articles in this Cluster
12-06-2025
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed aid distributor in Gaza, has accused Hamas of carrying out a deadly attack on a bus carrying Palestinians working with the organisation, resulting in at least five fatalities and multiple injuries, with some team members possibly taken hostage. The GHF condemned the attack, holding Hamas fully responsible and calling on the international community to condemn the group. The incident occurred amid controversy surrounding the GHF's aid distribution system, which has been criticised for allowing Israel to control who receives aid and has been associated with violent incidents.
12-06-2025
Israeli security forces have recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages from Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. One of the hostages was identified as 59-year-old Yair Yaakov, who was killed during a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The other hostage's identity has not been released, but his family has been informed. There are now 53 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
12-06-2025
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US and Israeli-backed aid organization, reported that multiple aid workers were killed when a bus carrying over two dozen team members was attacked in Gaza on Wednesday night, with the group accusing Hamas of carrying out the assault, resulting in at least five fatalities and multiple injuries.
12-06-2025
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) executive chairman, Rev. Johnnie Moore, is focusing on distributing aid to Gazans despite criticism from the United Nations and others. Moore took the helm of GHF in June and has emphasized the group's "singular mission" of providing food to hungry Gazans, unaffected by the politics surrounding Hamas and Israel. The U.N. had criticized GHF, claiming it already had the infrastructure to distribute aid, but Moore believes GHF is addressing a problem the U.N. hasn't solved - namely, Hamas stealing aid. Beneficiaries of GHF's aid have been "incredibly grateful" and have thanked both the U.S. and former President Donald Trump, attributing the aid to a promise Trump made in the Oval Office to address Hamas's mishandling of humanitarian aid. Moore stated that GHF is proving it's possible to deliver aid without it being diverted for nefarious purposes, challenging a "false choice" between aiding Gazans and Hamas.
12-06-2025
At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured by Israeli gunfire at a US-backed humanitarian aid site in Gaza, according to health officials. The incident occurred near Gaza City, with the Israeli military claiming its forces fired warning shots at suspects who posed a threat to troops. This is the latest in a series of deadly incidents near aid distribution centers, with 17 people killed at a similar site in Rafah the previous day, and a total of 163 people killed and over 1,000 wounded trying to reach aid sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since it began work two weeks ago.
12-06-2025
An aid group in Gaza backed by Israel and the US reported that Hamas attacked a bus carrying its Palestinian workers on Wednesday night, killing at least 5 people and injuring others, with some potentially taken hostage. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation condemned the attack, holding Hamas "fully responsible" for the deaths of its workers who were distributing humanitarian aid. The group has previously criticized Hamas for threatening its staff and has been accused by Hamas of lacking neutrality. The incident occurred amid controversy surrounding the foundation's operations, which have been criticized by the UN and humanitarian organizations for being "militarized" and violating principles of independence.
12-06-2025
Israel is considering taking unilateral military action against Iran in the coming days without US support, sources have told US media, as the US and Iran near a potential diplomatic deal to curtail Iran's nuclear programme. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views the provisions of the potential deal, which include limits on uranium enrichment, as unacceptable. The US has ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and is authorising the departure of non-essential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait amid rising regional tensions.
12-06-2025
The US is partially evacuating its embassy in Iraq by removing non-essential staff and their dependents due to heightened security risks amid rising tensions with Iran. The move comes as nuclear talks between the US and Iran appear to have stalled, with the US anticipating potential Iranian retaliation against US sites in Iraq. US President Trump has expressed growing skepticism about Iran's willingness to halt its uranium enrichment program, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the voluntary departure of families of American military personnel from several Middle Eastern countries. The development has led to increased oil prices and warnings about potential disruptions to shipping in the region.
12-06-2025
Multiple sources have told CBS News that Israel is fully prepared to launch an operation into Iran, prompting the US to anticipate potential retaliation from Iran on American sites in neighboring Iraq. The US State Department has ordered non-emergency government officials to exit Iraq due to heightened regional tensions, and the Pentagon has authorized military family members to voluntarily leave locations throughout the Middle East. Despite this, President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is still planning to meet with Iran for a sixth round of talks on the country's nuclear program. Iran's Defense Minister has warned that if nuclear talks fail, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will target all US bases in host countries. The situation is tense, with the UK Maritime Trade Organization advising ships to exercise caution in key waterways due to increased tensions.
12-06-2025
Five US allies - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK - have jointly imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli officials, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions, which may include travel bans and asset freezes, were announced due to the ministers' "extremist rhetoric" and actions that have led to the displacement of Palestinian communities. The countries stated that their actions do not deviate from their support for Israel's security, but rather aim to hold those responsible for inciting violence accountable. The sanctions come amid ongoing violence in the West Bank and Gaza, with reports of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and Israeli military operations resulting in Palestinian casualties.
12-06-2025
Five countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, have imposed sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over their alleged involvement in inciting extremist violence and human rights abuses against Palestinians. The foreign ministers of the five countries issued a joint statement condemning the ministers' actions, which they said were "appalling and dangerous." Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, have slammed the move as "outrageous," while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also condemned the sanctions, stating that they do not advance efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
12-06-2025
The US has rejected sanctions imposed by five nations - the UK, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia - on two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, amid the ongoing Gaza war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions do not advance efforts to achieve a ceasefire and end the war, and that Hamas is the real enemy. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have also condemned the sanctions, accusing the five nations of enabling Hamas. The US has urged the reversal of the sanctions and stands in support of Israel.
