The federal government has renewed calls for Australians to leave Lebanon as soon as possible after an Israeli strike killed Hezbollah’s top commander Fuad Shukr. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned on Thursday that conflict in the Middle East could escalate after the death of Shakur and the  reported assassination of Ismail Haniyeh — the political leader of Palestinian militant group …

Before the June 28 election, Iranian presidential contenders debated internet restrictions and the hijab legislation on state television. Six presidential contenders debated national problems in the third round. The only reformist contender, Masoud Pezeşkiyan, said that internet bans are only justified in emergencies and harmful in regular times. He said “If elected president, I will remove many of the internet …

Iran has launched dozens of drones and missiles towards Israel in an attack that may trigger a major escalation between the regional archenemies. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) says it will take hours before the drones enter Israeli airspace. Iran has been threatening a retaliatory attack on Israel after several of its military leaders were killed in a drone strike on the …

Paramedics say it took “several hours” to recover the bodies of seven aid workers, including Australian Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, killed when an Israeli air strike hit their convoy in Gaza. Ms Frankcom, as well as Palestinians and citizens of the UK, Poland and a dual US-Canadian national, died in the blasts on Monday night, local time. The group was working for …

Israel denied obstructing entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip but UN human rights office says manner it has conducted hostilities could be war crime Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva has responded to earlier comments by the spokesperson for UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk. Jeremy Laurence had said “The extent of Israel’s continued restrictions on entry of aid into …

Exclusive: 12 prominent organisations sign open letter criticising lack of humanitarian access Twelve of Israel’s most prominent human rights organisations have signed an open letter accusing the country of failing to comply with the international court of justice’s (ICJ) provisional ruling that it should facilitate access of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The court in The Hague made a number of …

Letter to attorney general and state prosecutor demands action to stop ‘explicit calls to commit atrocious crimes’ A group of prominent Israelis has accused the country’s judicial authorities of ignoring “extensive and blatant” incitement to genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza by influential public figures. In a letter to the attorney general and state prosecutors, they demand action to stop …

The Israeli military and Hamas have agreed to extend the truce for a seventh day. The truce was expected to expire at 3pm AEST but in the final minutes, both sides have agreed to extend the truce for at least one more day. Hamas said it had agreed to extend the truce with Israel in Gaza for a seventh day. …

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, as he warned that the bombarded Gaza Strip was becoming a “graveyard for children.” “The unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian ceasefire more urgent with every passing hour,” he told reporters at the UN headquarters. “The parties to the conflict — and, indeed, the international …

Gaza is becoming a “graveyard for children,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday, calling for an urgent ceasefire in the enclave, where Palestinian health authorities said the death toll from Israeli strikes had exceeded 10,000. Both Israel and the Hamas militants who control Gaza have rebuffed mounting international pressure for a ceasefire. Israel says hostages taken by Hamas …