Syrian officials say a series of Israeli strikes have hit multiple areas in central Syria, killing 18 people and wounding dozens of others. State news agency SANA reported on Monday that Syrian air defences “confronted an aggression that targeted several points in the central region”, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires that firefighting teams were battling to …

Yesterday was Arbaeen, traditionally a day of mourning for Shia Muslims. Hezbollah, one of the world’s most prominent Shia organisations, decided to make it a day of retribution, by launching its promised revenge against Israel for its assassination of senior military commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut last month. It said it launched 340 rockets into the border region …

The United States has approved the sale of fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel as it prosecutes a 10-month-old war in the Gaza Strip although the Pentagon says deliveries will not begin for years. The sale is worth of $US20 billion ($30 billion). US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved the sale of F-15 jets and equipment worth …

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 …