Gaza health ministry denies manipulating death toll figures

Yolande KnellBBC Middle East CorrespondentPope Francis maintained a close relationship with Gaza's small Christian community, frequently checking in on them during the war. His death has left many, including Father Gabriel Romanelli and George Anton, feeling orphaned and bereft of his support and humor. As a conclave begins to choose his successor, both Palestinians and Israelis are keenly observing for future peace advocacy from the next Pope amid ongoing conflict in the region. Full Article

After Israel resumed bombardments in Gaza, British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa, volunteering at al-Ahli Arab hospital, witnessed extreme injuries among patients and described the overwhelming conditions. Following his harrowing experience, Mustafa has been advocating for action in Australia, seeking meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to discuss humanitarian aid efforts, while highlighting the dire situation in Gaza, where airstrikes have resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths. His testimony gained significant attention,...

US President Donald Trump's return to power has strengthened Israeli leaders' military ambitions in Gaza and the West Bank, according to experts. Following a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump indicated strong support for Israel's actions, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Analysts note that Trump's silence on West Bank annexation plans has emboldened hardline Israeli ministers, while his administration's approach has provided Israel with a perceived license to expand its territorial...

SummaryIsrael-Egypt relations are at their most strained since the October 2023 war, with concerns in Cairo about the Gaza border and military buildup causing unease in Jerusalem. Egypt's military cooperation with China, highlighted by a recent joint exercise featuring advanced fighter jets, aligns with its long-standing strategy to avoid dependence on any single superpower. This cooperation includes purchasing Chinese arms and infrastructure development, reinforcing China's growing influence in Egypt under President Al-Sisi. Full Article

The United Nations has appointed Ian Martin to conduct a strategic assessment of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) amid growing criticism and accusations following the October 7 Hamas attack and ensuing Gaza conflict. This review, part of the UN80 initiative to address financial challenges exacerbated by US budget cuts, aims to evaluate the political, financial, and security constraints faced by UNRWA, which has been essential in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees since...

US President Donald Trump announced a positive conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing their unity on trade and Iran. While the US and Iran engage in nuclear discussions, Iran accused Israel of undermining these talks, and Netanyahu asserted Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Following Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran has increased uranium enrichment, raising concerns among Western powers and Israel about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, which Iran...