Yesterday
Israel warns that time for diplomacy with Lebanon is ‘running out’
As rockets from Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces streamed in from Lebanon, Israeli officials said they were prepared to take the war to a second front.
- Updated
- Nadav Gavrielov and Thomas Fuller
One of two Australians killed in Israeli strike linked to terror group
Acting Foreign Minister Mark Dreyfus confirmed two Australians were killed in Lebanon, and Hezbollah claims one of them is a martyred fighter for its cause.
- Updated
- Jacob Greber
Doubts over Israel’s ability to destroy Hamas grow
Israel has vowed to dismantle the group responsible for the bloody October 7 attack, but critics say that goal is unrealistic.
Israel pounds central Gaza, dozens more Palestinians killed
Gaza residents reported heavy fighting east and north of the Al-Bureij district and in the nearby village of Juhr Ad-Deek.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Dan Williams
This Month
Australian reportedly killed in Lebanon by airstrike
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is investigating reports an Australian has died in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.
- Rachael Ward
Israel warns of regional conflict risk as Iran tensions increase
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told a parliamentary committee that Israel was being attacked in a ‘multi-arena war’ from seven areas.
- Neri Zilber and Raya Jalabi
The new billionaires’ wealth haven is not where you think
The richest man in crypto, Changpeng Zhao, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio are among dozens who’ve set up special purpose vehicles in Abu Dhabi this year.
- Ben Bartenstein
Biden orders strike on Iranian-aligned group
The strike is retaliation for an attack on US troops amid escalating threats and actions against American forces in the region since war in Gaza started.
- Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
It’s time to turn the tables in the war with Hamas
From the start of this war, there has been an asymmetry: Israel has to answer every day for its mistakes and excesses. Hamas has never had to. Time to turn the tables.
- Thomas Friedman
Egypt floats plan to end Israel-Hamas war
The Egyptian plan calls for a phased hostage release and the formation of a Palestinian government of experts to administer the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
- Samy Magdy, Najib Jobain and Josef Federman
Israeli defence spending to climb $12b as war rages in Gaza
Israel says it will need to increase defence spending by $12 billion next year, underscoring the high cost of its war against Hamas.
- Galit Altstein
Israeli airstrike in Syria kills high-ranking Iranian general
Iranian officials and allied militant groups in the region vowed revenge for the killing but did not immediately launch any retaliatory strike.
- Kareem Chehayeb
Netanyahu vows to ‘deepen’ Gaza campaign in troop visit
The Israeli prime minister issued the warning as an Israeli air strike reportedly killed an adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Syria.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Emily Rose
Maersk prepares to return to Red Sea under US-led protection
The world’s second-largest container line, said it’s preparing to resume shipping through the Red Sea, thanks to a new maritime task force to protect vessels.
- Ian Fisher
Pope laments war in Holy Land on solemn Christmas Eve
Francis warned against ‘the quest for worldly power and might, fame and glory, which measures everything in terms of success, results, numbers and figures’.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Dan Williams
US accuses Iran of attacking tanker in Indian Ocean
The attack marks the first time that the US has accused Iran of a direct attack on a civilian vessel since Israel’s war with Hamas began in October.
- Harry Dempsey and Neri Zilber
Bethlehem a ghost town as Christmas is cancelled
The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off.
- Melanie Lidman
Combat in Gaza kills 15 Israeli soldiers, tests support for war
As Christmas Eve fell, smoke still rose over Gaza from the fighting, while Bethlehem in the West Bank was hushed, its holiday celebrations called off.
- Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy
- Opinion
- Christmas
The historical truth at the heart of Christmas
It’s our last festival that has not lost its link to actual events of the past. Few can avoid reflecting on that.
- David Frost
Fighting rages in northern Gaza as Biden speaks with Netanyahu
Iranian-backed attacks on shipping have widened, as Joe Biden says he did not urge a ceasefire in a call with Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose
