Latest fromMiddle East

Israel battles Hamas near another Gaza hospital sheltering thousands
Israeli forces are pressing their offensive against Hamas in northern Gaza.

Jewish community says it feels 'isolated and vulnerable' after swastika graffiti
It comes a week after a statue of a Jewish ex-Auckland mayor was defaced with a swastika.

'No end in sight': Chris Hipkins' subtle dig as National's talks drag on for another week
The caretaker PM took a shot at National on Sunday as talks dragged into another week.

Israel and Hamas ‘close to deal’ to free hostages and pause fighting for 5 days
The Washington Post reports the release of hostages could begin in days.

'Not on the agenda': Ukrainians fear war fatigue as world’s attention is on Gaza
Money continued to come in steadily - then the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins calls for ceasefire in Gaza
His surprise Sunday announcement was made as Labour leader, not caretaker PM.

French Holocaust survivors recoiling from new war-linked anti-Semitism
100,000 people marched through Paris last week to denounce anti-Semitism.

Sasha Borissenko: How international humanitarian law applies to the Israel-Hamas War
OPINION: Plus, what is New Zealand doing?

Communications 'cut-off' in Gaza endangers already stricken civilians
Internet and telephone services have collapsed across the Gaza Strip for lack of fuel.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch strikes at Israel during Gaza war
Houthi rebels have launched at least six drone and missile attacks toward southern Israel.

What one photo shows about a Gaza hospital in chaos
NY Times: 'What was his name? I do not know. Did he survive? I do not know that, either.'

'Who will take care of them?': Supplies not enough to help stricken Gaza patients
Health officials said supplies and equipment don't solve the question of safe evacuation.

Desperate effort under way to evacuate young cancer patients from Gaza
New York Times: The youngest is not even a year old; the oldest is 14.

'A graveyard for children': Palestine's humanitarian catastrophe
OPINION: The children of Gaza report feeling "insecure all the time".

Battles around Gaza hospitals leave newborns stranded
Hundreds of patients and displaced people remain at Shifa Hospital.

Hezbollah-Israeli clashes risk escalating after mortar attack
Skirmishes between Hezbollah and the Israeli military continue to intensify.

Eleven New Zealanders leave Gaza via Rafah crossing - MFAT
MFAT says it is working 'around the clock' to get the remaining NZ citizens out of Gaza.

Watch: Thousands of Auckland protesters call for ceasefire in Gaza
The protesters want New Zealand to join other countries like France in acting.

Protesters clash with police in London
Tensions were high in London after right-wing protesters clashed with police.

'Unbearably desperate situation': Gaza’s main hospital goes dark in intense fighting
Israel confirmed clashes outside the hospital, but denied it was under siege or attack.

'Humanitarian pauses': Israel faces pressure from G7 nations on Gaza civilians
Allies call for "unimpeded" delivery of food, water, medicine and fuel.

Israel fights in ‘depths’ of Gaza City, wants total control
The Israeli army says its forces are battling Hamas fighters inside Gaza’s largest city.

'Extremist fringes': Swarbrick apologises after using slogan at Palestine rally
Academics say other language would be more appropriate for the Green MP to use.

‘Not sure we’ve got a safety net’: Israeli businesses buckle as war hits economy
Financial Times: Some companies shut as consumers and workers either drafted or shielding.

'Nothing will stop us': Pressure rises on Israel to ease siege on Gaza
US and Arab leaders are raising pressure on Israel to ease its siege as death toll rises.

Grim milestone: Palestinian deaths surpass 10,000 as Israeli forces cut off north Gaza
War is now deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence since Israel’s establishment in 1948.

Palestinian ambassador urges NZ to step up in facilitating ceasefire in Gaza
Over the past few weeks, thousands of people have attended rallies across Aotearoa.

'Have mercy on us': Israel surrounds Gaza City, US refuses to back ceasefire
Gaza has fallen under its third total communications outage since the start of the war.

Israel-Hamas war: Arab leaders push for immediate ceasefire
Arab ministers repeatedly called for the fighting to stop and condemned Israel’s tactics.