Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly contradicted Donald Trump's claims regarding Gaza, rejecting the US president's assertions about the situation there. The exchange highlights continued transatlantic friction over Middle East policy, with the French leader insisting on a different reading of facts on the ground. Commentators are watching closely for how the dispute affects Western coordination on Gaza reconstruction and ceasefire diplomacy.

Iran has reportedly put forward seven conditions for a ceasefire as regional tensions escalate, with reports of attacks on ten Saudi cities. The developments are being discussed alongside ongoing US, Yemen, Israel and Gaza-related news. The claims are drawing wide attention, with audiences following whether Iran's terms could pave the way for de-escalation or further inflame the conflict.

The Israeli military says it has discovered a 600-meter-long tunnel in Gaza that it describes as a Hamas hideout, and footage shows the structure being destroyed. The find adds to Israel's ongoing campaign to locate and demolish the extensive underground network used by militants for movement, storage and attacks. Views differ sharply, with Israeli outlets framing it as a counterterrorism success and others highlighting the tunnel warfare's toll on civilians.

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Sweden against Israel's military attacks on Gaza, according to a report by the Anadolu Agency. The protest is part of ongoing public displays of solidarity with Palestinians across Europe as the Gaza conflict continues to draw international attention and condemnation.

Large numbers of delegates walked out at the start of Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the UN General Assembly in New York, a protest over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza. Reports say Israeli staff documented which delegations left the hall, and commentary online is focused on both the scale of the walkout and claims that Israel is recording the names of countries and individuals who participated.

Israel is reported to have inadvertently released images showing the large-scale destruction in Gaza as well as pictures of its own military positions. The disclosure, covered by Bangladeshi broadcaster Jamuna TV, is drawing attention to both the extent of devastation in Gaza and the security implications of exposing sensitive army site locations during the ongoing conflict.

British singer Ed Sheeran has issued an apology, saying he has 'made mistakes' and describing the situation in Gaza as 'unjustifiable'. The statement is drawing wide attention and debate online, with fans and commentators weighing in on the singer's comments and his decision to speak out on the conflict.

President Donald Trump told reporters that he turned down a proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping waterway for global oil traffic. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, and observers are watching closely for what the rejection means for energy markets and regional security.

An Egyptian source said Cairo warned Israeli officials that the situation in Gaza could deteriorate and 'blow up'. The reported warning points to growing Egyptian concern over escalation in the enclave, where tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions have repeatedly threatened wider confrontation. It underscores Egypt's role as a mediator seeking to prevent another flare-up in Gaza.

A Hamas leader says the Gaza roadmap the group agreed to includes the establishment of a Palestinian state. The claim will be closely watched by Israel, the United States and mediators, as any commitment to statehood touches the core dispute over Gaza's future governance after the war and the broader framework for a two-state settlement.

The Israel Defense Forces say they killed a Hamas platoon commander and an additional militant in Gaza. The announcement comes as Israeli military operations against Hamas continue across the territory, with the IDF regularly reporting the elimination of commanders and fighters it says were involved in attacks against Israeli forces.

The Philippines has urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stressed that disputes in the South China Sea must be resolved through international law rather than force. The statement ties Manila's position on the Middle East conflict to its own maritime disagreements with China, drawing attention as regional tensions continue over both fronts.

An RFI investigation reports that the head of Egyptian intelligence warned Benjamin Netanyahu that an attack was imminent before October 7. The claim suggests Israeli leadership may have received prior warnings about Hamas's assault, fueling debate over why the attack was not prevented and who bears responsibility for the security failure.

A new report says that ten days before the October 7 Hamas attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered officials to act to contain and minimize escalation in Gaza. The disclosure has renewed scrutiny of the government's security posture in the weeks leading up to the assault, and of what warnings reached the leadership before the deadliest attack in Israel's history.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used his address at the 81th UN General Assembly to sharply criticize United States policy and to present Moscow as a possible mediator in the Gaza conflict. The remarks position Russia as a counterweight to Western diplomacy and renew its bid for influence in Middle East peace efforts.

The directors of 'NAZA', a documentary documenting the destruction in Gaza, presented the film at the New York Film Festival. Speaking at the event, they argued the devastation shown on screen is being financed 'with taxpayer money from people sitting here', referring to American audiences. The film brings images of Gaza's ruined landscape to one of the most prominent US cultural platforms, drawing attention to US funding of the war and sparking conversation about the conflict.

The former head of UNRWA says the board of peace established under Donald Trump's Gaza plan held a previously unreported meeting with the UN Palestinian refugee agency. The claim, reported by Haaretz, suggests back-channel contacts between the US-led oversight body and an organization Israel has sought to sideline. The meeting's agenda and outcomes remain unclear, and officials have not publicly confirmed it.

The Guardian has published a piece following five people in Gaza from dawn to dusk, aiming to show the texture of daily life there in ways regular news coverage does not capture. The feature focuses on ordinary routines and personal experiences amid the ongoing war, offering readers a ground-level view beyond casualty figures and political headlines.

Ireland's footballers have voted to go ahead with their contentious fixtures against Israel, but intend to wear black armbands during the games as a gesture of protest. The decision means the matches will proceed despite pressure from some quarters for a boycott, while the armbands signal the squad's discomfort with facing Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Israel about a Hamas attack before October 7, according to a report by The Atlantic. The claim, being compared across 23 outlets, reignites questions over whether Israeli officials received specific advance warnings and why the attack was not prevented. The alleged warning adds to earlier reports that Cairo repeatedly cautioned Jerusalem about escalating violence in Gaza ahead of the assault.

An Israeli director says his documentary 'NAZA', set in Gaza, will be made available to watch online for free. Arab News reports the announcement, drawing attention from audiences following the conflict. The move would give viewers worldwide open access to a film examining life in Gaza, though further details about the release date and platform have not been given.

Ireland's national team has voted to go ahead with its match against Israel, but players will wear black armbands as a gesture of mourning and protest. The decision allows the fixture to proceed while still making a visible political statement about the conflict in the Middle East. The move has drawn attention for balancing sporting obligations with expressions of solidarity, and it is likely to fuel debate over whether teams should compete against Israel during the war.

The makers of the documentary 'Naza', including Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, spoke at the film's New York City premiere, defending their findings on Israel's killing of Palestinians. Their remarks come amid threats from Israeli officials against the film-makers, drawing attention to press freedom and the risks faced by journalists documenting the conflict.

A senior Hamas leader accused Israel of exploiting bloodshed in Gaza for political gain ahead of Israeli elections. At the same time, he signalled that Hamas is ready to sit down with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, raising the prospect of renewed talks on Palestinian reconciliation and the situation in Gaza.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he failed to force the Gaza Strip to surrender and cannot change the regime in Iran. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the two countries and continued fighting in Gaza, with observers weighing the significance of the statement for regional diplomacy.

A group of Palestinians in Belgium have begun a hunger strike to press the Belgian government to evacuate their family members from Gaza, where the ongoing war has created severe humanitarian conditions. The protesters are calling on Brussels to grant humanitarian visas and organise safe passage out of the territory, joining wider European advocacy efforts by Palestinian diaspora communities.

Nadia Sawalha has given an exclusive interview to presenter Sangita Myska in which she discusses Gaza and her removal from ITV. In the conversation, Sawalha addresses the circumstances surrounding her departure from the network and speaks about the situation in Gaza. The interview is drawing significant attention online, with viewers debating her ITV exit and her comments on the conflict.

A Portland coffee shop announced plans to open a free cafe in Gaza, then reversed the decision just one week later. The quick about-face has drawn attention given the intense debate around humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza, with observers questioning what prompted the change and how far businesses should involve themselves in the conflict.