All Middle East
First LookHouthi militants vow revenge after US-British airstrikeThe Houthis, an Iranian-backed proxy group, vows revenge after a US-British airstrike left five dead and six wounded in a military attack. Houthi troops have been targeting US-Israeli commercial shipping in response to the war in Gaza.
First LookTaliban鈥檚 dress-code crackdown targets Afghan women, UN warnsThe UN has said they are 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� over the detention and abuse of Afghan women not wearing the hijab. Their statement is the first official confirmation of the Taliban鈥檚 crackdown on dress codes for women since the Taliban took power in 2021.聽
鈥楾ime for us to leave鈥�: Gaza reporter, again, joins thousands fleeingThe Monitor鈥檚 reporter in Gaza has been living the Israel-Hamas war. Driven by basic human needs聽鈥� safety above all as fighting neared 鈥� her family looked urgently for a truck and a route south.
Lives on hold, economy in check: Gaza war tests Israel鈥檚 staminaWar brings clear costs. Lives lost, homes destroyed. As Israel girds for a long war in Gaza, and tensions rise in Lebanon, it is trying to balance, too, the human and economic costs of mass mobilization.
First LookHezbollah fires rockets at Israel in response to Hamas leader鈥檚 killingThe cross-border escalation comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken starts his fourth Mideast trip in three months in hopes of preventing the Israel-Hamas war from turning into a regional confrontation.
Gaza war: Why Houthis pose a stubborn challenge to US in Red SeaFrom Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen, attacks by the Iran-led 鈥淎xis of Resistance鈥� have raised concerns that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate into a regional conflict. In the Red Sea, a U.S. bid to secure shipping lanes faces a determined adversary.
First LookHezbollah vows 鈥榩unishment鈥� after Hamas leader is killed in BeirutThe killing of Hamas鈥� No. 2 leader Saleh al-Arouri in an apparent Israeli airstrike raised fears of retaliation from the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah said 鈥渢his dangerous crime鈥� will not go 鈥渨ithout response.鈥�
In wartime Gaza, a complicating burden: Communication blackoutsCommunications are a basic societal need, especially in times of stress. In wartime Gaza, where phone and internet service is often cut, journalists say they have to balance their professional duties with helping people to cope.
First LookGround offensive intensifies: Israeli strikes Gaza's refugee campsThe Israeli military broadens its ground offensive in Gaza, targeting densely populated urban refugee camps, including Nuseirat, Maghazi, and Bureij. These camps house Palestinians displaced during the 1948 war. Shelling and airstrikes are reported.
First LookSilent night? On Christmas Eve, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town.Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have all been muffled by the Israel-Hamas war. The once-busy biblical city in the West Bank misses its festive traditions as both residents and visitors search for the holiday spirit.
A plan for Gaza鈥檚 future is taking shape. Obstacles loom.The trauma of war is catalyzing a diplomatic push for a 鈥渄ay-after鈥� plan for Gaza. It faces challenges. How they are met may be the difference between reconstruction and peace, and a security vacuum and chaos.
At Oct. 7鈥檚 ground zero, what an Israeli survivor lost ... and learnedThe scene at a border kibbutz that was overrun by Hamas Oct. 7 shows the enduring physical and human damage from an attack that changed Israel, launched a brutal war, and deepened the challenge of achieving peaceful coexistence.
鈥榃e are mourning鈥�: This Christmas, Palestinian 海角大神s pray for GazaPalestinian 海角大神s are putting Christmas festivities on hold, focusing their attention on family and friends in danger and praying for the return of peace.
First LookWhy are Yemen鈥檚 Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea?The Houthis of Yemen, in support of Palestinians, have been firing drones and missiles at ships transiting through the Red Sea. In October, they announced they would continue to attack Israel 鈥渦ntil the Israeli aggression stops.鈥�
The ExplainerCalls for Gaza truce rise after mistaken killing of hostages by IsraelIsrael鈥檚 government is facing calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies. The deadly shooting of three hostages who waved a white flag added to concerns about Israel's wartime conduct.
鈥楾his is a war that starves you鈥�: For Gaza, hunger is a new enemyAs international food aid slows to a trickle, Gaza Strip residents face a new threat 鈥� the prospect of starvation, U.N. officials warned this week.
Fearing fallout, Gulf rulers urge US to help stop war in GazaGulf leaders are frustrated the U.S. has not used its clout with Israel to stop the Gaza war. They fear spreading violence could spell their demise.
What Israelis see, and don鈥檛 see, about the war in GazaHamas鈥� attack on Israel was a horrific act. But is it right that Israeli media focus almost exclusively on the aftermath and ignore the suffering of Palestinians? It鈥檚 a powerful example of one way media can shape a national conversation.
Gaza echoes on Israel-Lebanon border: 鈥業t鈥檚 dangerous here鈥�Oct. 7 was a warning to Israelis in the north: It could happen to them. Many say they won鈥檛 feel safe until Israel deals with Hezbollah. Others wish residents across the border could see each other as neighbors.
鈥楾he ground is shaking鈥� in southern Gaza. Is anywhere safe?Israel鈥檚 efforts to direct people in southern Gaza to safe zones amid the fighting with Hamas are proving confusing and hard to access. Everywhere are bombs and bullets. There seems nowhere to go.
