Middle East live: Israeli strikes kill three, including child, in Gaza Strip
· France 2423/08/2026 - 20:07
Syria FM met Mossad chief in Jordan on Sunday: sources to AFP
Syria's foreign minister met the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in Jordan on Sunday, two sources told AFP, days after an Israeli attack on an airbase in Syria's northwest.
Requesting anonymity to discuss the matter, a diplomatic source and a Syrian government source said that Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani and Mossad chief Roman Gofman discussed issues such as establishing "a special operations room" in Jordan under US supervision to prevent any confrontations in Syria, including involving Turkey.
23/08/2026 - 19:00
Israel warns Hamas of intensified strikes over Gaza drone, balloon launches
Israel warned Hamas it would intensify strikes in Gaza and order civilians to evacuate areas if the launching of drones, balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip toward Israel does not stop immediately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Sunday.
23/08/2026 - 17:12
Macron hosts Saudi's MBS for visit ranging from esports to Mideast
French President Emmanuel Macron late Sunday was to welcome Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman for a two-day visit, criticised as a "provocation" by journalist groups.
The official agenda for the visit ranges from esports to the war in the Middle East, and a French presidential official said several agreements, on health, transport and energy will be signed on Monday.
But three journalists' unions on Sunday protested against France hosting the Saudi strongman, who is known by his initials MBS.
23/08/2026 - 15:42
Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill three, including a child
Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip killed three people on Sunday, including a child, rescuers said, while the Israeli military said it had targeted a "terrorist" in one strike.
An airstrike killed two people in the town of Al-Zawayda, including a four-year-old child named Muhammad Abdel Salam Taha, according to the civil defence rescue service, which operates under Hamas authority.
"The two martyrs as well as several wounded were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah," also in the central Gaza, the civil defence told AFP.
Another Israeli strike killed one person in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
23/08/2026 - 15:24
Hundreds of Gaza children join a mass swimming lesson to cope with trauma
In Gaza, the war has upended the lives of an entire generation of children. In an effort to help them cope with the trauma of the conflict, an NGO has launched a project in Khan Younis: a huge swimming lesson that could even set a world record. Hundreds of children have gathered on the beach to learn how to swim.
23/08/2026 - 15:09
Israeli air strikes in Gaza kill two people, including a 4-year-old boy, medics say
Two Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday killed at least two people, including a 4-year-old boy, and wounded seven others, Palestinian health officials said.
One of the strikes hit a building in Zawayda town in the centre of the enclave and followed a warning by the Israeli army for the owners of the property to leave the area, residents said.
Medics said flying debris and shrapnel that spread for dozens of metres around had wounded at least six people, including the 4-year-old, Mohammad Abdel-Salam Taha, who was later pronounced dead at hospital.
23/08/2026 - 14:00
23/08/2026 - 13:59
South Korea tests Arctic route to avoid Middle East blockade
Reaching Europe from Asia via the Arctic is nothing new... Russia and China have used this route for years. But yesterday, South Korea sent its first container ship along this path to avoid the traffic blockade in the Middle East. Experts warn the shift could further accelerate the melting of polar ice.
23/08/2026 - 13:17
Iran discovers over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, oil minister says
Iran has discovered over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in a field south of its Fars Province, Iran's oil minister Mohsen Paknejad said in comments carried by state media on Sunday.
23/08/2026 - 13:03
How Israel reduced Iran’s historic Rafi-Nia synagogue to rubble
23/08/2026 - 11:31
Iran escalates threats as US pushes economic isolation
Tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. Tehran is threatening to regard as enemies any countries that join the US sanctions, in response to Washington’s calls to isolate its economy. A press conference is scheduled for Monday to outline the US strategy. Story by Camille Corcoran.
23/08/2026 - 11:02
Iran president admits country facing 'many problems'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday that his country's citizens face "many problems", after the United States launched a new wave of sanctions seeking to further isolate its economy.
"I understand we have many problems in society right now. We are trying to prevent these as much as we can," Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state television.
His comments came after the United States vowed last week to bring about the "collapse" of the Iranian regime through a newly announced sanctions campaign, nearly six months after the start of their war.
"We are striving with all our hearts to overcome inflation, livelihood problems, unemployment, and to secure the future of the people, so that they can live with dignity and pride," Pezeshkian said on Sunday.
23/08/2026 - 10:45
Syria foreign minister sees Israel security talks resuming despite no trust
Syria expects negotiations to resume soon with Israel over a security deal it hopes will lead to Israel's withdrawal from Syrian land, a top Syrian minister said, urging Israel to seize a "historic opportunity" as the door for diplomacy is open.
In a Reuters interview in Damascus on Saturday, days after Israel bombed a Syrian airbase, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also stressed that Damascus' priority is to halt Israeli attacks, saying confidence-building steps were needed in this direction.
Washington has been seeking to forge a security deal between Israel and the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a new US ally in the Middle East, for over a year. But it has
proven elusive as Israel has sent troops into Syrian territory and attacked government assets, citing threats to its security.
23/08/2026 - 10:32
Iran executes man accused of aiding US, Israel in anti-govt protests
Iran on Sunday executed a man accused of carrying a chainsaw during January anti-government protests who was charged with acting as an agent of Israel and the United States.
The judiciary said Majid Adineh had been convicted of "operational action in favour of hostile groups" in nationwide rallies that broke out late last year.
He is one of a string of people put to death over the protests, which were sparked by economic hardships in Iran.
23/08/2026 - 10:27
Iran says Pakistan's army chief to visit Tehran on Monday
Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday, according to a statement by the ministry.
Baghaei said the visit was in continuation of Pakistan's efforts to strengthen peace and security in the region.
Pakistan has taken on the mediator role in negotiations between Iran and the U.S. aimed at ending their war.
23/08/2026 - 10:23
Iran’s president says his country needs to get past current stall
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a recent memorandum of understanding as the best way for the country to move beyond what he described as a situation of “neither war nor peace.”
In a speech published by state-run IRNA early on Sunday, said members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council believed the memorandum represented the best possible agreement based on what he described as dignity, wisdom and the national interest.
“There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,” Pezeshkian said. “The supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path.”
23/08/2026 - 10:23
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