Hamas raises stakes in Gaza truce talks by calling for Ramadan march
Cairo, Egypt/Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Jerusalem Reuters Hamas called on Wednesday for Palestinians to march to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of Ramadan, raising the stakes in ongoing negotiations for a truce in Gaza, which US President Joe Biden hopes will be in place by then. The call by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh followed comments […]
Israeli PM reverses course on sacking defence minister
JerusalemReuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would leave Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in place given an escalating security crisis, reversing a decision to fire the minister that triggered protests and raised alarm abroad. He said the two had resolved their disagreement over Gallant’s public call last month for a halt to […]
After days of violence, Jerusalem prayers end peacefully
Jerusalem Reuters Ramadan prayers and Jewish Passover visits at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound passed without incident on Sunday, after days of tension at the flashpoint Jerusalem site which led to cross-border exchanges of fire. A member of the Israeli security forces stands guard at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble […]
Tensions high in Israel after deadly attacks
Tel Aviv, IsraelReuters An Italian tourist was killed and five people were wounded in a car ramming in Tel Aviv on Friday that came hours after two Israeli sisters were killed in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. The attacks, after a night of crossborder strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, added to an […]
Israeli strikes target Hamas in Lebanon and Gaza after rocket attack
Jerusalem/Gaza Reuters Israel’s military hit sites in Lebanon and Gaza early on Friday, in retaliation for rocket attacks it blamed on the Islamist group Hamas, as tensions following police raids this week on the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem threatened to spiral out of control. Loud blasts rocked different areas of Gaza, as Israel said its […]
Israeli police clash with worshippers at Jerusalem holy site
JerusalemAP Israeli police raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City early Wednesday and attacked Palestinian worshippers, Palestinian media reported, raising fears of wider tension as Islamic and Jewish holidays overlap. The incidents sparked a wave of Palestinian protests, condemnations and violence. The Israeli military said sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in Israeli communities around […]
Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits Al Aqsa mosque compound, Palestinians incensed
Jerusalem, IsraelReuters Israel’s new far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir briefly visited Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Tuesday, a site also revered by Jews, angering the Palestinians and drawing a slew of condemnations. “The Temple Mount is open to all,” Ben-Gvir said on Twitter, using the Jewish name for the site. Video footage […]
Exploring sacred sites: How virtual reality technology is opening up access from the comfort of home
LUIS ANDRES HENAO, of Associated Press, reports on how virtual reality technology is providing new access to sacred sites around the world…
Israeli police storm Jerusalem holy site after rock-throwing
JerusalemAP Israeli police in full riot gear stormed a sensitive Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims on Friday after Palestinian youths hurled stones at a gate where they were stationed. The renewed violence at the site, which is sacred to Jews and Muslims, came despite Israel temporarily halting Jewish visits, which are seen […]
Palestinians clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem holy site, 152 injured
Jerusalem, IsraelReuters At least 152 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli riot police inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Friday, the latest outbreak in a recent upsurge of violence that has raised fears of a slide back to wider conflict. Most of the Palestinian injuries were incurred from rubber bullets, stun grenades and beatings […]