Middle Eastern Politics Headlines at 5:00 p.m. GMT
Protesters in Syria demand justice for disappeared activists and accountability from all factions
Latest stories
The IndependentThe fatal lengths North Korean soldiers will go to to avoid capture by Ukraine
SPECIAL REPORT: The North Korean troops fighting for Russia are highly trained and will stop at nothing to avoid surrender, Ukrainian sources tell Sam Kiley, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor, in Sumy
- CNN
Four hostages freed but Israel blocks people in Gaza returning north
Hamas freed four female Israeli hostages on Saturday, in the second round of a deal between Israel and Hamas which also saw about 200 Palestinian prisoners released.
- Reuters
Inside the Ukrainian drone unit conducting deep strikes on Russia
As snow fell in a wooded area of Ukraine, the long-range attack drones accelerated one by one down an unlit, abandoned road and their whirring engines propelled them into the night sky. The unmanned aircraft carrying explosive warheads are part of a Ukrainian campaign of long-range drone attacks that aim to inflict blows on Russia far behind the front line as Moscow's troops advance in the east. "Our main goal is to conduct strikes to hit logistics hubs in the rear, ammunition warehouses and decrease our enemy's pressure on the front," said the battalion commander of the Ukrainian drone unit, who gave only the call sign Casper.
- CNN
Israel says it won’t withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday deadline
The Israeli government says its military will not withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday’s deadline, in violation of a deadline set in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
- CNN
Six peacekeepers killed fighting rebels in eastern Congo, officials say, as rebels close in on Goma
Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo left six United Nations peacekeepers dead, UN officials said Saturday.
- BBC
Who are the four Israeli hostages released by Hamas in latest swap?
Female soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag have returned to Israel.
- The Independent
Who are remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and when might they be freed?
More than 250 foreign and Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the 7 October attack, according to Israel, with 91 still in Gaza
- BBC
Hamas names next Israeli hostages set to be released
Four are due to be freed in a second exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
- Evening Standard
Freed Israeli hostages reunited with families in prisoner swap under Gaza ceasefire deal
Soldiers released by Hamas on Saturday in exchange for prisoners said to be in ‘stable’ condition
- BBC
Gaza rescuers face toll of their work: 'I have become afraid of my own memories'
Throughout the Israeli bombardment, the Civil Defence was responsible for pulling the living and the dead from the rubble.
- Sky News
Gaza's rocky truce tested by delayed release of civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud
Israel had insisted that hostage Arbel Yehoud be released this week. This is because she is a woman, a civilian and alive, so therefore should be in the top category of hostages freed in this first phase of the ceasefire. It's suspected she could be being held by Islamic Jihad, another militant group in Gaza.
- CNN
With Gaza quiet, Israel is turning its focus on the West Bank. Here’s why
The Israeli military has intensified operations across the occupied West Bank, targeting Palestinian militant cells, imposing roadblocks and cutting communities off from the outside world.
- Euronews
Hamas announces names of next four hostages to be released on Saturday
The Palestinian militant group made public on Friday the names of the next four hostages that it plans to release as part of the ceasefire deal signed with Israel. Israel is expected to publish a list of its own, naming Palestinian prisoners it will release in return.View on euronews
- Evening Standard
Why was Axel Rudakubana’s killing spree not classed as terrorism?
Some have questioned why Axel Rudakubana’s brutal attack was not deemed a terrorist offence
- The Independent
Timeline: How a year of war in Gaza has unfolded as hostages released in ceasefire deal
Ceasefire reached fifteen months after Israel vowed to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’ following 7 October attack
- The Daily Beast
What Jennifer Aniston Says About Obama Affair Rumors
A wild story that Barack Obama is romantically involved with actress Jennifer Aniston has resurfaced amid growing rumors that the former president and his wife Michelle were headed for divorce. The Obama split rumors intensified after Michelle let her husband fly solo at two major presidential events: Jimmy Carter’s funeral, and Donald Trump’s inauguration. On Jimmy Kimmel in October, actress Aniston rejected the gossip after the late-night host handed her an In Touch magazine with a cover that
- The Daily Beast
British Officials Left in Tears Over Trump’s ‘Hilarious’ Phone Calls
Staffers to former British Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson have shared insight into the laugh-out-loud phone calls the politicians had with President Donald Trump. Former 10 Downing Street officials told Politico that any intended agenda for the conversations would “quite quickly fall by the wayside” and the discussions “would always go off beam.” “Everyone was in there with tears (of) laughter because they were hilarious,” one staffer claimed.
- Hello!
Jools Oliver shows off toned abs in daring photo – and husband Jamie is besotted
Jools Oliver has shared a glimpse of her toned abs from a daring photoshoot a decade ago, and it appears that the risqué photo certainly attracted the praise of her husband, Jamie Oliver
- The Independent
Trump fires 17 government watchdogs in middle of the night - but a key one remains in his post
‘Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption,’ Elizabeth Warren says
- HuffPost
Wall Street Journal Shreds Trump’s Most Recent ‘Vindictive Whim’ As A ‘New Low’
The president may find himself unable to escape responsibility, warned the newspaper’s conservative editorial board.