Syrian health ministry says at least 18 others were injured in attack caused by planted explosives

Strikes follow a Saudi government call for UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council to withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahrah governorates

<article data-history-node-id="433113" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hamas-calls-israel-allow-impartial-investigation-7-october-attacks" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hamas-calls-israel-allow-impartial-investigation-7-october-attacks" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Hamas calls on Israel to allow impartial investigation into 7 October attacks</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Hamas has called on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank">Israel</a>&nbsp;to allow an impartial international investigation into its attack on 7 October 2023 and has rejected that it killed civilians or committed atrocities.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Palestinian group published a 42-page&nbsp;<a href="https://palinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/OurNarrative.pdf" target="_blank">document</a>&nbsp;on Friday, which laid out its account of 7 October, as well as details on Israel’s subsequent genocide and Hamas’ view on what comes next in the enclave.&nbsp;</p> <p>Around 1,200 Israelis were killed when Hamas and other groups launched a surprise attack on southern Israel over two years ago. A further 251 people were taken to Gaza as captives.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the new document, Hamas said that “Western media and Zionist lobby groups” had launched a disinformation campaign about the events of the attack.&nbsp;</p> <h3>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hamas-calls-israel-allow-impartial-investigation-7-october">Hamas calls on Israel to allow impartial investigation into 7 October attacks</a></h3> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="A Palestinian fighter from Hamas' armed wing in al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, on 7 February 2025 (AFP/Eyad Baba)" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14f66b85-95af-4788-9905-e5d6b1039684" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/images-story/hamas-fighter-2025-afp.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="A Palestinian fighter from Hamas' armed wing in al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, on 7 February 2025 (AFP/Eyad Baba)" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>A Palestinian fighter from Hamas' armed wing in al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, on 7 February 2025 (AFP/Eyad Baba)</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img alt height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433115" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/armed-israeli-settler-runs-over-praying-palestinian-ramallah" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/armed-israeli-settler-runs-over-praying-palestinian-ramallah" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Armed Israeli settler runs over praying Palestinian in Ramallah</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>An armed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank">Israeli&nbsp;</a>settler deliberately ran over a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/palestine" target="_blank">Palestinian&nbsp;</a>on Thursday while he was praying in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.</p> <p>The incident, which occurred in the village of Deir Jarir, was carried out by a suspect who is also a reserve soldier.&nbsp;</p> <p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/arab48website/status/2004236670875615477" target="_blank">footage&nbsp;</a>circulating online, a man is seen praying on the side of the road before the settler drives a vehicle over him.&nbsp;</p> <p>Citing medical sources, Al Jazeera reported that the unnamed young man sustained injuries and bruises that required him to be admitted to the hospital.</p> <p>According to a statement published by the Israeli army, occupation authorities separately received a report of a shooting committed by an Israeli citizen and reserve soldier, who was dressed in civilian clothing, in the village.</p> <h3>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/armed-israeli-settler-and-reserve-soldier-runs-over-praying-palestinian-ramallah">Armed Israeli settler runs over praying Palestinian in Ramallah</a></h3> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="An armed settler is seen running over a Palestinian who was praying by the roadside in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank (X/Screenshot)" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="11d0ceec-5550-47af-8a63-6bb6c4e20cad" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/images-story/israel-settler-soldier-runs-over-palestinian-west-bank-screenshot-x.png" width="1275" height="717" alt="An armed settler is seen running over a Palestinian who was praying by the roadside in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank (X/Screenshot)" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>An armed settler is seen running over a Palestinian who was praying by the roadside in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank (X/Screenshot)</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background:rgba(220,220,220,0.5);background-image:url(https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png);display:none;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433116" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-impose-strict-restrictions-al-aqsa-mosque-during-friday" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-impose-strict-restrictions-al-aqsa-mosque-during-friday" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli forces impose strict restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Friday prayers</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered for Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque amid “strict military measures,” according to Wafa news agency.</p> <p>Wafa reported that Israeli forces posted outside of the gates of the mosque stopped and searched those entering and blocked people ahead of the prayers.</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433118" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/168-doctors-graduate-ruins-al-shifa-hospital-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/168-doctors-graduate-ruins-al-shifa-hospital-gaza" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">168 doctors graduate in the ruins of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>168 Palestinian doctors graduated with advanced medical certifications in a ceremony held in the rubble of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.</p> <p>Dubbed the “Humanity Cohort,” the doctors had prepared for their examinations while working in Gaza’s hospitals throughout Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Al Jazeera, some of the graduating doctors had been injured, arrested, or had family members killed.</p> <p>The ceremony also featured empty chairs with photographs of healthcare workers who had been killed during the genocide.</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433119" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-raid-town-south-jenin" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-raid-town-south-jenin" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli forces raid town south of Jenin</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Israeli forces launched raids in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, Wafa news agency reported.</p> <p>According to local media, the Israeli military deployed snipers and stormed the town with a bulldozer and army vehicles on Friday evening.</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433120" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/who-50-health-facilities-only-partially-operational-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/who-50-health-facilities-only-partially-operational-gaza" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">WHO: 50% of health facilities only partially operational in Gaza</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Only half of Gaza’s health facilities are partially operational, due to medicine and equipment shortages, according to a statement by the World Health Organization.&nbsp;</p> <p>The statement added that over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and lactating women are vulnerable to acute malnutrition by April 2026.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Organization called for the “urgent and unconditional” entry of medical aid in Gaza.</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433121" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-soldiers-hold-palestinian-farmers-prevent-them-cultivating-their" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-soldiers-hold-palestinian-farmers-prevent-them-cultivating-their" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli soldiers hold Palestinian farmers to prevent them cultivating their land in West Bank</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p dir="LTR">Israeli soldiers detained Palestinian farmers near Tubas in the West Bank on Thursday.</p> <p dir="LTR">The head of&nbsp;Khirbet Yarza village council, Mukhlis Masa'id, told Wafa news agency that Israeli troops have held the farmers for hours after they were attending to their land in the village. It is unclear how many are being detained.&nbsp;</p> <p dir="LTR">Masa'id also said that prior to being detained by police, Israeli settlers assaulted the farmers and tried to prevent them from accessing their farmlands.</p> <p dir="LTR">Attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have increased since Israel's war on Gaza commenced in 2023, with the highest number of incidencts on record being recorded in October.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </article>

UN experts say eight detainees are at “critical risk”, accuse the UK government of failing in its duty of care

<article data-history-node-id="433124" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-hospital-forced-suspend-most-services-because-lack-fuel" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-hospital-forced-suspend-most-services-because-lack-fuel" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Gaza hospital forced to suspend most services because of lack of fuel</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>A major hospital in the Gaza Strip said on Friday it had suspended several services because of critical fuel shortages, AFP reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ahmed Mehanna, a senior official involved in managing Al-Awda hospital said that most services have been temporarily stopped due to a shortage of the fuel needed for the generators.</p> <p>"Only essential departments remain operational: the emergency unit, maternity ward and paediatrics," he said.</p> <p>He added the hospital has been forced to rent a small generator to keep even those three departments running.</p> <p>Under normal conditions, Al-Awda Hospital consumes between 1,000 and 1,200 litres of diesel per day. At present, however, it has only 800 litres available.</p> <p>"We stress that this shutdown is temporary and linked to the availability of fuel," Mehanna said, warning that a prolonged fuel shortage "would pose a direct threat to the hospital's ability to deliver basic services".</p> <p>The Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza's Nuseirat district cares for around 60 in-patients and receives nearly 1,000 people seeking medical treatment each day.</p> <p>Khitam Ayada, 30, who has taken refuge in Nuseirat, said she had gone to the facility after days of kidney pain.</p> <p>But "they told me they didn't have electricity to perform an X-ray... and that they couldn't treat me," the displaced woman told AFP.</p> <p>"We lack everything in our lives, even the most basic medical services," she added.</p> <p>Hospital official Mehanna urged local and international organisations to intervene swiftly to ensure a steady fuel supply.</p> <p>Despite a ceasefire being in place since October 10, the Gaza Strip remains engulfed in a severe&nbsp;humanitarian crisis because Israel is not allowing the volume of aid agreed to in the ceasefire (600 trucks per day) to come into the territory.</p> <p>Only 100 to 300 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance can currently enter, according to the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.</p> </div> </div> </article>

Middle East Eye shares insights on the first holiday season since the Gaza ceasefire was declared

<article data-history-node-id="433126" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/palestine-action-linked-hunger-strikers-risk-death-un-warns" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/palestine-action-linked-hunger-strikers-risk-death-un-warns" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Palestine Action linked hunger-strikers at risk of death, UN warns</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>A group of UN human rights experts warned the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/uk" target="_blank">UK government</a>&nbsp;that eight pro-Palestine activists on hunger strike in UK prisons risk organ failure and death after seven weeks of hunger strike.&nbsp;</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/12/un-experts-urge-uk-protect-lives-and-rights-pro-palestinian-detainees-hunger" target="_blank">seven experts</a>&nbsp;who work independently of each other said the activists' decision to refuse food reflected a "measure of last resort" taken by people who believe "their right to protest and effect remedy have been exhausted".</p> <p>Among the UN experts who signed the statement are Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, and Gina Romero, UN special rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly.</p> <p>"The State's duty of care toward hunger strikers is heightened, not diminished," the experts said.</p> <p>"Authorities must ensure timely access to emergency and hospital care when clinically indicated, refrain from actions that may amount to pressure or retaliation, and respect medical ethics."</p> <p>You can read more <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-action-linked-hunger-strikers-risk-death-un-warns">here</a>.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433024" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-authorities-prevent-plo-official-attending-christmas-eve-mass" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-authorities-prevent-plo-official-attending-christmas-eve-mass" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli authorities prevent Palestinian vice president from attending Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Israeli authorities barred&nbsp;Hussein al-Sheikh, the&nbsp;vice president of the Palestinian National Authority,&nbsp;from attending the Christmas Eve mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, preventing his convoy from entering the city, Wafa reported.</p> <p>Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, had entrusted the vice president to represent him at the event and attend the mass.</p> </div> </div> </article>

<article data-history-node-id="433025" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-settlers-burn-vandalise-palestinian-home-west-bank" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-settlers-burn-vandalise-palestinian-home-west-bank" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli settlers burn and vandalise Palestinian home in West Bank</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p data-end="271" data-start="95">Israeli settlers set fire to a home in the town of al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya in the occupied West Bank and left a threatening message on the property, The Times of Israel reported.</p> <p data-end="481" data-start="276">Footage published by the Ramallah municipality showed a charred garage, with an adjacent stairwell also badly burned. Debris was scattered across the floor.</p> <p data-end="598" data-start="486">A message written in Hebrew on the wall read: “Price tag”, “revenge”, and “regards from the ‘peripheral youth’”.</p> </div> </div> </article>

U-turn lifts limit from £1m to £2.5m after protests and warnings that family farms were at risk

<article data-history-node-id="433028" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/report-army-radio-freeze-all-contact-journalists-next-week" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/report-army-radio-freeze-all-contact-journalists-next-week" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Report: Army Radio to freeze all contact with journalists from next week</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Employees at Israel’s military radio network said dozens of on-air hosts at Army Radio and its affiliated music station, Galgalatz, had been told their contracts could be suspended as soon as next week, a claim later rejected by the Defence Ministry.</p> <p>The row follows a cabinet decision, taken unanimously two days earlier, to adopt defence minister Israel Katz’s plan to close Army Radio, with transmissions due to cease by 1 March.</p> <p>In a message shared among staff, presenters, who work on a freelance basis,&nbsp; said halting their contracts would in effect begin dismantling the broadcaster within days.</p> <section> <article about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-minister-announces-imminent-closure-army-radio-claiming-it-harms" data-history-node-id="431379"> <p>Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has been critical of Army Radio and Kan, sometimes accusing them of being biased against state institutions.</p> </article> </section> <footer role="contentinfo">&nbsp;</footer> </div> </div> </article>

The European Commission is warning of possible action against the US after travel bans were imposed on five Europeans accused of pressuring American technology firms to censor or suppress US viewpoint...