French UN peacekeepers patrol at the Suluki Valley, south Lebanon.

Israel criticised for dropping grenades near UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

UN forces described the incident as "one of the most serious attacks on UNIFIL personnel and assets" since the cessation of hostilities in November.

Thursday 9:03am

This satellite photo provided by Planet Labs PBC shows the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the city of Dimona, Israel, July 5, 2025.

Construction intensifies at Israel's suspected nuclear site

Israel does not confirm or deny having atomic weapons, and its government did not respond to requests for comment.

Wed, Sep 3

Displaced Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza Strip move with their belongings along the Sea Road, in Gaza City

Israel calling up reservists as it presses new Gaza offensive

Movements organising to encourage reservists not to serve, although it's unclear how many will refuse the latest call-up.

Wed, Sep 3

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli military strike in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025

Leading scholars group says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Israel called the resolution an "embarrassment to the legal profession" and rejected the accusation.

Tue, Sep 2

Activists wave on a boat taking part in a civilian flotilla bound for Gaza, aiming to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, in Barcelona

Flotilla in biggest attempt yet to break Israeli blockade of Gaza

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is among hundreds on the expedition.

Mon, Sep 1

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israel to slow or halt aid to northern Gaza as military offensive grows

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, told the Associated Press of the decision.

Sun, Aug 31

A man watches the news on TV, displaying footage of Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Sanaa, Yemen.

Israeli airstrike kills Houthi rebel prime minister in Yemeni capital

Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in a strike in Sanaa along with a number of ministers, the rebels said in a statement.

Sun, Aug 31

Displaced Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza Strip move with their belongings on a street in Gaza City, Thursday, August 28

Israel declares Gaza’s largest city a combat zone, death toll passes 63,000

Israel has launched the "initial stages" of a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.

Sat, Aug 30

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during Israeli ground and air operations in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel.

Here's a look at why it is so hard to end the war in Gaza

A ceasefire seemed possible as recently as last month but now the conflict more likely to get even bloodier.

Fri, Aug 29

National Party leader Christopher Luxon.

PM seeks advice as Australia expels Iranian envoy over attacks

Luxon has asked for official advice as Australia expels Iran’s ambassador and moves to label IRGC a terrorist group over alleged state-backed anti-Semitic attacks.

Wed, Aug 27

Riyad Dagga, surrounded by relatives and friends, prays over the body of his daughter, freelance journalist Mariam Dagga, 33, during her funeral after she was killed in a double Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Israel says strikes on Gaza hospital targeted Hamas camera, without providing evidence

The military issued the statement as part of its initial inquiry into the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a "tragic mishap".

Wed, Aug 27

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on during a federal cabinet meeting in Perth

Ambassador expelled after Australia links Iran to firebombing

Iran's ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has been expelled, while operations at Australia's embassy in Iran have been suspended.

Tue, Aug 26

A person shows the blood-stained camera that freelance journalist Mariam Dagga, 33, was carrying when she was killed in a double Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Israel strikes Gaza hospital twice, rescuers and reporters among dead

Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 and wounding scores more.

Tue, Aug 26

Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy on the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip

Full interview: Palestinian affairs expert on statehood recognition

Anas Iqtait, who has worked for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Palestinian Issues, told Q+A that recognition followed by inaction would "cement the current realities" for Palestinians.

Sun, Aug 24

Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy on the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip

33 killed as Gaza City becomes focus of famine and military offensive

Israel's defence minister has warned that Gaza City could be destroyed in a new military operation, perhaps just days away, even as famine spreads there.

Sun, Aug 24

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, August 16, 2025

For the first time, world's food crises authority declares famine in Gaza

The determination comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel's restrictions on food and other aid into Gaza, and its military offensive, were causing starvation.

Sat, Aug 23

Yael Shochat (left) and Ghazi Shehadeh El Desouki retain hope for peace.

Arab and Jewish voices in NZ: 'We can live together very well'

Re: News’ Te Ahipourewa Forbes spoke to a 91-year-old Palestinian and a 63-year-old Israeli living in NZ about hopes for peace in their homeland.

Sat, Aug 23

Bedouin fighters, right, gather as Syrian government security forces, left, block them from entering Sweida province, in Busra al-Harir village, southern Syria.

Syria remains 'on a knife-edge' a month into fragile ceasefire

The top UN envoy for Syria warned violence could resume at any moment in the southern city of Sweida.

Fri, Aug 22

Palestinian women check the destruction after Israeli military strikes in a tent camp for displaced people near Al-Aqsa Hospital, in Deir al-Balah

Netanyahu says he'll push on with Gaza City takeover, renewed ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday he will give final approval for the takeover of Gaza City, while also restarting negotiations with Hamas.

Fri, Aug 22

An Israeli soldier stands on the top of a tank parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel.

Israel to call up 60,000 reservists ahead of expanded Gaza City offensive

Calling up extra military reservists is part a plan to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza's most densely populated areas, the military said.

Thu, Aug 21

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli army airstrike in Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas accepts Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza

It came as Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,000.

Tue, Aug 19

Demonstrators block a road during a protest near Jerusalem on August 17.

Israel's growing frustration over Gaza war erupts in protests

Organisers, representing the families of hostages, asserted that hundreds of thousands of people took part.

Mon, Aug 18

Hundreds gather to protest in the Syrian city of Sweida

Druze demand self determination in largest protest held since clashes in Syria

Saturday’s demonstration comes as Syria grapples with deep ethnic and religious divisions following the collapse of the Assad family rule last December.

Sun, Aug 17

A woman with her face painted in the colors of the Israeli flag takes part in a protest demanding the end of the war, the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip

Israel prepares to move Palestinians in Gaza as mass protest over war urged

Defence Minister Israel Katz said on social media that “we are now in the stage of discussions to finalize the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza."

Sun, Aug 17

A military helicopter drops flowers over the city during celebrations marking the fourth anniversary of the US withdrawal and the start of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2025.

Women barred from Taliban takeover anniversary celebrations in Kabul

Some 10,000 men gathered across the capital to watch Defence Ministry helicopters scatter flowers to the crowds below.

Sat, Aug 16