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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
Scenes in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as freed Palestinians arrive by bus. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Tears and hugs for released Palestinian prisoners as Gaza ceasefire takes hold

Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees three Israeli hostages in Gaza ceasefire deal.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong bankers plan working group to build business ties in emerging markets

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Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Fragile ceasefire in Mideast at least offers a glimmer of hope

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas frees hostages, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as Gaza truce begins

Hostage-prisoner swap begins, Gaza residents return to devastated neighbourhoods, as ceasefire suspends 15-month-old war.

Released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari embraces her mother, Mandy. Photo: Israel Defence Forces via Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Who are the 3 Israelis released on the first day of the Gaza ceasefire?

Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher were freed in a tense handover to the Red Cross on a Gaza City street on Sunday.

Israel-Gaza war

Ceasefire begins, pausing devastating Israel-Gaza war

Many Gazans have now begun the journey home, while Israel waits for hostages due to be released by Hamas.

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Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu says Hamas hasn’t provided hostage list, warns Gaza truce could fail

Israel retains ‘the right to return to fighting if necessary’, the prime minister warned in a speech.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a televised address in Jerusalem on Saturday. Photo: Israeli Government Press Office via AFP
Saudi Arabia

Saudi weighs Israel recognition amid Trump’s return and Gaza ceasefire

Riyadh has insisted a Palestinian state must be established before they can agree to recognise Israel.

Iran

Gunman shoots dead 2 Iranian judges tied to 1988 mass executions

The killings come as Iran faces economic turmoil, the mauling of its Middle East allies by Israel and the return of Donald Trump.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s full cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Lawmakers met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath for the vote, in a reflection of the moment’s importance.

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A boy holds a Palestinian flag atop a mound of rubble at a camp for people displaced by conflict in the Gaza Strip on Friday. Photo: AFP
Iran

Opinion | Why time is right to press Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions

Iran’s economic vulnerabilities, the region’s changing dynamics and a new reform-minded administration present an opportunity for a new deal.

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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian meets International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Mariano Grossi in Tehran, Iran, on November 14. Photo: Handout via Reuters
Russia

Russia, Iran to boost military and trade ties in ‘real breakthrough’ pact

Both countries signed a broad cooperation pact in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

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Israel-Gaza war

My Take | Despite the Gaza ceasefire, history will not be kind to Blinken, Biden

In the annals of Western genocide, the US secretary of state and his boss deserve much more than a footnote for providing Israel with weapons.

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Insurance

Hong Kong life insurance bonanza driven by local buying; overseas buyers rise

New life insurance sales in the first nine months of 2024 stood at HK$169.6 billion (US$21.8 billion), the highest since the authority set up in 2016.

Insurance sales agents approach mainland tourists in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui on 20 February 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee
Israel-Gaza war

Fate of youngest remaining hostages grips Israel after Gaza deal

The Bibas family are among the highest profile hostages still held in Gaza. Ariel and Kfir are the only children left.

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Shiri Bibas, her husband Yarden and their sons Ariel, top right, and Kfir, who are being held hostage in Gaza. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Palestinians in Gaza are eager to return home, but many will find nothing left

Ceasefire offers respite from war for Palestinians, but Gaza reconstruction challenges and blockade uncertainties loom large.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli security cabinet recommends Gaza ceasefire deal

Cabinet is expected to meet later on Friday to give final approval to the deal, which Netanyahu said is expected to take effect on Sunday.

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China-Middle East relations

Opinion | Defying the US, China expands green energy ties in Middle East

The once-laughable notion of selling solar power in the Middle East is now a rich vein for China to strengthen its presence in the region.

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An aerial drone photo shows the fourth phase project of the Chinese-built Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai on September 2, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Israel-Gaza war

Hardline Israeli minister Ben-Gvir threatens to quit over Gaza ceasefire deal

Reports say Netanyahu’s cabinet will vote to ratify the agreement on Friday, but there has been no confirmation from the PM’s office.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong gets a boost as 3 global hedge funds open offices, recruit staff

Hudson Bay Capital, Sona Asset Management and Centiva Capital are setting up shop in the city, according to sources.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel strikes Gaza within hours of ceasefire accord with Hamas, residents say

Gaza officials say strikes kill at least 77 Palestinians, while Netanyahu delays cabinet vote on ceasefire deal.

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Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the imminent announcement of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

‘Big question marks’: experts doubt Gaza ceasefire deal will lead to lasting peace

Israel and Hamas’ truce agreement is set to start on Sunday, but analysts warn unresolved core issues leave the future uncertain.

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Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas and taken into Gaza, react to the ceasefire announcement in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

What does the ceasefire deal mean for Israel, Hamas and the Middle East?

Gaza is in ruins, Netanyahu faces a political reckoning at home and a broader peace remains elusive as Trump’s return looms.

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Israel-Gaza war

Biden on Trump getting credit for Gaza ceasefire: ‘Is that a joke?’

Trump had posted on social media that the ‘epic’ hostage deal would not have happened if he had not been elected.

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Israel-Gaza war

Qatar and US announce Gaza ceasefire, hostage release deal

The ceasefire in Gaza will start on Sunday and last six weeks, with phases of implementation planned.

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Palestinians react as they wait for news of a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
United States

Jared Kushner advises from afar in Trump’s second term as Ivanka opts out

They will not take official roles and will be based in their Miami home, even if Kushner remains involved behind the scenes.

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Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner say they will not take official roles in the second Trump administration and will instead be in their Miami home. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

Chinese firms face harsh reality amid geopolitical tensions: Alibaba co-founder

Current geopolitical environment is the most unfriendly ever, Alibaba co-founder and chairman says.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, GCC seek synergies in finance and infrastructure to deepen ties

Officials from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Qatar say Hong Kong can a play a major role to help diversify their economies.

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