Human rights

Bashar Al Assad

Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad, brother to death for war crimes

Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother Maher al-Assad were both sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes along with several other defendants.

This photograph shows a banner featuring photos of Iranian protesters allegedly killed by the regime during a demonstration at the Ergife Palace Hotel to condemn the silence of Western governments in the face of the growing wave of Iranian political executions, in Rome, on July 16, 2026.

Iran hangs 2 over alleged Mossad ties as executions mount: What to know

Rights groups have warned that Iran may step up executions with the resumption of the war in the region.

FADEL itani / AFP via Getty Images

'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes

Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Lebanon by wiping out entire families and killing children.

Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei

Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejei gets second term: What to know

The veteran judicial official, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations for decades. His reappointment by Mojtaba Khamenei signals continuity in Iran's hardline judicial policies and crackdown on dissent.

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Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey

Members of the Jerusalem Armenian community hold placards as they march during commemorations for the 94th anniversary of mass killings of their kin under the Ottoman Empire, Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2009.

Culture

FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match

A fan waves a Pride flag before the game between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know

Defendant Wassim al-Assad appears before the Fourth Criminal Court during the opening session of his trial in Damascus on June 24, 2026.

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

Demonstrators take part in a rally against the upcoming NATO Summit early July in Ankara, on June 13, 2026.

Benjamin Netanyahu Congress

Netanyahu calls UK decision to halt arms export licenses to Israel 'shameful'

After the announcement by the British government of suspending 30 arms export licenses to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses London of bolstering Hamas.

Pro-Israel demonstrators stage a counterprotest around an Oxfam installation.

UK halts 30 arms export licenses to Israel, citing Gaza concerns

After reviewing all the licenses issued or extended in recent months for arms exports to Israel, the British government decided to suspend 30 of them.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist , Jack Dutton

Qaid Farhan Alkaldi (C), who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, is greeted as he returns to the unrecognized Bedouin village of Carcur.

Case of rescued Israeli Bedouin hostage Qaid Alkadi: What we know

Qaid Farhan Alkadi, rescued Tuesday from the Gaza Strip, told Israeli Military Intelligence about the conditions of his captivity and his exchanges with his captors.

Israeli hostage

Bedouin Israeli hostage freed in Gaza in military operation

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday that they rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi from southern Gaza in a military operation.

Judge and president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Nawaf Salam (2nd R) delivers a nonbinding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on July 19, 2024.

Turkey applies to join ICJ genocide case against Israel with a caveat

Turkey’s submission didn’t include a written commitment to accept the judgment as binding, which experts link to Ankara’s efforts to prevent the recognition of the mass killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.

Turkey blocks access to Instagram, prompting public fury

The move against Instagram follows a Turkish government official's criticism of the platform for not allowing condolence messages for slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Right-wing Israelis demonstrate next to the Sde Teman military base.

Analysis

Sexual assault, torture among accusations against 9 Israeli soldiers who guarded Hamas militants

The Israeli military prosecution says the nine were involved in attacking sexually and torturing a Gaza Hamas assailant imprisoned at the Sde Teiman detention facility.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu, Hamas trade blame on cease-fire as far-right mob storms Israeli bases

Hamas says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has added fresh demands aimed at torpedoing a deal, while the Israeli premier claims the Gaza-based group is stonewalling.

A woman walks past a poster during a demonstration by relatives and supporters of Israelis taken hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

As Israeli delegation returns to Egypt, Mossad chief fears for female hostages

Mossad chief David Barnea told cabinet ministers that it would take a long time to reach an agreement on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand that no armed men be allowed to return to northern Gaza — time that the abductees don’t have.

An undated image of Amin Abed.

Palestinians in war-torn Gaza outraged over assault of anti-Hamas activist

A prominent activist known for his anti-Hamas positions was attacked by unknown armed men in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli war, with many blaming Hamas for the attack.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JUNE 29: Families of hostages and supporters set a fire during a demonstration calling for an hostages deal and against the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 29, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Saturday night anti-government protest have occurred weekly for months, amid calls by many Israelis for Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize the return of hostages held in Gaza over the defeat of Hamas. Netanyahu has recently distanced himself further from a US-backed ceasefire proposal

Analysis

Hamas' response 'the best' Israel received, will Netanyahu scuttle deal?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Mossad chief David Barnea's trip to Qatar for further talks, but amid his far-right partners' objections, the move does not signal commitment to sealing a deal.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

(L-R) Israel's domestic security agency 'Shin Bet' chief Ronen Bar, Mossad Director David Barnea, and army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi talk as they arrive for a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day for the six million Jews killed during World War II, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Mossad chief heads to Qatar amid reports of 'breakthrough' in Hamas cease-fire talks

Mossad's David Barnea traveled to Qatar Friday is set to meet in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani, as momentum builds for a Gaza ceasefire, hostage-release deal.