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Death toll from Syria clashes rises to 594 after days of sectarian violence

At least 594 people have been killed in southern Syria's Sweida province following days of intense fighting between Druze fighters, government forces and Bedouin groups, according to a war monitor. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged

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Church attack will hit Gaza's Catholic community 'terribly'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel "deeply regrets" the loss of life in a mistaken strike that hit Gaza's only Catholic church. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks to Canon Mark Madden of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. He says that today's

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Death toll from south Syria violence rises to 594: monitor

At least 594 people have been killed in southern Syria's Sweida province, a war monitor said Thursday. 300 Druze are among the dead, including 154 civilians, of whom 83 "who were summarily executed by members of the defence and interior ministries". FRAN

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Syrian Bedouin fighters mount new offensive in Sweida against Druze fighters despite truce

Syrian Bedouin fighters launched a new offensive in Syria's Sweida province against Druze fighters, a Bedouin military commander told Reuters on Thursday, despite a truce that had been announced the previous evening to end days of bloody fighting. FRANCE

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Israeli strike hits Gaza church, killing 3 and wounding priest who was close to Pope Francis

An Israeli shell slammed into the compound of the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing three people and wounding 10 others, including the parish priest, according to church officials. The late Pope Francis, who died in April, had r

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Who are the Middle East's Druze minority?

In Syria, Druze fighters have clashed both with neighbouring Bedouin tribes and with forces loyal to the Islamist government, as they have struggled to find their place in the new order ushered in by the December overthrow of longtime president Bashar al

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Damascus on the back foot: what next for Syria after Sharaa's Sweida setback?

The world couldn't believe it last December, when Syria's Assad regime, after decades of iron-fisted rule, suddenly fell like a house of cards. The speed of that collapse exposed how the state had been hollowed out on the quiet. Eight months on, how weak

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Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti is 'most qualified', says former Mossad chief

In an interview with FRANCE 24, former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy called jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti the “most qualified” person to lead the Palestinians. Halevy said recent strikes on Iran were "a success" but that it was "too early" to k

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Who are the Druze, and why are they at the heart of Syria-Israel tensions?

Renewed violence in Syria between the Islamist-led government and Druze communities has drawn international attention to one the region's influential but often overlooked religious minorities. As fighting intensifies in southern Syria, Israel has cited t

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New ceasefire holds in Syria’s Sweida

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday pledged justice after deadly clashes in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, vowing those behind abuses would be held accountable and announcing that local authorities would be handed responsibility for

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More than 60 people killed as fire breaks out in newly opened Iraq mall

More than 60 people were killed when a fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in Kut, eastern Iraq, late Wednesday night, in one of the country's deadliest recent tragedies. Authorities have launched an investigation as anger grows over lax safet

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Lebanese Abdallah held since 1984 for US, Israeli diplomat murders

A French court on Thursday ruled in favour of the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant jailed for the 1982 murders of two foreign diplomats in Paris. France24 Correspondent in Beirut, Lebanon, Rawad Taha tells us more.

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New ceasefire agreement holds in Syria’s Sweida

What began as a local dispute over the weekend between Druze and Bedouin communities in southern Syria escalated on Wednesday when Israel bombed Syria’s Ministry of Defence and other sites in Damascus. The Syrian Ministry of Health reported that at least

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Report: European missile group MBDA selling parts for bombs that killed children in Gaza

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, July 17: A photo report from The New York Times documents the mass forced exodus of Afghans from Iran, while US President Donald Trump's new migrant detention centre is accused of inhumane conditions. The Guardian reports on Euro

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"We are eating sand instead of bread," says 12-year-old Palestinian boy amid starvation

Finding food in Gaza is a deadly endeavor for dozens of Palestinians each day. But those who do survive the trek to food aid sites, often end up empty handed. A video recently went viral of a 12-year-old boy in Gaza who ate sand after theives stole his a

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Syrian leader Al-Sharaa condemns Israeli attacks and says protecting Druze citizens a “priority”

FRANCE 24's Philipe Turle on the latest developments in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida.

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World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel. Yinka Oyetade has

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Syria accuses Israel of sowing chaos in Druze-majority Sweida

Syria has accused Israel of sowing chaos following its airstrikes on the Druze-majority province of Sweida where violent clashes have left hundreds dead. FRANCE 24's Israel correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky has more.

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Syrian leader vows justice after deadly clashes in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida

FRANCE 24's Philipe Turle on the latest developments in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida.

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Syria’s al-Sharaa vows to protect Druze minority’s rights following deadly sectarian violence

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday promised justice after deadly clashes in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, vowing those behind abuses would be held accountable and announcing that local authorities would be handed responsibility fo

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Lebanese militant Abdallah to be free after 40 years in prison

A French court on Thursday ruled in favour of the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant jailed for the 1982 murders of two foreign diplomats in Paris. France24 Correspondent in Beirut, Lebanon, Rawad Taha tells us more.

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Syria's al-Sharaa vows justice after deadly Druze clashes

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday pledged justice after deadly clashes in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, vowing those behind abuses would be held accountable and announcing that local authorities would be handed responsibility for

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At least 27 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, three at church linked to late pope

Israeli strikes killed at least 27 people in Gaza on Thursday, including three Christians at the Holy Family Church, which late Pope Francis followed closely. Israel pledged to investigate, expressing "regrets" over the damage to the church compound.

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Al-Sharaa vows to protect Druze rights in Syria’s Sweida

Syria has accused Israel of sowing chaos following its airstrikes on the Druze-majority province of Sweida where violent clashes have left hundreds dead. FRANCE 24's Israel correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky has more.

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Strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injures several people

A strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injured several people on Thursday, the territory's civil defence agency and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said, as Italy's prime minister slammed "unacceptable" Israeli attacks on civilians. Sophie Samaille

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Wednesday, july 16, 2025

Second ultra-Orthodox party quits Israeli government over army exemptions

Ministers from Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party resigned on Wednesday over the coalition's failure to pass a military service exemption law but said they would still support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and not back any no-confidence

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Syria withdraws army from Sweida after Israel bombs Damascus

Syria's army began withdrawing from violence-hit Sweida on Wednesday after Israeli strikes on Damascus and US calls for a pullback from the Druze-majority city, state media said. Washington, which seeks to mend ties with Syria, said a deal was reached to

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'What Israel is doing is a clear signal to Damascus against consolidating power in the south'

FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst for Syria at the International Crisis Group, about the sectarian violence in Syria and the Israeli air strikes on Damascus. He says that "what Israel is doing is a clear signal to Syrian

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'What Israel is doing is a clear signal to Damascus against consolidating power in the South'

FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Nanar Hawach, senior analyst for Syria at the International Crisis Group, about the sectarian violence in Syria and the Israeli airstrikes on Damascus. He says that 'what Israel is doing is a clear signal to Syrian au

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Another key ally quits Netanyahu's governing coalition in a major blow to Israel's leader

Israeli government members from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party Shas announced on Wednesday their resignation, protesting the ruling coalition's failure to pass a law to exempt their community from military service. However, the party stopped short of wi

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Israel launches heavy airstrikes in Damascus, vowing to protect Druze

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defence ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. FRANCE 2

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12-year-old Gaza boy who ate sand in viral video talks about the hunger his family faces

Finding food in Gaza is a deadly endeavor for dozens of Palestinians each day. But those who do survive the trek to food aid sites, often end up empty handed. A video recently went viral of a 12-year-old boy in Gaza who ate sand after theives stole his a

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‘Easy Money, Heavy Cost’: Israeli campaign warns citizens against spying for Iran

Israel is urging its citizens to resist the urge to spy for Iran with a nationwide advertising campaign launched on Wednesday, saying that the consequences outweigh any financial reward. "For 5,000 shekels is it worth ruining your life/family?" the campa

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Israeli air strikes on Damascus hit Syrian army headquarters and near presidential palace

Israeli air strikes in Damascus on Wednesday hit the army headquarters and near the presidential palace, killing at least three people and injuring 34, Syrian officials said. Syrian troops began withdrawing from the city of Sweida, where more than 300 ha

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Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20 Palestinians as Israeli strikes kill 41 more

Dozens of Palestinians have died in a stampede at a Gaza aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Wednesday, the group said, in the first acknowledgment of deadly violence at its operations. The GHF has blamed arme

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Israel bombs Syria army HQ, fighting reignites in Syria's Druze city of Sweida

Fighting between Syrian government forces and local Druze fighters continued in the southern Druze city of Sweida on Wednesday, violating a ceasefire announced only a few hours earlier that aimed to quell days of deadly sectarian violence. Israel respond

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Netanyahu under mounting political pressure after party quits over military service exemption

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 19

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Israeli ultra-Orthodox party quits Netanyahu's ruling coalition

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The party's departure has weakened the prime minister's grip on power,

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Tuesday, july 15, 2025

Syria : government forces enter Sweida

Syria 's defense minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday, a day after sectarian clashes killed dozens, while neighboring Israel again launched strikes in the area.

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IDF reports sharp rise in soldier suicides

As the Netanyahu government comes under pressure to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service, the Israeli army is reporting a spate of suicides among soldiers deployed on the Gaza front. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusal

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Netanyahu may not care if the coalition falters, former Israeli ambassador says

FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks to Former Israeli Ambassador and Political Adviser to Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak, Alon Pinkas, about the crisis at the heart of the ruling Israeli coalition following the pullout of the ultra-Orthodox faction. He says that B

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Netanyahu under mounting political pressure after party quits

One of Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism, said it was quitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition due to a long-running dispute over failure to draft a bill to exempt yeshiva students from military service. Six of th

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Syrian forces accused of 'executions' in Druze area as Israel launches strikes

Syrian authorities were accused on Tuesday of carrying out summary executions of civilians in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida, where Israel said it had launched strikes against government forces in defence of the religious minority. Damascus h

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Several killed as Israeli forces strike Hezbollah strongholds in eastern Lebanon

At least a dozen people were killed after Israel struck Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon on Tuesday, violating the ceasefire with the Iran-backed group. The attack came amid rising tensions between the neighbouring countries as Israel repeatedly bomb

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Syria: 'Sweida has been a real focal point of violence'

Israel’s army said Monday it has struck military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces and Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze militias. "Sweida has been a real focal point of violence," said FRANCE 24's correspondent in Jerusalem, Israel Noga T

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Hundreds killed in Druze-majority Sweida city after sectarian violence

At least 203 people have been killed in sectarian fighting involving Sunni tribes, Druze militias and Syrian troops in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida since Sunday, a war monitor said Tuesday. Earlier Israel launched airstrikes in defence of the D

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Monday, july 14, 2025

'It's simply horrific that a family would risk their life to find food and water for their beloved'

FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to the IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid continued Israeli strikes. He stresses that there is no safe place for civilians or humanitarian workers today in Gaza and that plan

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New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy

A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily on Sunday, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel. FRANCE 24's James Vasina reports.

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Syria: Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans kill more than 30 people

Dozens of people have been killed in fighting between local militias and clans in Syria ’s Sweida province, where government security forces sent to restore order Monday also clashed with local armed groups. Story by Luke Shrago.

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Gaza: Missile strike kills children collecting water, Israel blames 'technical error'

At least eight Palestinians, most of them children, were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in central Gaza when they went to collect water on Sunday, local officials said, in an Israeli strike which the military said missed its target. Story by C

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More than 80 killed in violent clashes in predominantly Druze Syrian city

At least 89 people have been killed in violent clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze fighters in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, a war monitor reported Monday. As the Syrian government scrambles to contain the unrest, Israel said it struck t

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Sunday, july 13, 2025

Turkey, Jordan send firefighters to Syria as wildfires burn for fourth day

United Nations teams have deployed Sunday to the Syrian coast, where firefighters are battling wildfires for a fourth day. Firefighting teams from Turkey and Jordan have joined Syrian civil defense teams, providing support from the air with helicopters.

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Israeli strikes kill dozens of Palestinians seeking aid

At least 31 Palestinians were fatally shot on their way to an aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, while Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians including four children, Palestinian hospital officials and witnesses said.

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Israel-Hamas war: 'Every day has been a deadly day in Gaza'

Ever since Israel refused the ceasefire proposal in March, "every day has been a deadly day in Gaza", FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky said, reporting from Jerusalem. Dozens of Palestinians were killed as they were seeking to get aid since Saturday, "we are

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Gaza civil defence says 40 dead in Israeli strikes as truce talks remain deadlocked

Gaza rescuers said Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including at a market and a water distribution point. The latest bloodshed came as Hamas and Israel each accused the other of sabotaging attempts to secure a ceasefire and

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Saturday, july 12, 2025

Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza as ceasefire talks stall

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip including four children, while 24 others were fatally shot on their way to aid distribution sites, Palestinian hospital officials and witnesses said on Saturday. The children and two wo

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Family of US-Palestinian beaten to death in West Bank seeks State Department probe

The family of a US-Palestinian man beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the West Bank called for a US State Department investigation into the killing on Saturday. Saif al-Din Kamil Abdul Karim Musalat was attacked on Friday in the village of Sinjil, no

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Hundreds killed in recent weeks while seeking aid in Gaza, UN says

Ten Palestinians were reported killed Friday while waiting for rations in Gaza, adding to nearly 800 similar deaths in the last six weeks, according to the UN, with Israel's army saying it issued new instructions to troops following repeated reports of f

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Gaza strikes kill at least 38 as Israel and Hamas trade blame for stalled truce talks

Indirect talks on a US proposal for a 60-day pause in fighting in Gaza remained deadlocked on Saturday as Hamas and Israel each accused the other of sabotaging attempts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Gaza's civil defence agency said at l

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UN aid system in Gaza ‘crippled and undermined intentionally’ by Israel, expert says

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while attempted to get aid in Gaza, according to the UN. After setting up a total aid blockade in Gaza for more than two months, Israel began allowing aid to re-enter the enclave late May through a new US- and Is

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