(4th LD) Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels
(ATTN: ADDS Israeli Embassy's statement in last 3 paras)By Park Bo-ram
· Kim Hyun-soo
Follow the story
Middle East
A focused view of neutral reporting on Middle East, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Guterres calls on Israel to reverse plan for military complex on UNRWA site | The National
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned Israel's decision to establish a military complex on the former compound of UNRWA in occupied East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
· Nada AlTaher
Israel pushes for war amid US ceasefire, but its options may be limited
While the United States backs away from threats to resume bombing Iran if it does not agree to a peace deal, Israel’s political establishment is reportedly itching for war.
· Simon Speakman Cordall
Iran reviews U.S. peace proposal as Trump says he’s willing to wait 'a few days'
Iran on Thursday said it is reviewing the Trump administration's latest proposal for bringing an end to the war after the U.S. president said he was prepared to wait a few more days to "get the right answers" from Tehran.
· Sam Meredith
(3rd LD) Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels
(ATTN: ADDS foreign ministry's remarks in last 3 paras)By Park Bo-ram
· Oh Seok-min
What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy
The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza
· Park Chan-kyong
What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy
The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza
· Park Chan-kyong
As Gofman takes on Mossad head role, who will take over as Netanyahu’s military secretary?
Although the Prime Minister’s Office is still refraining from publicly discussing the identity of Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman’s successor as the Prime Minister’s military secretary, the security establishment already sees the race entering its decisive phase.
· ANNA BARSKY
S. Korea's currency makes slight gain on optimism over possible Iran deal
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won rose slightly against the U.S. dollar Thursday on expectations that the United States may be close to reaching a deal with Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
· Deok-Hyun Kim
Spain demands Israel release 44 Gaza flotilla activists following condemnation of treatment
Forty-four Spanish activists detained in Israel who were on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla are expected to be released to Spain via Turkey in a flight leaving at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said.
· REUTERS
Nova exhibit in hiding, death penalty filing, Eurovision boo: Inside the week in antisemitism
In this week's episode of the Deep Dive podcast, The Jerusalem Post's international affairs reporter Mathilda Heller walks the host through seven days that are hard to believe happened in sequence.
· JERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
The US threatens to revoke the Palestinian UN ambassador's visa, report says
The US is threatening to revoke the visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations unless the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, withdraws his candidacy for vice president of the UN General Assembly, NPR reported on Thursday.
· Middleeasteye
Iran executed two Iraqis convicted of spying for Arab country, rights group says | The National
Iran secretly executed two Iraqi men last month after convicting them of spying for an Arab country, a Norway-based rights group said on Thursday.
· The National
No, the Iran War won’t ground your European holiday flight
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
· Javier Blas
Iran war day 83: Tehran ‘reviewing’ latest US response to end conflict
Iranian state media said on Thursday that the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing the United States’s response received via mediator Pakistan to Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war.
· Elizabeth Melimopoulos
Poland summons Israeli envoy over detention of Global Sumud flotilla activists
Poland’s foreign minister summoned Israel's ambassador over the detention of activists who were onboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
· Middleeasteye
Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday
Spain increases age window for breast cancer screening, Spanish director Almodóvar calls Trump, Netanyahu and Putin 'monsters', Rafa Nadal to launch Netflix documentary series and more news on Thursday May 21st.
· The Local
Forty-four Spanish activists in Israeli custody to be released later on Thursday
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that 44 Spanish activists who were on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla are expected to be released from Israeli custody on Thursday afternoon and deported back to their country.
· Middleeasteye
Iran threatens to take war beyond Middle East if strikes continue
Products & ServicesOpen Products & Services section
PTT pivots to LNG trading as Middle East turmoil drives price volatility
PTT CEO Kongkrapan Intarajang speaks at a news conference on May 20 in Bangkok as the state energy group shifts toward LNG trading to tap rising price volatility in global markets. (Photo by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat)
· APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT
Israel's defense industry races to develop defenses against Hezbollah's deadly fiber-optic drones
Israel Aerospace Industries and other defense companies in Israel have presented the Defense Ministry and the IDF with a range of solutions to address the threat of explosive drones operated via fiber optics.
· AVI ASHKENAZI
Israel launches attacks in southern Lebanon early on Thursday
The Israeli army carried out a large bombing operation in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam early on Thursday, the National News Agency reported.
· Middleeasteye
Lebanon rescuers search rubble after attacks in Tyre province
Rescue workers searched through collapsed buildings on Wednesday in the southern villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Al-Maashouq, a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Bulldozers cleared concrete and twisted metal while emergency teams looked for bodies ben…
· AfricaNews
Iran’s insurance, NATO intervention, and cables under threat: What’s going on in the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint accounting for 20% of seaborne oil trade prior to the US-Israeli war against Iran – remains effectively blocked despite the tentative ceasefire. The traffic has ground to a halt due to the risks posed by mines, recurring attacks, and ship seizures, as well as insurers’ re…
· RT
READ MORE: Iran’s insurance, NATO intervention, and cables under threat: What’s going on in the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint accounting for 20% of seaborne oil trade prior to the US-Israeli war against Iran – remains effectively blocked despite the tentative ceasefire. The traffic has ground to a halt due to the risks posed by mines, recurring attacks, and ship seizures, as well as insurers’ re…
· RT
Financial firms vow support for shippers hit by Middle East war
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the country's financial regulator said Thursday that local insurers and other financial firms will provide full support to small and mid-sized shipping companies hit by the war between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.
· Park Sang-soo
ABC chair hits back at News Corp’s ‘divisive’ antisemitism reporting
ABC chair Kim Williams has hit out at “inflammatory” and “divisive” media critics after News Corp published a piece attacking the national broadcaster’s coverage of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
· Calum Jaspan
Iran executes two people for disrupting security: Report
The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that two people were executed under charges of disrupting the country's security and having membership in a "terrorist" organisation
· Middleeasteye
EU's Costa 'appalled' by Israeli minister's treatment of flotilla members
European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday said he was "appalled" by the treatment of aid flotilla members attempting to enter Gaza by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir.
· Middleeasteye
Trump says Iran talks in 'final stages' to end war
President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were "in the final stages” as Iran said it was studying a new US proposal to end the war.
· Middleeasteye
Garment workers face heat risks in Bangladesh as energy cuts curb cooling
DHAKA – Factories across Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest clothes supplier, have turned off fans and coolers due to energy cuts caused by the Iran conflict, with workers sweltering and a drop in productivity likely costing billions of dollars.
· Md. Tahmid Zami
Iran studies US proposal, GCC trade deal with UK and prisoners pardoned for Eid | The National
In today's episode of Trending Middle East, Tehran receives Washington’s latest proposal to end the war and is reviewing its terms, Iranian media has reported.
· The National
Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites ahead of Six-Day War anniversary
The government on Wednesday approved a 250 million NIS plan to preserve heritage and antiquities sites across the West Bank, Jordan Valley, and the Judean Desert, ahead of the anniversary of the Six-Day War in June.
· MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
UN backs world court climate opinion, Israel, US among few to oppose
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with Israel and the world's biggest historical emitter the United States among those opposing it.
· REUTERS
Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold, strengthening coalition even as Likud weakens - poll
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud continued to weaken in a new Maariv poll published Thursday, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party (RZP) crossed the electoral threshold for the first time in nearly six months.
· MOSHE COHEN
An Iranian general is major player in talks with US over war
Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi briefs the media on elections in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)
· Jon Gambrell
European markets to open flat as oil prices fall below $100
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open around the flatline on Thursday as investors assess the latest geopolitical news and oil price moves lower.
· Holly Ellyatt
(2nd LD) Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels
(ATTN: UPDATES with more background, additional remarks in paras 7-10; RESTRUCTURES)By Park Bo-ram
· Park Boram
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun breaks silence with emotional World Cup message | The National
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and backing the World Cup squad to do well without him.
· The National
Two grandmothers, a mother and daughter, a doctor: What we know about the 11 Australians in an Israeli prison
Newcastle mother Joanne Jaworowski was informed by this masthead this morning that consular officials from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be visiting her son, who is detained in Israel, for a welfare check today.
· Bronte Gossling, Nick Newling
Israeli minister's taunting of activists no surprise to those following his career
Topic:Foreign Affairs
· Matthew Doran
The Voice of Hind Rajab movie review: harrowing Gaza docudrama is breathless, vital cinema
Kaouther Ben Hania’s gripping docudrama about a young girl trapped in a car uses real voice recordings to help expose the brutal cost of war
· James Marsh
The Voice of Hind Rajab movie review: harrowing Gaza docudrama is breathless, vital cinema
Kaouther Ben Hania’s gripping docudrama about a young girl trapped in a car uses real voice recordings to help expose the brutal cost of war
· James Marsh
Hamas militarily depleted and divided but remains 'very dangerous' | The National
Israel’s assassination of Hamas's military commander in Gaza last week has compounded the group’s woes, with layers of its leadership now eliminated, its military capabilities significantly diminished, and infighting threatening its unity.
· Hamza Hendawi
Hezbollah says it carried out 24 operations targeting Israeli military
Hezbollah said it carried out 24 military operations over the past day targeting Israeli forces, military vehicles and positions across southern Lebanon.
· Middleeasteye
Israel releases two Koreans detained on Gaza-bound aid flotillas: Seoul
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
Iran possesses modern weapons that have not yet been used, tested, military source claims
Iran possesses modern weapons that have not yet been used in battle during conflict with the US and Israel, an Iranian military source told Russian state-owned outlet RIA Novosti on Thursday.
· JAMES GENN
US pressures Palestinian UN envoy to drop General Assembly VP bid, threatens visa revocation
US President Donald Trump's administration threatened to revoke the visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations if the Palestinian ambassador refuses to end his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.
· REUTERS
UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution
The US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia – some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters – opposed the measure
· Staff and agencies