enFRANCE 24’s coverage and analyses of political and social issues across the Middle East, including Egypt, the Gulf states, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen and beyond.https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:36:30 GMTMiddle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251222-syria-and-kurdish-led-sdf-agree-to-de-escalate-after-deadly-clashes-in-aleppo Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to de-escalate fighting in the northern city of Aleppo late on Monday, after a wave of exchanges that both sides blamed on each other left at least two civilians dead and several others wounded. ef1ea2d0-df84-11f0-8c45-675fab8faad7Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:24:08 GMT© Aaron Watad, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251222-iranians-celebrate-yalda-festival-as-economic-sanctions-dampen-this-year-s-festivities Iranians of all religions and all walks of life are marking the ancient Persian festival of Yalda. Historically marking the victory of Good over Evil, Yalda sees families and get together, eating nuts, sweets and fruits. Yet, rampant inflation and international sanctions may dampen this year's spirits. Story by Rachael Griffiths. f1d5bab4-df1f-11f0-8d88-31d7196682b5Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:38:57 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251221-israel-approves-19-new-west-bank-settlements Israel has approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the three-year total to 69. The move comes despite UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recent condemnation of what he called the "relentless" expansion of settlements in the occupied territory. d0a23172-de90-11f0-a70c-7def5e96eceeSun, 21 Dec 2025 17:16:39 GMT© Ronen Zvulu, ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-france-to-build-new-aircraft-carrier-to-boost-its-capacities-as-a-maritime-power France ​will ⁠build a new aircraft carrier to boost ​its ‍capacities ​as a maritime ​power, President Emmanuel Macron told French troops gathered at a military ‍base in ​Abu Dhabi. Macron arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday to celebrate Christmas with troops and to discuss bilateral ties with the Gulf state. France24 International Affairs Editor Shirli Sitbon explains. 1df495c4-de81-11f0-9914-4b78ebe672cbSun, 21 Dec 2025 15:27:47 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-replay-french-president-macron-adresses-troops-deployed-in-united-arab-emirates France ​will ⁠build a new aircraft carrier to boost ​its ‍capacities ​as a maritime ​power, President Emmanuel Macron told French troops gathered at a military ‍base in ​Abu Dhabi. Macron arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday to celebrate Christmas with troops and to discuss bilateral ties with the Gulf state. d8b68b34-de80-11f0-902b-4b78ebe672cbSun, 21 Dec 2025 15:25:13 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251221-united-arab-emirates-hosts-macron-for-security-talks French President Emmanuel Macron is spending two days in the United Arab Emirates to celebrate the Christmas holiday with nearly 900 French troops stationed at three bases near Abu Dhabi, highlighting France’s military presence in a region facing multiple overlapping crises. Nicholas Rushworth reports. fa6698ac-de6f-11f0-a2cd-a5103a5cafd1Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:26:12 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251220-gaza-famine-over-but-situation-remains-critical-un-says Improved aid access means there is no longer famine in Gaza, but the war-ravaged territory still faces emergency conditions, a UN-backed global hunger monitor said on Friday. Israel denied that there is a food shortage in Gaza, where around 1.6 million people are expected to face "crisis" levels of food insecurity in the coming months. 387091d0-dd75-11f0-a4ac-c1a8da5ad5c2Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:40:57 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251219-us-strikes-islamic-state-group-targets-in-syria-us-officials-say The US military has carried out a wave of air strikes against dozens of Islamic State group targets across central Syria, US officials said, in retaliation for a deadly attack on American personnel. The strikes, which killed at least five, were carried out with Jordan’s participation and followed President Donald Trump’s pledge to respond after two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an assault last weekend near Palmyra. e20e7fa8-dd2b-11f0-8e5b-c5dc7c7ed24cFri, 19 Dec 2025 22:41:38 GMT© US Air Force via ReutersFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251219-more-than-1000-patients-have-died-awaiting-evacuation-from-gaza-since-july-2024 The WHO and its partners have evacuated more than 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including more than 5,600 children, since the start of the war, the head of the UN health agency said Friday, adding that 1,092 patients are known to have died while awaiting medical evacuation over the past 18 months. 4b3e7eae-dce3-11f0-a6bf-093948f08f11Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:17:46 GMT© Salvatore Di Nolfi via ReutersFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251219-un-declares-famine-over-in-gaza-says-situation-remains-critical There is no longer famine in Gaza thanks to improved aid access, but the war-ravaged territory still faces emergency conditions, a UN-backed global hunger monitor said on Friday, with around 1.6 million people forecast to face "crisis" levels of food insecurity over the coming months. 5aa32f44-dce2-11f0-bfc6-093948f08f11Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:55:18 GMT© APFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251218-syria-trial-over-post-assad-violence A trial opened December 18 in Aleppo for suspects accused of post-Assad violence, including attacks on transitional government forces. About 500 people are under investigation, in what is seen as a landmark case as it is the first time government-linked security forces are being held accountable, with Syrians closely watching for a fair trial. FRANCE 24's Dana Alboz has more from Damascus. 6952ffd8-dc10-11f0-80ac-8fec38ce67ddThu, 18 Dec 2025 13:29:17 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251217-us-congress-ends-syria-sanctions The US Congress has voted to permanently repeal sweeping sanctions imposed on Syria under former leader Bashar al Assad, clearing the way for foreign investment and marking a significant shift in Washington’s policy towards the war-ravaged country following the rise of a new government. c2fedbc2-db9f-11f0-9ac3-dbe625eba0e7Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:26:05 GMT© Kevin Mohatt, ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251217-iran-a-blood-rain-in-the-persian-gulf Heavy #rains washed iron-oxide-rich soil and rocks across an “Iranian island, creating this intense, almost unreal red. Seen in the Persian Gulf on December 16, the phenomenon was nicknamed ‘blood rain’ by visitors, despite having nothing to do with biology. 22755744-db63-11f0-90d1-d7c071d1927eWed, 17 Dec 2025 16:20:09 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251217-gaza-struggles-in-winter-conditions-with-rains-and-sewage-sparking-deadly-disease-surge Palestinians in Gaza were struggling to recover on Tuesday after days of torrential rain battered the enclave, flooding displacement camps, turning dirt roads into mud, and causing already war-damaged buildings to collapse, leaving at least 12 people dead, including a two-week-old baby. More than 150 millimeters of rain fell in some areas over the past week, inundating tents sheltering displaced families. Arwa Damon, founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance, emphasizes that the rains, combined with sewage, are causing an extraordinary rise in diseases across Gaza, particularly diarrhea among children, which can be fatal if not treated. a9c56f06-db43-11f0-9907-7dfe26e8d414Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:46:38 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251217-gaza-struggles-in-winter-conditions-torrential-rains-kill-12 Thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip have been inundated after heavy rain and strong winds battered the area. Witnesses said that early Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians sought shelter from the storm among the ruins of buildings in Gaza City, many of which were largely destroyed by the Israeli army. Simon Moritz reports. 9a70141c-db42-11f0-8a15-a5f06028de04Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:34:40 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251217-torrential-rains-and-floods-kill-12-in-gaza Thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip have been inundated after heavy rain and strong winds battered the area. Witnesses said that early Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians sought shelter from the storm among the ruins of buildings in Gaza City, many of which were largely destroyed by the Israeli army. Shrouq Al-Aila, journalist based in Gaza City, tells us more about the tragic situation in Gaza. e3db4920-db2c-11f0-83db-95a153a0ecc6Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:04:36 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251216-islamic-state-propaganda-is-maybe-more-audible-in-syria-among-those-who-resent-new-authorities The Bondi Beach attack came close to a deadly attack on US troops, with President Donald Trump blaming the Islamic state. For FRANCE 24's Wassim Nasr, the Islamic State group's propaganda is maybe more audible to those who resent Syria's new authorities, a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. db3a5fba-da8f-11f0-a325-910389b377f2Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:15:43 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251215-imprisoned-iranian-nobel-laureate-hospitalised-twice-after-heavy-blows-family-says In a phone call from prison, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargis Mohammadi said she endured blows during her incarceration that were so "heavy, forceful and repeated" that she had to be hospitalised twice, the family-run Narges Foundation said Monday. Mohammadi was re-arrested in Tehran on Friday. 4874f6da-d9b9-11f0-aa05-9bf2816b4630Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:44:39 GMT© Reuters FRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251215-much-more-needs-to-be-done-for-gazan-students As Israel bombed most of Gaza's schools and universities, most people living there have been unable to attend any classes for years now. Some have found ways to continue some studies online and many hope that a scholarship could help them get out of the badly bombed region. Some three hundred applicants to study in France are currently waiting for a reply, but getting accepted is far from a given. Earlier we spoke to Anne-Christine HABBARD, Founder of the association Academic Solidarity with Palestine. 1edaf350-d99c-11f0-9c96-232639370403Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:21:25 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251214-syrian-who-killed-americans-was-part-of-security-forces-interior-ministry-says-1 Syria's interior ministry said Sunday the gunman who killed three Americans in the central Palmyra region the previous day was a member of the security forces who was to have been fired for extremism. Two US troops and a civilian interpreter died in what the Syrian government described as a "terrorist attack" on Saturday, while Washington said it had been carried out by an Islamic State group (IS) militant who was then killed. 77169344-d901-11f0-9794-8953cef22b6fSun, 14 Dec 2025 15:30:19 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251214-israel-blames-australia-for-ignoring-antisemitism-over-bondi-beach-shooting Israeli leaders on Sunday “loudly blamed” the Australian government for ignoring warnings of antisemitic threats, FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky reported, noting that Tel Aviv has offered little condolence to Australia’s Jewish community. Tarnopolsky also highlighted a pattern of attacks on Jewish communities during holidays, including the Manchester attack on Yom Kippur and the October 7 Hamas attack on Simchat Torah. 3a968e94-d8e1-11f0-9bfc-9d0754512159Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:42:57 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251214-syrian-gunman-who-killed-three-americans-was-to-be-fired-from-security-forces-for-extremist-views Syria said on Sunday that the gunman who killed three Americans in the central Palmyra region was a member of its own security forces who was due to be dismissed for extremist views, a day after the deadly attack blamed by Washington on the Islamic State group. 83128d8e-d8d8-11f0-b00f-ff39cac7b36dSun, 14 Dec 2025 10:42:00 GMT© Baderkhan Ahmad, APFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251213-two-us-troops-and-interpreter-killed-in-syria-in-islamic-state-group-ambush Two US soldiers and an American civilian were killed in central Syria on Saturday after an alleged Islamic State group gunman opened fire on a joint US-Syrian patrol in Palmyra, US Central Command said. Three other troops were wounded before the attacker was killed by partner forces. US President Donald Trump said that “there will be very serious retaliation”. 0db66cbc-d84d-11f0-9102-612984cb1bedSat, 13 Dec 2025 18:16:29 GMT© Baderkhan Ahmad, APFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251213-israel-says-it-killed-top-hamas-weapon-commander-in-gaza-strike Israel said Saturday it had killed top Hamas commander Raed Saad in a strike in Gaza after an explosive device wounded two Israeli soldiers in the south of the territory as both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire that took effect on October 10.  413a1570-d843-11f0-9f8f-e18c1f61abd6Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:05:09 GMT© Jehad Alshrafi, APFRANCE 24Reportershttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/reporters/20251212-israeli-women-rush-buy-guns-after-october-7-attacks Since the October 7, 2023 terror attacks, Israel has issued some 217,000 new firearms licences to civilians. Among the new permit holders are a growing proportion of women. Whether religious or secular and living in settlements or affluent villages, they support the extension of the right to bear arms, which they would like to see become widespread in Israeli society. FRANCE 24's Claire Duhamel and Solène Chalvon-Fioriti report. e996074e-d689-11f0-ac57-3365aea6ef29Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:42:53 GMTClaire DuhamelFocushttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20251212-uae-seeks-to-hire-more-emirati-nationals-in-private-sector In the United Arab Emirates, the government has imposed quotas for hiring Emirati citizens across the private sector, with the aim of having them make up 10 percent of the workforce by 2026. So how are companies complying with these new rules and how can they change the habits of a population long accustomed to generous subsidies and low-stress government jobs? FRANCE 24’s Sophie Guignon and Amélie Zaccour report.  85dc487e-d6d1-11f0-8853-61f002658791Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:18:08 GMTSophie GUIGNONhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20251212-amnesty-accuses-hamas-of-crimes-against-humanity-for-october-7-attach For the first time, Amnesty International has accused Hamas and its allies of committing crimes against humanity, following an investigation into the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel. The organisation found that 1,221 people were killed and said the mass killing of civilians amounted to extermination. August Hakansson reports. 321412de-d74a-11f0-8729-ff3bb066e4d9Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:14:03 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251211-winter-storm-rips-through-gaza-exposing-failure-to-deliver-enough-aid-to-territory Winter storm Byron drenched Gaza’s tent camps on December 12, flooding shelters and deepening the humanitarian crisis despite two months of ceasefire. Families saw their belongings and food soaked, children waded through knee-deep muddy water, and overflowing sewage and garbage worsened already dire living conditions in the war-damaged territory. 8b699d90-d6a5-11f0-931a-7bcf866168ffThu, 11 Dec 2025 15:49:53 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251211-gaza-heavy-rains-flood-the-tents-of-displaced-people Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have faced severe flooding in recent days, with heavy rain, strong winds and flash floods expected to continue. Meanwhile, Israel is still heavily restricting humanitarian aid, including shelter supplies, in violation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreed more than two months ago. b20c5da8-d686-11f0-8056-7f0cb93ba1d9Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:44:04 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251211-israel-says-hamas-will-be-disarmed-after-group-proposes-weapons-freeze Israel on Thursday vowed that Hamas will be disarmed under the US-backed Gaza peace plan, rejecting a proposal by senior Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who said the group might accept a weapons "freeze" but not full disarmament. 59548624-d684-11f0-be25-7f0cb93ba1d9Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:27:16 GMT© Bashar Taleb, AFPFRANCE 24