The US says it has killed Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Yusif in Syria. US Central Command Forces (Centcom) said it carried out an airstrike targeting Yusif in the east of the country.

Another IS operative was also killed in the strike, according to US officials.

Reported by Sky News - 20/12/24

https://news.sky.com/story/us-says-it-has-killed-isis-leader-abu-yusif-in-syria-airstrike-13277161

Mohammed al-Bashir, the former head of the rebel administration in the north-west, has been installed as the interim prime minister by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS).

He is expected to be governing until March 2025. 

Reported by BBC News - 10/12/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yxrpkx00yo

Israel has continued its flash military operation in Syria by carrying out attacks on Syria's naval fleet. The Israeli armed forces have launched 350 air strikes as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country.

Reported by BBC News - 10/12/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx808q7lrno

The Israeli military has bombed the main research centre in Damascus, two regional security sources have told Reuters news agency. The centre had been suspected of being used by Iran to develop long-range guided missiles. 

Israel also targeted the customs headquarters and military intelligence in a security complex in the capital, the sources said. 

Reports earlier suggested Israel had also targeted the former Syrian air base of Khalkhala in southern Syria.

Reported by Sky News - 08/12/24

https://news.sky.com/story/syria-latest-iran-backed-fighters-enter-syria-as-russian-and-syrian-forces-strike-rebel-positions-13265154#8752586

Syrian rebel forces have claimed control of Damascus, and therefore control of Syria, following their suprise assaults across the country. They began by seizing Aleppo, before taking over Hama and Homs on the way to Damascus.

The president Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled from the country 

Reported by BBC News - 08/12/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t

Syrian rebel forces launched the largest offensive against the Syrian government in years on Wednesday (27/11/24).

By Sunday (01/12/24), they had taken control of "large parts" of the country's second-biggest city, Aleppo and were advancing towards Hama in the south.

Reported by BBC News - 02/12/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce313jn453zo

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is in effect in Lebanon after a deal to end 13 months of fighting began at 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on 27/11/24.

Thousands of Lebanese civilians have started returning to their homes in the south, but Israel warns it is not yet safe to return to certain areas.

Reported by BBC News - 27/11/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cnvjl42g9m1t

At least 11 people have been killed and 63 injured in Israeli strikes on central Beirut, Lebanese authorities have said.

Lebanon's health ministry said the death toll could rise as emergency workers dig through the rubble looking for survivors. DNA tests are being used to identify the victims, the ministry added.

Reported by Sky News - 23/11/24

https://news.sky.com/story/at-least-11-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-central-beirut-lebanese-authorities-say-13258745

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defence minister, as well as the military commander of Hamas.   A statement said a pre-trial chamber had rejected Israel’s challenges to the court’s jurisdiction and issued warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. A warrant was also issued for Mohammed Deif of Hamas, although Israel has said he was killed in an air strike in Gaza in July.

Reported by BBC News - 21/11/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2exvx944o

The  United Nations says  Israeli construction along a demilitarised buffer zone with  Syria has led to “severe violations” of a 50-year-old ceasefire agreement, which risk increasing tensions along their shared frontier in the occupied  Golan Heights.

Satellite photographs show new trenches and earth berms dug over the past few months along the length of what is known as the Area of Separation (AoS).

Reported by BBC News - 13/11/24

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwrvw7x8j9o

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his authorization of attacks in Lebanon and Syria in September, according to his spokesperson Omer Dostri. The attacks, involving explosions across both countries, resulted in the deaths of nearly 40 people, including two children, and injured more than 3,000 others. The incidents occurred shortly before Israel escalated its military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Reported by The Independent - 11/11/24

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-lebanon-pager-attacks-b2644731.html

The new law passed by Israel’s parliament allows the deportation of family members of Palestinian attackers , including Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed East Jerusalem, to the Gaza Strip or other locations. The law targets those who are believed to have had prior knowledge of the attacks or who express support for such acts of terrorism. It applies even to Israeli citizens, and the deportation could last for 7 to 20 years. This law is likely to face challenges in court. The region is currently in the midst of an ongoing war, with Gaza suffering from extreme devastation and displacement.

Reported by The Independent - 08/11/24

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-law-deport-palestinian-families-b2643505.html 

Protests erupted in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a breakdown of trust between them. Gallant’s removal followed disagreements on key issues, including the return of hostages from Gaza, military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox citizens, and the need for a national inquiry into the war. Netanyahu appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz as Gallant's replacement, who is seen as more hawkish. Gallant, who had previously been dismissed in 2023 but reinstated following public outcry, had voiced concerns about Israel’s post-war plans for Gaza and its strategy regarding Hamas. The timing of his dismissal coincided with the U.S. presidential election and political pressure from far-right factions in Israel. Protests against Netanyahu’s decision, including from the families of hostages, called for a focus on securing hostages' release.

Reported by BBC News - 05/11/2024