TOI staff

Iraqi forces, supported by members of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization units), advance in the western desert in the northern Iraqi region of al-Hadar, 105 kilometers south of Mosul, on November 23, 2017, as they attempt to flush out remaining Islamic State group fighters (AFP/Stringer)

June 19, 2018, 7:43 am

Iraq denounces mysterious Syria airstrike attributed to Israel

Iraqi military denies positioning Iran-backed fighters in Syrian territory after paramilitary group says 22 of its members among the dead

By TOI staff and AFP

A wounded Palestinian is evacuated during clashes with Israeli forces along the border with the Gaza Strip on the eastern outskirts of Jabaliya on May 11, 2018 (AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED ABED)

June 19, 2018, 6:45 am

Israeli use of live fire in Gaza causing ‘unprecedented crisis,’ Red Cross says

With more than 13,000 wounded, caseload from seven weeks of protests has surpassed that of 2014 war, officials say

By AFP and TOI staff

Nature and Parks Authority representatives handle a sea turtle after it was attacked and abused on a beach, 2009 (Courtesy Nature and Parks Authority)

June 19, 2018, 5:54 am

Man gets 10 months in prison for stabbing rare sea turtle, causing its death

Dmitry Kendler shoved a sharpened stick into neck of female green sea turtle that had come ashore to lay eggs

By TOI staff

A cattle egret is seen in a burned filed next to Kibbutz Beeri near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip on June 18, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA_

June 19, 2018, 5:15 am

Photographer captures eerie pictures of bird in burnt Israeli field near Gaza

Egret seen rummaging around land blackened by blazes caused by incendiary kites and balloons

By TOI staff

Former energy minister Gonen Segev, file (YouTube screenshot)

June 19, 2018, 3:01 am

Iranians back ex-minister accused of spying, troll Israel on Twitter

After news breaks of Gonen Segev's arrest on allegations of espionage for Tehran, social media is filled with messages of support from denizens of the Islamic Republic

By TOI staff

Iran's Mehdi Taremi (R) plays the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Iran and Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran on May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

June 19, 2018, 1:41 am

Fans urge FIFA to ban Iranian player over anti-Israel tweet

After outcry, Mehdi Taremi deletes old retweet of a Khamenei post anticipating destruction of Jewish state, but soccer fans say he violated tournament's rules against hate language

By TOI staff

Protestors demonstrate outside the closed doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on February 27, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 19, 2018, 12:14 am

Churches ask Netanyahu to thwart bill restricting land sales

Heads of Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches accuse government of failing to stick to deal reached after Holy Sepulchre was shuttered in protest

By AFP and TOI staff

Illustrative: Billowing smoke, following a reported air strike on a rebel-held area in the southern Syrian city of Daraa. (Mohamad Abazeed/ AFP)

June 18, 2018, 11:31 pm

US official: Israel behind mysterious Syria airstrike that killed dozens

Washington shunts blame on Jerusalem for attack this week on pro-regime fighters near Iraqi border, after Damascus accuses US-led coalition

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Jordan in January 2014 (Kobi Gideon / GPO/FLASH90/ File)

June 18, 2018, 10:29 pm

Netanyahu holds rare meet with Jordan king ahead of US peace push

After months of strained ties, prime minister makes surprise trip to Amman to discuss peace process and Jerusalem holy sites

By TOI staff

Palestinian children fill jerrycans with drinking water from public taps in the southern Gaza Strip, June 11, 2017. (Abed Rahim Khatib/ Flash90)

June 18, 2018, 10:13 pm

Abbas aide slams reported US plan to raise funds for Gaza

Top PA official says Trump administration efforts aim to further separate Palestinians in West Bank from those in Hamas-run enclave

By TOI staff and Agencies

Palestinian activists prepare a balloon that will be attached to flammable materials to be flown toward Israel near the Israeli Gaza border, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 17, 2018. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

June 18, 2018, 10:05 pm

Israel carries out fresh airstrike after Gazans launch fire balloons

Army says it struck Hamas position in response to arson attacks; local government notes fewer fires in area, following air force's overnight raids on terror group's facilities

By Judah Ari Gross and TOI staff

Education Minister Naftali Bennett arrives at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on June 3, 2018. (Marc Israel Sellem/POOL/Flash90)

June 18, 2018, 8:00 pm

Top minister urges shooting to kill Gaza kite launchers

Naftali Bennett says showing restraint in face of ongoing arson attacks will only lead to escalation with Hamas

By TOI staff

Former energy minister Gonen Segev seen at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during an appeal hearing on August 18, 2006. (Flash90)

June 18, 2018, 7:28 pm

Disgraced ‘M&Ms’ minister Segev now a figure of infamy rather than derision

Ex-politician was previously best-known for trying to smuggle ecstasy into Israel inside boxes of chocolate. Alleged spying for Iran is a whole new level of notoriety

By TOI staff

Netta Barzilai after winning the final of the 63rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, on May 12, 2018. (AFP/ Francisco LEONG)

June 18, 2018, 7:20 pm

Appearing to back off Kan split, PM says government will follow Eurovision rules

Netanyahu says he wants to check details relating to screening of competition before making decision about spinning news division off local public broadcaster

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Israeli actor Moshe Ivgy gives a statement to the media regarding sexual harassment allegations against him at the end of a theater show in Tel Aviv, February 7, 2016. (Flash90)

June 18, 2018, 2:50 pm

Sex crimes trial opens for prominent Israeli actor

Moshe Ivgy faces accusations by four women of harassment and indecent assault

By TOI staff