Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday called for a march on Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem at the start of Ramadan, upping the ante as negotiators work to secure another cease-fire in Gaza.
The Al-Aqsa/Temple Mount compound is sacred to Jews and Muslims, and has long been a flashpoint in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Hamas called its Oct. 7 terror attack “Al-Aqsa Flood,” and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday said the militant group’s push for Ramadan demonstrations is part of a “second phase” of that plan.
Israel has set security restrictions at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, and protests at the compound could lead to a heavy response from Israeli forces — increasing international scrutiny of the Jewish State.
Cease-fire talks up in the air: The clock is ticking for negotiators to secure a truce in Gaza. The Muslim holy month starts the same day as the March 10 deadline that Israel set for Hamas to release hostages — or face an invasion of Rafah.
Amid mounting criticism over its support for Israel, the US has expressed optimism a deal is imminent. Meanwhile, Haniyeh on Wednesday said Hamas was exhibiting “flexibility” in the negotiations, but emphasized the group was prepared to continue fighting Israel.
In this "ask ian," Ian Bremmer analyzes Trump’s recent meeting with Zelensky and how close (or far) Russia and Ukraine are from a peace deal.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the military parade of the Syrian army in Umayyad Square in central Damascus to mark the one-year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, on Dec. 8, 2025.
A year ago this month, Syria’s brutal dictatorship collapsed. There are signs of recovery, but sectarian violence threatens to undermine the optimism.