Israel seizes Gaza's vital Rafah crossing, but the US says it isn't the full invasion many fear

CAIRO (AP) — Israeli troops seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday in what the White House described as a limited operation, as fears mount of a full-scale invasion of the southern city and talks with Hamas over a cease-fire and hostage release remain on a knife’s...

Hamas says latest cease-fire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'

JERUSALEM (AP) — The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after “in-depth and serious discussions,” the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected. After earlier signs of progress, the outlook appeared to dim as Prime Minister Benjamin...

Israel’s Netanyahu says his Cabinet has voted to shut down Qatar-owned Al Jazeera offices over tensions with the channel

Hamas official says group would lay down its arms if an independent Palestinian state is established

ISTANBUL (AP) — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along...

Nepal's president asks visiting Qatari emir to help free student held hostage by Hamas

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's president asked the emir of Qatar, who is on a two-day visit to the South Asian country, to help release a Nepali student held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas, officials said on Wednesday. President Ram Chandra Poudel met with Sheik Tamim...

Qatari emir in Nepal, expected to tackle migrant conditions and Nepali student held hostage by Hamas

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The emir of Qatar landed in Nepal Tuesday on his first-ever visit to the South Asian country, after visiting Bangladesh and the Philippines, where improving migrant workers' conditions in the Gulf state and a Nepali student still held hostage by Hamas are expected to be on...

Court allows case over forced gynecological exams at Qatar airport to go ahead against operator

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian court has rejected a case brought by five women seeking compensation from Qatar Airways over invasive gynecological examinations conducted on passengers at Doha’s airport in 2020, but their case against the airport's operator is going ahead. ...

Biden urges Egypt, Qatar leaders to press Hamas to come to agreement for Israeli hostages in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday wrote to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, calling on them to press Hamas for a hostage deal with Israel, according to a senior administration official, one day after Biden called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to redouble efforts to...

Biden urges Egypt, Qatar leaders to press Hamas for hostage deal with Israel, after pushing Netanyahu for cease-fire

Israel clears way to expel Al Jazeera. Channel says Netanyahu's incitement claim is a dangerous lie

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, calling it a “terror channel” that spreads incitement, after parliament passed a law clearing the way for the closure. Netanyahu’s pledge escalated Israel’s...