Gaza Strip marathon cancelled after Hamas bans female runners

Ruth Pollard in Jerusalem The UN has been forced to cancel its annual marathon in the Gaza Strip after the ruling Islamist movement Hamas insisted that women be banned from the race.

Australian, Hezbollah links to deadly bus bombing

Ruth Pollard An Australian with connections to the Hezbollah militant group is one of the key suspects in a bombing that killed five Israelis and a local bus driver at an airport at a Black Sea resort last year,...

Peace plans, Obama put squeeze on Netanyahu

Ruth Pollard JERUSALEM: Israel is entering the final phase of its election campaign with an increasingly rocky relationship with the US and under pressure from France and Britain, who are reportedly working...

Aleppo massacre: 68 bodies found near river

Ruth Pollard The bodies lie on the muddy concrete bordering a small canal in Aleppo, many with their hands tied behind their back, each with a bullet to the head, their blood spilling into the stagnant water...

Israel attacks Syria-Lebanon border: report

Ruth Pollard Israeli forces have reportedly attacked a convoy on the Syria-Lebanon border, unnamed security sources say, as tension mounts inside Israel about the possible movement of chemical and other weapons...

'We are a country': Palestinians celebrate

Ruth Pollard in Ramallah The street party was in full swing in the West Bank city of Ramallah well before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was due to speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Ramallah rejoices in historic vote, although few expect change

Ruth Pollard RAMALLAH, West Bank: The street party was in full swing in Ramallah well before the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, stood to speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Israel's settlement plan sparks protest

Ruth Pollard Israel is facing international condemnation over its plans to significantly expand settlement construction in occupied territory in the West Bank, Fairfax's Ruth Pollard reports.

Israel faces rebuke over settlement plans

Ruth Pollard JERUSALEM: Israel is facing condemnation over its plans to expand settlements in occupied territory in the West Bank, with Britain and France reported to be considering recalling their ambassadors...

Defiant Abbas expected to win UN vote

Ruth Pollard RAMALLAH: Openly defying the US President, Barack Obama, and facing down Israeli threats to abandon the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, will submit a bid to the United Nations...

'Calm must return': truce agreed after bloody Gaza conflict

Ruth Pollard A deal to end the bloody eight-day conflict in Gaza and Israel has been announced in Egypt overnight and took effect at 9pm local time (6am AEST.)

Celebrations greet Gaza ceasefire

Ruth Pollard A deal to end the bloody eight-day conflict in Gaza and Israel came into effect early this morning, drawing hundreds of Gazans onto the street to celebrate after both sides continued to trade rocket...

Ruth Pollard

Conflict prepares to head for the brink

Ruth Pollard As the strategic realignment of Middle Eastern powers circles around the old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, now playing out with renewed ferocity in Gaza and southern Israel, it is unclear what, if...

As Gaza shakes from HQ attack Israel threatens 'expansion'

Ruth Pollard The early-morning call to prayer had just sounded, a melodic voice amid the darkness.

Death toll mounts as rebels hit air base

Ruth Pollard in northern Syria REBELS in Syria have bombarded an air base that was apparently being used by helicopter gunships and jets to attack the northern city of Aleppo, as the toll of dead and injured in the bloody conflict...

Bloody battle for Syria's commercial city

Ruth Pollard THE fierce battle for control of Syria's second city, Aleppo, is now fought street by street, as the Syrian Army rushes more troops and tanks to the area and fighter jets fly over the city, firing on...

Deaths rise as Assad's army pounds Aleppo

Ruth Pollard ANTAKYA, Turkey: Forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad bombarded the northern city of Aleppo overnight, with constant helicopter machinegun fire and heavy shelling continuing across many neighbourhoods...

Israel marks death of 'giant' Yitzhak Shamir

Ruth Pollard Israel's second-longest serving prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, has died aged 96.

Bomb attack claims fourth Assad aide as rebels gain ground

Ruth Pollard Thousands flee Syria as news confirmed that the head of the country's security was a victim of Wednesday's bombing attack by rebels.