Middle East

Israel says it will control Rafah crossing during ceasefire’s first stage 

Israeli army chief to quit, taking responsibility for October 7, 2023, security failure 

Aid group urges halt to expulsion of Afghan refugees over dire conditions 

The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that Iran plans to expel up to 2 million Afghan refugees by March, while at least 800,000 have already been deported from Pakistan since October 2023 

Reactions to the imprisonment of 6 journalists in Turkey

Financial dispute between Kurdistan region, Iraq risks further straining ties

Resilient cancer patient continues to run her poultry store

Syrian Kurds look for continued US support under Trump

Following the fall of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad last month, US-backed Kurdish forces have been under mounting pressure by both the new authorities in Damascus and the Turkish government to disarm

Aid trucks enter Gaza, as officials hope ceasefire holds

Reports say 600 trucks enter Gaza, while 500 arrived daily before conflict began

In photos: Hundreds of trucks deliver aid from Egypt to Gaza as ceasefire holds

Israeli army chief to quit, taking responsibility for Oct. 7, 2023, security failure

Hamas says it will release another round of hostages on Saturday, as ceasefire with Israel held into a third day and UN humanitarian agencies moved aid into Gaza to help Palestinian civilians

Israelis, Palestinians welcome beginning of six-week ceasefire

Three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners freed as deal gets underway

Syrian minority groups on edge as leadership consolidates power

As Syria’s new leadership — Sunni Muslim, like most Syrians — works to consolidate power, many minority groups in the country fear they may be left behind. VOA’s Heather Murdock talks to Armenians, Druze and Alawites in Aleppo, Damascus and Sweida in Syria. Videographer: Yan Boechat

VOA Kurdish: Erdogan will renegotiate relationship with Trump administration