They were Israel's 'eyes on the border' - but their Hamas warnings went unheard
They are known as Israel's eyes on the Gaza border.
For years, units of young female conscripts had one job here. It was to sit in surveillance bases for hours, looking for signs of anything suspicious.
In the months leading up to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, they did begin to see things: practice raids, mock hostage-taking, and farmers behaving strangely on the other side of the fence. read more
They are known as Israel's eyes on the Gaza border.
For years, units of young female conscripts had one job here. It was to sit in surveillance bases for hours, looking for signs of anything suspicious.
In the months leading up to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, they did begin to see things: practice raids, mock hostage-taking, and farmers behaving strangely on the other side of the fence. read more
Israel Gaza war: Hamas video claims to show dead hostages
Hamas has issued a new video purporting to show the bodies of two Israeli hostages, with the militants claiming that they died in air strikes on Gaza.
It comes a day after Hamas released another video of the hostages when they were alive, but warning they could die if Israel continued its bombardment.
Israel denied they were killed by strikes. Its defence minister accused the militants of "psychological abuse". read more
Hamas has issued a new video purporting to show the bodies of two Israeli hostages, with the militants claiming that they died in air strikes on Gaza.
It comes a day after Hamas released another video of the hostages when they were alive, but warning they could die if Israel continued its bombardment.
Israel denied they were killed by strikes. Its defence minister accused the militants of "psychological abuse". read more
Pakistan launches retaliatory strikes on Iran, with reports of seven killed
Pakistan has launched retaliatory missile strikes into neighbouring Iran, two days after a similar Iranian attack inflamed relations between the states.
Pakistan said its strikes had hit "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan.
Iranian media reported that three women and four children had been killed.
Pakistan's hit comes after it was outraged by Iran's strike, which Tehran said was aimed at terrorist groups. read more
Pakistan has launched retaliatory missile strikes into neighbouring Iran, two days after a similar Iranian attack inflamed relations between the states.
Pakistan said its strikes had hit "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan.
Iranian media reported that three women and four children had been killed.
Pakistan's hit comes after it was outraged by Iran's strike, which Tehran said was aimed at terrorist groups. read more
Suspected Jordanian air strikes in southern Syria kill 10 - activists
At least 10 people, including children, have been killed in suspected Jordanian air strikes in south-western Syria, local activists and media say.
Several homes were reportedly destroyed in Arman, a town in Suweida province about 20km (12 miles) from the border.
There was no immediate comment from authorities in Jordan.
But its forces are believed to have carried out a number of air strikes in Syria over the past year on suspected drug smugglers and their facilities. read more
At least 10 people, including children, have been killed in suspected Jordanian air strikes in south-western Syria, local activists and media say.
Several homes were reportedly destroyed in Arman, a town in Suweida province about 20km (12 miles) from the border.
There was no immediate comment from authorities in Jordan.
But its forces are believed to have carried out a number of air strikes in Syria over the past year on suspected drug smugglers and their facilities. read more
Netanyahu publicly rejects US push for Palestinian state
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has told the United States that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state once the conflict in Gaza comes to an end.
In a news conference, a defiant Mr Netanyahu vowed to press on with the offensive in Gaza "until complete victory": the destruction of Hamas and return of the remaining Israeli hostages, adding that it could take "many more months". read more
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has told the United States that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state once the conflict in Gaza comes to an end.
In a news conference, a defiant Mr Netanyahu vowed to press on with the offensive in Gaza "until complete victory": the destruction of Hamas and return of the remaining Israeli hostages, adding that it could take "many more months". read more
Donetsk: Deadly blast hits market in Russia-held Ukraine city, officials say
At least 25 people have been killed in a shelling attack in the Russian-held city of Donetsk, the Moscow-installed leader of the region says.
Denis Pushilin said a Ukrainian strike, which also injured 20 people, had hit a busy market and that the casualty figures might change.
Russia's foreign ministry denounced the strike as a "barbaric terrorist attack" against civilians.
There has so far been no comment from Ukraine on the incident.
BBC News was not able to immediately verify the circumstances around the strike. read more
At least 25 people have been killed in a shelling attack in the Russian-held city of Donetsk, the Moscow-installed leader of the region says.
Denis Pushilin said a Ukrainian strike, which also injured 20 people, had hit a busy market and that the casualty figures might change.
Russia's foreign ministry denounced the strike as a "barbaric terrorist attack" against civilians.
There has so far been no comment from Ukraine on the incident.
BBC News was not able to immediately verify the circumstances around the strike. read more
More than 25,000 now killed in Gaza since Israel offensive began, Hamas-run health ministry says
More than 25,000 people have now been killed in Gaza during Israel's offensive there, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
It said there had been 178 deaths in the last 24 hours, making it one of the deadliest days in the war so far.
As fighting continued, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again rejected creating a Palestinian state. read more
More than 25,000 people have now been killed in Gaza during Israel's offensive there, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
It said there had been 178 deaths in the last 24 hours, making it one of the deadliest days in the war so far.
As fighting continued, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again rejected creating a Palestinian state. read more
US and UK launch fresh strikes on Houthis in Yemen
The US and UK have conducted a fresh series of joint air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Pentagon said Monday's strikes hit eight targets, including an underground storage site and Houthi missile and surveillance capability.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships they say are linked to Israel and the West that travel through the important Red Sea trade route. read more
The US and UK have conducted a fresh series of joint air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Pentagon said Monday's strikes hit eight targets, including an underground storage site and Houthi missile and surveillance capability.
The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships they say are linked to Israel and the West that travel through the important Red Sea trade route. read more
Russia risked lives in downed plane, Volodymyr Zelensky says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of "playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners", after a deadly plane crash in western Russia.
He demanded an international inquiry after Wednesday's crash in the Belgorod region near Ukraine's border.
Russia said there were no survivors after Kyiv had downed the Il-76 plane with 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six Russian crew and three escorts. read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of "playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners", after a deadly plane crash in western Russia.
He demanded an international inquiry after Wednesday's crash in the Belgorod region near Ukraine's border.
Russia said there were no survivors after Kyiv had downed the Il-76 plane with 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six Russian crew and three escorts. read more
UNRWA claims: UN agency condemns aid halt over alleged help for Hamas attacks
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has urged the countries that halted funding to reconsider their "shocking" decision.
"UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their sheer survival," Philippe Lazzarini said.
Nine countries, including the UK, earlier paused funding the agency.
They acted over allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October deadly Hamas attacks on Israel. read more
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has urged the countries that halted funding to reconsider their "shocking" decision.
"UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their sheer survival," Philippe Lazzarini said.
Nine countries, including the UK, earlier paused funding the agency.
They acted over allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October deadly Hamas attacks on Israel. read more
US drone attack: Three US troops killed in drone strike on US base in Middle East
Three US troops have been killed and dozens injured in a drone attack on a US base near Jordan's border with Syria.
US President Joe Biden said the attack was carried out by "radical Iran-backed militant groups". He added: "We shall respond."
Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.
It is the first time that a strike has killed US troops in the region since Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel.
Jordan says the attack took place in Syria, not inside Jordan. read more
Three US troops have been killed and dozens injured in a drone attack on a US base near Jordan's border with Syria.
US President Joe Biden said the attack was carried out by "radical Iran-backed militant groups". He added: "We shall respond."
Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.
It is the first time that a strike has killed US troops in the region since Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel.
Jordan says the attack took place in Syria, not inside Jordan. read more
Three US soldiers killed in Jordan attack named
The US government has released the names of three troops killed by an enemy drone attack in Jordan on Sunday.
Sgt William Jerome Rivers, 46, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24 and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23 were killed when a drone hit their housing unit.
The US has blamed Iranian-backed groups for the attack and the Pentagon said it carried the "footprints" of Hezbollah. read more
The US government has released the names of three troops killed by an enemy drone attack in Jordan on Sunday.
Sgt William Jerome Rivers, 46, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24 and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23 were killed when a drone hit their housing unit.
The US has blamed Iranian-backed groups for the attack and the Pentagon said it carried the "footprints" of Hezbollah. read more
US approves plan to strike Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, officials say
The US has approved plans for a series of strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, officials have told the BBC's US partner CBS News.
The strikes will take place over a number of days, officials said, and weather conditions will likely dictate when they are launched.
It comes after a drone attack killed three US soldiers in Jordan, close to the Syrian border, on Sunday.
The US blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for that attack. read more
The US has approved plans for a series of strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, officials have told the BBC's US partner CBS News.
The strikes will take place over a number of days, officials said, and weather conditions will likely dictate when they are launched.
It comes after a drone attack killed three US soldiers in Jordan, close to the Syrian border, on Sunday.
The US blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for that attack. read more
Western officials in protest over Israel Gaza policy
More than 800 serving officials in the US and Europe have signed a statement warning that their own governments' policies on the Israel-Gaza war could amount to "grave violations of international law".
The "transatlantic statement", a copy of which was passed to the BBC, says their administrations risk being complicit in "one of the worst human catastrophes of this century" but that their expert advice has been sidelined.
It is the latest sign of significant levels of dissent within the governments of some of Israel's key Western allies. read more
More than 800 serving officials in the US and Europe have signed a statement warning that their own governments' policies on the Israel-Gaza war could amount to "grave violations of international law".
The "transatlantic statement", a copy of which was passed to the BBC, says their administrations risk being complicit in "one of the worst human catastrophes of this century" but that their expert advice has been sidelined.
It is the latest sign of significant levels of dissent within the governments of some of Israel's key Western allies. read more
Iran says US strikes are a 'strategic mistake'
Iran has called US air strikes on Iraq and Syria a "strategic mistake" after 85 targets were hit across the region on Friday.
The US has launched retaliatory strikes in response to last week's drone attack on a US military base that killed three American soldiers.
The White House blamed the drone attack on an Iran-backed militia group.
The US and UK also launched a new round of joint strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. read more
Iran has called US air strikes on Iraq and Syria a "strategic mistake" after 85 targets were hit across the region on Friday.
The US has launched retaliatory strikes in response to last week's drone attack on a US military base that killed three American soldiers.
The White House blamed the drone attack on an Iran-backed militia group.
The US and UK also launched a new round of joint strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. read more
Dozens killed in strike on Russia-held Ukraine city
Russia has said at least 28 people died in a strike on a bakery in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian town of Lysychansk.
The building, which also housed a restaurant named Adriatic, was hit on Saturday.
Russian officials said servicemen, women and a child were killed in the strike.
The Kremlin said Western-supplied weapons were used in the attack, which it called a "terrorist act" by Ukraine. read more
Russia has said at least 28 people died in a strike on a bakery in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian town of Lysychansk.
The building, which also housed a restaurant named Adriatic, was hit on Saturday.
Russian officials said servicemen, women and a child were killed in the strike.
The Kremlin said Western-supplied weapons were used in the attack, which it called a "terrorist act" by Ukraine. read more
King Charles III diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace says
King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, says Buckingham Palace.
The type of cancer has not been revealed - it is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began "regular treatments" on Monday and will postpone public duties during it, the Palace said.
The Monarch, 75, "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," it added. read more
King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, says Buckingham Palace.
The type of cancer has not been revealed - it is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began "regular treatments" on Monday and will postpone public duties during it, the Palace said.
The Monarch, 75, "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," it added. read more
Gaza ceasefire: Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas's proposed terms
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas's proposed ceasefire terms - saying "total victory" in Gaza is possible within months.
He was speaking after Hamas laid out a series of demands in response to an Israel-backed ceasefire proposal.
Mr Netanyahu said negotiations with the group were "not going anywhere" and described their terms as "bizarre".
Talks are continuing to try to reach some sort of deal. read more
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas's proposed ceasefire terms - saying "total victory" in Gaza is possible within months.
He was speaking after Hamas laid out a series of demands in response to an Israel-backed ceasefire proposal.
Mr Netanyahu said negotiations with the group were "not going anywhere" and described their terms as "bizarre".
Talks are continuing to try to reach some sort of deal. read more
Pakistan elections 2024: Polls close in vote marred by internet cut
Polls have closed in Pakistan after the authorities suspended mobile calls and data while millions voted for a new government in a controversial election.
The interior ministry said incidents of terrorism made the measure necessary.
The election comes almost two years after the previous prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Three-time PM Nawaz Sharif was on the ballot in what many analysts say is Pakistan's least credible election yet. read more
Polls have closed in Pakistan after the authorities suspended mobile calls and data while millions voted for a new government in a controversial election.
The interior ministry said incidents of terrorism made the measure necessary.
The election comes almost two years after the previous prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Three-time PM Nawaz Sharif was on the ballot in what many analysts say is Pakistan's least credible election yet. read more
Prabowo Subianto: Indonesia's 'cuddly grandpa' with a bloody past
Mr Prabowo's running mate is Mr Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. It's a choice that many see as a tacit blessing by the president, who is yet to endorse anyone, including his own party's candidate, Mr Pranowo.
But a Prabowo presidency is also alarming to many, who say he has never been held accountable for the alleged abduction and killing of pro-democracy student activists decades ago.
A young voter, who did not wish to be named, says she is "terrified" he will win: "If he could be an accomplice of silencing voices then he will be silencing those voices now if he gets elected."
"Cuteness" hardly makes an eligible leader, she says. "If that's how you think a leader should be, then you should elect kittens." read more
Mr Prabowo's running mate is Mr Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. It's a choice that many see as a tacit blessing by the president, who is yet to endorse anyone, including his own party's candidate, Mr Pranowo.
But a Prabowo presidency is also alarming to many, who say he has never been held accountable for the alleged abduction and killing of pro-democracy student activists decades ago.
A young voter, who did not wish to be named, says she is "terrified" he will win: "If he could be an accomplice of silencing voices then he will be silencing those voices now if he gets elected."
"Cuteness" hardly makes an eligible leader, she says. "If that's how you think a leader should be, then you should elect kittens." read more
Indonesia election: An 'impossible' country tests its hard-won democracy
Budiman Sujatmiko has lost none of the passion that he used to show as one of the boldest student opponents of Suharto, the soft-spoken but ruthless dictator who ruled Indonesia for 32 years.
"In the 1990s our challenge was authoritarianism. We needed democracy. Today our challenge is inequality and backwardness," Budiman says in his campaign office, ahead of Indonesia's presidential race on 14 February.
In a scarcely believable twist, Budiman is now a spokesman for Prabowo Subianto - the frontrunner in the race, Suharto's son-in-law and the man who epitomises that authoritarian era. The former special forces commander has been accused of a string of human rights violations, and was sacked by the army in 1998. read more
Budiman Sujatmiko has lost none of the passion that he used to show as one of the boldest student opponents of Suharto, the soft-spoken but ruthless dictator who ruled Indonesia for 32 years.
"In the 1990s our challenge was authoritarianism. We needed democracy. Today our challenge is inequality and backwardness," Budiman says in his campaign office, ahead of Indonesia's presidential race on 14 February.
In a scarcely believable twist, Budiman is now a spokesman for Prabowo Subianto - the frontrunner in the race, Suharto's son-in-law and the man who epitomises that authoritarian era. The former special forces commander has been accused of a string of human rights violations, and was sacked by the army in 1998. read more