Eric Tlozek

The small number of Christians remaining in Gaza have marked Christmas early with subdued celebrations in the shadow of ongoing conflict and occupation.

What is this group, which once ruled a territorial "caliphate" and inspired attacks all over the world?

The village of Al Nayrab, in north-west Syria, is the hometown of Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed — and its residents are filled with pride.

The heroic actions Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian immigrant to Australia who disarmed one of the Bondi terrorists have reverberated around the world, especially in the Middle East.

Australians have gathered in Jerusalem to show support for family and friends back home in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack. 

From Israel, the reaction's been furious, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's blaming the Australian Government for its 'feeble' response to anti-Semitism since the October the 7th attacks and for its decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

One year after the fall of Syria's dictatorship, millions of refugees are returning to a country badly damaged by civil war. 

Today marks one year since the Assad dictatorship in Syria was toppled by Islamist rebels, bringing an end to nearly 14 years of civil war. Some are celebrating, while others continue to struggle. 

Lebanon's government says it is trying to disarm militant group Hezbollah, but there are fears of sparking an internal conflict.

Crowds have welcomed the new Pope in Lebanon, as he visits the Middle East for his first overseas trip as pontiff.

As Pope Leo visits Lebanon, many locals hope he will bring peace to the region, viewing the visit as a message of solidarity.

One year after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire, the IDF is bombing Beirut again. And Israel has promised its latest strike will not be the last unless Lebanon's government does more to disarm Hezbollah.

With Sudan's El-Fasher captured by a militia accused of mass killings, those who escaped are suffering in a refugee camp and mourning the deaths of family and friends.

People who fled a major city in Sudan have described mass killings, kidnapping and abuse by the paramilitary force which seized the city two weeks ago. The Rapid Support Forces – which have been accused of committing genocide in Sudan – conquered the city of El Fasher in Darfur last month after besieging it for a year and half. Human rights monitors say the RSF killed tens of thousands of people and that many more are still missing.  

Hamas has quickly re-established de facto control of much of Gaza since the recent ceasefire. But a spokesperson says the militant group does not want to govern Gaza into the future.

The militant group Hamas says it will disarm if a Palestinian state is established.

The International Court of Justice rules Israel must allow aid groups access to Gaza and that the nation's attempts to stop a UN agency delivering aid to Palestinians are illegal.

One week into the ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinians are returning to destroyed homes and trying to find shelter.

There have been emotional reunions across Gaza and the West Bank this week as Palestinians released from Israeli prisons were sent back to their families. 

Key stumbling blocks are threatening the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.  

The militant group Hamas is handing over more bodies of hostages who died in Gaza as Israel threatens to delay the implementation of the ceasefire deal.

Instead of thanking the US president, perhaps people should be asking: why are the hostages only coming home now?

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians who were imprisoned in Israel have been reunited with their families as part of an exchange for hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza have been reunited with relatives released from Israeli prisons as part of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. Prisoners convicted of offences like murder are being deported to Egypt, while those convicted of security offences are being allowed to return home.

The Israel Defense Forces announces a ceasefire has begun, but Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in Gaza to pressure Hamas until it disarms.