Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes an upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump could ‘help advance’ a Gaza ceasefire deal, as he heads for Washington DC.

Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have slammed the attempted arson of a Melbourne synagogue and a nearby restaurant.

Ukraine has struck a major Russian air base as Moscow bombards Kyiv and western regions with hundreds of drones in one of the most intense escalations of the war yet.

CCTV images have been released of a man wanted over a shocking arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, as police probe a second incident where masked protesters stormed a nearby Israeli restaurant.

Sussan Ley has condemned violent scenes in Melbourne, saying ‘this is hate’ after a synagogue was set alight and anti-Israel protesters stormed a restaurant.

Hamas has issued what it describes as a ‘positive’ response to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal in Gaza, with a senior Palestinian official saying it could help pave the way for a final agreement.

Hamas is expected to respond positively to a proposed 60-day ceasefire with Israel within hours, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism about announcing a deal ‘soon’.

The first group of Australians have been able to leave Iran amid threats of further Israeli missile strikes, but thousands more are still awaiting assistance.

The US is lifting sanctions on Syria, while maintaining sanctions on former president Bashar al-Assad, with the move expected to boost foreign investment.

The Israeli army says incidents in which Gaza Strip civilians have been harmed while seeking handouts of aid are under review.

The decision to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial came shortly after US President Donald Trump lashed out on social media, calling for the case to be dropped.

US President Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire deal to be made between Israel and Gaza, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with his security cabinet.

After 12 days of direct conflict between Iran and Israel, that war has come to a temporary halt. At least, the war with Iran.

As Australians return home from the Middle East, a family stranded in Iran says it has no way to flee after receiving advice to cross international borders.

BEN HARVEY: I don’t often agree 100 per cent with what Donald Trump says but most of humanity would surely think he was on point when he dropped that F-bomb this week.