Islamist groups in Middle East will emerge from Gaza war weakened

Hamas, Hezbollah and other militia are enfeebled – but Palestine is likely to stay at forefront of global politics

Middle East crisis – live updates

The ceasefire due to come into force on Sunday, barring a major last-minute problem, will cement massive and rapid changes across the Middle East and may seal a significant defeat for the Islamist militant groups that have been powerful actors in the region for years.

Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and assorted Shia Muslim militia in Iraq and Syria will all emerge from the conflict considerably weakened. Only the Houthis in Yemen are stronger – though this may not last. The Islamic State remains a shadow of its former self.

Topics

Middle East Crisis Updates: Gaza Cease-Fire to Start on Sunday, Mediator Says

The Israeli cabinet still has to ratify the deal, and some details remained unresolved. President Biden said hostages were to be released over 42 days.
The New York Times - 11h
A ceasefire deal is here. For Gaza, the Middle East and the world, the future remains unknown

The sacrifice has been so great, the misery so complete, that few can claim with certainty that this was all worthwhile. There may be no winners in war, but history suggests combatants are often ...
The Guardian - 21h
Trump’s Middle East envoy visits Netanyahu in push for Gaza ceasefire

Steve Witkoff meets Israeli PM in renewed efforts to secure hostage release deal with Hamas. The US Middle East envoy chosen by the president-elect, Donald Trump, met the Israeli prime minister, ...
The Guardian - 5d
Middle East latest: Death toll in Gaza passes 46,000; Lebanese parliament elects new president

Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, with no end in sight to the 15-month conflict
ABC News - Jan. 9
Plans in motion for Gaza's future after war in the Middle East ends

The United Arab Emirates, the U.S., Israel and other nations are in discussion for a joint, temporary administration of the Gaza Strip after the war ends, according to Reuters. CBS News foreign ...
CBS News - Jan. 7
Middle East crisis live: Israeli forces ‘fired on World Food Programme convoy in Gaza’

Statement from UN agency ‘strongly condemns horrifying incident’ on Sunday which it says risked lives of staff. ‘This is basically a civil war’: West Bank in fear after shooting of journalist ...
The Guardian - Jan. 6
Israel ramps up strikes across Middle East

The war in Gaza shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Israel turned up the pressure in one of the deadliest weeks of fighting, with nearly 150 people killed. Holly Williams has the latest ...
CBS News - Jan. 3
2025 will test the ageing warhorses of the Middle East

There are few grounds for optimism over the Palestinian question but the west can help Syria get back on its feet
Financial Times - Jan. 3
Middle East crisis live: at least 37 killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza including in al-Mawasi ‘safe zone’

Airstrike hit tent encampment sheltering displaced families and also killed director-general of Gaza’s police department. Lebanon ’s National News Agency reports that Israeli forces fired two ...
The Guardian - Jan. 2

More from The Guardian

Israel’s extremist national security minister threatens to quit over Gaza ceasefire deal – live

Itamar Ben-Gvir says he will resign if Netanyahu’s cabinet ratifies ceasefire; 80 people killed in Israeli strikes since deal announced, Gaza agency says . Netanyahu: no vote on Gaza ceasefire ...
The Guardian - 42m
‘We will be betrayed’: cold, fearful and still under fire, Gaza’s people wait

Palestinians describe grief and anxiety as they seek news that the ceasefire is going ahead, and airstrikes continue. Middle East crisis – live updates Amid continuing airstrikes, bitter cold ...
The Guardian - 3h
Families of hostages held in Gaza say they are in agony over ceasefire delays

Relatives of some of 98 still believed held by Hamas describe being in limbo but remain ‘cautiously optimistic’. Middle East crisis – live updates Families of hostages being held in Gaza have ...
The Guardian - 3h
Russian diplomats accessed private area of UK parliament in security breach

Exclusive: MPs warned not to invite Russian diplomats to parliament after incident said to have alarmed ministers. Russian diplomats accessed a private area of parliament in a major security breach ...
The Guardian - 4h
David Lynch, Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive director, dies aged 78

Film-maker who specialised in surreal, noir style mysteries made a string of influential, critically acclaimed works including Wild at Heart and Eraserhead. David Lynch: the great American ...
The Guardian - 3h