Hadya Al Alawi

Assistant Foreign Editor


Day two of UN-led polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. Mohammed Abu Amra for The National
Second day of polio vaccinations under way in Gaza

More than 87,000 children have received a first dose of the vaccine, the UN says

September 02, 2024
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the military operations in the occupied West Bank were terror-related. Bloomberg
Outrage at Israeli minister's call to evict Palestinians from West Bank

Foreign Minister Israel Katz's comments come after Israeli forces killed nine in the occupied territory

August 28, 2024
Women and babies at the Zamzam displacement camp, close to El Fasher in North Darfur, Sudan. Reuters
UN monitor declares famine in camp in Sudan's North Darfur

Famine is likely to persist at the camp until October as escalating violence restricts humanitarian access

August 02, 2024
A fighter of the Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah militia inspects the site of a US air strike in Hilla, Iraq, in December 2023. Reuters
US strike on militant base leaves Iraq truce hanging in the balance

Senior official of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq tells The National there will be a response to attack south of Baghdad

July 31, 2024
A handover from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces at Camp Taji, Iraq, in 2020. Reuters
US and Iraq close in on troop withdrawal deal

One sticking point is an airbase in Erbil the US says it needs to fight ISIS in Syria

July 23, 2024
The illegal Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank on the outskirts of Jerusalem. AFP
Israel 'makes largest land seizure in West Bank in 30 years'

Data from Peace Now indicates that the almost 13-square-kilometre appropriation in the Jordan Valley is the largest land grab since the 1993 Oslo Accords

July 03, 2024
Displaced Palestinian children look on as people evacuate the Mawassi area on the outskirts of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 28, 2024. AFP
More than 8,000 Palestinian pupils killed, says ministry

At least 497 educational staff were killed and 3,402 wounded since the start of the war

July 02, 2024
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from the window of his office overlooking Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican City on Sunday. EPA
Pope Francis calls for a Gaza ceasefire and for more aid

Jordan to host an international conference with Egypt and the UN next week on the humanitarian situation in the enclave

June 09, 2024
Rescued hostage Noa Argamani speaks on the phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Reuters
Israeli forces in Gaza rescue four hostages captured by Hamas

It is the largest number of hostages found alive since the war started, taking the total of rescued captives to seven

June 08, 2024
Many Gazans are facing starvation amid a lack of food and aid deliveries entering the enclave. Getty Images
Gazans forced to buy Israeli goods after Rafah crossing closure

Food items are imported through Karam Abu Salem, the only entry point for deliveries to the enclave

May 21, 2024
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, gathers with other Arab leaders at the summit in Manama. AFP
Arab League calls for UN peacekeeping mission in Palestine

Arab states ratify and endorse Bahrain Declaration that calls for revival of two-state solution

May 16, 2024
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, at a meeting of foreign ministers in Manama.
Why the Syria conflict still matters to the Arab League

Syrian crisis has been discussed at meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Manama, before annual summit

May 16, 2024
Displaced Gazans. Diplomatic sources say Bahraini summit organisers are attempting to build on the resolution drafted at the Riyadh summit and collectively 'announce a tougher stance against Israel'. AFP
Arab League ministers seek consensus on Gaza before Bahrain summit

Secretary General calls for end to 'Israeli crimes' ahead of Manama meeting aimed at forging united Arab front

May 14, 2024
Palestinians celebrate in a street in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, after Hamas announced it accepted the truce proposal on May 6. AFP
Hamas accepts truce deal as Israelis head to mediators for talks

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh says 'ball is now in Israel's court' to accept or reject proposal

May 06, 2024
Palestinian children walk past a house damaged in an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
'Take the deal': Gazans eager for Hamas to accept ceasefire with Israel

Displaced Palestinians in Rafah desperate to return to the north of the enclave

May 03, 2024