Sebastian Usher

London

Arab Affairs Editor and Reporter at BBC

middle east analyst/editor/reporter for @bbcworld All views my own - or at least stolen from someone good, also check out https://t.co/xZq9nXhPGG

Articles

Deadly clashes in Syria's Druze areas raise fears of widening unrest

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher

Deadly clashes in Syria's Druze areas raise fears of widening unrestAFPThe spiritual leader of Syria's Druze community condemned the violence as an "unjustifiable genocidal campaign"Deadly clashes between Islamist armed factions, security forces and fighters from the Druze religious minority near Damascus are another sign of the continuing fragility of the security situation in Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
Israel spy chief to step down after row with PM exposes deepening rifts

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Sebastian Usher

The head of Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency has resigned. Ronen Bar made the announcement that he would leave his position on 15 June at a memorial event for Shin Bet members who have died in service. It came after he had been engaged in a fierce trading of recriminations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who dismissed him last month. A challenge to the Supreme Court by the attorney general and the opposition had put the move on hold.
Stand-off between PM and spy chief exposes Israel's deepening rifts

1 month ago | msn.com | Sebastian Usher

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Stand-off between PM and spy chief exposes Israel's deepening rifts

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher

Stand-off between PM and spy chief exposes Israel's deepening riftsSebastian UsherAFPShin Bet chief Ronen Bar says his dismissal was motivated by political and personal considerationsThe stand-off between Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, has further intensified, with each man accusing the other of lies or inaccuracies in sworn depositions.
Qatar claims slight progress towards ceasefire in Gaza

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher |Jessica Rawnsley

Qatar claims slight progress towards ceasefire in GazaSebastian Usher and Jessica RawnsleyBBC News, Jerusalem and LondonGetty ImagesIsrael's military offensive in Gaza resumed after a ceasefire collapsed in MarchQatar's prime minister says there has been "a bit of progress" in efforts to broker a new ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, but that there was still no "answer for the ultimate question: how to end this war".
Israel's muted response to Pope Francis's death signals tensions over Gaza

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher

Israel's muted response to Pope Francis's death signals tensions over GazaSebastian UsherGetty ImagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Pope Francis in 2014 in JerusalemThe office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered its condolences for Pope Francis, four days after his death. An earlier offer of condolences posted on social media by the official state account of Israel had previously been deleted, causing considerable controversy within the country.
Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands release of Gaza hostages

1 month ago | namibian.com.na | Sebastian Usher

Mahmoud Abbas has called Hamas “sons of dogs” in a fiery speech in which he demanded the group release the hostages it is still holding, disarm, and hand over control of Gaza in order to end the war with Israel. The president of the Palestinian Authority told a meeting in the occupied West Bank that Hamas had given Israel “excuses” to continue its attacks on Gaza, and told it to “release the hostages and be done with it”.
Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands release of hostages

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher |David Gritten

Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands release of Gaza hostagesSebastian Usher & David GrittenReutersMahmoud Abbas told a meeting in Ramallah that Hamas had given Israel "excuses" to continue the Gaza warMahmoud Abbas has called Hamas "sons of dogs" in a fiery speech in which he demanded the group release the hostages it is still holding, disarm, and hand over control of Gaza in order to end the war with Israel.
Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands release of Gaza hostages

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Sebastian Usher |David Gritten

NowIf Mark Carney wants to win, he must not repeat Kamala Harris’s fatal mistake on Gaza. If you doubted the old chestnut that politics can be a “fickle business,” the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, would like to have a word. For several happy months, a succession of polls …
Wounded Palestinians dying over lack of supplies, surgeon says

2 months ago | bbc.com | Sebastian Usher

Wounded Palestinians dying over lack of supplies, US surgeon who worked in Gaza saysSebastian UsherDr Mark PerlmutterAn image supplied by Dr Perlmutter shows medics operating on a wounded Palestinian in GazaWarning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressingAn American surgeon who's been working in two Gaza hospitals for the past three weeks has said that wounded Palestinian patients have died because of the lack of equipment and supplies.