Israeli soldiers ‘caught in Hamas online honey trap’
Craig TaylorIsrael’s military says Palestinian militants posed as women to befriend its troops on social media. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
Iran Rafsanjani death: Huge crowds at ex-president’s funeral
Mourners knelt before the former president’s coffin amid a public outpouring of grief. BBC News – Middle East
Syrian war: Assad says Aleppo bombing was justified
Syria’s president justifies the heavy bombing of east Aleppo, recaptured by his forces last month. BBC News – Middle East
Syria conflict: Bomb kills dozens in Azaz on Turkish border
At least 43 people die in a car bomb blast in the rebel-held Syrian town of Azaz, near the Turkish border. BBC News – Middle East
Syria conflict: Russia ‘withdrawing aircraft carrier group’
Russia begins reducing its forces in Syria, starting with its aircraft carrier group, the military says. BBC News – Middle East
Israeli PM Netanyahu backs pardon for manslaughter soldier
Benjamin Netanyahu says an Israeli soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian attacker should be pardoned. BBC News – Middle East