Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, Amnesty International says in a new report.

A new book by a leading Christian commentator argues that the problems of Israel-Palestine are deep rooted in “the essence of Zionism" and Israeli policies in the region.

Investigators from the United Nations have begun a week-long meeting in Geneva today (4 May 2009), in preparation for a fact-finding mission to investigate recent events and military incursions in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Thousands of tons of humanitarian aid intended for the people of Gaza are sitting at the Egyptian border, because Israel has not authorized them to pass, says a freelance journalist on the spot.