Our coverage of the Middle East crisis

Middle East crisis

Parliament wants to ban Shia militia Hezbollah in Switzerland

Parliament votes to ban Shia militia Hezbollah in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 17, 2024 Swiss lawmakers want to ban the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah in addition to the Palestinian organisation Hamas.

Syria needs more "immediate humanitarian aid

UN envoy to Syria calls for ‘immediate humanitarian aid’

This content was published on Dec 15, 2024 According to UN estimates, over a million people have been displaced since the rebel offensive aimed at ousting Bashar al-Assad.

A woman waves an Syrian opposition flag in celebration days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus, on December 12, 2024.

Swiss justice minister discusses plight of Syrian migrants in Brussels

This content was published on Dec 13, 2024 Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans met his European counterparts in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the situation of Syrian asylum-seekers in Europe. Jans called for coordinated action by European states.

Gaza has been at the centre of conflict since the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas

Switzerland supports UN Gaza ceasefire resolution

This content was published on Dec 12, 2024 Switzerland votes in favour of a UN resolution calling for lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostage.

Hamas fighters celebrate the massacre of Israelis on 7 October 2023.

What does banning Hamas mean for neutral Switzerland?

This content was published on Dec 11, 2024 Is Swiss foreign policy harmed if the neutral country bans Hamas? No, says parliament.

Parliament endorses five-year ban on Hamas

Swiss parliament approves a five-year ban on Hamas

This content was published on Dec 11, 2024 Hamas will become a banned group in Switzerland for five years.

SEM: suspension of asylum procedures affects 500 Syrians in Switzerland

About 500 Syrians affected by Swiss asylum freeze

This content was published on Dec 11, 2024 The suspension of asylum procedures decided Monday following the fall of Bashar al-Assad affects 500 Syrian applicants in Switzerland.

SEM suspends asylum procedure for asylum seekers from Syria

Swiss suspend decisions on asylum-seekers from Syria

This content was published on Dec 10, 2024 Asylum procedures and decisions for asylum-seekers from Syria will be suspended with immediate effect until the situation can be reassessed, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) said.

Syrians in Switzerland celebrate ousting of Assad

This content was published on Dec 9, 2024 The Syrian exile community in Switzerland has reacted with joy to the fall of the Assad regime.

Assad's fall: Switzerland calls for reconciliation in Syria

Fall of Assad: Switzerland calls for reconciliation in Syria

This content was published on Dec 9, 2024 Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, the Swiss foreign ministry has called on all parties to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.

Millions of civilians have been caught up in the Syrian civil war

Red Cross urges protection for Syrian civilians

This content was published on Dec 8, 2024 The International Committee of the Red Cross has called on warring parties in Syria to respect the rights of civilians caught up in the conflict.

Amnesty calls on Switzerland to exert pressure on Israel

This content was published on Dec 5, 2024 Non-governmental organisation Amnesty International is calling on Switzerland to exert public pressure on Israel.

Switzerland to host Middle East conference on international humanitarian law

This content was published on Dec 5, 2024 The conference, planned for March, is likely to have a considerable political impact, notably on an arms embargo against Israel.

Syrian opposition fighters stand on a seized Syrian army armoured vehicle on the outskirts of Hama, Syria, 3, December 2024.

Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria

This content was published on Dec 4, 2024 The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.

Switzerland expresses concern about the situation in Syria

Switzerland concerned about situation in Syria

This content was published on Dec 2, 2024 Switzerland is concerned about the escalation of hostilities in Syria. It calls on all parties to respect international law and protect the civilian population.

Swiss will not fly to Tel Aviv until the end of January

No SWISS flights to Tel Aviv until end of January

This content was published on Dec 2, 2024 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is cancelling flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including January 31.

The Federal Council does not want to ban Hezbollah in Switzerland

Swiss government rejects Hezbollah ban

This content was published on Nov 28, 2024 Swiss government rejects parliamentary demands to ban Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Switzerland welcomes Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire proposal

This content was published on Nov 27, 2024 Switzerland has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

What does the Israeli parliament’s ban on UNRWA mean?

This content was published on Nov 21, 2024 The Israeli Parliament’s decision will prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from delivering aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It has been met with strong reactions and is raising many questions. Here are some answers.

A Swiss military observer keeps watch over the Golan Heights in Israel

What is UNIFIL and how does Switzerland contribute to peacekeeping?

This content was published on Nov 20, 2024 UN peacekeepers face challenges amid Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. SWI swissinfo.ch explores the roles of the UNIFIL and Switzerland in this volatile region.