Four Palestinian civilians are reported killed in Gaza as fears grow that Syrian civil war could spill across border
Syrian rebels fight on for Aleppo despite local wariness
Rebels say 70% of city is with regime, but exchanges with the few remaining residents who venture on to streets are civil
UN observers leave Syria as mandate expires
Departure of last 100 monitors under way as humanitarian situation worsens and regime denies Assad deputy has defected
Israel appoints new home security minister amid fears over strike on Iran
Former intelligence chief Avi Dichter will take role, having previously spoken out against military action against Iran
Syria conflict: rebels withdraw from Salahedin, Aleppo – Thursday 9 August 2012
• Rebels claim Assad’s chief of protocol has defected
• More clashes reported in Aleppo
• All 48 Iranian hostages are alive, Tehran claims