Middle East Monitor Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa

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  White House says Trump does not view Iran’s seizure of ships as ceasefire violation

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump does not consider Iran’s seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz as a ceasefire violation, the White House said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the president does not view the seizures as violations of the truce he unilaterally extended Tuesday “because these were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships.” “These were two international vessels. And for the American media, who is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president’s facts that he has completely obliterated Iran’s conventional navy, these two ships were taken by speedy gunboats,” she said in an interview with Fox News. “Iran has gone from having the most lethal navy in the Middle East

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  Canada contributes $5M to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Canada on Wednesday announced $5 million in funding for international efforts aimed at identifying and eliminating chemical weapons remaining in Syria, Anadolu reports. “Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Canada’s contribution of $5 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program,” the Global Affairs Canada said in a statement. Noting that the OPCW will use the contribution to verify the scope of Syria’s former chemical weapons program, the readout added that the funding will also be used to investigate past uses of such weapons, and prepare for the safe destruction of remaining stockpiles, in line with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The statement said the work is considered

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  Morocco captures Israeli fraudster wanted by Interpol: Report

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Moroccan security forces arrested an Israeli national, Avi Golan, 70, one of the most dangerous cross-border fraudsters who was wanted by Interpol, according to Israeli media, Anadolu reports. Israel’s Channel 12 said Tuesday that “an elite unit of Moroccan police carried out a nighttime raid days ago on a luxury villa where Golan was staying,” adding that he was living under a false identity as “Yair Bibert.” The report said the operation followed security coordination aimed at ending years of evasion, noting that Golan had moved between several countries, including Japan, Mexico and Germany. It said Golan previously served around 35 years in Israeli prisons in connection with 100 criminal cases, and is accused of defrauding hundreds of victims by

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  Trump thanks Iranian leadership for halting alleged executions of 8 women

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Iranian leaders for canceling the alleged executions of eight female protesters, Anadolu reports. “I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. He characterized the development as “very good news,” adding that four of the women will be released immediately while the others will serve one month in prison. The US president had appealed to Tehran on Tuesday to spare the women, framing their release would be a “great start” to negotiations. However, Iran’s judiciary-affiliated news agency, Mizan, earlier dismissed the claims of imminent hangings as “fake

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  UN says destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon ‘shocking’

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  The UN on Wednesday expressed outrage over the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. Responding to Anadolu’s question on the incident, the secretary-general’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told a news conference that the UN is aware of the incident and called it “shocking.” He welcomed the reports of “disciplinary measures” taken against the Israeli soldiers. “The desecration of religious symbols, the desecration of houses of worship, is unacceptable, regardless of the religion,” Dujarric said. Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing the statue with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army acknowledged the incident in a statement on Monday. READ: Trump post depicting himself

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  US senator criticizes Netanyahu over treatment of Christian communities

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Wednesday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what he described as a pattern of violence and pressure targeting Christian communities in the region, urging stronger action beyond statements of concern, Anadolu reports. In a video message posted on US social media platform X, Van Hollen referenced remarks by Netanyahu, who had said he was “saddened” by images showing an Israeli soldier defacing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army confirmed that one of its soldiers damaged a Christian religious symbol during operations in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu condemned the incident early Monday, claiming Israel “respects all religions.” Van Hollen questioned whether that concern extended more broadly. “The Prime Minister

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  Iran says breach of commitments, blockade are primary obstacles to ‘genuine’ talks with US

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  Iran said on Wednesday that “breach of commitments, blockade, and threats” are primary hindrances to “genuine” talks with the US, Anadolu reports. Stating that Tehran welcomed dialogue and a negotiated agreement and continues to do so, President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “Breach of commitments, blockade, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiations.” “The world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and the contradiction between claims and actions,” he wrote on the US social media company X. For his part, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on X that “a full ceasefire is only meaningful if it is not violated by a naval blockade.” “A full ceasefire is only meaningful if it is not violated through a naval blockade or

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  Palestinian deaths in Gaza, West Bank get less empathy than destroyed statue of Jesus: Haaretz

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The deaths of Palestinians and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank have received less empathy than the destruction of a Jesus statue by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, Haaretz newspaper said, Anadolu reports. Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were quick to condemn the destruction of the statue, in a move Haaretz said reflects heightened international scrutiny of the Israeli government’s relationship with Christians. Netanyahu said that he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the soldier’s conduct “grave and disgraceful.” The Israeli army also said

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  Skin infections in Gaza tripling amid worsening shelter crisis: UN

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The UN warned on Wednesday of a drastic surge in skin infections and pest-related illnesses among displaced people across the Gaza Strip as humanitarian teams struggle to provide adequate shelter with severely limited resources, Anadolu reports. “Teams on the ground say that pests and skin infections among people in Gaza is still on the rise,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference. “In March, such infections have more than tripled in our own UN-run displacement sites.” Dujarric said the crisis is “impacting almost 10,000 people compared with about 3,000 in January,” according to figures by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. He urged greater access for “the entry of anti-lice shampoo, lotions, hygiene supplies, pesticides and

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  UN envoy says Libya at ‘significant’ juncture as political roadmap stalls

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  The UN’s top envoy for Libya said Wednesday that a stalled political progress, deteriorating economy and persistent institutional divisions are pushing the country toward deeper instability, Anadolu reports. “We are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the roadmap,” Hanna Tetteh told the UN Security Council, cautioning that some Libyan actors continue to sidestep public expectations and democratic accountability. Tetteh expressed concern that structures established outside existing political agreements are undermining UN-led efforts to reunify state institutions. She warned that allowing the situation to persist without pressure for change was counterproductive. “Conducting business as usual under the current circumstances inadvertently legitimizes the status quo rather than incentivizing serious negotiations and encouraging the necessary compromises to

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  Lawmakers, officials call for coordinated international response on Gaza, criticize inaction

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  Lawmakers, diplomats and public figures criticized the international response to the Gaza crisis, calling for stronger coordinated political action and condemning perceived inaction and double standards by global institutions, Anadolu reports. Parliamentarians, diplomats and public figures from across multiple continents gathered in Brussels on Wednesday for the Global Sumud Parliamentarians Congress, held alongside the ongoing Global Sumud Flotilla, which was launched toward Gaza on April 12. Participants at the congress voiced strong criticism of the international response to the situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, calling for coordinated political and economic measures. Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the issue is no longer about recognizing Palestinian rights but

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  French president confirms death of 2nd soldier after UNIFIL attack in Lebanon

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  France confirmed Wednesday the death of a second soldier following an attack in southern Lebanon targeting the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). “Anicet Girardin has died this morning as a result of his injuries. He died for France,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a message published on US social media company X. The soldier had been evacuated to France for treatment after being wounded in the same attack that killed Adjutant Florian Montorio and injured two other French personnel. According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the patrol came under fire on April 18 in southern Lebanon during an incident involving an armed group. Girardin was repatriated to France on April 21 but later died of his injuries,

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  90 Palestinian women held in Israeli prisons, rights group says

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  Israel is holding 90 Palestinian women in its prisons, where they face hunger, abuse and strip searches, a prisoners’ affairs group said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said most of the women are detained at Damon prison in northern Israel, including two minors. The detainees include a pregnant woman, 25 administrative detainees held without charge, three journalists, and two cancer patients. The group said the detained women face harsh conditions, including hunger, deprivation, medical neglect, abuse, solitary confinement and assaults, including strip searches. Most arrests are carried out on allegations of incitement, the group said, adding that more than 700 women have been detained since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, mainly in the

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  Trump says US-Iran talks ‘possible’ within 36-72 hours: Report

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that a second round of US-Iran negotiations could take place within the next “36 to 72 hours,” as Pakistan continues mediating between the two sides, Anadolu reports. Trump confirmed the “possibility” to the New York Post, while Pakistani sources said the timeframe was based on an ongoing assessment of Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Iranian authorities have yet to confirm any scheduled discussions. The update comes after Trump announced he would hold off on further action until Tehran’s divided leadership could present a unified position at the table. Pakistani sources told The Post that a ceasefire between the two sides remains intact despite heightened rhetoric, with no military escalation by either side. READ: Iran warns of response, sees

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  Iran says ‘fully prepared’ for national football team’s participation in FIFA World Cup in US

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  Iran is fully prepared for its national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Speaking on state broadcaster IRIB, Mohajerani said the Ministry of Youth and Sports has ensured all necessary arrangements for the team’s effective participation in the tournament. She added that the preparations were made under the directive of the sports minister, with a focus on providing the required facilities for a successful performance. Separately, Mohajerani said the health minister reported that 40,000 injured people were treated free of charge during what she described as the “third imposed war”. OPINION: Opportunistic asylum: How Australia exploited the Iranian women’s football team Regional tensions escalated after the United

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  Indefinite ceasefire is a strategic defeat for the US in the face of Iran

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The decision by Donald Trump to unilaterally announce an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran, without any request from Tehran, reveals more than an attempt at mediation. It exposes the failure of Washington’s military approach and the difficulty the United States faces in sustaining escalation against an adversary that does not yield to the logic of intimidation. By tying the ceasefire to uncertain negotiations, the White House signals that it has lost the ability to unilaterally impose the terms of the conflict. The most immediate reading is that of a tactical retreat. After testing different war scenarios, the United States encountered the concrete limits of an offensive that failed to produce strategic gains. Iran’s response capability, combined with the

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  Haifa Magistrate’s Court halts demolition at Sheikh Izz ad-Din Al-Qassam Cemetery

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Haifa Magistrate’s Court has issued a precautionary order halting demolition and vandalism at Sheikh Izz ad-Din Al-Qassam Cemetery in Nesher, east of Haifa. The site is located on the ruins of the depopulated Palestinian village of Sheikh. The decision followed a petition filed against an Israeli company claiming ownership of part of the cemetery, where work had been carried out under Israeli police protection. The court set 4 May for a further hearing to examine evidence from both the Haifa Waqf and the company. Read: Israel continues demolition of Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem Demolition work began last week, with reports of bulldozers covering graves in sections of the cemetery. The work was halted after residents and activists from Haifa, Tamra,

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  Israeli police open investigation into double murder in Arab community

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  A young man and his fiancée were killed in a shooting in the town of Yarka in northern Israel yesterday afternoon, bringing the number of people killed in the Arab community since the start of the year to 87. The victims were identified as Uday Faraj Shaaban, 24, from Majd Al-Krum, and his fiancée, Suwar Abbas, 21, from Baqa Al-Gharbiyya. According to reports, the attackers blocked the couple’s vehicle before one of them got out and opened fire, killing Uday Shaaban. Suwar Abbas reportedly fled towards a nearby field, where she was later shot and found around 200 metres away. Read: Four murders within hours in Arab towns in Israel A spokesperson for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service, said

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  Israeli-backed armed gang kidnaps 25 Palestinians in Gaza’s Zeitoun neighbourhood

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  An armed gang backed by Israel has reportedly kidnapped 25 Palestinians, including women and children, in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood. In a statement issued yesterday, the “Deterrence” force, affiliated with the Palestinian resistance’s security forces, said that the gang attacked families in the Al-Dawla and Al-Sawafiri areas before abducting several people. Read: Gaza security service warns mercenaries are located east of Rafah The statement added that these areas are effectively under Israeli army control, making it difficult to obtain accurate information about the identities or fate of those abducted. The “Deterrence” force called for the formation of popular protection committees to confront what it described as “collaborating gangs”, stressing the need for coordinated community and tribal efforts alongside the security

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  Gaza six months since ceasefire: the next stage of genocide | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  In this episode of our weekly review, we look at Gaza six months into the ceasefire and the next stage in Israel’s genocide. We also discuss Israel’s settler-colonial “buffer zones” employed as a toll of expansion, ideological continuity in Zionism, the symbolism of an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Christ and the latest on US/Israel war on Iran.   WATCH: Israel’s New Gospel of Perpetual War | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani

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  Nearly 8,000 migrants died or went missing worldwide in 2025: UN migration agency

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Nearly 8,000 migrants were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025 while trying to reach safety or seek a better future, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday, Anadolu reported. Maria Moita, director of the agency’s Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery, told reporters in Geneva that the figures reflected a worsening global situation. “More deaths than ever were recorded in Asia, with hundreds of Rohingya and Afghans among those affected,” Moita said and that migration pressures had not eased, but that routes had shifted due to conflict, climate shocks, labour demands and policy changes. Read: More than 7,600 migrants died or went missing in 2025, UN agency says “What we are seeing instead is that routes are

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  Palestinian pastor urges focus on civilian suffering in Gaza, Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  A Palestinian pastor has called for public anger to be directed at attacks on civilians and widespread destruction in Gaza and Lebanon, rather than at the demolition of a statue of Christ by an Israeli soldier. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Ramallah in the central West Bank, said on the US platform X that “The outrage shouldn’t be about a destroyed statue of Jesus—abhorrent as that is.” In a post on Monday, he added: “The real outrage is the targeting of civilians, the assault on human dignity, the devastation in Gaza and Lebanon. War is evil. We need Accountability.” Footage released on Sunday showing an Israeli soldier using a pickaxe to smash a statue of

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  Iran warns of response, sees Trump ceasefire extension as tactic

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has said the country’s forces are on full alert following US threats. State TV quoted the headquarters’ spokesperson as saying “Iran‘s forces are 100 per cent ready with fingers on the trigger,” in light of US threats. He added that any aggression against Iran will trigger instant, powerful strikes on pre-determined targets. Meanwhile, Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to the Iranian parliament speaker, dismissed Trump’s ceasefire extension as “meaningless,” characterising the move as a calculated manoeuvre to buy time for a surprise strike. Mohammadi said that a losing side cannot impose its terms, adding that the continuation of the blockade is no different from bombardment and should be met with a military response. He added that

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  Egypt PM says immediate measures taken at start of US/Israel war on Iran

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the government took urgent measures from the first hours of the war to address potential economic repercussions and maintain stability. Read: Fuel price rise expected in Egypt amid Iran war Speaking before the House of Representatives, Madbouly said that the government had prepared for multiple crisis scenarios, adding: “As a government, we considered various scenarios, understood the nature of the war and took economic decisions that contributed to the stability of the Egyptian economy.” Madbouly added: “We are closely monitoring the crisis, thoroughly studying its repercussions and acting swiftly and decisively, while working to mitigate the impact.” Describing the steps taken to absorb the shock, Madbouly said that a crisis committee, including all

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  Iran war used as a pretext for harsh measures in Egypt

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The Egyptian government has launched a media campaign featuring prominent actors and footballers, urging people to stay at home and reduce energy consumption amid rising energy pressures linked to the war with Iran. However, the resulting restrictions have brought significant hardship for Egyptians. Egyptians did not expect that the sound of explosions in a country on another continent, around 2,200 kilometres away, would leave the streets and neighbourhoods of Cairo, and cities across the country, in darkness. At 9pm (later extended to 11pm), shops are closed, street lighting is switched off on public roads and on bridges and overpasses, while police vehicles patrol the streets and arrest those who defy the measures. Blackouts “It feels unsafe to walk through the

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  2 Palestinians killed, 4 injured by Israeli fire in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Two Palestinians were killed, and four others injured in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement in place since last October, the Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The ministry said in its daily update that hospitals in the enclave received two bodies. It said one was killed by army fire, while the other died of wounds sustained in a previous attack, without specifying the circumstances of the deaths. The ministry added that four people were also injured by Israeli fire. According to the ministry, the new casualties brought the death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza since Oct. 8, 2023 to 72,562 people and 172,320 others injured. The ministry said that

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  Lebanese parliament speaker warns Israel over presence in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri warned that Israeli forces in southern Lebanon would face resistance if they did not withdraw, signalling the risk of renewed conflict ahead of upcoming talks. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the US and set to last 10 days, has largely held since Thursday. However, Israeli forces remain deployed inside Lebanese territory in a buffer zone stretching five to 10 kilometres along the border, which Israel says is intended to protect its northern areas from Hezbollah attacks. Read: Lebanese parliament speaker calls for pressure on Israel to halt ceasefire violations The US is expected to host ambassadorial-level talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday. “Lebanon cannot tolerate losing even a single metre of

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  Pope warns oil drives conflicts, criticises war on Iran

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Pope Leo XIV said yesterday that armed conflicts are driven by the exploitation of oil fields, with no regard for international law or the right of peoples to determine their own future. The pope made the remarks in posts on his X account while visiting Equatorial Guinea as part of an 11-day African tour that began in Algeria on 13 April. The trip also included stops in Cameroon and Angola. His comments came amid an ongoing exchange with US President Donald Trump, following the pope’s condemnation of US policies, particularly on immigration and the war on oil-rich Iran. Even more than in the past, it is clear today that the proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation

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  Egypt condemns raising of Israeli flag at Al-Aqsa compound

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Egypt on Tuesday condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers and the raising of the Israeli flag inside its courtyards, warning that such actions fuel tensions in the region and undermine efforts to restore calm. In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers under the protection of Israeli police, and the raising of the Israeli occupation flag in its courtyards”. It described the incident as “a blatant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law, an unacceptable provocation to the feelings of Muslims worldwide, and an escalation that risks inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to de-escalate and restore stability. Egypt stressed its complete rejection of any

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  Lebanon’s Hezbollah targets Israeli military site in response to ceasefire breaches

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had carried out a strike on an Israeli settlement, in its first such announcement since a temporary ceasefire between the two sides came into effect. In a statement, the Lebanese group said its fighters targeted an Israeli army artillery position in the settlement of Kfar Giladi in northern Israel, using a volley of rockets and a swarm of attack drones. It added that the site was the source of recent artillery shelling towards the town of Yahmar al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon, saying the operation was carried out “in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to blatant and documented breaches of the ceasefire”. Hezbollah said the number of Israeli violations of the truce

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  Lebanon needs €500M to address humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli war, prime minister says

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  Lebanon needs €500, over $588, million over the next six months to address a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli war, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Salam said he has asked Lebanese judicial authorities to follow up on the killing of a French peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and to hold those responsible accountable, the state news agency NNA reported. UNIFIL said it has launched an investigation after one of its positions “came under small-arms fire from non-state actors” in the southern village of Ghanduriyah on Saturday. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack. Salam

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  UN says attacks in Gaza surge 46% in weekly spike since ceasefire

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  The UN said Tuesday that violence in the Gaza Strip surged to its highest since a ceasefire on Oct. 10, 2025, with incidents rising nearly half compared to the previous week, Anadolu reports. “Our partners on the ground report that between 12 and 18 April, incidents such as gunfire, shelling and strikes increased by 46 percent compared with the previous week, marking the highest weekly total since the October ceasefire agreement went into effect,” said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference. Dujarric noted that “the North Gaza, Gaza and Deir al Balah governorates saw the sharpest increases.” On the humanitarian front, he warned that restrictions were hampering efforts to address the threat of unexploded ordnance across the territory. While mine action

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  Israeli army claims Hezbollah targeted its positions in southern Lebanon

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  The Israeli army claimed Tuesday that Hezbollah fired several rockets at its positions in southern Lebanon, describing the incident as a violation of a ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. A military statement said that the rockets were launched toward Israeli soldiers operating south of what it described as “the Forward Defense Line” in the area of Rab al-Thalathine. Israeli forces responded by striking the launcher used in the attack, the statement added. The army also said that sirens in northern Israel, including in the areas of Kfar Yuval and Ma’ayan Baruch, were likely triggered by the interception of a drone launched from Lebanon before it crossed into Israel. “The launches constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” the statement said. There was

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  Druze leader in Israel criticizes government over treatment of community

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  The spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, Mowafaq Tarif, on Tuesday criticized the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over unfair policies toward the community, Anadolu reports. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Tarif pointed to housing shortages and the government’s refusal to connect thousands of Druze homes to the electricity grid, citing issues including a lack of building permits and planning constraints. “The sacrifices of members of the community for Israel’s security are met with unjust government policies,” Tarif said. He made the remarks during a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in action held at a military cemetery in Isfiya in northern Israel, which was marked by tension and sharp criticism of the government. The annual memorial precedes Israel’s Independence Day, which marks

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  US directs 28 vessels to turn around under Iran port blockade: CENTCOM

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  US forces have directed 28 vessels to turn around or return to port since the start of a blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports, US Central Command said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The comments came as Washington has maintained a naval blockade since last week, a move Tehran described as a violation of a ceasefire. Tensions have grown after Iran, which said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was reopened to maritime traffic, reversed course one day later and again restricted vessel movements, citing unmet US obligations under a two-week ceasefire deal, which is set to expire Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has also accused Iran of violating the ceasefire “numerous times.” US Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel

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  2 children among 4 Palestinians killed in attacks by Israeli army, occupiers in West Bank

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  Four Palestinians, including two children, were killed in the occupied West Bank since the morning in separate incidents involving Israeli occupiers and Israeli army fire, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. In a brief statement, the ministry said two Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupiers’ gunfire in the town of al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, including a child, and that three others were wounded, bringing the total number of those killed since the morning to four. The ministry identified the two killed in al-Mughayyir as Aws Hamdi al-Naasan, 14, and Jihad Marzouq Abu Naim, 32. In Jenin in the northern West Bank, the ministry said Raja Fadel Baitawi, 49, died of wounds sustained from Israeli army gunfire during a previous raid

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  Proposal to suspend EU trade agreement with Israel shelved: Italy

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  The Italian foreign minister said Tuesday that a proposal to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been shelved, adding that EU members will discuss alternatives next month, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, Antonio Tajani said the proposal to suspend the trade agreement with Israel over Gaza has been definitively shelved. “Other possible initiatives will be discussed at the next ministerial meeting on May 11, and we will evaluate them,” he was quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA. READ: Italy suspends automatic renewal of defense agreement with Israel Recalling that his country has recently suspended the automatic confirmation of the defense memorandum with Israel, he noted that Italy is applying pressure.

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  Former senior Israeli officials say Netanyahu government ‘hijacked’ country, failed in Iran war

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  Three former Israeli senior officials sharply criticized the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, saying it has “hijacked” the country and failed in its war against Iran, Anadolu reports. “On the eve of the 78th anniversary of Israel’s independence (according to the Hebrew calendar), we are forced to say with bitterness: Israel has been hijacked by a regime that views the state’s resources as its own private property,” former army chiefs of staff Dan Halutz and Moshe Yaalon wrote in an article in the Haaretz newspaper. They described the government as “completely detached from the reality of its citizens, acting as if the country were the personal property of Netanyahu, his wife (Sara), and Miri Regev (transport minister).” Referring to

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  Trump says US used ceasefire to ‘restock,’ warns he is ‘ready to go’ if Iran deal falls through

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington used the ceasefire period with Iran to replenish its weapons stockpiles, while claiming Tehran had likely done the same and was attempting to move missiles, Anadolu reports. Trump told CNBC he was “ready to go” on resuming strikes if prospects for a signed deal failed to materialize, while also expressing confidence that the two sides would ultimately reach a “great deal” — one he previously said would surpass the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Trump also claimed that the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA, seized Sunday by US forces after refusing to comply with blockade directions, was carrying what he described as a “gift from China.” US Central Command has confirmed the vessel remains

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  Archbishop of Athens condemns Israeli desecration of Jesus statue in southern Lebanon

  by MI on April 21, 2026

  The Archbishop of Athens on Tuesday condemned the desecration of a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, warning that war-driven violence risks deepening divisions and harming innocent civilians, Anadolu reports. Archbishop Ieronymos II expressed “deep concern” over the incident, which involved damage to a statue depicting the crucified Jesus, and questioned the motives behind the act, according to Orthodox Times. Ieronymos emphasized that Jesus “did not use violence nor lead military actions,” but instead preached love, repentance, and forgiveness. The remarks came after the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that one of its soldiers had damaged a Christian religious symbol during operations in southern Lebanon. The military said it was treating the incident with “great severity,” adding that such behavior does not

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  Europe still blurs the line between support and betrayal

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  “Europe is the biggest supporter of the Palestinian people,” EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee yesterday.  However, while there have been shifts in individual European countries’ stances as regards Israel, mostly as a result of the economic ramifications of the US-Israeli attacks against Iran, Kallas cannot claim that Europe is the biggest supporter of the Palestinian people. On being the biggest backer of the Palestinian Authority, Kallas may be right. Since October 2023, Europe did its utmost to protect Israel’s genocide in Gaza. It made a mockery out of its own rhetoric of suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which would not have stopped the genocide. but rather provided the EU with a symbolic move

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  Can Sistani save Iraq from its predicament?

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  The question posed by the title of this article is more than just a political inquiry. At its core, it is a question about the nature of authority in Iraq, the limits of the state, and the role that a single cleric can play when domestic crises intersect with regional confrontation. Although the question borders on wishful thinking, many people inside and outside Iraq believe that the answer could be yes — if Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani chooses to act. However, this “yes” is neither simple, nor guaranteed, nor risk-free. Today, Iraq is at the centre of an open confrontation between the United States and Iran, with its territory serving as a convenient arena for this conflict. Iran-aligned armed factions

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  Kuwait: Detaining Ahmed Shihab-Eldin — How far can the law stretch before it snaps?

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  Could sharing publicly available footage of a military incident land you in prison in Kuwait? Journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin’s early March 2026 arrest for resharing already-circulated videos of alleged Kuwaiti friendly fire amid Iran tension brings this question into sharp focus. Understood to be facing charges of spreading false information and endangering national security, he exemplifies a pattern of broad security laws targeting journalism. Groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and CNN, as well as international media, note that the footage was in the public domain, warning that authorities may risk conflating reporting with crime when it’s most crucial. Shihab-Eldin is certainly not just a bystander. An American-born Kuwaiti journalist of Palestinian descent, he has worked for several prominent media

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  Israel broadcaster: No criminal probe into soldier who smashed Christ statue in Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday that a soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese town will not face a criminal investigation, and will instead be dealt with “disciplinarily only”. Footage released on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier using a pickaxe to destroy a statue of Christ in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon, sparking widespread anger locally and internationally, with religious and political condemnation of what was seen as an attack on a religious symbol. On Monday, Catholic church leaders in Jerusalem condemned the incident, describing it as “a serious violation of religious symbols and human dignity”, and called for those responsible to be held accountable. In a statement received by

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  US asks Lebanon to repeal ban on ties with Israel — Israeli daily

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  The Hebrew daily Maariv reported on Monday evening that the United States has asked Lebanon to repeal a law banning relations with Israel. Sources told Asharq that Washington will formally request that the Lebanese side scrap the “Israel boycott” law, as direct talks between the two sides continue under US mediation. The first article of the law, issued in 1955, states that “every natural or legal person is prohibited, directly or indirectly, from entering into an agreement with bodies or individuals residing in Israel, affiliated with it by nationality, or acting on its behalf or in its interest, when the subject of the agreement involves commercial transactions, financial operations, or any other type of dealings, regardless of their nature.” The

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  Israeli army demolishes homes in south Lebanon, issues evacuation warning

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  The Israeli army blew up several homes on Monday evening in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon, while also issuing an evacuation warning for a building in another town. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that “Israeli enemy forces carried out a violent demolition operation targeting homes in the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun district” in the south of the country. It added that the owner of a pharmacy in the town of Haret Saida, near Sidon in southern Lebanon, received a warning call ordering evacuation within 10 minutes. After the municipality of Haret Saida informed Lebanese army intelligence, a full evacuation of the building began as a precaution, the agency said. It added that gunfire was heard in

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  Hamas says Israel tightening “engineered starvation” in Gaza by closing Rafah crossing

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said Israel is continuing to tighten its blockade on the Gaza Strip by closing crossings and controlling the entry of aid and the number of travellers through the Rafah crossing. In a video statement on Monday, Qassem said the Rafah crossing had been closed while severe restrictions on aid deliveries remain in place. He added that Israel had not met the agreed number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza, with fewer than half entering, alongside continued limits on the number of travellers. Qassem said Israel is pursuing a policy of “engineering starvation” in Gaza, pointing to rising prices of basic goods as hunger deepens, as well as ongoing violations including shelling and killings, such as those

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  UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov: Gaza plan requires rapid progress

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nikolay Mladenov said he is “fairly optimistic” about reaching an agreement on a plan related to Gaza, while stressing that progress must be accelerated and that discussions remain difficult. We have had some very serious discussions with Hamas over the past few weeks, and they are not easy” Mladenov told Reuters during a visit to Brussels, adding that he was fairly optimistic that an arrangement that satisfies all parties, most importantly, the people of Gaza will be concluded. The plan under discussion stems from a proposal by US President, Donald Trump, who called for the formation of a peace process framework to oversee efforts to end the Israeli war

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  Hezbollah lawmaker says resistance will eliminate the “yellow line” 

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  Hezbollah MP, Hassan Fadlallah said that Hezbollah will eliminate the “yellow line” declared by Israel in southern Lebanon, stressing that “no one will be able to disarm the party.” In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Fadlallah said: “We will topple this yellow line through resistance, through our insistence on our legitimate right to defend ourselves and our country.” He added: “The Israeli army’s attempt to establish a buffer zone, under the guise of a front line, a yellow line, and a green line—we will break all these lines. We will not accept any of them, and we will reach our villages on the internationally recognized borders, no matter the sacrifices, no matter the cost.” “There will be no disarmament of

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  Russian authorities detain Israeli travellers at Moscow airport

  by Marwa A on April 21, 2026

  Russian authorities detained dozens of Israeli travellers at Domodedovo Airport and subjected them to extended interrogations and phone searches, according to media reports. The Russian opposition outlet Mediazona reported that around 40 Israelis, including dual nationals, were held for five consecutive hours under allegedly “harsh conditions”, during which they were reportedly denied food and water and had their mobile phones confiscated and inspected by the Federal Security Service. One detainee quoted in the report said Russian officers behaved rudely and delivered political messages, stating that “Iran is a strategic ally of Russia, and that Tehran’s enemy is necessarily Moscow’s enemy.” According to the report, the detainees were later released after being required to sign “warning” documents, the contents of which