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

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  Iran claims retaliatory strikes on 85 US facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait following US attacks

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that it had targeted 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with missiles and drones, in response to US attacks on the south of Iran overnight. Iran’s Fars News Agency quoted an IRGC statement as saying that the United States had violated a ceasefire by carrying out airstrikes on sites in the coastal cities of Hormozgan and Mahshahr. The statement said the IRGC, in cooperation between its naval and aerospace forces, carried out a joint operation using missiles and drones as its initial response to the US attacks. It said the operation targeted Salman Port and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as Ali Al

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  When the Street Becomes the Ballot Box: National Funerals and the Politics of Meaning

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  In politics, not everything is measured by the ballot box. Nations sometimes speak in moments when no ballots are cast, no electoral competition is underway, and no official institution has asked for public input. Yet these moments can reveal more about a society’s condition, citizens’ sense of belonging, and their relationship with national identity and authority than many formal elections. The national funeral of Iran’s martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, is one such event. Public farewell rites opened in Tehran on July 4, and the capital’s main procession on July 6 brought a million-strong public presence into the streets. The ceremonies are continuing through their final stages and are scheduled to conclude with burial in Mashhad on July 9.

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  Kuwait intercepts Iranian missiles and drones as Bahrain sounds air raid sirens

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Kuwait said on Wednesday that its air defences had intercepted hostile missiles and drones, while Bahrain sounded an air raid siren and urged residents to seek shelter. The Kuwaiti military said in a statement on X that its air defence systems were “currently confronting intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks”. It added that “if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks.” The military urged the public to follow safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry also announced that an air raid siren had been activated. The ministry called on citizens and residents to remain calm, go to the nearest safe location and follow official news channels for updates.

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  Iran’s parliament speaker accuses US of ‘major violations’ of ceasefire 

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Wednesday that the United States had committed serious violations of its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran. In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the violations included what he described as: “violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait of Hormuz, persistent threats of further strikes, reinstating oil sanctions, attacks on southern Iran, continued Zionist aggression on Lebanon.” “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold, he wrote. His remarks came after the US military launched a new wave of attacks on Iran on Tuesday. Washington also revoked a licence that had allowed Tehran to sell oil after three tankers came under projectile attack in the Strait of

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  Director of Egyptian Committee in Gaza killed in Israeli airstrike

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Mohammed Fawaz Al-Wahidi, director of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza City, was killed on Tuesday after an Israeli airstrike targeted his vehicle in central Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired a missile at Al-Wahidi’s vehicle near Al-Jazeera Club in the city center. The strike killed Al-Wahidi, 57, and injured several other people who were with him. His body was taken to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where hundreds of mourners from Gaza City’s Al-Sabra neighbourhood gathered to pay their respects before his funeral. Local officials, community leaders and residents expressed condolences, highlighting Al-Wahidi’s role in supervising and coordinating humanitarian and development projects implemented by the Egyptian Committee in Gaza. According to Palestinian sources, Al-Wahidi had been

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  Iran says shipping through Strait of Hormuz is operating under its arrangements as security risk increases

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Iran says commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is continuing under arrangements established by Tehran, as maritime security agencies warn of an elevated threat environment in the strategic waterway. According to a report by Bloomberg, citing a document, Iran has informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that it exercises authority over parts of the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, an informed source quoted by Iran’s Fars News Agency said that navigation through the strait is proceeding in accordance with Iranian arrangements. Meanwhile, the Maritime Information Center announced that it has raised the threat level for the Strait of Hormuz to “severe.” The center said that commercial shipping continues through both the northern and southern navigation lanes of the strait, with

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  Poll finds declining US support for Israel and growing belief that genocide occurred in Gaza

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  A new survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates a significant decline in public support for Israel in the United States, alongside growing divisions over the war in Gaza. According to the poll, about one-third of American adults believe Israel committed genocide against Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza. Around 20 percent said they do not believe genocide occurred, while nearly half of respondents said they did not have enough information to reach a conclusion. Among Jewish American respondents, approximately 30 percent said they believe Israel committed genocide, while 49 percent said they do not. The survey was conducted between 11th June and 17th June 2026, and included 3,040 American adults, including an oversample of 1,022

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  Brent oil rises over 3% as US revokes Iranian oil sales waiver after Hormuz escalation

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Brent crude rose further on Wednesday after the US military carried out fresh air strikes in Iran and revoked a waiver that had allowed Tehran to sell crude on global markets, Anatoly agency reported. The international benchmark was up more than 3.3 percent to $76.6 per barrel as of 0600GMT. Brent has surged more than 6 percent so far this week as renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz revived concerns over possible disruptions to global energy supplies. The US Treasury Department said Tuesday that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked Iran-related General License X, which had authorized the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil under Washington’s interim agreement with Tehran. The move came after a series

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  Netanyahu questions Trump’s ability to stop Iran’s nuclear programme

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that although he and US President Donald Trump occasionally disagree over Iran, they are “completely aligned” on the main issues concerning the country. Speaking in an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said it was too early to predict what would happen after Washington and Tehran signed a temporary agreement. He said: “President Trump believes he can stop Iran’s nuclear programme,” but expressed doubt that this could be achieved. “We agree on the big issues and sometimes disagree, but we are true allies,” Netanyahu added. Hours after Trump said he was considering selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, Netanyahu voiced opposition to the potential move. He warned that selling the most advanced US

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  Leaked recording attributed to Shin Bet chief sparks political controversy in Israel

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  Leaked audio recordings attributed to the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, David Zini, have triggered sharp political criticism after he reportedly described his appointment as being motivated by loyalty to the governing coalition and a desire to pursue his own agenda. According to recordings broadcast by Israel’s Channel 24, Zini said he accepted the position because he wanted to be loyal to the ruling coalition and implement his own vision. “I accepted Netanyahu’s request to head the Shin Bet because I believe I am better than others and I have an intrinsic motivation,” Zini is heard saying in the leaked audio. “I have a point of view, I am not one to be swayed by the wind. I

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  Palestinian child among four killed after Israeli strike on Gaza vehicle

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  The death toll from an Israeli drone strike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza City rose to four on Wednesday after an 8-year-old Palestinian child succumbed to his wounds, according to Palestinian sources, Anadolu reports. Fadi al-Deiri died of wounds sustained in Tuesday evening’s strike on a civilian vehicle in the Sabra neighborhood, a medical source at Al-Shifa Hospital told Anadolu. Three Palestinians, including a child, were killed and three others injured in the attack. Al-Deiri’s death raised the death toll to four. In a separate incident, Gaza’s Civil Defense said its crews responded after a Palestinian woman was wounded by Israeli gunboat fire in the port area west of Gaza City on Wednesday. Israeli artillery also shelled eastern and

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  US Defence Secretary Hegseth to visit Israel amid concerns over potential F-35 sale to Turkey

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to make his first official visit to Israel on Wednesday amid heightened regional tensions and Israeli concerns over reports that Washington may consider approving the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey. It was not immediately clear whether recent US military strikes targeting Iran would affect the timing of the visit or lead to changes in the planned schedule. According to a source cited by CNN, Hegseth is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. The source said one of the visit’s principal objectives is to reassure Israeli leaders regarding reports that the United States may approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to

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  Egypt’s educated youth turn to delivery work

  by Marwa A on July 8, 2026

  A search for the phrase “delivery rider killed” on Egyptian search engines will quickly reveal a long list of reports in local news outlets documenting the deaths of dozens of people working in what many Egyptians call the “flying coffin” profession. Egyptians refer to delivery riders as “pilots” because they speed through the streets on motorcycles, resembling “flying coffins”, racing against time to deliver as many orders as possible. They do so amid growing risks caused by the lack of safety standards, long working hours, and the absence of legal protection or insurance coverage. Six million delivery riders There are no official estimates of the number of Egyptians working in the delivery sector. However, a parliamentary briefing submitted by Egyptian

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  Hossam Hassan says Egypt suffered ‘unjust defeat’ to keep Messi in World Cup

  by Marwa A on July 7, 2026

  Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has criticised French referee François Letexier after Egypt were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by Argentina, claiming the team suffered an “unjust defeat” because of efforts to keep Lionel Messi and the defending champions in the tournament, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a press conference after Egypt’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16 on Tuesday, Hassan said the match lacked refereeing fairness and suggested that Argentina had received support for “marketing” reasons. “We suffered an unjust defeat,” Hassan said. “There is support from every side for the world champions — marketing support. They want the previous World Cup champions to remain in the tournament. They want Messi to stay.” Hassan said

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  Hamas is leaving government, not the resistance

  by Marwa A on July 7, 2026

  Hamas’s decision to dissolve the Government Emergency Committee in the Gaza Strip and transfer civilian administration to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza marks a significant strategic shift. To interpret it as capitulation or defeat is to misunderstand the current stage of the Palestinian national liberation struggle. The movement has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement and fulfilling its responsibilities until Gaza’s civilian administration is fully transferred. The decision should be understood as a tactical repositioning aimed at preserving three strategic objectives: Hamas’s political survival, the reconstruction of Palestinian national unity and the continuation of resistance. The first is to preserve Hamas as a political, social and military force deeply rooted in Palestinian society. For almost

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  Israeli army facing ‘moral deterioration,’ reserve officer says

  by Marwa A on July 7, 2026

  The Israeli army is facing a moral deterioration playing out among soldiers amid a high state of fear, a reserve officer said, as Israel continued its war in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. “I don’t want to write about the hardship of repeated reserve duty or about the damage it does to one’s body and soul, even though these important topics should be discussed more often,” the officer, who did not give his name, said in a letter published by Haaretz newspaper. “Rather, I want to discuss values, a problem I’m regrettably contending with as I witness a moral deterioration playing out within the army. Morality is the essence of our human nature and of our link to the divine.”

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  Arab League warns of looming humanitarian, security catastrophe in Sudan’s El-Obeid

  by Marwa A on July 7, 2026

  Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy on Tuesday called for intensified international efforts to prevent the Sudanese city of El-Obeid from sliding into a broader humanitarian and security catastrophe, accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of targeting civilian infrastructure, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Fahmy said he was following with “deep concern” the deteriorating situation in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. “More than 500,000 civilians, including tens of thousands of displaced people, are under siege and facing sustained drone attacks by the RSF targeting markets, schools, hospitals and water and electricity facilities,” he added. Fahmy warned that the continued military buildup and attacks on residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure risk repeating the atrocities witnessed in El-Fasher, despite repeated

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  Arab nations condemn twin explosions in Damascus, vow support for Syria’s stability

  by Marwa A on July 7, 2026

  Arab countries strongly denounced twin explosions that injured 18 people near Syria’s Tourism Ministry in central Damascus on Tuesday, reiterating support for Syria’s security and stability, Anadolu reports. In a statement on the US social media company X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed Riyadh’s “strongest condemnation and denunciation of the cowardly terrorist attack.” “The Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of all terrorist and extremist acts to undermine the security and stability” of Syria, the ministry said. The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry called the explosions “a criminal act,” and expressed its solidarity with Damascus. Oman’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its rejection of “violence and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations.” Qatar condemned the blasts and voiced support for all measures taken by

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  NATO 3.0 and energy security: Rebalancing transatlantic defence in Ankara

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  The 2026 NATO Summit opens today, 7th July, in Ankara, at a critical moment for the Alliance as Russia’s war in Ukraine, pressure on European defense systems, and the U.S. strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific intensify debates over transatlantic burden-sharing. The emerging “NATO 3.0” framework would shift greater responsibility for conventional defense, logistics, procurement, and regional deterrence to European allies, while the United States maintains its nuclear umbrella and broader strategic support. This rebalancing has direct implications for alliance cohesion, deterrence credibility, and energy security, as attacks on Ukraine’s grid, undersea infrastructure sabotage, cyber threats, and risks to maritime routes show that energy infrastructure is now part of the modern battlespace.  Turkey’s role as host and as a key energy

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  Israeli flag spotted on strategic hill overlooking south Lebanon city

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  An Israeli flag was seen flying early Tuesday morning on Ali al-Taher Hill, a highly strategic vantage point that overlooks the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. Aside from the presence of the flag, news agencies documented no active military maneuvers, Israeli soldiers, or combat vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the hillside. Situated north of the Litani River, Ali al-Taher Hill is considered one of the most important tactical positions in the border region due to its commanding elevation. The peak holds high military significance because it provides a wide-angle, unobstructed view of Nabatieh, its surrounding towns, and key regional transportation routes. Standing alongside the nearby Israeli-occupied Beaufort Fortress—known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif—the high ground offers

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  Iran targets 2 vessels in Strait of Hormuz: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Two commercial vessels were struck by Iranian missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz late Monday, in an attack that could prompt US military retaliation, according to US media Axios. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said it received a report that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile about 8 nautical miles east of Limah, off the coast of Oman. “A tanker has reported being hit by an unknown projectile on the port side, causing a fire, whilst travelling southbound,” the agency said in a warning notice. UKMTO said authorities were investigating the incident and advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.

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  Iran says final deal talks with US will not start if ‘threats continue’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that negotiations on a final deal will not begin if “threats continue,” citing Paragraph 13 of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month with the US, Anadolu reports. “Para 13 of the MoU is clear: Negotiations on final Deal will not commence if threats continue Honor your signature,” Araghchi wrote on US social media platform X. The Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran, brokered by Pakistan, entered into force on June 18 after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump signed it electronically. The 14-point agreement initiated a 60-day period of diplomacy through indirect talks between Iran and the US aimed at reaching a lasting peace deal.

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  Like Israel’s colonial expansion, the UN’s narratives also place Palestinians at risk

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Little exposure has been given to the Yellow Line and the Orange Line in Gaza. Given the genocide, Israel’s military occupation in Gaza should have generated equal scrutiny at the very least. However, Israel’s current presence in Gaza has followed the same pattern of oblivion as in the occupied West Bank. Colonialism in Palestine has become the norm, as is military occupation.  A recent brief report by the UN follows the same normalisation trajectory.  Last week, the UN warned that ongoing Israeli expansion is “shrinking the areas available to civilians”. However, the statement does not encompass the entire story. Decades before the genocide, Palestinians faced the same repercussions of forced displacement. The current Israeli military occupation of Gaza to facilitate

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  RSF attacks in Western Sudan reportedly destroy villages and displace thousands

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Attacks attributed to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the country’s western border with Chad have destroyed several villages and forced thousands of civilians to flee, according to survivors and the United Nations. The violence occurred in North Darfur, where the RSF has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023. The UN has previously accused the RSF of carrying out massacres against non-Arab communities in Darfur, including members of the Zaghawa ethnic group. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 3,500 people were displaced on Friday from the village of Wadi Fungo in the Um Buru area of North Darfur. Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Issa Ibrahim, 35, said dozens of RSF vehicles entered his

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  FIFA declines to sanction Egypt coach Hossam Hassan over Palestinian flag display

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  FIFA has decided not to take disciplinary action against Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan after he celebrated his team’s victory over Australia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup while holding a Palestinian flag, according to Israeli media reports and FIFA’s response to inquiries. The decision prompted criticism in some Israeli political and sporting circles, with the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom describing it as a setback for efforts to seek disciplinary measures against the Egyptian coach. The controversy arose after Egypt’s victory over Australia in the Round of 16, when Hassan celebrated on the pitch carrying a Palestinian flag and said, “My heart and soul are with the Palestinians,” while also dedicating the victory to both the Egyptian and Palestinian people.

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  Air France resumes Riyadh and Tel Aviv flights, extends Beirut suspension

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Air France announced on Monday that it has resumed flights to and from Riyadh and Tel Aviv, while extending the suspension of its services to Beirut until 20th July. The airline did not provide further details on the decision but confirmed that flights to the Lebanese capital will remain suspended until the revised date. In a separate development, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said the next round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled to take place in Rome on 15th-16th July. Speaking during a meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Leiter said the talks would be held at the ambassadorial level as part of the

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  UAE proposes trilateral summit with Israel and Jordan on water and energy cooperation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has proposed hosting a trilateral summit with Israel and Jordan to discuss a new regional water and energy agreement, alongside efforts to improve relations between Amman and Tel Aviv. According to the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth, Israel is considering the UAE initiative, which would bring together senior officials from the three countries in Abu Dhabi. One of the main issues on the agenda is a proposed water agreement under which Israel would supply Jordan with an additional 50 million cubic meters of water annually, on top of the 50 million cubic meters it already provides each year under the Israel-Jordan peace treaty. The summit is also expected to address the “Prosperity” initiative, which envisions Israel constructing

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  Netanyahu urges Trump to block Turkish access to F-35 Jets and fighter engines

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged US President Donald Trump not to approve the sale of advanced American military equipment to Turkey, arguing that providing Ankara with F-35 fighter jets or engines for its indigenous KAAN fighter would alter the regional balance of power. According to Axios and Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu raised the issue during a phone call with Trump on Friday. The reports state that Netanyahu asked the United States to refrain from supplying Turkey with weapons systems intended to modernize the Turkish Air Force. The issue comes ahead of Trump’s visit to Turkey for the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, where he is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Among the topics expected to

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  Hamas delegation holds talks with Iranian officials during Khamenei funeral in Tehran

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  A senior Hamas delegation led by the movement’s chairman, Mohammad Darwish, attended the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran and held meetings with senior Iranian officials to discuss developments in Gaza and bilateral relations. According to a statement issued by Hamas, the delegation met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, and several other Iranian officials on the sidelines of the funeral. The delegation conveyed its condolences to Iran’s leadership and people over Khamenei’s death and praised what it described as his longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and the resilience of the Palestinian people. Hamas said the discussions focused on the latest political and military developments related to the

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  Israel plans 40 new settlement outposts along Jordan border to address eastern security vulnerability

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Israel has completed the establishment of its Eastern Region Directorate, aimed at leading what it described as a broad security and civilian initiative along its longest land border with Jordan, including plans to establish about 40 new settlement outposts. According to Maariv, the Israeli Defence Ministry set up the Eastern Region Directorate at the start of this year. The ministry said the body was established to coordinate and oversee the work of its various departments in the eastern region with government ministries and state authorities. In recent weeks, the directorate has conducted field tours of the area and held a strategic workshop attended by dozens of lawmakers and senior government officials. The ministry’s Director General, Major General (res.) Amir Baram,

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  World Cup Trump cards: Infantino, FIFA and the meddlesome US President

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Yet again, FIFA, and its chief, Gianni Infantino, have distinguished the game of football by showing what it is all about.  Not glorious athletes representing code and country across the globe.  Not the sense of wellbeing that comes with exercise.  No: it’s all about corrupt manoeuvrings, opaque decisions, and scandalous meddling.  And who better to be at the centre of it than one of America’s most corrupt, self-enriching figures, one President Donald J. Trump? On 5th July, the one-game suspension for American striker Folarin Balogun was vacated in exchange for a one-year probation.  Balogun had received a contentious red card in the US match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32.  It was not a decision

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  Iran’s national security chief tells Trump to speak to Iranians with respect or face a response “in another language”

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr has responded to threats by US President Donald Trump, describing him as “the deluded American president who today threatened 91 million Iranians”. Zolqadr said Trump had previously used similar language, as president of a country with only 250 years of history, threatening to destroy Iran’s ancient civilisation, which he said stretches back thousands of years. He added that the outcome for Trump was “nothing but defeat and despair”, leading him to seek negotiations and a ceasefire. He also said “Iranians are unfamiliar with the language of threats, warning Trump to address the Iranian people with respect or “he will receive a response in another language”. The remarks came after Trump said

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  Algeria arrests 18 Moroccan nationals over alleged international migrant smuggling network

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Algerian authorities on Monday arrested 18 Moroccan nationals in the city of Oran over their alleged involvement in what officials described as an international criminal network linked to illegal migration. The Algerian newspaper El Khabar reported that officers from the Oran Province’s Research and Intervention Brigade had dismantled an organised criminal network operating across international borders during an operation carried out last week. According to a statement from Algeria’s General Directorate of National Security, 23 people were arrested, including 18 Moroccan nationals. The network is accused of organising illegal sea crossings for migrants. The statement said the operation, conducted under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor, enabled investigators to uncover the network’s methods of gathering and transporting migrants. Five

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  Red Sea tensions rise as French report claims military base is being built in Somaliland

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  A report published by the French newspaper Le Monde says satellite image analysis indicates the gradual construction of a military base in the city of Berbera in the self-declared region of Somaliland. According to the report, the project is being supported by the United Arab Emirates and is intended to serve the interests of the United States and Israel. Le Monde said satellite images reviewed by the newspaper showed continued expansion of Berbera Airport since October 2025, including infrastructure development. The newspaper said the work suggests a new military facility is being built at a strategically important location near the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The report said Berbera has attracted growing interest from regional and international powers because

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  Hamas warns of Israeli efforts to create ‘administrative vacuum’ in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Hamas said on Monday that the dissolution of the Gaza government’s emergency committee is part of the arrangements to transfer administrative responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), warning that Israel is trying to create an “administrative vacuum” in the territory. In a statement, the group said it remains “fully committed” to implementing all provisions of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and will continue to abide by it until the administration of the territory is fully transferred to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. Hamas said the dissolution of the emergency committee and the resignation of its head, Mohammed Abdel Khaleq Al-Farra, who also served as acting head of the Government Follow-up Committee, are part

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  Egypt coach Hossam Hassan: Anyone who does not feel for the Palestinian people ‘does not deserve to be human’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 7, 2026

  Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reaffirmed his support for the Palestinian people, calling for their right to live, after facing criticism from Israeli commentators for dedicating Egypt’s qualification for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup to the Palestinians. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of Egypt’s last-16 match against Argentina on Tuesday, Hassan was asked about dedicating Egypt’s victory over Australia to the Palestinian people and raising the Palestinian flag after the match. Responding to a question from a Turkish journalist about whether he would renew his support for the Palestinians, Hassan said: “We welcome the Turkish people,” before adding: “Everyone has feelings, and if anyone in the world does not feel for the Palestinian people, they

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  Israel’s occupation of Lebanese territory hinders army deployment in south, president warns

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun warned Monday that Israel’s ongoing occupation of territory in the south prevents the army deployment in the area, Anadolu reports. “Israel must be pressured to withdraw from the areas it occupies in Lebanon,” Aoun said during a video call with American Task Force on Lebanon, as cited by a presidency statement. The Lebanese army and security forces “are the cornerstone of stability and security” in southern Lebanon and “are essential to enabling residents to return to their towns and homes,” he stressed. “There is no place for civil war in Lebanon, and its return is not on the table, despite attempts by some parties to rekindle sectarian strife,” Aoun said. Negotiation “is the only option left

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  Iraq prepares to reopen Syrian land route for oil exports to bypass Gulf

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Iraq is planning a new land route through Syria to diversify its oil exports after the rising security risks in the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed the global oil and energy market amid the Middle East crisis, Anadolu reports. Iraq exports most of its crude through southern terminals in Basra, but recent maritime tensions in the Gulf have prompted Baghdad to seek alternatives. Asim Jihad, an Iraqi oil expert, told Anadolu Agency that the Iraqi Oil Ministry’s main mitigation strategy is to increase shipments through Turkiye’s Port of Ceyhan from the current daily volume of 150,000-200,000 barrels to 300,000 barrels. Suspended shipments in the Strait of Hormuz are costing Iraq around 3.5 million barrels of oil per day. He said the

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  Trump says US prefers nuclear deal with Iran but warns military action remains an option

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  President Donald Trump said Monday that the US remains committed to reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran but warned that Washington is prepared to use military force if diplomacy fails, insisting Tehran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, Anadolu reports. “We’re either going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job. Okay, and it won’t be tough to finish the job. I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said the US has the capability to strike Iran’s infrastructure if necessary. “We can knock down their bridges in one hour, we can knock out their energy supply … They don’t have any money

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  The future of Gulf energy and trade routes after the Hormuz crisis

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  The significance of the Strait of Hormuz for global trade is beyond dispute. In the week preceding the US-Israel war on Iran, 38 per cent of global seaborne crude oil trade passed through the Strait, along with 29 per cent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 19 per cent each of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined oil products trade, and 13 per cent of chemicals trade, including fertilisers. A smaller share of container shipping and dry bulk cargo trade also passed through Hormuz. The de facto closure of the Strait reduced shipping flows through it by more than 90 per cent. The Strait’s two major bypass routes, through Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), could carry only less

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  Board of Peace envoy says Gaza governing body dissolution highlights need to finalize roadmap talks

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  The Board of Peace’s lead envoy for Gaza said Monday a government decision to dissolve its governing body underscores the importance of concluding negotiations to reach a roadmap for postwar administration in the territory, Anadolu reports. In a statement posted on the US social media company X, Nikolay Mladenov said the decision “underscores the importance of bringing the roadmap discussions to a successful conclusion.” “It is the bridge between declarations and implementation,” he added. Mladenov noted that once an agreement is reached on the remaining implementation provisions, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will be able to assume its responsibilities. He said the completion of the roadmap would also allow the decommissioning of weapons to begin, facilitate

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  Lebanon says direct damage from Israeli war estimated at $3-4 billion

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said Monday direct material damage from Israel’s war on Lebanon is estimated at between $3-4 billion, Anadolu reports. Speaking following a ministerial meeting, Morcos said the figures are preliminary and do not include economic losses or indirect damage, according to the state news agency NNA. The estimates come as the Israeli army continues daily violations of a US-mediated framework agreement signed with Beirut. On Monday, Israeli forces blew up homes and carried out explosions in two towns in southern Lebanon, and detonated explosives overnight in the town of Houla in Marjayoun district. Morcos said Monday’s ministerial meeting discussed the results of field visits by ministers to southern villages and towns, including ways to support the

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  Iraq seizes $20 million hidden in water bottles in corruption probe

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Iraqi authorities have seized about $20 million in cash and 5 kilograms of gold hidden inside plastic water bottles during an ongoing corruption investigation involving former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan Al-Jumaili, the country’s Supreme Judicial Council said Monday, Anadolu reports. An investigating judge at the Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption ordered the seizure of an additional 25 billion Iraqi dinars (about $19 million) and $1 million in cash, the council said in a statement carried by the state news agency INA. Authorities also confiscated gold jewelry weighing about 5 kilograms as part of the investigation into Jumaili and other suspects linked to the case, the council said. The investigating judge said the operation followed an extensive

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  Syria’s longest-held detainee says joy over Assad’s fall surpassed release after 43 years

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Syria’s longest-held detainee, Ragheed Ahmad al-Tatari, says his joy over the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime was far greater than his joy of being freed from prison after 43 years behind bars, Anadolu reports. Tatari, 72, a former pilot, was held in several detention centers and prisons under the Assad regime, including Mezzeh Military Prison in Damascus, Tadmor in Homs countryside, Sednaya and Adra in Damascus countryside, Suwayda, and finally Tartous prison, from where he was released. Speaking with Anadolu in an interview, Tatari recounted decades of suffering behind bars before his long ordeal ended with Assad’s fall on Dec. 8, 2024. “The main reason for my arrest in 1981 was incitement not to carry out military orders,” Tatari

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  Gaza government dissolves governing body to facilitate transfer of administration

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Gaza’s government announced Monday the dissolution of its Emergency Committee and the resignation of its acting chairman as part of preparations to transfer the administration of the enclave to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Gaza Government Media Office said it completed the administrative and legal arrangements necessary for the handover of the governmental system in Gaza. It said the preparations had been presented to a national team representing Palestinian factions and political forces, the Higher Committee of Clans and Tribes, and civil society organizations, in the presence of a UN observer. According to the statement, the acting head of the Government Follow-up Committee and chairman of the Emergency Committee, Mohammed

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  Gaza’s Dr Hussam Abu Safiya may not survive and is in ‘imminent danger’, MAP warns

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has demanded the immediate release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, warning that his life is in “imminent danger” in Israeli custody.  The UK-based medical charity issued the appeal after a lawyer visited Dr Abu Safiya on 2 July 2026 at the Rakefet facility in Nitzan Prison. According to lawyer Nasser Odeh, Dr Abu Safiya showed signs of severe physical deterioration, including visible injuries, extreme weakness, breathing difficulties and psychological distress. He appeared at times close to losing consciousness and feared that he would not survive detention.  Dr Abu Safiya has been detained by Israeli authorities since 27 December 2024 without charge or trial under the Unlawful

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  Ali Khamenei and Palestine as the enduring axis of the Islamic revolution

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  For Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the defence of Palestine was never a circumstantial matter of foreign policy. Rather, it constituted the enduring axis of his political, diplomatic and strategic vision throughout nearly four decades as Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Palestinian cause has ceased to be merely a regional issue, becoming instead one of the founding principles of the Iranian state. Under Khamenei’s leadership, this commitment was deepened and consolidated as an expression of the struggle against colonialism, occupation and foreign hegemony in the Middle East. In Khamenei’s view, Palestine represented the greatest contemporary injustice inflicted upon a people deprived of their land, sovereignty and right to self-determination. For this reason, he

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  5 more Palestinians killed, 25 injured in Israeli strikes across Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Five Palestinians were killed and 25 others injured in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip since dawn Monday, amid daily violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, 2025, Anadolu Agency reports. Medical sources said two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a displacement tent on Roni Street in the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. A Palestinian was also killed and 16 others were injured in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Al-Mawasi, the sources added. The Israeli army also targeted a second vehicle near the Al-Matahin junction north of Khan Younis, with no injuries reported, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency. READ: Netanyahu says Gaza reconstruction depends on Hamas disarmament In Gaza City,

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  Germany says Iran should pay for mine clearance in Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Germany’s foreign minister said on Monday Iran must ultimately bear the cost of any international operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. Johann Wadephul made the remarks in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper after being asked whether European countries might offer Iran financial incentives to secure Tehran’s consent for a mine-clearing mission. “We do not need to offer Tehran anything at all; quite the contrary: Iran has unlawfully mined an international shipping lane,” Wadephul said. “If we clear it together with other European partners, we do not intend to charge a fee for doing so at this stage,” he added. “In principle, however, it would be justified, and Iran ought to foot the bill, since we

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  Israeli documents undermine claim Iran and Hezbollah helped plan 7 October attack

  by Mehdi Editor on July 6, 2026

  Secret Hamas documents summarised by the Israeli site OSINT613 appear to undermine one of Israel’s central narratives about 7 October: that the attack was a closely coordinated operation planned with Iran and Hezbollah. The documents, first revealed by Israel Army Radio correspondent Doron Kadosh and analysed by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, were presented by Israeli sources as evidence of years of contact between Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. However, the same material indicates that neither Hezbollah nor Iran was informed in advance of the timing or operational launch of the 7 October attack.  According to the Israeli site OSINT613, Hamas had spent years seeking a broader multi-front confrontation with Israel and repeatedly tried to persuade Hezbollah Secretary-General