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

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  GCC, Arab countries back Saudi Arabia after drone attacks on oil facilities

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and several Arab countries voiced solidarity with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after drone attacks targeted oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, according to official statements, Anadolu reports. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said member states stand united with Saudi Arabia and support all measures Riyadh takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He described the attacks by Iran-aligned militias in Iraq as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace and security. Kuwait condemned the attacks as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and affirmed Riyadh’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, its Foreign Ministry said. Qatar also backed all legitimate measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its security and

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  Instability in MENA is making migrants more vulnerable to new forms of trafficking 

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Trafficking in persons remains one of the most pervasive and devastating crimes of our time. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the scale and complexity of the challenge continue to grow, driven by conflict, economic inequality, and complex migration flows.  The fight against trafficking often focuses on those trapped in degrading work environments, the hospitality industry, construction work, or abuse in domestic servitude. This year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons highlights an emerging trend: trafficking for forced criminality in online scam operations.   Thousands worldwide are being deceived by fake job ads, transported to illegal compounds, and coerced into cyber-enabled fraud in slave-like, dehumanising conditions. Citizens of MENA countries, and the millions of migrants working here, are not immune from this new trend.  Scam Centres are not isolated fraud schemes. They are part of wider trafficking and organized crime networks. Their roots

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  Israel pays millions to ‘poison’ AI chatbots with Gaza propaganda, report finds

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Israel is paying tens of millions of dollars to seed pro-Israel narratives about Gaza into artificial intelligence systems, using a network of apparently independent websites designed to influence chatbot responses and future training data, according to an investigation by Drop Site News. The operation is being overseen by Brad Parscale, a former campaign manager for US President Donald Trump, through his digital influence company, Clock Tower X. The firm holds a $46.5 million contract with the Israeli government and has published hundreds of articles since October 2025 as part of what experts describe as an attempt to “poison” large language models.  The content promotes Israeli state narratives while seeking to undermine evidence of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. Articles published through

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  Insecurity, violence force 20,000 to flee from Sudan’s Darfur: UN

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  More than 20,000 people have recently been displaced in Sudan’s western Darfur region because of deteriorating security conditions and escalating violence, the UN said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said humanitarian partners reported that insecurity and intercommunal violence in Darfur had forced more than 20,000 people to flee their homes, with many in urgent need of support. He did not specify the time frame of the displacement. “We once again call on all parties to protect civilians and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access,” Haq said, according to the UN. The three Kordofan states, North, West and South Kordofan, along with Darfur and Blue Nile state, have witnessed intense fighting between the

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  Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces says 20 members killed in overnight US-Saudi airstrikes

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said Wednesday that at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 others wounded in overnight US-Saudi airstrikes targeting the group’s headquarters in several provinces across the country, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the PMF said the strikes hit its facilities in the provinces of Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala, causing extensive damage to its headquarters, military vehicles and equipment. It said specialized committees are continuing field assessments to determine the full extent of the damage. The statement came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US and Saudi forces carried out joint precision strikes against Iranian-aligned group targets in Iraq, saying the operation targeted

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  The US–Iran pause in strikes: A window for sustainable peace?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  In international politics, silence can sometimes speak louder than explosions. When two long-standing adversaries such as the United States and Iran pause military strikes, the world does not simply witness a temporary cessation of hostilities—it is presented with a rare opportunity to ask a more profound question: Can this pause become the foundation for sustainable peace, or is it merely an interval before another cycle of confrontation? The history of US–Iran relations has been marked by decades of mistrust, political rivalry, economic sanctions, proxy conflicts, and periodic military escalation. Every confrontation has reinforced narratives of insecurity on both sides, leaving diplomacy struggling to compete with strategic calculations. Yet history also teaches that even the most entrenched conflicts can change course

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  Netanyahu says he will visit New York despite Mayor Mamdani’s calls for his arrest

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he plans to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly this September despite calls from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him, Anadolu reports. A Fox News host told Netanyahu that Mamdani had suggested he could be arrested if he traveled to the city, adding that such a scenario “will never happen.” “First of all, I’m going to New York,” Netanyahu said. “But I’m definitely going there. I’m going to speak the truth in front of this hate-spewing elected official.” Netanyahu accused Mamdani of promoting division among New Yorkers and going after Jewish residents. “He’s pitting one group of New Yorkers

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  Beyond a ‘Muslim NATO’: Pakistan and the Middle East’s Emerging Security Order

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  For decades, I watched Pakistan’s military relationship with the Middle East unfold largely away from the headlines. Pakistani officers trained Gulf forces, pilots joined joint exercises, advisers worked alongside Arab governments, and troops were periodically stationed in Saudi Arabia. Islamabad was an important security partner—but rarely the centrepiece of the region’s defence architecture. That may now be changing. The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on September 17, 2025, marked a real departure from that older, informal cooperation. It established that aggression against either country would be treated as aggression against both—bringing the language of collective defence into Pakistan’s relationship with the Arab world for the first time. Since then, I’ve noticed interest in Pakistan as

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  Israeli forces raid village near Nablus, detain 15 Palestinians across occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Israeli forces detained at least 15 Palestinians in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday and stormed the village of Al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, south of Nablus, where soldiers searched dozens of homes and sealed off the area. More than 50 Israeli soldiers, backed by several military vehicles, stormed the village, searched dozens of homes and interrogated several residents, local sources told Anadolu Agency. The forces also sealed all entrances to the village, effectively isolating it from surrounding areas, the sources said. In a separate development, the Israeli army detained at least 15 Palestinians in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank, with most detentions reported in the northern governorate of Nablus. According to local sources, Israeli forces detained 11

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  Palestinian community in Chile calls for international action to stop Israeli crimes in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  The Palestinian community in Chile has condemned escalating attacks by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, calling on the Chilean government and the international community to take action to protect civilians and halt the violence. In a statement released on Tuesday, the community said military operations, the killing of civilians, attacks by Israeli settlers, assaults on Christian communities, the burning of mosques and churches, and the demolition of homes indicate what it described as a new phase in Israeli occupation and settlement policies. The statement argued that developments in the West Bank are not isolated incidents but form part of “a systematic strategy” aimed at consolidating the de facto annexation of Palestinian land through forced

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  Iraqi prime minister says Iraq could supply Turkey with up to 1 million barrels of oil per day

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on Tuesday that Iraq is capable of supplying up to one million barrels of oil per day to Turkey, highlighting what he described as the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in the energy sector. Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, al-Zaidi confirmed Iraq’s export capacity after Erdoğan asked whether Iraq could supply Turkey with one million barrels of oil daily. “Yes, that’s right… one million barrels,” al-Zaidi replied. The Iraqi prime minister also announced that work on the Development Road project would begin immediately, describing it as a cornerstone of future economic cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Al-Zaidi said he discussed the project with

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Michael Ratney: A strained Relationship: Will it Endure or Snap?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with former CIA analyst Ray McGovern & Larry Johnson 

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  Israeli army vacates Palestinian-American home in West Bank following reported US pressure

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Israeli forces withdrew from a house they had seized in the town of Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank after reported intervention by the US Embassy, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. Kan reported on Tuesday that Israeli forces entered the property, located northeast of Ramallah, on Monday and initially intended to use it as an advanced military position for conducting raids and arrest operations. According to the broadcaster, the house belongs to a Palestinian doctor and his family, all of whom hold US citizenship. Kan said that despite an American flag being displayed at the property, Israeli forces ordered the family to leave before occupying the house for military purposes. The report stated that the US Embassy in

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  Report: Israeli and Emirati officials held secret talks on Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Israeli and Emirati officials have reportedly held a series of confidential meetings in recent weeks to coordinate positions on Iran and discuss possible joint initiatives in international forums, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. The broadcaster said the meetings took place in a third country, whose identity was not disclosed, and coincided with heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. According to the report, Emirati officials voiced strong reservations about the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, arguing that it could allow Iran to gain time and economic relief without making substantive concessions. Channel 12 reported that the two sides discussed possible coordinated diplomatic initiatives concerning Iran in international forums. However, the report said they

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  The Abrahamic trap: Why linking the US–Saudi nuclear pact to normalisation is a geopolitical mirage

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  The ink on the multi-decade US–Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement had barely dried in Washington when the architecture of modern Middle Eastern diplomacy was abruptly and violently upended. In a classic display of high-stakes transactional statecraft, President Donald Trump declared that the hard-fought pact, designed to secure American corporate dominance in Saudi Arabia’s emerging atomic sector through industrial giants like Westinghouse, is entirely contingent upon Riyadh formally joining the Abraham Accords. What was initially marketed across global financial markets as a monumental triumph of commercial techno-diplomacy and strategic alignment was instantly transformed into a rigid diplomatic ultimatum.  By conditioning a crucial strategic nuclear framework on immediate regional diplomatic normalisation with Israel, Washington has walked straight into a sophisticated geo-economic and

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  Fatah official Jibril Rajoub calls for presidential election before legislative vote

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Jibril Rajoub, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, has called for Palestinian presidential elections to be held before legislative elections, arguing that the Palestinian political system is presidential in nature and therefore requires the election of a president first. Speaking during a meeting with youth activists organised by the Palestinian Peace Coalition in Ramallah on Tuesday, Rajoub said Palestinian factions should agree on a national consensus candidate for the presidency. He suggested that, under such an arrangement, Mahmoud Abbas would remain chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Rajoub also expressed doubts that legislative elections could be held as scheduled at the end of November, saying that a comprehensive national dialogue would be needed beforehand and that elections should be

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  Iran proposes Hormuz shipping deal as Gulf states back Omani plan

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Iran has proposed a temporary arrangement with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while a separate Omani proposal backed by Gulf states could give Tehran an unprecedented role in managing shipping through the strategic waterway. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday that Tehran had proposed a temporary arrangement under which shipping in one direction would pass through Iranian waters, while part of the opposite route would also run inside Iranian territorial waters. Speaking to Iranian state television, Gharibabadi said Tehran had rejected an Omani proposal to divide shipping lanes equally between the two countries, arguing that such a plan would not address Iran’s security concerns unless long-term regional stability is achieved. Meanwhile, a Gulf source and

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  Israeli army suicides rise again as two female soldiers die, bringing this year’s total to 16

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Two Israeli female soldiers died by suicide this week, bringing the number of serving Israeli soldiers who have taken their own lives since the start of the year to 16, amid growing concern over rising suicide rates in the military since the war in the Gaza Strip began. Haaretz reported on Tuesday that a female soldier from the Bardelas Battalion, deployed along the Egypt-Israel border, died by suicide on Tuesday morning at a military base in southern Israel. The newspaper said she was found injured at the base and taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. READ: Israeli opposition leader says troops paying price for Netanyahu’s ‘reckless’ policies In a separate incident, Haaretz reported that a female soldier serving

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  Egypt says Middle East peace depends on Palestinian state and end to Israeli occupation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Egypt has said that achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East depends on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution. Speaking before the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Mohamed Helal, Egypt’s representative to the council, called for broader international recognition of the State of Palestine and support for its full membership of the United Nations. Egypt also welcomed decisions by several European countries to ban trade in goods and products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. READ: Israeli airstrike destroys mosque, displaced persons’ tents in Gaza City, leaves hundreds homeless

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  Saudi Arabia, US strike Iran-backed groups in Iraq

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday its armed forces, in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM), carried out targeted strikes against sites belonging to Iran-backed militia in Iraq.  The ministry’s official spokesman, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said the operation was conducted under the right to self-defence as recognised by Article 51 of the UN Charter. “Today, the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with US Central Command, carried out precision strikes against targets belonging to those militias in the Republic of Iraq, which are linked to attacks on the Kingdom’s oil facilities,” Al-Maliki said. He stressed that Saudi Arabia was not seeking escalation but would respond to any aggression against it. OPINION: US–Saudi nuclear deal: The road to a

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  US military says it intercepted Iranian missiles targeting its forces as oil prices jump

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  The US military said on Tuesday it intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at American forces stationed in the Middle East, adding that its troops remain on the highest level of alert. It said the IRGC fired several ballistic missiles from inside Iran at 5:45 pm Eastern Time (9:45 pm GMT), targeting US forces deployed across the region. The military said all the missiles were successfully intercepted and that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. It added that US forces continue to maintain maximum readiness while closely monitoring developments. Separately, Axios, citing a US official, reported that Iran fired ballistic missiles towards a US military base in Jordan, adding that air defences

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  Settler violence and the new Nakba in the West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  The events unfolding in the occupied West Bank can no longer be understood merely as a succession of settler attacks or isolated outbreaks of violence. What is taking shape is a systematic pattern of territorial domination that combines settlement expansion, increasing militarisation, the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and the gradual transformation of the territory’s demography. The central question is no longer whether violence has intensified, but whether Palestine is witnessing the continuation of a historical process that began in 1948: the Nakba. The Arabic word Nakba—”catastrophe”—is commonly associated with the forced displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians during the establishment of the State of Israel and the destruction of more than 450 Palestinian towns and villages. Increasingly, however, historians and

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  Gaza faces health and environmental disaster as water quality deteriorates

  by Mehdi Editor on July 29, 2026

  A senior Gaza health official has warned of an unprecedented health and environmental disaster as worsening water quality and rising pollution take a heavy toll on public health. Dr Muneer Al-Bursh, Director-General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, said on Tuesday that the average concentration of total dissolved salts in groundwater had reached 3,588 milligrams per litre, more than three-and-a-half times the globally recommended limit for drinking water. Speaking to reporters, Al-Bursh said the level had risen to as much as 13,000 milligrams per litre in some wells, highlighting the severe deterioration of the coastal aquifer and seawater intrusion. READ: UK government rejects calls to recognise Gaza genocide despite UN findings He added that tests found bacterial contamination in around 19 per cent

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  Iran says final Hormuz proposal to Oman requires control of key shipping lanes

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Tuesday that Tehran’s final proposal to Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz requires one shipping lane to remain entirely under Iranian control and part of a second lane to be also controlled by Iran, Anadolu reports. Speaking on Iranian state television, Kazem Gharibabadi said Oman had proposed a temporary shipping route that would replace the current northern and southern routes through the strait. He said the Omani proposal envisioned a route with 50% under Iran’s control and 50% under Oman’s control, but Tehran rejected the formula. “Our proposal is that one shipping lane through the strait must be entirely under Iran’s control, with part of the other lane also under Iranian control. This is

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  Israeli airstrike destroys mosque, displaced persons’ tents in Gaza City, leaves hundreds homeless

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  An Israeli airstrike destroyed a mosque and tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza City on Tuesday, leaving hundreds homeless, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent. The correspondent said Israeli fighter jets struck the Al-Muttaqin Mosque, located near the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in central Gaza City, completely destroying the building. The strike also destroyed tents housing displaced families and caused extensive damage to nearby homes and civilian property. According to the correspondent, hundreds of Palestinians were left without shelter following the attack, amid widespread destruction in the area. The destroyed tents had been sheltering families displaced after Israeli attacks destroyed their homes, forcing them to live in harsh conditions with limited access to basic necessities. READ: Israeli shelling, gunfire

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  Palestine’s UN envoy demands Israeli occupiers be disarmed amid occupied West Bank violence

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour demanded Tuesday that Israeli occupiers be disarmed amid escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, urging the international community to protect civilians, Anadolu reports. “Israeli settlers must be disarmed as this Council’s resolutions state to stop them from terrorizing our people. And Israeli settlers and occupation forces have to leave our land and leave us alone,” Mansour told the Security Council. “This Council and the General Assembly have adopted resolutions calling for such protection, but it is nowhere to be found,” he added. Mansour said Palestinians “continue being killed daily in bombardments in Gaza, in attacks by settlers and occupation forces in the West Bank,” indicating that Palestinians are killed “as they sleep,

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  Yemen’s Houthis claim ballistic missile attack on Saudi oil tanker

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group claimed Tuesday that it targeted the Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL with ballistic missiles, forcing the vessel to turn back, Anadolu reports. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement on US social media platform X that the tanker had violated what the group describes as its maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping. He claimed the vessel ignored repeated warnings before being targeted with multiple ballistic missiles, without identifying where the attack took place. According to Saree, the attack forced the tanker to reverse course and return in the direction from which it had come. READ: Yemen’s Houthis announce deaths of 9 fighters amid escalating clashes with gov’t forces The claim could not be independently verified, and there

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  UN chief condemns Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinian communities in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including attacks on two mosques, Anadolu reports. “The secretary-general condemns the attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including the reported arson attacks on two mosques, vandalism of private property, and attacks targeting Palestinians and their livelihoods,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters. Haq said attacks against places of worship are “heinous and unacceptable” and warned that they risk further inflaming an already volatile situation. “The secretary-general calls for those responsible to be swiftly identified and held accountable in line with Israel’s obligations under international law,” he said. READ: UN official warns Gaza recovery ‘far too slow’

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  Turkiye, Iraq reaffirm commitment to $30B trade target

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Turkiye and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment Tuesday to deepening commercial and economic relations and achieving a medium-term trade volume target of $30 billion, Anadolu reports. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat met his Iraqi counterpart, Mustafa Nizar Jumaa, in Ankara as part of Prime Minister Ali Zeydi’s visit to Turkiye. Bolat said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal that the two ministers discussed concrete steps needed to reach the trade target, expand existing areas of cooperation and encourage mutual investments. The talks also focused on the strategic importance of the Development Road Project as alternative international trade routes gain prominence. They assessed efforts to develop new joint projects, facilitate transit trade, harmonize customs procedures and strengthen cooperation between the two countries’

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  UN official warns Gaza recovery ‘far too slow’ as occupied West Bank escalation risk grows

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  A senior UN official warned Tuesday that Gaza’s recovery remains “far too slow” and that worsening violence in the occupied West Bank risks wider escalation across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Anadolu reports. “I am briefing you today as the situation in the West Bank is rapidly deteriorating, as we witnessed in the last few days,” Ramiz Alakbarov, UN deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the UN Security Council. Alakbarov warned that a wider escalation was “increasingly likely” unless immediate steps were taken to reverse the current course. Recalling his recent visit to the Gaza Strip, he said humanitarian conditions had “improved somewhat, but progress is far too slow.” He said recent advances in clearing solid waste

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  Israeli shelling, gunfire injure 17 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The Israeli army injured 17 Palestinians on Tuesday in a drone strike and gunfire targeting a civilian gathering and two camps for displaced people in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. The attacks came amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, 2025. In the latest attack, nine Palestinians were injured when an Israeli drone struck a civilian gathering in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital said in a statement. Three Palestinians were also injured when Israeli military vehicles opened fire on a camp for displaced people east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an Anadolu correspondent reported, citing medical sources. In a similar attack in southern Gaza, five Palestinians were injured by

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  US, UAE to establish military artificial intelligence task force

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday to create the first bilateral task force dedicated to accelerating the development of military artificial intelligence (AI). “The US-UAE task force, named Task Force Talon Synapse, is scheduled to formally launch in the coming weeks,” CENTCOM said in a statement. Based in Abu Dhabi, the team will comprise approximately 20 experts in AI, cybersecurity, and data from both nations. The initiative aims to integrate applications for intelligence support, the protection of critical infrastructure and monitoring the regional security environment. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper characterized the agreement as a “historic milestone,” noting that it will rapidly deliver AI advancements to warfighters. He emphasized that

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  Israeli occupiers establish new settlement outpost in northern West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Israeli occupiers established a new illegal settlement outpost Tuesday on Palestinian land in the town of Yasuf, east of Salfit in the northern West Bank, the third such outpost in the province in two days, Anadolu reports. Yasuf council chief Juma Abdel Fattah told Anadolu that Israeli occupiers set up the new outpost northeast of the town, erecting a tent in the Al-Nasba area around 50 meters from Palestinian homes. The area has faced repeated violence by occupiers, with two Palestinian homes in the area threatened with demolition by Israeli authorities, he said. Abdel Fattah warned that the new outpost was part of an Israeli policy “to impose facts on the ground and tighten restrictions on residents.” This is the third

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  Germany rules out sanctions against Israel despite West Bank concerns

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday ruled out general sanctions against Israel, while voicing deep concern over the Israeli government’s activities in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. “We are observing the Israeli government’s activities in the West Bank settlements with great concern,” Merz said at a joint press briefing with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin. “I have expressed this on several occasions to Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu, including in personal conversations. But we do not believe that general sanctions against Israel are the right approach,” he said. The German leader reiterated his hardline stance against imposing sanctions against Israel, citing his country’s Nazi past. READ: Report exposes pro-Israel network pushing Germany to defund UNRWA “I always advocate among European

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  Iran warns companies, countries accepting payments from frozen assets will be barred from Hormuz transit

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Iran warned Tuesday that vessels belonging to any country or company accepting compensation from frozen Iranian assets would no longer be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. In a video message carried by Iranian state media, a spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the warning followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that compensation for ships damaged during the recent conflict would be paid from Iran’s blocked assets. The spokesman said vessels damaged during what he described as the war imposed on Iran had been affected because of insecurity created by the US military and by sailing through what he called an “illegal and unsafe southern route” in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that any country

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  UK government rejects calls to recognise Gaza genocide despite UN findings

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Britain’s new government has rejected calls from 80 MPs and peers to recognise Israel’s genocide in Gaza, impose a full arms embargo and introduce comprehensive sanctions against the occupation state. The decision has intensified criticism of Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, whose first statements in office raised expectations of a break with the policies of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer but have so far produced little substantive change. In a cross-party letter led by Labour MP Kim Johnson, members of the House of Commons and House of Lords urged Burnham to recognise the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. I’m one of

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  Israel’s War on International Law | Palestine This Week

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  In this week’s episode, we begin with the growing normalisation of rhetoric aimed at erasing Palestinian identity and ask how Israel’s war on Gaza could reshape the global politics of genocide. We also explore the deepening crisis within Zionism, the surge in settler violence across the occupied West Bank and the future of the International Criminal Court following the removal of its chief prosecutor. The discussion also considers Zohran Mamdani’s call for Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest, Washington’s escalating hostility towards international institutions that challenge Israel and the strategic calculations surrounding a Saudi-US nuclear deal tied to normalisation with Israel.   WATCH: The Anti-Klan Law Comes for Trump’s Israel Lobby | Palestine This Week

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  MBS vs MBZ: the acrimonious battle of the Mohammeds that will define the Gulf’s future

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The deal between the US and Saudi Arabia to help the Gulf kingdom develop nuclear energy is a coup for Mohammed bin Salman. Some observers believe he played President Trump, letting it be known that if the US did not offer nuclear know-how, he would have happily collaborated with China, Pakistan, or even Russia. However it came about, the announcement heralds the start of a nuclear arms race in the Gulf, which will play out across the region over the coming years. It throws into sharp relief the intriguing relationship between the region’s two most powerful figures: Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. MBZ was

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  Gulf foreign ministers discuss regional security, Strait of Hormuz navigation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to intensify coordination and consultation on regional developments and issues related to freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. A statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the ministers exchanged views via video conference on current regional developments and ongoing negotiations to reach practical understandings to reduce tensions and strengthen regional security and stability. The meeting also addressed ways to step up coordination among GCC states on matters related to freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring passage and transit rights and the smooth flow of ships, trade and supplies under international law, the ministry added. The

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  Explosive hazards still pose risks in southern Lebanon despite reduced violence: UNIFIL

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Tuesday that explosive hazards and remnants of war continue to pose a threat in parts of southern Lebanon despite a decline in violence, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the peacekeeping mission said explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists are deployed ahead of peacekeepers to assess areas before any movement takes place. The teams identify and safely neutralize explosive hazards, helping make routes safer for peacekeepers carrying out their duties while reducing risks, UNIFIL said. “Although violence has decreased, explosive hazards still pose risks in parts of southern Lebanon,” the mission said. It added that EOD teams are helping reduce those risks while contributing to safer conditions for residents returning to their villages, farms

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  US warplanes take off from Israel to attack Iran, Israeli defense minister says

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Tuesday that US warplanes are taking off from Israel to carry out attacks on Iran. “US fighter jets are taking off from Israel to launch attacks on Iran, and the Iranians know that,” Katz told Channel 14. The defense minister said that Israel wants to attack Iranian energy targets, but the Israeli plan is opposed by Washington. “We strongly want to attack Iranian energy targets, but the US does not agree to that at this stage,” Katz said, threatening to hit Iran in case of any attack by Tehran. “If they fire at Israel, we will respond with full force. We are ready to strike Iran independently.” There was no immediate comment from Iran

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  EU reiterates ICC cooperation obligation as Netanyahu again crosses airspace of member states

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The European Commission reiterated Tuesday that all states should fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), including by executing outstanding arrest warrants, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aircraft once again crossed the airspace of several ICC member states en route to the United States, Anadolu reports. Speaking at the European Commission’s midday press briefing, spokesperson Anouar El Anouni declined to comment on Netanyahu’s specific case, saying that “any specific question on the ICC … should be addressed directly to the ICC.” He nevertheless underscored the EU’s position on the podium. “We, as EU, we do support the ICC and the principles set out in the Rome Statute. We as EU respect the court’s independence and impartiality, and we,

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  UK accused of branding Gaza children security threat while blocking family re-unification

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Britain’s Home Office has blocked the evacuation of dozens of Palestinian women and children from Gaza, with officials allegedly claiming that some pose a security risk simply because they come from a “territory where terrorists operate”, according to The Guardian. The families are said to be trapped in life-threatening conditions despite the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-which is responsible for organising British evacuations overseas-saying that it is ready to help them leave Gaza and reunite with relatives in the UK. Lawyers representing the families say that the Home Office, which controls immigration and entry to the UK, has adopted a harsher approach towards Palestinians than towards refugees from other countries seeking to join relatives in Britain. Some of those whom

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  Several countries urge protection of journalists amid Middle East escalation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) issued a joint statement Tuesday expressing concern over the safety of journalists and media workers and the impact of escalating regional tensions in the Middle East on access to information, Anadolu reports. The coalition said independent media play a critical role during armed conflicts by providing accurate and timely information to affected communities and the international public. In the statement, the signatories said they were concerned about what they described as an increasing number of journalists being killed, arrested or detained across the region. “The safety of journalists and media workers, and the access to information are under serious threat,” it said. The statement accused the Israeli government of preventing independent international journalists from

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  The Field Marshal’s expiring warranty

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Strongmen are not discarded because they become brutal. Brutality is often the job description. They are discarded when brutality stops delivering. That is why the Financial Times’ recent scrutiny of Field Marshal Asim Munir matters. After years in which much of the Western press handled Pakistan’s authoritarian order with the discretion normally reserved for intelligence assets, covert arrangements and embarrassing allies, one of the world’s most influential establishment newspapers has finally begun examining the machinery behind the medals. The timing is revealing. Empires do not suddenly discover constitutionalism. They conduct performance reviews. The article, titled, “The grand designs of Pakistan’s strongman,” does not prove that Washington has turned against Munir. The Financial Times is not an imperial dismissal notice, and

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  Turkiye delivers humanitarian aid to 85 countries

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Turkiye has so far delivered aid to 85 countries and communities across five continents through international humanitarian assistance activities coordinated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) under the Interior Ministry. AFAD continues to conduct search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance activities not only within Turkiye but also in different regions of the world as part of its disaster diplomacy efforts. Under AFAD’s coordination, Turkiye has provided countries and communities across five continents with food, shelter, healthcare supplies and essential living materials, as well as financial assistance, logistical support and search and rescue equipment. According to information compiled by Anadolu Agency, one of Turkiye’s largest international humanitarian assistance operations was carried out for Gaza. A total of 109,332

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  Hamas delegation heads to Egypt for talks on implementing 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Hamas said its negotiating delegation will head to Egypt on Tuesday to continue talks on implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. In a statement on Telegram, the group said its delegation will meet Egyptian officials, and mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, as well as Palestinian factions and forces. The talks aim to consolidate the ceasefire and ensure the implementation of commitments agreed in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, particularly those related to humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the transition to the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan, Hamas said. Israel launched its genocide in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, with US support, killing more than 73,000 Palestinians and injuring over 174,000

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  Iraqi premier says he will discuss investment, water, security during his 1st official visit to Turkiye

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Al-Zaidi said Tuesday that he will discuss bilateral cooperation in investment, water resources, regional security and major infrastructure projects during his first official visit to Turkiye since taking office in May, Anadolu reports. Al-Zaidi said in a post on the US social media company X that the visit comes upon an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is intended “to further develop the political and economic relations between the two countries.” “History, geography, culture, shared interests, and everything bring us together with Turkiye,” the Iraqi premier said. He said the talks will focus on investment, water and transportation development routes and efforts to strengthen stability in the region ​​​​​​​Al-Zaidi added that the two sides

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  Israeli army arrests 14 Palestinians, demolishes 3 homes in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  The Israeli army rounded up at least 14 Palestinians, including a woman, in military raids across the West Bank on Tuesday and demolished three homes in the occupied territory, according to local sources. In Nablus, Israeli forces raided the Ras al-Ain neighborhood, stormed three buildings, and searched several homes before detaining eight Palestinians, including a woman, the sources said. In Tubas province, army forces raided the town of Tammun before withdrawing several hours later, with no arrests reported. In Jenin, Israeli forces moved into the town of Al-Yamoun and arrested a former prisoner from Jenin city and another Palestinian from Deir Ghazaleh, northeast of the province. Israeli forces also arrested a Palestinian customs police officer and a young man from

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  US officials say sanctions may hurt Iran more than strikes: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on July 28, 2026

  US officials are of the view that pressuring Tehran with sanctions would damage the country more than bombs, Axios reported Tuesday, claiming there is a deepening economic crisis inside Iran. “The Iranians want to stop being bombed and they want money,” a senior US official said. “But that’s almost in reverse order. They really want the money first.” US President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran had requested talks on a deal after he paused US strikes over the weekend following 13 days of attacks. Iran denied the claim. Mediators from Oman, Qatar and Pakistan are trying to turn the pause into a lasting ceasefire. One proposal would give Iran and Oman a role in managing Strait of Hormuz traffic,