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

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  Iran foreign minister says path to nuclear deal exists if trust rebuilt with US

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that meaningful nuclear negotiations with the US are still possible if trust can be restored, while warning that any military confrontation would engulf the wider region, Anadolu reports. In an interview with CNN International, Abbas Araghchi said he is not concerned about war but about miscalculations driven by misinformation and outside efforts to push Washington into conflict. Araghchi said Iran has lost trust in the US as a negotiating partner but that regional countries are acting as intermediaries to pass messages and help rebuild confidence. “Unfortunately, we have lost our trust in the United States as a negotiating partner,” he said. “We need to overcome this mistrust.” Aragchi described the current exchanges as “fruitful” and

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  Trump responds to Iran’s Khamenei, expressing hope to make deal

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Sunday responded to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he warned a US strike on Iran would trigger a regional war, Anadolu reports. “Why wouldn’t he say that? Of course, he is going to say that,” Trump told reporters during his visit to Mar-a-Lago. “We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close,” Trump said, adding, “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal.” In case of a no-deal, Trump said, “then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.” READ: Iran’s Khamenei warns of regional war in case of US attack

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  Germany condemns Iran’s move to designate EU militaries as ‘terrorist organizations’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Germany on Sunday dismissed Iran’s decision to designate the armed forces of EU member states as terrorist organizations as “baseless” and “propagandistic” after the EU labeled Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Tehran’s retaliatory announcement would not alter Berlin’s stance following the EU’s move against the IRGC, according to DPA International. Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s parliament speaker said European countries’ armed forces are considered “terrorist organizations” under Iranian law, warning that the EU would bear responsibility for the consequences of its actions against the IRGC. Wadephul criticized Iran’s response as unfounded and politically motivated and defended the EU’s designation of the IRGC as correct and long overdue, accusing the IRGC of

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  Iran presidency releases names of those killed in anti-government protests

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s presidential office on Sunday released a report listing the names of 2,986 people killed during anti-government protests that erupted in late 2025, out of a total of 3,117 deaths recorded during the unrest, Anadolu reports. According to the report, which was published by the Office of the Presidency, the fatalities included both civilians and members of the security forces. The identities of 131 people have not yet been established and therefore were not included, with authorities saying work to identify them is ongoing. The presidency said the report was issued as part of “a policy of transparency, responsibility and accountability pursued by President Masoud Pezeshkian.” “All those who lost their lives in the recent events are sons and daughters

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  West Bank sees ‘silent war’ amid record levels of Israeli violence: UNRWA chief

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The occupied West Bank is witnessing a “silent war” amid record levels of violence by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since October 2023, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday. “Tens of thousands of people remain displaced a year after the launch of Israel’s operation “Iron Wall” – the largest displacement since 1967. Their homes are now gradually demolished to prevent their return,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on US social media company X. On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, killing scores and displacing thousands. Lazzarini said more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territory since October 2023, almost a quarter

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  Sudan resumes domestic flights to Khartoum airport for 1st time since war began

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Sudan on Sunday resumed domestic passenger flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the outbreak of war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, with a Sudan Airways aircraft arriving from Port Sudan, state media reported. The flight, operated by Sudan Airways and carrying civilian passengers, landed at Khartoum airport after nearly two years of suspension caused by fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF, according to the state news agency SUNA. The flight reflects Sudan Airways’ commitment to its “national role” in supporting air transport, reconnecting Sudanese cities and easing travel hardships faced by citizens since the war began, SUNA said. READ: 9.5 million internally displaced in war-torn Sudan, world’s largest crisis: UNICEF

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  Israel orders evacuation of Bedouin community in occupied West Bank

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The Israeli army on Sunday ordered residents of a Bedouin community in the central West Bank to evacuate and detained three foreign activists, residents said. Mustafa Kaabneh, a resident of the Khalayel Bedouin encampment south of the village of al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, told Anadolu that soldiers entered the community early Sunday, delivered a military evacuation order and arrested three foreign solidarity activists. Kaabneh said the encampment’s 11 families reject the order, fearing illegal settlers would move in. He said residents were displaced two years ago from the nearby Ein Samiya area in Kafr Malik village following pressure and repeated attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, who later pursued them to their current location. Another resident, Najeh Kaabneh, told

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  India, Arab nations call for independent Palestinian state, ‘lasting peace’ in Middle East

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  India and Arab nations have called for a “sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine” and reaffirmed their commitment to “achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions,” Anadolu reports. A declaration was issued on Saturday evening following the 2nd India-Arab foreign ministers’ meeting in the capital of New Delhi, which was co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. Top diplomats from Arab nations, as well as the Arab League secretary general, attended the meeting, held after a 10-year hiatus. Dubbed the “Delhi declaration,” it said: “Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions

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  Kuwait emir reshuffles Cabinet, replacing 7 ministers

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah ordered a Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday affecting seven ministerial portfolios, including the foreign affairs post, the official news agency KUNA reported. Under a decree issued by the emir, Omar Saud Abdulaziz al-Omar was reassigned as minister of state for communications and information technology. He had previously served as minister of commerce and industry and minister of state for communications since May 12, 2024. The reshuffle also named Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah as foreign minister, Osama Boudi as minister of commerce and industry, Reem al-Fulaij as minister of state for development and sustainability, and Tariq al-Jalahma as minister of state for youth and sports. READ: Kuwait revokes citizenship of Islamic preacher, Tariq Al-Suwaidan Abdulaziz

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  Israel bans Doctors Without Borders from Gaza

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Israel on Sunday banned the activities of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Gaza Strip and ordered the organization to leave the enclave by Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which oversees dealings with humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank, said the decision was taken after the charity refused to submit its staff lists to Tel Aviv. A ministry statement cited by Maariv newspaper said the MSF refused “to submit lists of local employees, a requirement applicable to all humanitarian organizations operating in the region.” The ministry claimed that the measure is aimed at “enabling legitimate relief activities while preventing the exploitation of humanitarian cover for hostile or terrorist purposes.” READ: Power

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  Israeli army chief expects US attack on Iran ‘within 2 weeks to 2 months’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir predicted that the US will launch a military attack against Iran within two weeks to two months, local media reported on Sunday. “This is a period of uncertainty,” Army Radio quoted Zamir as saying during a situation assessment meeting. Zamir said he believes that a US strike against Tehran will take place “within two weeks to two months.” The radio said that a US attack against Tehran is not expected in the coming few days. “The US does not share everything with Israel and excludes it from its decision-making processes,” the broadcaster said. The outlet said that Israel is worried that US President Donald Trump could reach an agreement with Iran on its nuclear

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  Iraqi parliament postpones session to elect Iraq’s president for 2nd time

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iraq’s parliament postponed a planned session on Sunday to elect the country’s president for the second time, amid ongoing disagreements between the nation’s main Kurdish political blocs, state news agency INA reported, without giving any further details. Shortly before the session, Masrour Barzani, the head of the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq, said that no agreement had been reached over the presidential post, citing differences between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan over the candidate for the post. A similar session was postponed last Tuesday over the ongoing disagreement between the two Kurdish parties. On Thursday, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council stressed the importance of adhering to constitutional timelines to complete procedures for appointing the president

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  Top Iranian commander calls US naval deployment ‘psychological warfare’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The deputy head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday called the US naval deployment in the Persian Gulf a “psychological warfare,” Anadolu reports. “Enemy efforts to create a sense of imminent war are part of a broader psychological operation aimed at influencing public perception,” Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said in comments carried by the Mehr News Agency. “Iran must not fall into this trap, and the country’s activities should not be affected by such psychological campaigns,” he added. The top military commander said the US naval buildup in the region was “not new and should be viewed within the same framework of psychological warfare.” Vahidi said the Iranian armed forces are “in an excellent state of preparedness.” “All

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  Gaza panel chief says loss of life ‘excruciating,’ urges adherence to ceasefire

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) on Sunday called the death of Palestinian civilians in Israeli attacks in the enclave “excruciating,” demanding adherence to the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. “The loss of life in Gaza over the past few days is excruciating—our condolences to the families who are grieving,” Ali Shaath said on the US social media company X. At least 37 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, in violation of a ceasefire deal that has been in effect since Oct. 10, 2025. “We call on all sides to uphold the ceasefire,” Shaath said. “NCAG is committed with partners to prevent further incidents and

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  Marching orders for Zionist envoy from South Africa strike a blow against anarchists

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  South Africa’s groundbreaking move to declare the Zionist regime’s envoy “persona non grata” and expel him from the country, has been welcomed by Palestine’s Resistance and solidarity movements.  This step is a crucial marker of the Ramaphosa government’s principled stand to defend and uphold its sovereignty. Despite bullying and intimidation by the US, it stood firmly to resist Zionist attempts to undermine national governance.  Following the crucial intervention it made at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the current decision is yet again a courageous position that requires solidarity from all political formations, civil societies, trade unions and human rights organisations.  Having monitored the provocative conduct of the apartheid regime’s Deputy Ambassador Ariel Seidman, one is compelled to agree with the

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  7 Muslim countries, including Turkiye, condemn Israel’s ceasefire violations in Gaza

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Seven Muslim countries, including Turkiye, on Sunday “strongly” condemned Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations in Gaza that have killed and injured over a thousand Palestinians, Anadolu reports. “These actions risk escalating tensions and undermining efforts aimed at consolidating calm and restoring stability, at a time when regional and international parties are working collectively to advance the second phase of the (US) President Donald Trump’s peace plan and to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The ministers said they view these repeated violations as a direct threat to the political process, hindering efforts to establish conditions for a

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  Israel ‘cannot coexist with’ Iran’s ballistic missiles, military official says

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  A high-level Israeli military official claimed Sunday that Iran’s ballistic missiles pose an “existential threat” to Tel Aviv, Anadolu reports. “Israel cannot coexist with Iran’s ballistic missiles,” the official, who was not identified, said in comments carried by the state broadcaster KAN. The Iranian ballistic missiles are “an existential threat, not merely a limited military challenge,” he claimed. He said that Tehran had possessed nearly 2,000 missiles before the Israeli attack on Iran last June. “Since then, Iran began to reproduce and expand its systems at a significant pace,” he alleged. “Estimates indicate Iran’s ability to launch dozens of missiles simultaneously, which further complicates any future confrontation scenario.” The official said any Israeli or US strike on Iran “will not be

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  Iraq says 450 ISIS detainees transferred from Syria

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iraq has received 450 ISIS (Daesh) detainees, including senior figures, from Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Hisham al-Alawi said Sunday, Anadolu reports. “The number of ISIS members transferred to Iraq is very limited out of around 7,000 currently in Syria, some of whom are commanders and leaders in the ISIS terror group,” Alawi told the state news agency INA. “Around 450 members have been brought to Iraq, while the vast majority remains in Syrian prisons and have not been transferred. They hold different nationalities.” The official said some of those transferred to Iraq are Iraqi nationals. “We have sought to accelerate their return over the past period,” he added. READ: Iraq says it should not bear ISIS detainee burden alone “Those who committed

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  Saudi Arabia still backs efforts to reach peaceful solution to US-Iran conflict, official says

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  A high-level Saudi official on Sunday denied US media reports about pressing Washington to launch a military strike against Iran, saying Riyadh is still backing efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict between the two countries, Anadolu reports. In comments carried by the Saudi-owned Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the official called US media reports about a change in the kingdom’s position on a possible US attack on Tehran as “untrue.” “Saudi Arabia supports efforts to find a peaceful solution to all contentious issues between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomatic means,” the unnamed source said. He stressed the kingdom’s rejection of using its airspace of territory for any military action against Iran. READ: Bin Salman: Saudi Arabia will not

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  US ambassador to Israel says decision on US strike against Iran ‘yet to be made’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The administration of President Donald Trump has not yet taken a decision about launching a military attack against Iran, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, Anadolu reports. “I would say that the decision still needs to be made,” Huckabee told Israeli Channel 12 in an interview aired Saturday. The US diplomat said Trump continues to reach a peaceful solution with Tehran. “President Trump is always hopeful for the best outcome. He is, in fact, let’s never forget, ‘the art of the deal.’ And if he can get that, then that’s ideal,” he said. “But if he can’t, he’s not afraid to do what he proved he would do last summer when he instigated Midnight Hammer.” Last June, Israel, with US

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  India to buy oil from Venezuela, not Iran: Trump

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India will buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, adding that China is also welcome to buy oil from Venezuela, Anadolu reports. “We’ve already made a deal. India is coming in, and they’re going to be buying Venezuelan oil, as opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we’ve already made that deal, the concept of the deal, but China is welcome to come in and buy oil,” Trump said on Air Force One en route Palm Beach, Florida. His remarks came a day after India and Venezuela agreed to “further deepen and expand bilateral partnership,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday as he spoke to Delcy Rodriguez, acting president of the South

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  Iran’s Khamenei warns of regional war in case of US attack

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Sunday that a US strike on Iran would trigger a regional war, Anadolu reports. “If the US initiates a war this time, it would spill over across the entire region,” Khamenei addressed a meeting in Tehran ahead of the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended the Pahlavi rule. He dismissed Washington’s deployment of aircraft carriers and warships to the Persian Gulf, describing such moves as “nothing new.” Khamenei said that American officials have repeatedly issued similar warnings in the past, often claiming that “all options are on the table,” including military action. “Now this man too constantly claims that ‘we brought warships’ and so on,” Khamenei said, referring to US

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  Iranian parliament designates European armies as ‘terrorist groups’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s parliament speaker said Sunday that European countries’ armed forces are considered “terrorist organizations” under Iranian law, warning that the EU would bear responsibility for the consequences of its actions against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Fars news agency, Anadolu reports. In remarks during a parliament session, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that “under Article 7 of the Law on Countering the Designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Terrorist Organization, the armies of European countries are considered terrorist groups.” He added that “the consequences of this action will be the responsibility of the European Union.” Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers wore uniforms of the IRGC during the parliamentary session in response to what they described as the

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  Hamas warns of ‘serious consequences’ if Israel continues ceasefire violations in Gaza

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas’ Political Bureau and its leader in the Gaza Strip, warned on Saturday that Israel’s continued violations of a ceasefire agreement would have serious consequences, Anadolu reports. Hamas said al-Hayya held calls with mediators and unnamed international parties after the Israeli army killed 37 Palestinians in the last 24 hours. Al-Hayya condemned Israel’s near-daily commission of “crimes and massacres” in Gaza, saying the attacks were being carried out under “false pretexts and lies.” He warned of the repercussions of Israel’s “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement, stressing that the Palestinian resistance’s commitment to the truce requires compelling the occupying power to meet its obligations and preventing it from continuing its violations. Hamas also blamed Israel

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  French, Syrian presidents discuss regional situation in call

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa held a call Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they discussed developments in the region and efforts to promote stability, according to a statement, Anadolu Agency reports. Al-Sharaa stressed the importance of supporting the Syrian political process and enhancing stability across the country, said the statement, which was cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The discussion also addressed the comprehensive agreement reached between the Syrian government and the SDF terror group, with Macron expressing support for the deal and underscoring the need for its implementation in a manner that guarantees Syria’s unity and sovereignty. Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to continued coordination to support Syria and the Syrian people on a path toward

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  Turkiye condemns Israel’s Gaza strikes, cease-fire violations

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday “strongly” condemned Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and cease-fire violations, saying the actions threaten international efforts to restore calm and stability in the territory, Anadolu reports. In a statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, the ministry said it “strongly condemns the attacks carried out by Israel today against the Gaza Strip and its continued violations of the cease-fire.” It stressed that the strikes come at a time when the peace process in Gaza has entered a new phase and warned that the attacks endanger international efforts to establish tranquility and stability in the enclave. It added that the developments again show that Israel “does not want peace in the region.” READ: London

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  Bahrain launches emergency alert system amid rising regional tensions

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Bahrain on Saturday announced the launch of a trial phase for a unified electronic emergency alert system for citizens and residents, amid heightened regional tensions, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the experimental operation of the “emergency alerts” system would begin at 9.30 pm local time, delivering notifications through all mobile phones and smart devices across the kingdom. The ministry did not provide further details on the scope or duration of the trial. The move comes as tensions have escalated between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks, following US President Donald Trump’s statements that a “massive armada” was moving toward Iran, alongside his call for Tehran to “come to the table” for negotiations. Iranian officials have warned

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  Iran’s foreign minister slams US military deployment to Persian Gulf

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister on Saturday criticized the US military presence in the Persian Gulf, saying Washington is attempting to dictate how Tehran conducts military activity near its own borders, Anadolu reports. In a statement posted on the US social media company X, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted the geographic distance between the US and Iran by attaching a map image to his post, highlighting the distance between the two countries, with the Strait of Hormuz marked to underscore Iran’s proximity to the strategic waterway. “Operating off our shores, the US military is now attempting to dictate how our Powerful Armed Forces should conduct target practice in their own turf,” he said. He also criticized US Central Command (CENTCOM) for calling

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  Egypt, Iran leaders discuss Tehran nuclear file, regional de-escalation amid tensions

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The leaders of Egypt and Iran discussed Iran’s nuclear file and efforts to reduce regional tensions during a phone call on Saturday, with Cairo stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against military escalation, according to the Egyptian presidency, Anadolu reports. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received the call from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the presidency said in a statement. The conversation addressed developments related to Iran’s nuclear program, with Sisi expressing Egypt’s “deep concern” over rising tensions in the region. Sisi stressed the need to avoid escalation and rejected military solutions, underscoring that diplomacy remains “the only and optimal path” to resolving the crisis in a way that spares the Middle East further instability, the statement said. The

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  London witnesses one of its largest demonstrations since Gaza ceasefire

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  London witnessed one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations since the ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025, as more than 100,000 people took part in a mass march through central London. Protesters voiced their rejection of the so-called ‘Peace Council’ led by the administration of US President Donald Trump, renewed calls to end the genocide and ethnic cleansing, and demanded the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. The march drew a broad cross-section of the public, including British families, human rights campaigners, trade unionists, doctors, students, and members of the Arab and Muslim communities. Participants waved Palestinian flags and carried placards calling for accountability for war crimes and an end to UK arms exports to Israel. The demonstration was

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  Israel reopens Gaza’s Rafah crossing ‘in pilot operation’ after nearly 2 years of closure

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been reopened as part of a “pilot operation” after nearly two years of closure, according to Israeli media on Sunday morning. “The Rafah crossing has opened in a pilot operation,” the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported. “According to estimates, the movement of people will actually begin tomorrow (Monday) in both directions, with about 150 people expected to leave the Gaza Strip daily, compared to about 50 who will return to it,” it added. The paper said that Palestinians who left Gaza during the Israeli war will only be allowed to return to the enclave through the terminal. “Israel would monitor the work at the terminal remotely using surveillance equipment, not directly by

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  Internal instability in Iran and noises of regime change

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  In January 2026, protests erupted in Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar, quickly spreading to other cities across Iran. What might have seemed, at first glance, like another episode of unrest was in fact a historic signal: for the first time since the 1979 revolution, one of the regime’s most loyal institutions openly challenged the state. This was not merely an economic protest; it was a striking expression of frustration with a government that many Iranians feel has long prioritised regional ambitions over domestic welfare, and coercion over reform. The Grand Bazaar has traditionally been a pillar of Iranian economic and political life. Its merchants have long supported the state, providing stability and reinforcing the Islamic Republic’s authority. That this community became

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  Epstein email reveals plan to pursue frozen Libyan assets with help from former MI6, Mossad figures

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Newly released documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein show the convicted sex offender and an associate discussed plans to pursue access to Libya’s frozen state assets, including potential support from former British and Israeli intelligence officials, according to an email included in the files, Anadolu reports. The correspondence surfaced after the US Justice Department released an additional batch of documents Friday related to the Epstein investigation. The newly highlighted material includes a July 2011 email sent to Epstein that outlines what the sender described as financial and legal opportunities linked to political and economic uncertainty in Libya at the time. According to the email, about $80 billion in Libyan funds were believed to be frozen internationally, including roughly $32.4 billion in

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  Massive London rally urges UK to halt arms to Israel amid ceasefire breaches

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Pro-Palestine demonstrators filled the streets of London on Saturday, Jan. 31, demanding an immediate halt to British arms sales to Israel and condemning ongoing violations of the Gaza ceasefire, Anadolu reports. The crowd gathered at Russell Square before marching to Whitehall, the seat of the British government. Protesters directed their anger at the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street, accusing the government of complicity in what they termed a continuing genocide. Demonstrators chanted slogans against both the Israeli and UK governments, calling on British institutions and companies to end their support for actions that violate international law. A small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters lined part of the route, waving Israeli and British flags in an attempt to provoke the

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  Palestinian children injured in Israeli raids, as illegal settlers step up attacks in West Bank

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Israeli forces wounded two Palestinian children during a raid on a refugee camp near Ramallah late Saturday, amid a series of separate attacks by illegal Israeli settlers on Palestinian property across the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian sources, Anadolu reports. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli troops stormed Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah, sparking confrontations with residents during which soldiers fired live ammunition. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the foot, while a 16-year-old sustained shrapnel wounds to the shoulder, the agency reported. Israeli military incursions across the West Bank frequently trigger clashes, as youths throw stones at armored vehicles and troops respond with live fire and tear gas, often resulting in injuries. In parallel incidents

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  Iranian nuclear agency chief says country can defend itself even without nuclear weapons

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Iran’s nuclear agency chief, Mohammad Eslami, says that nuclear weapons have “no place” in the country’s military doctrine and that Iran is fully capable of defending itself without them, Anadolu reports. Eslami made these remarks on Saturday in an interview with a local media outlet, emphasizing that Iran does not need nuclear weapons and possesses the necessary deterrence even without a nuclear bomb. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump warned Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions to avoid military confrontation while announcing that a massive naval fleet is currently en route to the country. Iran has frequently accused the United Nations nuclear watchdog of politicizing its nuclear program and has even blamed the IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, for facilitating

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  Hebrew Orientalism: Jewish Engagement with Arab-Islamic Culture in late Ottoman and British Palestine

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  It is often claimed that early Zionist settlers into Palestine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were indifferent to or would ignore Arab, Muslim and Palestinian culture. Mostafa Hussein challenges this view in his new book Hebrew Orientalism: Jewish Engagement with Arabo-Islamic Culture in Late Ottoman and British Palestine. The book grapples with the emergence of orientalist scholarship that emerged among Jewish settlers and Palestinian Jews during this period. Far from ignoring the Arab world, these Zionist thinkers sought to engage with it and use it to develop a new Jewish identity. Most of the writers examined by Hussein produced their works outside institutions such as universities and were thus less motivated by the incentives and views espoused

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  Israel’s food crisis – blowback from the economic costs of perpetual war

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Israel’s prolonged conflict has produced an internal crisis that receives far less attention than its military or diplomatic fallout: a deepening problem of food insecurity. According to estimates compiled by Israeli food-security organisations, nearly 39 per cent of food produced or consumed in the country is wasted, a systemic failure that cost the economy around 26 billion shekels (approximately $7 billion) in 2024 alone. The scale of waste stands in stark contrast to rising deprivation. Roughly 1.5 million people in Israel now experience food insecurity, even as surplus food is discarded across supply chains. Over the past decade, cumulative losses from food waste have crossed 211 billion shekels, draining household welfare and public resources alike (National Insurance Institute of Israel).

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  Unleashing the spear: Why Hezbollah is joining the fray

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  During the Twelve-Day War last June, Hezbollah remained conspicuously sidelined while Iran faced the United States and Israel alone. Critics suggested Tehran was deliberately preserving its “crown jewel” for the inevitable future showdown. Tehran did not want to burn its Ace. Now, facing the consequences of past military miscalculations, the Party must strike with all its might, or risk total strategic irrelevance. The dark clouds of conflict over the Middle East are no longer gathering; they are breaking. As the world braces for war with the Islamic Republic, the central question is not whether Hezbollah will join the fray, but how devastatingly it will do so. To view Hezbollah as a mere proxy is to misunderstand the DNA of the

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  Israeli army blocks streets with concrete barriers in West Bank raid

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Israeli forces conducted a raid in the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, Jan. 31, utilizing heavy machinery to block streets, Anadolu reports. The report said Israel has intensified attacks in the West Bank during two years of genocide in the Gaza Strip, with assaults continuing in the form of killings, destruction, displacement and settlement expansion. According to Palestinian figures, Israeli forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,110 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and injured nearly 11,000 others since October 2023. The International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal in a landmark opinion in July 2024 and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East

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  Iran plans to hold joint naval drills with China, Russia in northern Indian Ocean region: Report

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  Iran plans to hold joint naval exercises with China and Russia in the northern Indian Ocean region in mid-February, Iranian media reported on Saturday amid elevated tensions with the US, Anadolu reports. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency said the eighth edition of the joint drills, known as the “Maritime Security Belt,” will bring together naval units from the three countries. The exercise will involve units from Iran’s regular navy and the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside naval forces from China and Russia, the report added. The mid-February drills will be held in the northern Indian Ocean. The “Maritime Security Belt” exercises were launched in 2019 at the initiative of Iran’s navy, Tasnim said. Seven previous

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  5 killed, several injured in explosions in southern, southwestern Iran: Report

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  At least five people were killed and several others injured in separate explosions in southern and southwestern Iran, local media reported on Saturday, Anadolu reports. According to Mehr News Agency, the Ahvaz Municipality Fire Department and Safety Services said the blast occurred at a four-unit residential complex in the Kianshahr neighborhood of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran, killing four people. The official said the explosion was caused by a leak in the city’s gas network. Separately, an unknown substance exploded in an eight-story building located in an alley off Moallem Boulevard in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, according to the Fars news agency. A four-year-old girl was killed in the explosion, and about 14 other people were injured. More than 10 vehicles

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  Dooming the Chagos deal: The Diego Garcia dilemma

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  When remote islands start to interest chatterboxes in think tanks and bureaucrats in foreign ministries, we can only assume that some matters will be exaggerated over others.  With the Chagos Islands, there is one matter that is hard to exaggerate.  The plight of its indigenous population has been horrendous, treated with brutish contempt by the British and United States, banished from their homelands in the name of strategic interests.   As Britain and its strategic footprint passed into the shade of US power, it became vital that Britannia perform the vital role of servitor, always assured that it would be a partner in the venture. In 1965, the UK effectively prized Mauritian control over the Chagos Islands, officially known as the

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  At least 37 Palestinians killed, others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  At least 37 Palestinians were killed and several injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas across the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, multiple sources said Saturday, Anadolu reports. The Civil Defense in Gaza confirmed in its latest statement that Israeli attacks on the Strip since dawn on Saturday have killed 32 Palestinians, including children and women. Five Palestinians, three children and two women, were killed, and others injured in an Israeli airstrike that hit a residential apartment in the Rimal neighborhood of western Gaza City, medical sources told Anadolu. Seven more Palestinians, a man, his three sons, and three of his young grandchildren, were killed in another Israeli airstrike that targeted a tent sheltering displaced

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  Washington’s bipartisan war on Iran did not begin with Gaza. Gaza exposed it

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  For decades, Washington has insisted that its hostility toward Iran is a response to Iranian “aggression,” “terrorism,” or the Islamic Republic’s supposed refusal to “behave like a normal state.” Yet the synchronized threats issued by both Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the aftermath of Gaza’s annihilation reveal a more uncomfortable truth. American policy toward Iran has little to do with Iranian actions and everything to do with preserving an Israeli‑centered regional order at any cost. To understand this moment, one must begin with an inconvenient historical fact that the United States foreign policy establishment prefers to forget. The United States was not always Iran’s enemy and Iran was not always the problem. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran was

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  Gulf allies urge restraint as Washington weighs escalation

  by Marwa A on January 31, 2026

  At a moment when the Middle East stands on the edge of escalation, the decisive voices have already been heard — not from Washington, but from Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha and other GCC nations. In the last 48 hours, the Gulf has moved from anxious diplomacy to the edge of a direct military crisis as Washington and Tehran traded threats even while back-channel talks and regional mediation intensified. Calmly and deliberately, Gulf states have reaffirmed a simple truth: their land, airspace and bases will not be used to fuel another war on Iran. This is not an exceptional stance, but a consistent one — born of long memory, strategic clarity and a deep, collective determination to keep the region from

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  Demonstrators in Albania’s capital protest PM Edi Rama’s visit to Israel

  by Marwa A on January 30, 2026

  A pro-Palestinian protest was held in Albania’s capital, Tirana, on Friday, Jan. 30, against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s recent visit to Israel, Anadolu reports. The demonstration, organized by civil society groups under the slogan “Not in My Name,” took place in front of the Albanian Parliament building. Protesters voiced opposition to Rama’s visit to Israel between Jan. 25 and 27 and expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Demonstration organizer Floriar Arapi said the protest aimed to show that Albanian society stands for peace and justice and does not support policies linked to violence and civilian deaths. Protester Sidorela Vatnikaj said Rama’s visit did not represent the Albanian people, stressing that Albanians understand the suffering caused by war and oppose what

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  Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on January 30, 2026

  Fresh Israeli airstrikes targeted several locations in southern Lebanon on Friday evening, hitting areas near Zahrani and other rural sites despite the ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s official news agency, Anadolu reports. The National News Agency (NNA) reported that a series of Israeli strikes targeted villages in the Zahrani district, with explosions heard as far away as the coastal city of Sidon. Separately, the agency said further airstrikes targeted a valley between al-Mseilih, Tuffahata and al-Najjariyah in southern Lebanon. Israeli warplanes carried out intense strikes starting around 7:30 pm, hitting the valley between the towns of Zefta and al-Nmeiriyeh, as well as valleys between the towns of Azza and Kafra, NNA said. The heavy strikes caused electricity outages in the areas

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  Putin receives Iran’s top security official Larijani at Kremlin

  by Marwa A on January 30, 2026

  Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday received Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, at the Kremlin, the presidential spokesman said, Anadolu reports. Dmitry Peskov said the meeting took place during Larijani’s visit to Russia, without providing further details. US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program. On Friday, he again spoke about US warships heading towards Iran, claiming they form a much larger “armada” than the fleet sent before the attack on Venezuela earlier this month that captured President Nicolas Maduro. READ: Trump says ‘larger number of ships’ heading toward Iran, signals hope for deal

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  London: Tower Hamlets faith communities stop UKIP again

  by Marwa A on January 30, 2026

  More than 150 members of faith communities and organisations have today, 30 January, issued a press statement denouncing a planned march by the far-right anti-Muslim UK Independence Party. The following is the full text of the statement: Once again, the borough of Tower Hamlets was being threatened by racist outsiders. The discredited rump of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) party have been planning to march through Whitechapel on 31st January. They tried to do the same on 25th October 2025, but were stopped by thousands of local people who attended the Tower Hamlets Unity Demo, supported by 60 organisations, as well as the elected Mayor, Lutfur Rahman. This time, UKIP announced to come to one of the most culturally-diverse communities in the