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

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  Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthis ‘by any means available’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Pakistan will use “any means available” to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Tuesday. Speaking during a visit to Rome, Asif said Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under its new mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. “I’m not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they’ll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that’s a categoric statement,” he said. READ: Houthi official warns Turkey and Pakistan against intervention on Saudi Arabia’s side Asif did not explicitly confirm Pakistani participation in any air strikes on Yemen, nor did

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  Saudi official denies Saudi-Israeli meeting in UAE

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  A senior Saudi official has denied reports that Saudi and Israeli officials held a meeting in the United Arab Emirates, Reuters reported. On Monday, Israeli Channel 14 reported, citing a senior Emirati source, that Saudi representatives joined an expanded meeting after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The source said Netanyahu had initiated the meeting. Its first part was attended by the two leaders and Israeli and Emirati representatives, while representatives from other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, joined the second part. READ: Israeli reports: Netanyahu held secret UAE meetings with Saudi, Arab representatives The meeting discussed security cooperation, including defence systems such as Iron Dome, the war with Iran and the Houthis, and the

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  Iran’s Rezaei says Tehran has told US its conditions, accuses Trump of being unable to decide

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said on Tuesday that Tehran had informed the United States of its conditions, accusing US President Donald Trump of being unable to decide.  Rezaei said Trump was “stuck in a quagmire”, adding that he was “neither able to negotiate nor able to wage war”. The Iranian official accused the United States of resorting to what he described as an “air blockade” because of its inability to confront Iran militarily. Rezaei also said Iran is ready to help establish peace in the Caucasus, while stressing that Tehran would continue confronting the United States in the region. Rezaei had earlier said Tehran had conveyed its conditions for ending the war through mediators. They include

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  Thousands of Haredim protest in Jerusalem against Israeli military service

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, protested in west Jerusalem on Tuesday against military conscription, describing the Israeli army as the “enemy army”, Hebrew-language media reported. Channel 12 reported that the march, attended by thousands of Haredim, was held “in honour of draft evaders who were recently released from military prison”. The channel said the march began in Jerusalem’s Geula neighbourhood, leading to the closure of several roads. It added that money was due to be distributed to those refusing military service at the end of the march, with each receiving hundreds of shekels. The dollar is worth about three shekels. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the draft evaders arrived at the march by bus and were greeted

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  Bennett warns Israeli army faces risk of collapse over recruitment crisis

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Tuesday that the Israeli army faces a “risk of collapse” because of a severe shortage of soldiers, blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for the ongoing recruitment crisis, particularly amid growing tensions over the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews. Bennett, leader of the opposition Together alliance, told Israel’s Channel 12 that he was issuing a “serious strategic security warning”, saying the army does not have enough soldiers to deal with all the threats cited by the government. READ: Former Israeli diplomat warns country could face apartheid-era South Africa-style isolation He said prolonged rounds of fighting were exhausting soldiers and damaging their operational readiness, adding that the shortage of troops sometimes forces the army to

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Phyllis Bennis: Netanyahu Addresses a Deserted UNGA but a Pact Congress

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Mark Pfeifeil: Who is Winning The War of Narration, Trump or Iran?

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  Syria says it arrests Hezbollah cell near Golan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Syrian authorities said on Tuesday they had arrested a cell affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah near the occupied Golan Heights, saying it had been planning attacks. Hours before the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were indications that Israel’s enemies were trying to attack it ahead of elections scheduled for 27 October. In a statement carried by Syrian state television, the Internal Security Forces said that, in a “pre-emptive security operation”, the General Intelligence Service, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, had foiled a “sabotage plot” in the Yarmouk Basin in Daraa and arrested a three-member cell affiliated with Hezbollah. The statement said the operation followed close monitoring of an attempt by the cell to prepare rocket-launching platforms

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  Berri says failure to renew UNIFIL mandate would be a ‘preventable mistake’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday that failing to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would be a “preventable mistake.” Berri made the remarks during a meeting with Major General Charlie Collins, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, and an accompanying military delegation, according to a statement published on Berri’s official website. The meeting was also attended by Berri’s media adviser, Ali Hamdan. Berri reiterated his position that failing to renew UNIFIL’s mandate would be a mistake that could still be avoided. He stressed the importance of maintaining a UN framework and operating under the UN flag for any force assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces following an

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  King Mohammed VI tasks first woman in Morocco’s history with forming government

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on Tuesday appointed Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri as head of government and tasked her with forming the country’s next government, making her the first woman to hold the post in Morocco’s history since independence. The appointment follows legislative elections held on 23rd September, in which the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The result made PAM the largest party in parliament, but left it without an outright majority and therefore requiring coalition partners to govern. El Mansouri, 50, is a Moroccan lawyer and politician who previously served as mayor of Marrakesh and held the portfolio for National Land Planning, Urban Planning and Housing in the previous government.

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  Qatari PM calls Netanyahu a ‘war criminal,’ says no justification for Israel’s response in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said he considers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and sees no justification for Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip following the 7TH October 2023 attack. Speaking in an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Al Thani described the 7th October  attack as a “massacre” and said he condemned it, but argued that this did not justify Israel’s subsequent actions in Gaza. Asked directly whether he considered Netanyahu a “war criminal,” Al Thani answered in the affirmative. READ: Qatar warns against Israeli attempts to ‘impose new reality’ in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon The Qatari prime minister said he regarded actions committed in Gaza as war crimes

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  Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Dahlan faction form electoral alliance to challenge Fatah

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reached an agreement with a faction led by Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah figure, to form an electoral alliance supporting a “unified national list” ahead of Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for 28th November. According to the Associated Press, citing Palestinian officials on Tuesday, the alliance includes Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah’s Democratic Reform Current, led by Dahlan, alongside other unnamed Palestinian groups. Efforts are also underway to expand participation and attract independent figures to the list, which would compete against Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Mohammed al-Hindi, deputy secretary-general of Islamic Jihad, confirmed the formation of the alliance in an interview with the Associated Press in Istanbul. He said the alliance would

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  Sisi says Egypt lost about $20 billion in Suez Canal revenue amid regional instability

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Tuesday that Egypt has lost about $20 billion in Suez Canal revenue in recent years because of regional instability, while warning that efforts to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip remain a threat. Sisi made the remarks during an expanded meeting at the Strategic Command headquarters in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, cabinet ministers, governors, senior state officials, military and police commanders, local leaders and experts. The gathering was the first meeting of its kind at the headquarters since Sisi formally inaugurated the Strategic Command complex in July. Sisi said Egypt needed to make better use of state resources, strengthen public confidence in government institutions and protect domestic

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  Palestinian Forum in Istanbul calls for direct elections to National Council

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Participants in an emergency Palestinian national forum held in Istanbul have called for members of the Palestinian National Council to be chosen through free and direct elections and urged broader democratic reform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. The forum, organized by the National Body for Palestinian Popular Action in cooperation with the independent Conference of Palestinians in Turkey, brought together Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territories and the diaspora to discuss political representation and reform of Palestinian national institutions. In a declaration issued following the gathering, participants rejected what they described as selective appointments and other mechanisms that do not give Palestinians a direct role in choosing their representatives. They argued that such arrangements lack sufficient representative legitimacy. The declaration

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  US issues new sanctions over Iran military procurement networks

  by Marwa A on September 29, 2026

  The US Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 10 individuals and entities in multiple jurisdictions that it said procured weapons and weapons components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), Anadolu reports. “Treasury will not tolerate any support to the regime and will continue to identify, expose, and isolate Iran’s enablers,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. The department said MODAFL is responsible for weapons research, production and acquisition for Iran’s armed forces and oversees organizations developing Iran’s ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Among those designated is Seyyed Asghar Alizadeh Tabatabai, whom Treasury described as a MODAFL representative in Beijing who “coordinates the procurement of finished weapons systems and dual-use components in China on Iran’s behalf.” READ:

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  Palestine urges companies to review ties with businesses linked to illegal Israeli settlements

  by Marwa A on September 29, 2026

  Palestine on Tuesday called on companies worldwide to review their relationships with businesses included in the updated UN human rights office’s database of businesses involved in activities linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, Anadolu reports. Palestine’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva welcomed the rights office’s latest update, which lists 214 companies, including 61 newly added businesses. “It is abundantly clear at this juncture that many enterprises of the 214 among the list are Israeli companies that have links with different companies in many countries around the world,” Ibrahim Khraishi told the UN Human Rights Council. “Any enterprises cooperating with these Israeli enterprises need to review those relationships,” he said. The rights office said the

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  Iraq’s national carrier to resume Iran flights in October after sanctions exemption

  by Marwa A on September 29, 2026

  Iraq’s national carrier Iraqi Airways said Tuesday that it plans to resume flights to and from Iran in October after securing a “special exemption” from US sanctions that had restricted services involving Iranian airlines, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the airline said the exemption followed “diligent efforts” by the government. Iraqi Airways had already resumed flights between Najaf and Iranian airports on Monday, according to INA. Earlier, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates suspended flights to and from Iran following new US sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. READ: Iranian rial hits fresh record low as US dollar tops 2.5M in free market

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  Israeli opposition forms 3 working teams to unseat Netanyahu, form ‘Zionist government’

  by Marwa A on September 29, 2026

  The Israeli opposition announced Tuesday the formation of three joint working teams aimed at coordinating efforts to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and form what it called a “Zionist government” after the Oct. 27 election, Anadolu reports. The five-party opposition alliance notably excluded Arab parties from the joint initiative ahead of next month’s general election, seen as crucial for both Netanyahu’s government and the opposition. On Saturday, opposition leaders Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan agreed to form a “change bloc” to coordinate their election efforts. Opinion polls indicate that neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition bloc would secure the 61 seats needed to form a government in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition could

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  EU seeks deeper partnership, more investment in Syria, foreign policy chief says

  by Marwa A on September 29, 2026

  The European Union is seeking to deepen ties with Damascus and increase investment in Syria, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Her remarks came during a joint news conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani at Tishreen Palace in Damascus during her visit to Syria. “We aim to mobilize even more investment and upgrade our partnership,” Kallas said, noting that Syria’s transition “matters greatly” for the bloc. “The European Union is using its political and economic tools to help Syria on the path of inclusive and peaceful transition.” Kallas said she proposed technical talks this year on political and security issues, recovery and reconstruction, followed by a high-level political dialogue before next summer. She said

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  Abbas’s UNGA speech omits important historical realities

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned of a greater danger than threats to the two-state politics during his UNGA prerecorded speech, he rendered the warning invalid by making the threats sound recent and new. Not only was Abbas warning the wrong audience, he also used the same audience’s language – that of international complacency – to undermine the reality of Israel’s ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.   The threat, Abbas said, “has now come to threaten the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland.” However, the threat of ethnic cleansing was what sustained the colonial Zionist ideology even before the establishment of Israel’s colonial enterprise on stolen Palestinian land. The UN General Assembly knows its history,

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  Japan signals support to Syria under al-Sharaa, lifts sanctions

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Japan on Tuesday said it was lifting partial sanctions on Syria, signaling support to the government of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Anadolu reports. Japan’s top government spokesman Minoru Kihara told reporters that many of the entities being removed from the sanctions list “are expected to play a role in Syria’s reconstruction,” state-run NHK news reported. Syria and Japan restored diplomatic ties last December, following a 15-year breakdown, a year after al-Sharaa formed the government following the ousting of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Stability and development in Syria “are directly linked to stability across the entire Middle East,” he said, adding that Tokyo “intends to support the country.” READ: Syria calls on EU to pressure Israel ‘effectively’ to halt attacks

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  Iranian rial hits fresh record low as US dollar tops 2.5M in free market

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Iran’s rial fell to a fresh record low against the US dollar on Tuesday, with the free-market rate crossing 2.5 million rials per dollar, Anadolu reports. The dollar was quoted at 2.542 million rials, up 3.84% from the previous day, according to Pashizi, a website tracking Iran’s free foreign exchange market. It reached an intraday high of 2.548 million rials. The latest decline follows a series of record lows for the currency. The dollar reached 2.4 million rials in the free market on Monday, amid heavy US sanctions and high inflation. Iran’s currency has weakened further since the US-Israeli assault began in February, as the war and a US naval blockade put additional pressure on the economy. The latest slide

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  Syria calls on EU to pressure Israel ‘effectively’ to halt attacks on its territory

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Tuesday called on the European Union to move beyond statements of concern and exert effective pressure on Israel to halt its continuing attacks on Syria, Anadolu reports. “This systematic aggression against a country that is recovering requires more than statements of concern; it requires effective pressure to stop these attacks,” Shaibani told a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Damascus. He called on the EU Foreign Affairs Council to take “a decisive position by calling these attacks by their true name” and demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the lines held on Dec. 8, 2024. Shaibani also called for the issue to be explicitly placed on the agenda

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  Iraq’s energy paradox: Oil power, electricity vulnerability

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Holding roughly 145 billion barrels of proved crude reserves, Iraq ranks among the world’s major petroleum powers, yet its electricity system still comes under severe strain each summer. In 2024, available peak supply stood at about 25 GW, against roughly 48 GW needed to meet summer peak demand, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The mismatch reflects less a shortage of energy resources than decades of weak gas capture, inefficient generation and exceptionally high transmission and distribution losses. Oil rich, power poor The weakness begins inside the grid. The International Energy Agency estimates Iraq’s transmission and distribution losses at around 50–60 per cent, among the highest in the world. Ageing infrastructure explains part of the problem, but technical

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  Qatar confirms relaying messages between US, Iran to end war

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Qatar said Tuesday it is relaying messages between the US and Iran as part of its mediation efforts to end their war, Anadolu reports. “Qatar’s mediation efforts are ongoing, and we are currently relaying messages between the American and Iranian sides,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told a press conference in Doha. Asked about the possibility of a large-scale US military attack on Iran, Ansari said: “We are concerned about any escalation in the region and are working to find a peaceful solution.” READ: US military rejects Iranian claims of controlling Strait of Hormuz In February, the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, which responded with attacks on US assets across the region before a ceasefire agreement was reached

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  Israeli plan for occupiers-exclusive route to deepen division of Ramallah: Palestinian commission

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  A Palestinian commission warned Tuesday of an Israeli plan to reopen Route 463 for occupiers in a move that could isolate eight villages and two major residential neighborhoods in northern Ramallah and Al-Bireh from areas to the south, Anadolu reports. “The road runs through the urban area of Ramallah and Al-Bireh in the central occupied West Bank, separating its northern and southern parts,” the commission said in a statement. It warned that reopening the road to occupiers would isolate eight villages and two major residential neighborhoods in the northern part of the urban area from the rest of the governorate. “The measure would force tens of thousands of Palestinians to use an old alternative road near the Jalazone refugee camp,”

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  Italy completes withdrawal of armed forces from Iraq after 12 years

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Italy has completed the withdrawal of its armed forces from Iraq, ending a 12-year deployment, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The last personnel, who had remained to recover and transfer logistical equipment, have returned, Crosetto said in a statement. The withdrawal was completed ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline agreed with Iraqi authorities. “From tomorrow, therefore, our military presence in Iraq will end,” Crosetto said. He said the move was part of a new phase agreed with Iraq and partner countries, in which Iraqi security forces would assume full responsibility for the country’s security. READ: Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal complaint in Italy against Israeli soldier The US-led coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve and NATO Mission Iraq will continue

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  4 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Four Palestinians were killed and several others, including children, were injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday amid daily violations of a ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, 2025. A medical source at Al-Shifa Hospital told Anadolu that the bodies of two Palestinians and several injured people, including children, were brought to the hospital after an Israeli airstrike targeted an apartment in the Al-Nasr neighborhood west of Gaza City. According to an Anadolu correspondent, the strike targeted an apartment in the Al-Batoul building, killing two Palestinians and injuring several others, including children. Witnesses said an Israeli suicide drone carried out the strike after hovering over the area shortly before the attack. The strike caused panic among

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  Lebanese army gets 47 Humvees, 5 trucks under US assistance programs

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  The Lebanese army said Tuesday that it had received 47 Humvee military vehicles and five trucks as part of US assistance programs for the armed forces, Anadolu reports. A military statement said that the vehicles were delivered at Beirut port. “This grant comes within the framework of US authorities’ support for the military institution, with the aim of strengthening its operational capabilities and raising the readiness of its units,” the statement said. It added that the initiative “reflects the confidence of the US authorities in the army’s role in maintaining security and stability in Lebanon.” READ: Israeli wars may cost Lebanon over $27B, prime minister says The delivery came a week after the Lebanese army received 70 containers of various types

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  Gulf countries seek alternative export routes amid Hormuz crisis

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Gulf countries are looking to find alternative oil and gas export routes due to the security crisis in the Strait of Hormuz after the joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February prompted Tehran to close the vital waterway in retaliation, exposing vulnerabilities in the region’s energy infrastructure, Anadolu reports. The Strait of Hormuz typically handles around 20% of global oil supplies, and its closure led to varying outcomes depending on the alternative infrastructure capacities and vulnerabilities among Gulf nations. Only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have active pipeline infrastructure able to bypass the strait, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain rely on maritime transit via the

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  Turkish-Israeli rift grows irreversibly amid Israeli expansionism and aggression

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  The 81st United Nations General Assembly session once again exposed a diplomatic rupture that has been taking place for several years. In his address to the world body, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan deliberately refused to name Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a calculated diplomatic strategy that Turkish analysts describe as a “legal and moral quarantine” designed to strip the Israeli leader of any legitimacy or diplomatic standing. Instead, Erdoğan focused his remarks on Gaza, the Palestinians, and the dysfunction of the international system, calling for greater pressure on Israel and the recognition of Palestine as an independent state. Netanyahu, by contrast, responded with a direct and personal attack. From the UN podium, the Israeli prime minister called Erdoğan a

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  Saudi crown prince reaffirms support for Sudan’s stability in call with Burhan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed his country’s support for efforts to achieve stability in Sudan and preserve its unity and sovereignty during a phone call with Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Anadolu reports. According to the Saudi state news agency SPA, bin Salman stressed the kingdom’s commitment to Sudan’s stability and to preserving its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. He also affirmed Saudi Arabia’s “support for all efforts to achieve stability in Sudan in a way that would pave the way for comprehensive development and enable displaced people and refugees to return to their homes.” ​​​​​​​Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023

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  Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu government of encouraging occupier violence in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Israeli opposition leaders on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of encouraging “extremists” and fostering a climate of chaos amid escalating attacks by occupiers against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. The criticism came after occupiers attacked the Palestinian villages of Jalud, Qaryut and Al-Mughayyir early Tuesday, setting fire to homes and vehicles and assaulting an elderly woman, while Israeli forces also raided several areas in the occupied territory. The army said in a statement that its forces and Border Police operated overnight in Jalud “to disperse Israeli rioters,” and sought to coordinate the return of a Palestinian family to its home in the village after the family had been forced to leave following

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  WHO warns health system in Yemen nearing ‘breaking point’ as casualties, displacement rise

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Yemen’s latest conflict escalation is pushing its already fragile health system toward a “breaking point,” with casualties and displacement rising while essential services face mounting pressure, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Annette Heinzelmann, WHO regional emergency director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told journalists in Geneva that 4,481 casualties, including 838 deaths, have been reported since Aug. 6, citing data from the Health Ministry in Aden. More than 180,500 people have been displaced across 10 governorates, while over 3,600 Yemenis have crossed into Djibouti since Sept. 10, nearly half of them children. Humanitarian partners are preparing for 5,000 to 10,000 arrivals in the coming weeks. Heinzelmann said nine health facilities or assets have been damaged, forced out

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  Gaza and the future of Middle Eastern geopolitics: Diplomacy, reconstruction and Palestinian statehood

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  The future of Gaza is no longer simply a question of ending a war. It has become a defining question for the political architecture of the Middle East. Diplomacy, reconstruction and Palestinian statehood are inseparable dimensions of the same geopolitical challenge. How Gaza is governed, rebuilt and politically integrated will influence Israeli-Palestinian relations and the roles of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United States, the European Union and the wider international community. As of September 2026, the United Nations reports that the Gaza ceasefire that began in October 2025 remains fragile, while the transitional arrangements envisaged under Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) have not yet been fully implemented. The UN also emphasises that Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction cannot

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  Russia wants Iran to remain part of nuclear treaty: Kremlin

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Russia on Tuesday urged Iran to remain ‘a responsible party’ to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following statements from Tehran that it seeks to withdraw from the nuclear treaty, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters during a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has heard statements on the possibility of Tehran’s withdrawal from the NPT from Ali Nikzad, the Iranian parliament’s deputy speaker, and that these remarks require further clarification. “We would not want Iran to withdraw from the NPT. We consider the NPT to be the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime. And we do hope that Iran will remain an important and responsible party to this treaty,” Peskov said. READ: Trump willing to offer Iran sanctions relief for nuclear progress:

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  Violence, Israeli settlement make life ‘intolerable’ for Palestinians in West Bank: Red Cross

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Violence, movement restrictions and accelerating Israeli settlement expansion are making living conditions increasingly “intolerable” for Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The ICRC said dozens of Palestinians have been killed, hundreds injured and many more displaced this year, while homes and property have been damaged or destroyed, leaving families without shelter or livelihoods. “The frequent and severe violence must be brought to an end,” said Julien Lerisson, head of the ICRC delegation for Israel and the Palestinian occupied territories. “(Israeli) authorities have a responsibility to protect the population from violence, including when that violence is inflicted by settlers. What international humanitarian law says on the protection of private

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  Israeli national security minister storms Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron with hundreds of occupiers

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in the southern West Bank on Tuesday along with hundreds of occupiers, Anadolu reports. Ben-Gvir’s incursion came a day after he forced his way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the Jewish Sukkot holiday, which began Sunday and runs through Saturday. Israel’s Channel 14 broadcast footage showing Ben-Gvir during the intrusion into the Ibrahimi Mosque. “When I arrive at the Ibrahimi Mosque, I draw energy that makes me want to sing and rejoice,” Ben-Gvir, who has lived as an occupier in Hebron for years, told the channel during the visit. Hundreds of occupiers could be seen behind him during the interview. Israeli authorities

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  Iran parliament speaker warns no one in region will sell oil if Tehran cannot

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned Tuesday that no country in the region would be able to sell oil if Iran were prevented from doing so, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. “The US and other countries should know, as we have said, that in a region where we cannot sell oil, no one will sell oil,” Qalibaf said. His warning comes as Iran faces severe restrictions on its oil exports amid the ongoing conflict with Washington and US sanctions. Iran’s Central Bank governor said in August that the country’s oil exports had fallen to zero, saying Tehran was no longer exporting crude because of the war and sanctions. The US military, meanwhile, said on Sept. 19 that

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  Gaza authorities report over 5,100 Israeli ceasefire violations, warn of ‘imminent catastrophe’ as winter approaches

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Israel has committed 5,147 violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, 2025, killing 1,421 Palestinians, the Government Media Office said Tuesday, warning of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe and as winter approaches, Anadolu reports. “Humanitarian and relief conditions in the Gaza Strip had become dangerous and catastrophic, exposing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to deadly consequences,” the office said in a statement. It dismissed Israeli claims that ample supplies had been allowed into Gaza as “misleading.” “Israel permitted only 35% of the agreed number of trucks carrying humanitarian and relief aid and reconstruction materials to enter the enclave,” the office said. “Only 72,826 trucks were allowed to enter out of 210,600 humanitarian and relief trucks and

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  Syria: Gas pipeline fire in Deir ez-Zor blamed on sabotage

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  A fire broke out on a gas pipeline between Al-Shoula and Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria on Monday, which authorities said was caused by an act of sabotage. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted Hisham al-Saleh, head of the gas sector at the Syrian Petroleum Company, as saying the fire had halted gas supplies from the Al-Jbessa gas plant to power stations. READ: Israeli forces shell outskirts of Beit Jinn, launch incursion into southern Syria with 9 military vehicles Al-Saleh said firefighting teams immediately isolated the area on both sides of the blaze and were continuing efforts to put out the fire as gas pressure in the area fell, SANA reported. The area between Al-Shoula and Deir ez-Zor contains

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  Netanyahu rejects AP report, says UAE talks focused on regional issues

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said early on Tuesday that his visit to the United Arab Emirates focused on strengthening ties between the two countries and addressing regional challenges. In a statement, the office said the visit included Netanyahu’s wife, the head of the National Security Council, the head of the Mossad, a military secretary, and a political adviser. Netanyahu’s office also rejected an earlier report by the Associated Press (AP), describing it as “fake news” and saying the visit focused exclusively on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional issues. READ: Netanyahu asks UAE president to deny report on Oct. 7 warning during secret visit: Report AP had quoted a person familiar with the matter as saying the visit focused

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  Yemen’s latest escalation shows why the country needs a political settlement, not another military cycle

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Yemen is once again confronting a dangerous escalation in a war that has repeatedly demonstrated the limits of military solutions. The latest fighting, particularly along the country’s western coast and in the vicinity of the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, is a reminder that Yemen’s conflict has never been simply a contest between two military forces. It is a complex political crisis involving competing national projects, regional interests, economic grievances and unresolved questions about the future structure of the Yemeni state. In September, the United Nations warned that fighting had intensified along Yemen’s west coast as Houthi forces advanced towards the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, while government forces launched a counteroffensive on several fronts. The UN also described the situation around the strait

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  Iraqi Hezbollah brigades threaten to bring down al-Zaidi government

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Iraqi Hezbollah brigades threatened on Monday evening to “bring down” the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi if it failed to work in the interests of the people, and warned that border crossings with countries involved in the air blockade of Iran could be closed. Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, the group’s security official, said in a social media post: “We warn Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and those behind him that any government that does not work in the interests of the people will be brought down by all means.” He added that “the Iraqi people will celebrate on the 30th of this month the expulsion of US occupation forces and NATO from Iraq”. READ: Iraq prime minister rejects extension

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  Israeli reports: Netanyahu held secret UAE meetings with Saudi, Arab representatives

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  The UAE and Israel officially confirmed on Monday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi and met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Israeli reports said the visit also included a secret meeting with representatives of several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia and states without diplomatic ties with Israel, to discuss Iran, the Houthis and air defence cooperation. Netanyahu’s office said in a brief statement that the prime minister and his wife visited the UAE on Sunday “at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed”. The visit focused on “strengthening relations between the two countries and regional challenges”. Netanyahu was accompanied by the head of the National Security Council, the head of the Mossad, the military

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  Ben-Gvir’s threat to Palestinian shackled prisoner sparks calls to act on detainees

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s appearance inside the cell of Palestinian prisoner Hassan Salameh, where he threatened him with death and execution, has sparked widespread reactions on social media and calls to move beyond condemning abuses to seeking practical ways to secure prisoners’ release.  Activist Khaled Al-Juhani said Salameh was “the owner of the land and the owner of the right”, describing him as the “engineer of revenge operations” for Yahya Ayyash. In a post on X, Al-Juhani said Ben-Gvir’s appearance while threatening Salameh with death came as he confronted a prisoner “who knows he will die”, but who, according to Al-Juhani, believes he lived and worked for a cause he considered worth sacrificing for. READ: Ben-Gvir’s visit to Palestinian

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  Cairo denies Ethiopian army chief’s accusations of supporting opposition armed groups

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Cairo has rejected accusations by Ethiopia’s army chief that Egypt supports armed groups fighting government forces, reaffirming its commitment to respecting state sovereignty and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. Nader Zaki, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman, said in a post on his official account that Egypt’s foreign policy “is based on firm principles, foremost among them respect for the sovereignty of states and their unity and territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries”. “Therefore, any claims that cast doubt on Egypt’s commitment to these established principles are null and void,” Zaki added. The statement came after remarks by Ethiopian army chief Marshal Berhanu Jula, who accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting armed groups

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Mark Pfeifeil: Who is Winning The War of Narration, Trump or Iran?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Boyd Barrett: Trump: We have reached a pivotal turning point. Is war coming? 

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  Former Shin Bet chief says he will sue Netanyahu over 7th October accusations

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar said on Monday that he plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating a public dispute over responsibility for the security failures surrounding the Hamas-led 7th October 2023 attack. Bar’s announcement followed accusations by Netanyahu that the former head of Israel’s domestic security agency had been aware of warning signs on the night before the attack but failed to inform the prime minister or take sufficient action. Bar rejected the allegations and accused Netanyahu of conducting a campaign aimed at shifting responsibility onto security officials. Bar said his lawyers would seek disclosure of documents concerning information provided to Netanyahu before the attack, including the prime minister’s schedule of meetings

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  Israel summons Spanish diplomat over minister’s ‘From the River to the Sea’ remarks

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires on Monday after Spanish Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego expressed support for a “free Palestine from the river to the sea,” prompting a new diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Rego made the remarks on 24th September at an event in Madrid introducing the Palestinian ambassador to Spain, Fadi Elhusseini. She said Spanish society’s position was clear in supporting “a free Palestine from the river to the sea.” The minister also defended Spain’s policies toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying the country had not “chosen the wrong side” by supporting Palestinian rights. She cited Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and other measures adopted by the government. Rego has separately called for stronger measures against

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  Former Israeli diplomat warns country could face apartheid-era South Africa-style isolation

  by Mehdi Editor on September 29, 2026

  Former Israeli ambassador Avi Pazner has warned that Israel could face unprecedented international sanctions and political isolation if the government’s current policies continue, comparing the potential trajectory to the pressure placed on apartheid-era South Africa. Pazner, who previously served as Israel’s ambassador to France and Italy and as a media adviser to former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, made the remarks in an internal exchange among former Israeli Foreign Ministry officials, according to a report published Monday by Ynet. “Most of us witnessed the process South Africa went through when economic and political sanctions were imposed on it in the mid-1980s, leading to the collapse of the apartheid regime in the early 1990s,” Pazner wrote. He said that sanctions targeting Israel