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

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  Sudan accuses Ethiopia of allowing drone attacks to be launched from its territory

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  Sudan accused Ethiopia of allowing its territory to serve as a launchpad for drones recently used in attacks against the country, with a senior Sudanese Foreign Ministry official calling the alleged launches “a dangerous development that could undermine security and stability in the region,” Anadolu reports. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid made the remarks at a seminar hosted by the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) in Khartoum on allegations of Ethiopian support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the agency reported. “Ethiopia has not been deterred and has continued its aggression against Sudan,” Khalid said. He said Sudan reserved the right to protect itself and keep the international community informed, urging international justice institutions to act to halt aggression.

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  Over 135,000 displaced in Yemen’s Taiz province in 2 months: Minister

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  More than 135,000 people were displaced in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province over a roughly two-month period, a minister said Wednesday, citing government figures that also recorded 79 civilian deaths and 206 injuries, Anadolu reports. Social Affairs and Labor Minister Mukhtar Omar Saleh Al-Yafei presented the figures at a government news conference in the temporary capital Aden, according to Yemen’s SABA news agency. The figures cover Aug. 10 to Oct. 15, a period of military escalation and a siege that the government accuses the Houthi group of imposing on parts of the province. Al-Yafei said field monitoring recorded the displacement of 19,600 families comprising 135,587 people, including 52,979 children. The ministry documented 494 violations against civilians during the same period, including

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  Israeli channel reports proposed Netanyahu-Eisenkot power-sharing deal

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  An Israeli television channel reported Wednesday that a power-sharing deal is taking shape under which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lead the next government for two years before handing power to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in exchange for retiring from politics and receiving a full pardon in connection with his ongoing corruption cases, Anadolu reports. Israel’s Channel 14 reported that President Isaac Herzog is currently seeking to advance the proposed arrangement, which could pave the way for the formation of the next government following Tuesday’s inconclusive parliamentary elections. According to Channel 14, Herzog has been promoting the arrangement for two years, well before the election campaign and the announcement of the results. The channel suggested that the proposal could become

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  Qatar-led mediators push for US-Iran deal to avert new strikes: Report

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  Regional mediators led by Qatar are working to restart negotiations between the US and Iran to prevent a resumption of the war, the Axios news site reported Wednesday. They are urging Tehran to allow UN inspectors to visit bombed nuclear sites in return for some relief from US sanctions, according to the report, which cited US, Israeli and regional sources. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye are supporting the effort, it said. US President Donald Trump told Axios that talks with Iran are taking place through mediators but said he does not know whether they will succeed. “We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way — we will find out if negotiations can succeed,”

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  Israeli forces demolish residential building, bulldoze land in Bethlehem’s al-Walaja

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  Israeli forces demolished an occupied residential building and bulldozed agricultural land in the village of al-Walaja, north-west of Bethlehem, on Wednesday, displacing five families and destroying dozens of fruit trees and agricultural facilities, local sources said. The sources said the three-storey building belonged to four brothers, Yahya, Mustafa, Hamza and Mohammed Yousef Rabah, with each floor covering about 170 square metres. The building housed five families comprising 12 people, putting them at risk of losing their homes and belongings, the sources added. READ: Palestinian Rights Commission calls for international investigation into home demolitions and forced evacuations in Hebron Israeli forces also bulldozed half a dunum of land belonging to Khaled Mousa al-A’araj, uprooting more than 50 olive and almond trees. They

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  Kuwait summons Iranian ambassador after Tehran denies assassination plot

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  Kuwait summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Totonchi on Wednesday to protest against Tehran’s denial that an Iranian citizen was involved in an alleged plot to assassinate senior Kuwaiti officials. Iran’s embassy rejected the allegation, saying the individual concerned had not been in Kuwait for 10 years and describing the accusations as false. The dispute follows a Kuwaiti court ruling on Monday sentencing three defendants to death for alleged espionage for Iran and Hezbollah and plotting to assassinate senior officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Fahad Al-Yousef. Eight other defendants received five-year prison sentences, Kuwaiti media reported. READ: Egypt, Kuwait and Arab League condemn Colombian Embassy opening in Jerusalem Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television identified one of those sentenced to death

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  Joint Arab List ready to help bring down Netanyahu government

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  The Joint Arab List is ready to use its political and parliamentary tools to help end Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule and pave the way for an alternative government, its leader Yousef Jabareen said on Wednesday, hours before the counting of votes in Israel’s election was due to be completed. Jabareen said the list sought to use its political influence to affect the election results and the formation of the next government. He stressed that any alternative political arrangements must take the demands of the Palestinian Arab community in Israel into account. READ: Netanyahu’s bloc projected to secure 54 seats, Eisenkot-led bloc 49 as Israeli vote count reaches 84% The list’s demands include a funded plan to combat crime and

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  Barghouti says Israeli election results show sharp shift towards extremism and fascism

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  The preliminary results of Israel’s elections point to a sharp shift towards greater racism, extremism and fascism, Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), said on Wednesday. He said intensifying rivalries between political camps in Israel did not indicate any fundamental change in their positions on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Barghouti stressed that Palestinians, wherever they live, would remain the main force resisting growing Israeli racism. He said Palestinians were engaged in a single, unified national struggle against the occupation, despite differences in their circumstances and locations. READ: Israeli president urges every effort to avoid another election He said this struggle was reflected in the resilience of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and their resistance

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  Trump appoints Biden-era official to Gaza Board of Peace

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  The Board of Peace established by US President Donald Trump has appointed Shelley Greenspan, a former White House liaison to the Jewish community under President Joe Biden, to lead efforts to secure congressional support for Trump’s Gaza plan, Axios reported. The appointment comes as implementation of the plan remains stalled, with renewed efforts expected after the US midterm elections and the formation of a new Israeli government. Axios said the prospect of Democrats gaining control of either chamber of Congress could increase the need for bipartisan backing. The report attributed the delay partly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reluctance to take steps in Gaza before Israel’s elections. Greenspan, a US State Department official, said she believed the plan could

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  Trump pressures Netanyahu to exclude Ben-Gvir and paves way for unity government

  by EditorMehdi on October 29, 2026

  US President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the results of Israel’s elections and their political implications through his aides, as neither of the two political blocs appears to have a clear majority to form the next government. Sources close to Trump said the US president wants to oversee the formation of Israel’s next government and prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from including Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party, and possibly Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, in the governing coalition. According to the sources, Trump is personally following developments in Israel’s electoral landscape through various channels, indicating his administration’s interest in the composition and political direction of the next government. Sources close to Trump

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  Putin says trade turnover with Egypt ‘growing steadily’ despite regional tensions

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia’s trade turnover with Egypt is “growing steadily” despite regional tensions, as he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Moscow, Anadolu reports. In opening remarks during the talks, held on the sidelines of the two-day Russia-Africa summit that began in Moscow earlier Wednesday, Putin said joint efforts have accomplished a great deal since the first summit in 2019, as shown by the growth in trade between Russia and Africa. “Since 2022, the total volume has increased by 50%, surpassing $27 billion. Egypt accounts for a significant portion of this trade turnover,” said Putin, noting that there is much “common ground” between Russia and the continent on development priorities. Noting that, together with their

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  ‘Not acceptable’: UN rights chief slams US sanctions on world body’s rapporteur

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Wednesday called sanctions imposed on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese “not acceptable,” Anadolu reports. “You can agree or disagree with someone, but you should never ever sanction them,” said Turk in response to a question from Anadolu at a news conference in New York. “They were appointed by the Human Rights Council as independent experts, and the sanction is just not acceptable,” he said. He said the sanctions on Albanese and the International Criminal Court (ICC) “are not in line with international law from our perspective.” “Our call to member states is always to ensure that such sanctions are not only lifted, but that they also use their influence that they get lifted,”

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  Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets, plans to acquire S-400 air defenses

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Wednesday that Ethiopia has received 12 advanced Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and plans to acquire four S-400 air defense systems, Anadolu reports. The announcement comes as tensions with neighboring Eritrea and renewed fighting in the northern Tigray region raise fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa. “Ethiopia’s newly deployed military jets will remain more ready than ever to defend the airspace!” Abiy wrote on US social media platform X. He said the fighter jets were delivered under an earlier agreement with Moscow, and the S-400 air defense systems are expected to arrive later. “I would like to express my gratitude to my friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his dedication in ensuring

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  Iranian foreign minister says Tehran in talks with mediators to implement 7-day plan with US

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran is in contact with mediators to review proposals to implement a seven-day plan with the US, Anadolu reports. Araghchi wrote on US social media company X that Tehran continues to give diplomacy a chance despite tensions with Washington. “While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed,” he said. “We remain in close and ongoing contact with intermediaries to review ideas that can ensure implementation of our 7-Day Plan in even less than a week.” Iran’s seven-day plan, presented to Washington through Qatari mediators in September, proposes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations with the US within a

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  Yemeni army claims 239 Houthis neutralized in 749 operations over 24 hours

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Yemen’s armed forces said they neutralized 239 Houthi commanders and fighters in 749 operations targeting the group’s military positions across several fronts during 24 hours as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, Anadolu reports. Col. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, spokesman for the armed forces, said on US social media company X that the operations targeted Houthi command centers, fortifications, firing positions, reinforcements and supply routes. He said the attacks disrupted Houthi field command operations, suppressed firing positions and prevented frontline units from receiving reinforcements and supplies. The operations resulted in the neutralization of 239 Houthi commanders and fighters, while 117 military vehicles and pieces of combat equipment were destroyed or damaged, according to the spokesman. Army units and allied Popular Resistance

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  World Food Program chief calls Gaza hunger ‘unacceptable’; vows to protect aid workers

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  The UN World Food Program (WFP) chief Luke Lindberg said Wednesday that the hunger situation in the Gaza Strip is “unacceptable” as he pledged to defend his staff against attacks, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, Lindberg said that “there is a very serious need” in Gaza, citing funding cuts as a major constraint on the agency’s work. Asked how he would address Israeli troops firing on WFP convoys, given his White House connections, Lindberg said staff security is “the number one concern for me.” “I will absolutely stand up for our employees, no matter where on Earth they are located,” he said. He added that “if anywhere in the world there are

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  Syria summons Jordanian ambassador for ‘deadly’ airstrikes in Daraa

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Syria summoned Jordan’s ambassador to Damascus on Wednesday and handed him a formal protest note for Jordanian airstrikes that killed civilians, including children, in the southern Daraa province, according to a statement by the ministry’s media department carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The Foreign Ministry summoned Sufian al-Qudah and delivered the note regarding the strikes on civilian sites. The move came the day after Syria and Jordan agreed to establish a joint security committee to investigate the airstrikes and strengthen coordination to protect civilians and safeguard Syrian sovereignty. The agreement followed a call late Tuesday between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi. Safadi expressed deep regret for casualties and offered condolences to

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  Sudan accuses over 20 countries of involvement in ongoing war

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Sudan’s defense minister accused more than 20 countries on Wednesday of involvement in the country’s ongoing war by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Anadolu reports. Speaking to the Sudan News Agency, Hassan Daoud Kabroun said the countries were providing the RSF with logistical support, mercenaries, funding and drones. He did not name the countries allegedly involved. “What is happening is not a civil war or a struggle for power, but a comprehensive war aimed at destroying Sudan, plundering its resources and changing its demographic composition,” Kabroun said. The Sudanese army and the RSF have been fighting since April 2023, when disagreements over the integration of military forces escalated into war. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of

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  Former US officials who resigned over Gaza urge 2028 presidential candidates to reject architects of Biden-era policy

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  A group of former US government officials who resigned because of Washington’s policy in the Gaza Strip has urged candidates seeking the 2028 presidential nomination to pledge not to appoint officials they said enabled Israel’s genocide in the enclave, Anadolu reports. “Senior Biden Administration officials who were architects of the Gaza policy are now actively white-washing their own roles in enabling genocide,” Gaza Resignees said in a statement signed by 12 former officials. “They violated U.S. and international law by providing U.S. weapons while Israel indiscriminately and disproportionately attacked civilians and civilian infrastructure, and as Israel arbitrarily blocked humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” it said. The signatories include former State Department officials Josh Paul, Annelle Sheline and Stacy Gilbert, former diplomats

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  Canadian advocates, academics urge reassessment of refused study permits for Palestinian students from Gaza

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Rights advocates, academics and a Canadian party leader urged the government on Wednesday to reassess refused study permit applications from Palestinian graduate students accepted into Canadian universities, warning that promises of fair treatment have not been kept, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa on behalf of the Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk Network (PSSAR), Baher Abdulhai said: “Despite repeated assurances from government officials, students from Gaza are receiving refusals, rather than the fair resolutions they were promised.” “What began as a crisis of endless processing times and delays turned into a crisis of fairness and accountability. Unfortunately, the government’s commitments have not translated into results,” he said. Abdulhai said that of 37 students outside the Gaza

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  Israeli president urges every effort to avoid another election

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday urged political parties to make every effort to avoid another election after preliminary results left neither main bloc with a parliamentary majority, Anadolu reports. “Everything must be done, especially after yesterday, to avoid repeating another election,” Herzog told reporters in remarks carried by Israeli public broadcaster KAN. He said he would begin consultations with parliamentary factions next week after receiving the official election results from the Central Elections Committee. “I expect everyone who comes here to come with an open mind,” Herzog said. He said he would listen to each faction, ask questions and hold discussions before deciding which lawmaker to task with forming a government. Under Israel’s basic law governing government formation, the

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  Israeli military demolishes homes of two Palestinian prisoners in West Bank village of Beita

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israeli forces demolished two homes belonging to Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank town of Beita, south of Nablus, on Wednesday, using heavy explosives to detonate one structure and a bulldozer to flatten the other, according to local officials. Israeli troops entered the village and ordered the families of Ibrahim Abdulkerim Davud and Zakaria Muhammed Davud to evacuate their residences prior to the demolitions, local sources reported. Davud’s house was blown up using explosives, while Zakaria Davud’s house was demolished with a bulldozer. READ: UN commission reports more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank since October 2023 The two men have been held in Israeli custody since January following their arrest on suspicion of carrying out a shooting attack

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  Israel’s final election results expected Thursday evening: Election official

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israel’s final parliamentary election results are expected Thursday evening, Israeli news website Ynet reported Wednesday, citing an election official, Anadolu reports. Elad Naveh, director of the Central Elections Committee’s control center, said counting of more than 500,000 special double-envelope ballots would begin Wednesday evening and was expected to be completed Thursday evening, although the process could continue until Friday. The special ballots were cast by voters outside their registered polling stations, including soldiers, diplomats, police officers and displaced residents. Under the system, voters place their ballot inside an envelope, which is then placed in a second envelope containing their identification details to prevent duplicate voting. READ: Arab Joint List extends hand to Eisenkot’s bloc to oust Netanyahu gov’t As of the

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  Iraq, Syria discuss oil exports via Baniyas pipeline with capacity of 2M barrels per day

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed Wednesday exporting Iraqi oil through the Baniyas pipeline, and efforts to strengthen economic and security cooperation, according to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s media office, Anadolu reports. The discussions took place during expanded talks between delegations from both countries in Damascus. The talks addressed “exporting Iraqi oil through the Baniyas pipeline with an export capacity of up to 2 million barrels per day,” as well as increasing trade, it said, but provided no details on the project’s technical requirements, financing or implementation timeline. The two sides also discussed joint efforts to develop the agricultural sector to achieve greater food and economic integration. Zaidi described Iraqis and Syrians

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  Meet the shortlisted authors of Palestine Book Awards 2026

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Join us for an evening of celebration with the shortlisted authors for Palestine Book Awards 2026! The evening is a chance for you to discuss with the shortlisted authors their works, inspirations and to network with them. Author Hazem Jamjoum will host the event. We will be joined by the following authors: Paul Kohlbry, Samer Al Saber, Nora Lester Murad and Thomas Suarez. The event will be held on Thursday, 12th November 2026 at 6.30pm in P21 Gallery, London, NW1 1JD.   BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET   Please note: Having a ticket does not guarantee entry. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis so we advise you to be on time when registration opens to avoid disappointment. READ: Announcing the Shortlist

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  Up to 50,000 flee Ethiopia clashes into Kenya, urgently need aid: UN refugee agency

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Up to 50,000 people have crossed from Ethiopia into neighboring Kenya since Thursday to escape ongoing clashes near the border, the UN refugee agency said Wednesday, warning of pressing humanitarian needs, Anadolu reports. UNHCR Representative in Kenya Fatima Mohammed-Cole said in a statement that the estimate came from local authorities and remained subject to verification as people continued to arrive. Many of those fleeing are women and children. Some are staying with relatives or host communities, while others have taken refuge in schools and churches, she said. Food is “the most urgent need,” followed by safe drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation facilities and health care, according to the agency. UNHCR said it had deployed an emergency response team to the

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  Indonesia should stop selling palm oil to Israel

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Indonesian palm oil is still going to Israel. This week, new reports showed that thousands of tonnes are shipped there every year, even during the genocide in Gaza. The numbers come from Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture and its national statistics agency, Statistics Indonesia (BPS). Indonesia sent about 29,600 tonnes of palm oil products to Israel in 2023, about 22,400 tonnes in 2024 and about 19,500 tonnes in 2025. From January to August this year, another 10,400 tonnes went there, together with almost 4,900 tonnes of coconut products. In those eight months, the two products were worth about $20.8 million. Two economists from Widyatama University in Bandung found that from 2020 to 2025, Indonesia supplied on average 71 per cent of

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  Houthis call for evacuation of Yemen’s Aden airport amid escalation

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group urged civilians at Aden International Airport to “immediately evacuate” the facility amid an escalation in fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthis since July, Anadolu reports. “The armed forces reiterate their final call for those present at Aden Airport to immediately evacuate the airport due to the presence of a Saudi military cargo plane transporting weapons to kill the Yemeni people,” group spokesperson Yahya Saree wrote on Telegram. The statement came less than two hours after Saree issued a similar warning to civilians. There was no immediate comment from Saudi officials or the Yemeni government regarding the Houthi statement. Yemen has been mired in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa and several provinces in September

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  Arab Joint List extends hand to Eisenkot’s bloc to oust Netanyahu gov’t

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Ahmad Tibi, an Arab member of Israel’s Knesset and head of the predominantly Arab Joint List parliamentary bloc, said the bloc was extending its hand to the “change bloc” to oust the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, Anadolu reports. The “change bloc” is an opposition alliance seeking to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. It includes former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, Yair Golan’s Democrats, Naftali Bennett’s Beyachad, and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu. The “massive turnout among Arab citizens is a historic achievement for the Joint List, which answered the public’s call for unity and proved that it is a decisive force without which change is impossible,” Tibi said in a written statement received by Anadolu. “We

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  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold silent protest in Netherlands’ Utrecht for 111 weeks

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Neude Square in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on Wednesday, continuing a silent protest held every weekday morning for 111 weeks against Israeli attacks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. Carrying Palestinian flags and banners, protesters stood in the square from 8.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., calling for an end to the suffering of Palestinians and urging the Dutch government to take action. The demonstration began more than two years ago with a woman silently holding a small sign and has since grown into a solidarity group of around 150 people. Between 10 and 30 participants, including workers, students and retirees, take turns attending the daily protest. READ: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally at Columbia University on anniversary

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  Thinking a possible Netanyahu departure changes anything? Think again.

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  The prospect of seeing the architect of Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, Benjamin Netanyahu, ousted from political office would be a small, albeit completely pyrrhic, ‘victory’. This is a politician who has spent the past three years justifying industrial-scale levels of civilian slaughter, the enforced starvation of an entire civilian population and the complete levelling of the Gaza Strip. He has been the public face of Israel on the global stage for the best part of 20 years, rubbing shoulders with world leaders and garnering support for the expansion of Israel’s settler colonial mission in historic Palestine. As something of a political cockroach, he has managed to survive various high-profile scandals. These include criminal proceedings brought against him on

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  The Blood Between Us: Syria After the Fall of Assad

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  On his way to the airport to leave Damascus, Robin Yassin-Kassab’s car is stopped at a checkpoint by a guard who is friendly, briefly checks the boot and then waves them through. Yassin-Kassab was visiting the new Syria under the transitional government, and his driver told him that under Bashar Al-Assad there had been six checkpoints operated by different security agencies on the route to the airport. You had no way of knowing who you might come across or if any of them would take you away. Now there is one checkpoint and the guards are polite. Yassin-Kassab writes: “Friendly checkpoints are most definitely better than terrifying checkpoints, and one checkpoint is better than six. The difference between this year

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  Netanyahu’s bloc projected to secure 54 seats, Eisenkot-led bloc 49 as Israeli vote count reaches 84%

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 54 seats in the 120-member Knesset, seven short of a governing majority, with 84.5% of votes counted in Israel’s parliamentary elections, according to Israeli media. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot was projected to secure 49 seats, while predominantly Arab parties were projected to win 17 seats, according to The Times of Israel newspaper, citing the Central Elections Committee. Neither major bloc was projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The predominantly Arab Joint List was projected to win 11 seats, while the United Arab List (Ra’am) was expected to secure six. READ: Amnesty UK slams Israeli elections as ‘apartheid at the ballot box’ Among individual

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  Diabetes patients face life-threatening insulin shortage in Gaza

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Diabetes patients in the Gaza Strip are facing growing health risks as shortages of insulin and essential medical supplies continue amid Israeli restrictions on the entry of healthcare materials, Anadolu reports. Umm Amir Jaha, 39, said she has been unable to find unexpired insulin for her 10-year-old son Amir, who has Type 1 diabetes and requires regular insulin treatment. She said the family has been forced to use expired insulin pens purchased at high prices after searching across different areas of Gaza. Amir also needs a blood glucose meter and testing strips to monitor his condition daily, but those supplies have also become difficult to obtain. Jaha said her son has experienced abdominal pain, headaches and pain in his hands

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  Netanyahu’s bloc projected to win 54 seats, Eisenkot-led parties 48 as Israeli vote count reaches 72%

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 54 seats in the 120-member Knesset, seven short of a governing majority, as 72.4% of votes were counted in Israel’s parliamentary elections, according to Israeli media. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot was projected to secure 48 seats, while predominantly Arab parties were projected to win 18 seats, according to the daily Times of Israel, citing the Central Elections Committee. Neither major bloc was projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The predominantly Arab Joint List was projected to win 12 seats, while the United Arab List (Ra’am) was expected to secure six. READ: Netanyahu’s Likud seeks extension of voting hours in Israeli election Among individual

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  Jordan, Iran discuss efforts to reach sustainable ceasefire between US, Tehran

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to reach a “sustainable ceasefire agreement” between the United States and Iran during a phone call late Tuesday, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. During the call, which Safadi received from Araghchi, the discussions focused on “efforts to halt escalation and reach a comprehensive solution to the crisis” between Iran and the US, along with an agreement for a “sustainable ceasefire,” according to the ministry. Safadi stressed “the importance of joining efforts to restore calm and achieve lasting security and stability on foundations that ensure the security and stability of all countries in the region.” READ: Jordan, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts to end regional escalation He also

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  Media groups urge EU Commission transparency as Gaza documents probe unfolds

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  A group of 15 media outlets, journalist associations and press freedom organizations urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday to improve journalists’ access to public documents, as an inquiry by the EU Ombudswoman into the commission’s refusal to release documents concerning Gaza unfolds, Anadolu reports. In an open letter to von der Leyen, the organizations called on the EU executive to address what they described as a “silent crisis” that has hampered journalists’ efforts to obtain information needed to scrutinize matters of public importance. The appeal comes after European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho last week opened an inquiry into a news outlet’s complaint over the commission’s refusal to release 17 documents concerning EU-funded infrastructure projects in the Gaza

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Col. William Keegan: What Will a Second Military Strike Achieve the First Didn’t?

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  WATCH:Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Will the US and Israel Attack Iran Before the Israeli Election?

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  Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE discuss regional de-escalation, with Turkiye-led mediation mechanism in focus

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Egypt discussed regional de-escalation efforts with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing coordination through a four-way ministerial mechanism involving Turkiye and Pakistan, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate phone calls Tuesday with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, the ministry said in two separate statements Wednesday. During his call with bin Farhan, Abdelatty discussed regional developments and “efforts to contain the current crisis amid growing risks of escalation,” stressing the need to “advance political and peaceful solutions through dialogue.” The two foreign ministers agreed to “continue close consultations and coordination bilaterally and through a four-way ministerial mechanism that also includes Turkiye and Pakistan.”

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  Israeli army continues incursions in Hebron for 6th consecutive day amid raids, tightened siege

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  The Israeli army continued its military incursions in Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank, for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, carrying out raids and tightening restrictions on the city, according to local sources. Local sources told Anadolu that Israeli forces continued raiding neighborhoods in Hebron and towns across the governorate. Additional Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles, raided several towns in the governorate and the al-Fawwar refugee camp south of the city around midnight, entering and searching Palestinian homes, the sources said. The army also tightened military restrictions at the entrances to Hebron. Anadolu cameras documented Israeli forces stopping Palestinians at military checkpoints near the al-Jaladah roundabout in Hebron, searching them and subjecting them to harsh treatment. READ: Palestinian

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  Trump claims his endorsement helped Netanyahu perform better than expected in Israeli election

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said early Wednesday that his endorsement helped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu perform better than expected in Israel’s parliamentary election, as preliminary results showed his bloc leading but falling short of a governing majority, with less than half of ballot boxes counted, Anadolu reports. With 50% of ballot boxes counted as of early Wednesday, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to secure 56 seats, five short of a majority in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, was projected to win 49 seats. “I think when the endorsement went out, it helped him a lot,” Trump told reporters after returning from campaign rallies in Texas. “I actually heard he did pretty well. It might be

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  Netanyahu’s bloc projected to win 56 seats as Israeli election count nears 50%

  by EditorMehdi on October 28, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 56 seats in the 120-member Knesset, five short of a governing majority, as 49.7% of votes were counted in Israel’s parliamentary elections, Israeli media reported Wednesday. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot was projected to secure 49 seats, while predominantly Arab parties were expected to win the remaining 15, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, citing the Central Elections Committee. Neither major bloc was projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The Arab parties could play a decisive role in government formation, as their combined 15 seats would give Eisenkot’s bloc a majority of 64 if they agreed to support it. READ: Netanyahu’s Likud seeks extension

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  UN commission reports more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank since October 2023

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel said Tuesday that Israeli forces had killed 1,080 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, between Oct. 7, 2023, and Sept. 30, Anadolu reports. Presenting the findings during a hybrid briefing, with all three members participating virtually, Srinivasan Muralidhar of India said the commission documented the deaths and thousands of injuries during the period. Muralidhar said the fatalities included at least 784 men, 237 boys, 22 women and seven girls. He said 10,009 Palestinians had also been injured by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The commission called for the international community to take stronger measures regarding Israel’s

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  UN urges protection of civilians after Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  The UN on Tuesday called for the protection of civilians and respect for Syria’s sovereignty following Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria, Anadolu reports. Spokeswoman Daniela Gross De Almeida told reporters that the UN is “closely” monitoring developments and had taken note of statements issued by both Jordanian and Syrian authorities on the operation and its circumstances. “The Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) condemns any loss of civilian lives, and we underscore the obligation of all parties to take all precautions to protect civilians in line with international law,” said De Almeida. She added that the UN supports efforts by the parties to establish the facts surrounding the incident, while emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of

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  The Mecca Pact courts Iran: Containment comes full circle

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  For nearly half a century, Iran’s adversaries have tried to isolate it, intimidate it, sanction it into submission and bomb it into irrelevance. Now, in a remarkable inversion of regional power politics, three countries historically invested in its containment have arrived in Tehran to discuss their security with the very state they were supposed to marginalise. The country they could not defeat is becoming the country they cannot afford to ignore. Yesterday, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın met Iranian officials in an encounter whose diplomatic courtesies barely concealed its strategic significance. The Mecca Pact, the joint defence agreement that Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed

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  Whose interests does the ceasefire serve?

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  A new report released yesterday by the UN Commission of Inquiry states that Israel is still committing genocide in Gaza after the ceasefire agreement which was reached on 10 October 2025. Referencing earlier reports concluding that Israel had committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza, the report goes on to state “The cases investigated for this report … show that the Israeli authorities and forces continue to commit genocidal acts with the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in Gaza.” In the occupied West Bank, the report notes, there was an increase in the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes: from six between 2008 and 6 October 2023, to 254 between

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  Weighing dependence on Washington: Trump between Zelensky and Netanyahu

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  Within eight days in October, US President Donald Trump made two statements about two wartime leaders that, placed side by side, read like a confession. On 10 October, speaking to reporters as he left the White House, he said of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky: “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.” He accused Zelensky of passing up the chance to settle the war with Russia “many times, many many times” and of driving up diesel prices by striking Russian oil refineries: “He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel.” On 18 October, Trump posted a letter on his Truth Social platform describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “a Great Warrior

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  Debris from ballistic missile interception falls in Riyadh, causing material damage

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  Debris from the interception of two ballistic missiles fell in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, damaging a building and a construction site, said Saudi Civil Defence, Anadolu reports. The falling debris also caused material damage to a vehicle, it added on X. Saudi officials provided no further details. The latest news comes amid ongoing fighting in Yemen, which has escalated since July, and continued Houthi attacks on Saudi territory using drones and ballistic missiles. READ: Yemen’s Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery

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  Netanyahu’s Likud seeks extension of voting hours in Israeli election

  by Marwa A on October 27, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party requested an extension of voting hours beyond the scheduled 10 pm (2000GMT) closing time Tuesday, as turnout in the country’s parliamentary elections reached a record high for the time of day, Israeli media reported, Anadolu reports. Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Solberg will decide on the request, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. The committee clarified that anyone arriving at a polling station by 10 pm would be allowed to vote, even if they cast their ballot after that time. Voter turnout reached 55.7% by 4 pm Tuesday, the highest recorded for that hour since recordkeeping began in 1973, according to the Central Elections Committee. More than 7.3 million Israelis are eligible

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  Voter turnout in Israeli elections hits 55.7% nine hours into polling, ‘highest ever’ recorded

  by EditorMehdi on October 27, 2026

  Voter turnout in Israel’s hard-fought legislative elections reached 55.7% by 4 pm on Tuesday, the highest figure recorded for that hour since 1973, when records began, according to the Central Elections Committee, Anadolu reports. Din Livneh, the committee’s acting chair, said over 4.08 million voters had cast their ballots, compared with a turnout rate of 47.5% at the same time in the previous elections, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Livneh described the turnout as “the highest it has been” since the committee began recording the data. The number of people who had voted was up 17.2% compared to the corresponding point in the previous elections, in 2002, he added. READ: Netanyahu warns of high Arab voter turnout, urges Likud supporters