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

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  Iranian foreign minister meets Pakistan’s premier amid hopes for US talks

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Saturday, amid efforts to revive stalled peace talks between the US and Iran to end their eight-week war, Anadolu reports. The meeting, according to a brief statement and video released by the prime minister’s office, was also attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. According to Sharif’s office, the regional situation was being discussed in the ongoing meeting. “(I) was pleased to meet H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, and his delegation in Islamabad today. Had a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation. We also discussed matters of mutual

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  Tel Aviv hired ex-Trump adviser to oversee pro-Israel social media campaign: Report

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Israel launched a multimillion-dollar effort, led by a former senior aide to US President Donald Trump, to influence how artificial intelligence (AI) systems portray the country, Axios reported on Saturday. In September, Israel hired Republican digital strategist Brad Parscale, who managed Trump’s 2020 campaign, to run a pro-Israel online outreach initiative. Part of his focus was AI platforms, which he believed were relying heavily on critical or negative information about Israel, according to the report. To counter that, Parscale’s team started working on a project aimed at “getting AI systems to portray Israel in a more favorable light,” the report noted. READ: Israel appoints envoy to Christian world after soldier destroy Jesus status in southern Lebanon While the report said Parscale’s

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  Germany to deploy naval units to the Mediterranean ahead of potential Strait of Hormuz mission

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday announced the deployment of German naval units to the Mediterranean in preparation for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. Specifically, a minesweeper and a command and supply ship are to be sent. The goal is to be ready to act quickly in the event of a mandate from the parliament, Pistorius told the Rheinische Post newspaper. The minister did not specify exactly when the ships are scheduled to depart. Pistorius added that expanding the existing EU mission “Aspides,” whose mandate has so far been limited to countering threats in the Red Sea, could be used as a legal framework. READ: Iran says most missile capabilities ‘unused’ in war with US: Report

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  Afghan government urges its citizens stranded in Qatar while awaiting US visas to return home

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Afghanistan on Saturday urged its citizens who are currently stranded in Qatar while awaiting visas from the United States to return home, saying the country is safe and welcoming to all, Anadolu reports. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement that Afghan nationals awaiting travel to the United States have reportedly been asked to either return to Afghanistan or seek resettlement in a third country. Balkhi said Afghanistan “constitutes the shared homeland of all Afghans” and invited those affected to return “with full confidence and peace of mind,” emphasizing that no citizen is compelled to leave for security reasons. He added that those wishing to relocate elsewhere could do so through “legal and dignified channels” at an

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  Pregnant mother and her two children killed in Israeli strike on Gaza residence

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  A pregnant woman and her two children were killed in a strike on a residential building in Beit Lahia, located in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday, Anadolu reports. The victims were identified by Khaled El-Tanani, the husband and father of the deceased, who stated that the family believed the location was a safe area. He further noted that the strike occurred during a period of a declared ceasefire, a claim that underscores the ongoing volatility and danger faced by civilians in the region. Following the incident, a funeral prayer was held for the victims at Al-Shifa Hospital. READ: Hamas delegation, Malaysian officials discuss support for Palestinian cause The attack comes amid ongoing Israeli violations of a ceasefire agreement in effect

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  Hamas delegation, Malaysian officials discuss support for Palestinian cause

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas and Malaysian officials discussed ways to support the Palestinian cause, the group said in a Saturday statement, Anadolu reports. The talks were part of a visit to boost ties with Malaysia, review developments in the Palestinian cause “in light of the ongoing Zionist aggression,” and discuss ways to support Palestinians amid ongoing challenges, the statement said. It said that the delegation included Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza; Fawzi Barhoum, deputy head of the group’s Arab and Islamic relations office; and the group’s representative in Malaysia. READ: Hamas says holding municipal elections in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah is an ‘important step’ The statement said that the discussions included “a series of

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  Hamas says holding municipal elections in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah is an ‘important step’

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Holding municipal elections in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip is an “important step,” a Hamas spokesman told Anadolu on Saturday. Hazem Qassem’s remarks came as voting for local elections in the occupied West Bank and Deir al-Balah began earlier in the day. “Holding elections in the city of Deir al-Balah is an important step, and we hope that appropriate conditions will be provided to hold them in all governorates and municipalities of the Gaza Strip,” Qassem said. “We also hope that conditions will be created to hold comprehensive elections,” he said, calling for “reorganizing the Palestinian house and holding legislative and presidential elections.” Saturday’s voting marks the first time in 22 years that municipal elections

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  60 former UK ambassadors warn of Israel’s West Bank annexation steps

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  A group of former British diplomats has called on the UK and its allies to take stronger action against Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, warning that current policies risk enabling annexation and undermining international law, Anadolu reports. In a letter published in the Financial Times on Friday, more than 80 former diplomats – including 60 ambassadors, high commissioners and senior officials – said Israel’s expansionist activity and policies in the occupied Palestinian territories amounted to “accelerating annexation.” “America is indeed falling out of love with Israel. So is Europe. While the world watches Iran and Lebanon, Israel extends control over the West Bank and Gaza. Its accelerating annexation is unmistakable,” the letter said. They argued that Israel

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  UK, Finland condemn ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attacks on journalists in Lebanon

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  The UK and Finland on Saturday condemned attacks on journalists and media workers in Lebanon, calling for urgent measures to ensure their safety, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the two countries, acting as co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, said journalists play a vital role in exposing the realities of war and must be protected. “Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Attacks on journalists in Lebanon, including journalist Amal Khalil killed in an Israeli strike on 22 April, are unacceptable,” they said. “As co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK and Finland strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers,” the statement added. They urged

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  ‘Deliberate attempts’ being made to redraw Middle East map, Egyptian president warns

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  “Deliberate efforts” are being made to redraw the map of the Middle East, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned on Saturday, Anadolu reports. “The Middle East is going through critical circumstances amid deliberate efforts to redraw its map,” Sisi said in a televised speech to mark the 44th anniversary of Sinai’s liberation from Israeli occupation. He called for full implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which was reached last October, including unhindered entry of humanitarian aid and the immediate launch of the enclave’s reconstruction. Gaza was destroyed in Israel’s two-year-long genocide. The first phase of the truce involved exchange of Israeli hostages in exchange of Palestinian prisoners. The president also expressed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any

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  Turkish delegation plays key role in Global Sumud Flotilla’s Spring 2026 Mission

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Turkish activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Spring 2026 Mission have reaffirmed their determination to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance, Anadolu reports. Fatih Varol, a board member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, told Anadolu that the Turkish delegation is among the initiative’s most significant components. “Turkiye has deep-rooted historical ties with Palestine. As a people, we feel the tragedy unfolding in Gaza much more profoundly. In this regard, both public support in Turkiye and the backing of Turkish civil society organizations are very strong,” he said. Varol said the Turkish delegation has contributed not only to the fleet’s administration and coordination, but also to vessel preparations at Mediterranean ports through financial support. He also noted

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  Israeli army warns civilians against returning to southern Lebanon villages despite ceasefire

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  The Israeli army warned on Saturday residents of some southern Lebanese villages not to return, citing ongoing military activity despite the ceasefire that was extended this week, Anadolu reports. “It is not permitted to approach the area of the Litani River, the Salhani Valley, and the Saluki,” spokesman Avichay Adraee said on US social media company X, listing over 50 villages. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it struck three different areas in southern Lebanon overnight, claiming to have targeted Hezbollah rocket launchers. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the town of Houla in the Marjayoun area also came under Israeli artillery fire. US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire by three weeks

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  Palestinian Doctors in Europe convene international conference in London

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Leading international academics, clinicians, and policy experts convened in London for the conference under the theme “Advancing Health Care Education and Delivery in Palestine.” The two-day conference which began on Friday 24 opened with a keynote address by His Excellency Husam Zomlot, who emphasised the critical importance of sustaining Gaza’s healthcare system through international solidarity, investment in education, and strengthened institutional partnerships and he warned more than 18,500 critically ill patients are currently awaiting urgent evaluation for life-saving or life-changing treatment, including 4,000 children. A central theme of the conference was the state of medical education in Gaza. Academic leaders, including Dr Anwar Sheikh Khalil and Dr Mohamed Zughbur, Deans of leading medical schools in Gaza, shared first-hand insights into

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  Indonesia reiterates call for UN probe after peacekeeper dies in Lebanon attack, condemns Israel

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Indonesia on Saturday condemned the killing of another Indonesian peacekeeper in Lebanon in ongoing hostilities, reiterating its call for a UN probe into the killings, Anadolu reports. Corp. Rico Pramudia, 31, serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was critically injured in a “projectile explosion” at a base in Adchit al-Qusayr on the night of March 29 and died in a Beirut hospital on Friday. The latest casualty brings the number of Indonesian peacekeepers killed in the ongoing conflict to four. “Indonesia once again condemns the attack by Israel that resulted in the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper. Any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and may amount to a war crime,” Foreign Ministry

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  Iran says most missile capabilities ‘unused’ in war with US: Report

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  A Defense Ministry’s spokesperson said most of Iran’s missile capabilities have been “unused” on the war with the US, Tasnim News reported Saturday. Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik said Iran’s “significant portion of the missile capabilities remains unused,” according to the report by the semi-official news agency. Arguing that Iranian forces maintained the upper hand throughout the conflict, he said, “Our forces maintained complete air superiority over the occupied territories of the Zionist (Israeli) territory, and a portion of our missile capabilities were utilized during the 40-day war.” Regarding naval confrontations, he claimed that hostile warships repeatedly retreated hundreds of kilometers from the Sea of Oman in response to decisive actions by Iranian forces. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been

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  Iran seizes 2 cargo vessels in Strait of Hormuz for alleged links to Israel

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy detained two commercial cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing unauthorized operations and alleged ties to Israel, according to a report Friday. The IRGC identified the vessels as the “MSC-Francesca” and the “Epaminondas,” both operating under the MSC shipping line, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported. Tehran accused the ships of breaching maritime regulations, interfering with navigation systems, and endangering other vessels in the waterway. The report said Iranian authorities said the ships were allegedly attempting to pass through the strait undetected before being intercepted and escorted into Iranian territorial waters. Since the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran began Feb. 28, Tehran has maintained control of the Strait

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  Qatari emir, Trump discuss Iran ceasefire, regional stability

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a call Friday with US President Donald Trump to discuss regional tensions, including efforts to maintain a ceasefire with Iran, Anadolu reports. Qatar’s Amiri Diwan said in a statement that the two leaders reviewed regional developments, particularly updates on a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, as well as international efforts to consolidate it. They also exchanged views on the potential effect of regional tensions on maritime security and global supply chains. During the call, Al Thani stressed the importance of de-escalation and the need to pursue peaceful solutions. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to support mediation efforts led by Pakistan, it said. READ: US

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  Iranian FM meets Pakistan’s army chief to discuss possible 2nd round of talks with US

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, amid efforts to revive stalled peace talks between the US and Iran to end their eight-week war, Anadolu reports. The meeting, according to a short video posted by the Iranian embassy on US social media platform X, was also attended by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, National Security Adviser and head of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, and Iran’s ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. Although the embassy offered no further details, Pakistani sources told Anadolu that the two sides discussed matters related to a potential second round of talks between Washington and Tehran in the coming days.

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  Israel brings 240 immigrants from India under long-term plan: Report

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Israel has brought in 240 immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community in India as part of a government plan to relocate around 6,000 members of the group by 2030 to support their long-term integration into Israeli society, according to The Jerusalem Post The immigrants arrived Thursday at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, where they were officially received. The Post added that the group is the first in a series of expected arrivals in the coming weeks, with around 600 immigrants set to arrive in three batches. There was no official statement from Indian authorities on the Israeli report. The broader initiative aims to relocate remaining members of the Bnei Menashe community living in India’s northeastern states of Mizoram

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  Israeli occupiers torch Palestinian property near Nablus in West Bank

  by MI on April 25, 2026

  Israeli occupiers set fire to Palestinian vehicles and property on Friday during an attack on several areas south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, as Israeli forces carried out raids and arrests across multiple areas, Anadolu reports. Local sources told Anadolu that occupiers attacked homes in the southern area of the town of Qusra, sparking clashes with residents who confronted them. The occupiers burned two vehicles and targeted agricultural structures used for poultry and livestock farming in the town, the sources said. They also set fire to a construction vehicle belonging to Palestinians in the area between Jalud and Qusra. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided the village of Salim, east of Nablus, arresting a young man identified as Ibrahim Abu

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  Israel approves Jewish religious school project in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  Israeli authorities have approved a plan to build a Jewish religious school on a large plot of land in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, a move condemned by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry as a violation of international law and an attempt to impose new realities on the ground, Anadolu reports. The Israeli rights group Ir Amim said on Thursday that a Jerusalem district planning committee officially approved the project earlier this week to construct a Jewish religious school, or yeshiva, known as “Ohr Somayach” in the Palestinian neighborhood. The organization said objections submitted jointly by Ir Amim and the Sheikh Jarrah community association were rejected. According to the group, the planned complex will include an 11-story building with

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  Iran condemns ‘illegal’ US seizure of vessel allegedly carrying dialysis supplies

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  Iran’s mission to the United Nations on Friday condemned the reported seizure of a commercial vessel by the US in the Sea of Oman, Anadolu reports. “The US attack and illegal seizure of Iran’s commercial vessel ‘Toska,’ and the taking of its crew hostage on 19 April in the Sea of Oman—while carrying critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment—constitutes a flagrant breach of international law, including the peremptory prohibition of aggression, human rights and the right to life,” the mission said on US social media platform X. The mission argued the incident directly threatened civilian health and survival. “This coercive and unlawful act endangers lives, undermines freedom of navigation, and places vulnerable patients at grave risk. The perpetrators must be

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  US Treasury announces new sanctions targeting Iran-linked cryptocurrency networks

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  The US Department of the Treasury on Friday announced new sanctions targeting financial networks linked to Iran, including digital asset wallets, Anadolu reports. The department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) “is sanctioning multiple wallets tied to Iran — resulting in the freeze of $344 million in cryptocurrency,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on US social media company X. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” Bessent added. Earlier, the department announced that it imposed Iran-related sanctions and issued a general license authorizing the wind down of deals involving Chinese company Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said

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  11 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  At least 11 Palestinians were killed and several others injured Friday in Israeli strikes targeting multiple areas across the Gaza Strip in ongoing violations of a ceasefire in effect since Oct. 2025, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Gaza’s Interior Ministry said seven people – two officers, two police assistants and three civilians – were killed when an Israeli strike hit a police vehicle in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. In northern Gaza, a woman and a child were killed and six others injured in an Israeli strike targeting homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, medical sources told Anadolu. Earlier, two Palestinian officers were killed and two others injured in an Israeli strike targeting a police patrol near Sheikh

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  Israeli warplanes strike southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  Israeli warplanes carried out three airstrikes on Friday on the town of Deir Aames in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. Israeli aircraft conducted three consecutive strikes on Deir Aames, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. It added that Israeli forces also carried out a demolition, and a large explosion was heard in surrounding areas, while artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of the towns of Mansouri and Bayt Siyad in Tyre, as demolition activities continued in Al-Bayyada.​​​​​​​ “Urgent warning to residents of Lebanon in the town of Deir Aames: You must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the village,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said earlier on the

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  The Iranian people are not waiting to thank Trump

  by Marwa A on April 24, 2026

  For many Americans, war with Iran is still explained through a dangerously simple story: foreign pressure turns the people against their government, bombs open the road to “freedom” and, sooner or later, Iranian streets rise up to applaud Washington and Tel Aviv. This is not analysis. It is geopolitical fantasy. What the past two years have shown, from the 12-day war of June 2025 to the current US-Israeli confrontation with Iran in 2026, is far more complex. Foreign attack does not automatically widen the gap between state and society in favour of the attacker. More often, it strengthens national sentiment, deepens the sense of siege and pushes even many critics of the government into a defensive posture. This does not

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  EU Commission chief says temporary Lebanon pause ‘not enough,’ urges permanent peace

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that a temporary pause in hostilities in Lebanon “is not enough,” calling instead for a “permanent path to peace,” Anadolu reports. EU leaders held a press conference alongside Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, with regional participation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, following the informal leaders’ meeting in Nicosia. “A key lesson of the past weeks is that security is indivisible. You cannot have stability in the Middle East or the Gulf while Lebanon is in flames. So we call for the respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” von der Leyen said, stressing that regional security in the Middle East is “intrinsically linked.” “A temporary

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  Iranian cargo ship reaches port despite US seizure attempts

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The Fars News Agency reported on Thursday that Iranian naval vessels escorted an Iranian-owned cargo ship carrying a shipment of rice. The semi-official news agency said that Iranian naval vessels escorted a bulk cargo ship owned by Iran carrying rice, despite efforts by the US Navy to seize it. It crossed the Sea of Oman safely and reached Iran, calling it a successful passage.  Pakistani sources told Al Arabiya that talks between the United States and Iran are continuing despite the current deadlock, adding that a decision on participation within Iran has not yet been finalised. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials, that fully replenishing ammunition used in the Iran war could take up to six years. It

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  Experts doubt on Milei’s push for the “Isaac Accords” in Israel’s favour

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  During his third official visit since taking office, Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in the occupied Palestinian territories. The visit reinforced his openly pro-Israel stance and highlighted a broader recalibration of Argentina’s foreign policy. It also introduced new proposals, most notably the “Isaac Accords,” which aim to extend Middle East-style normalization frameworks into Latin America, a move that has triggered debate among experts over its strategic relevance and potential risks for Argentina. Milei began his visit at the Western Wall, where he performed Jewish prayers and signed the visitors’ book with religious and moral language. The scene projected a strong symbolic and spiritual dimension to his relationship with Israel, reinforced by visible emotional gestures during the visit. He later met

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  Syrian president urges international action against all Israeli attacks, including on Syrian territory

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday urged the international community to assume “its responsibility vis-a-vis all Israeli aggressions of all types” and called for a return to the 1974 disengagement agreement, Anadolu reports. “Nonetheless, I would like to invite the international community to assume its responsibility vis-a-vis all the Israeli aggressions of all types … that are striking in our lands and territories. And to go back to the resolution of 1974,” al-Sharaa said at a press conference after an informal EU meeting in the Greek Cypriot Administration. He linked Syria’s stability to wider regional and European security, saying stronger cooperation between Damascus and Europe is necessary amid growing geopolitical and economic challenges. “We know that Europe needs Syria as much

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  Israeli army warns residents to evacuate southern Lebanese town

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The Israeli army warned on Friday that residents of the town of Deir Aames in southern Lebanon should evacuate their homes ahead of a planned strike, Anadolu reports. “Urgent warning to residents of Lebanon in the town of Deir Aames: You must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the village,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on the US social media platform X. Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced the activation of sirens in northern Israeli settlements, including Zarit and Kiryat Shmona. In a later statement, the army said the air force intercepted a drone before it entered Israeli airspace. The warning came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

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  Defiling statues of Jesus: Israel’s counterfeit outrage at cultural vandalism

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  They have kept their strategy of cultural and institutional vandalism generously broad in recent campaigns against their adversaries.  It therefore came as something of a surprise that much febrile fuss was made about this month’s antics of an IDF soldier photographed attacking a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon on the edge of Debel with a sledgehammer.  Instead of its usual qualifications, haughty denials and coarse justifications, the Israel military accepted the veracity of the image and viewed the act “with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”. The act even exercised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  He felt wounded at the deviancy of it all, claiming that “Israel

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  US says any additional mine laying by Iran will be treated as ceasefire violation

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Any additional mine laying carried out by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ongoing ceasefire with the US, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday, Anadolu reports. Transit through the critical waterway “is occurring much more limited than anybody would like to see, and with more risk than people would like to see’ due, in part, to Iran’s mine-laying efforts, Hegseth said. “If there are attempts to recklessly and irresponsibly lay more mines, we’re going to deal with that. It’s a violation of the ceasefire,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. The defense secretary said Iran is using armed small fast boats to both lay mines in the waterway, as well as harassing, and, in

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  Pakistan expects Iranian top diplomat in Islamabad, breakthrough in US talks: Sources

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Pakistan’s capital later on Friday with a small delegation, as Islamabad expects a breakthrough towards the second round of talks between Iran and the US, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu. “Following important discussions with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of Islamabad peace talks between the United States and Iran is expected,” the government sources said. A US logistics and security team is already in Islamabad to support preparations for the anticipated negotiations, they added. Earlier on Friday, Araghchi rang Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar to discuss regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic engagement. Dar emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to address outstanding issues and promote regional stability,

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  Poland raises Gaza humanitarian concerns, UN troop safety in Lebanon in talks with Israel

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Poland expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the conditions affecting its peacekeeping troops in Lebanon during talks with Israel, the Foreign Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. Deputy Foreign Minister Wojciech Zajaczkowski met Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yaakov Finkelstein to discuss developments in the Middle East and bilateral relations, the ministry said in a post on the US social media platform X. “The discussion focused on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as Polish-Israeli relations,” it said. “The Polish side expressed concern over the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population,” the ministry added, pointing to worsening conditions in Gaza. Warsaw also raised concerns about its troops serving in southern Lebanon,

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  Has gas replaced oil? LNG geopolitics in a Middle East at war

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, a fundamental question is taking shape: is liquefied natural gas (LNG) redefining the geopolitics of energy—and even beginning to rival oil as the central pillar of global energy power? For decades, oil has been the backbone of geopolitical competition, conflict, and alliance-building in the region. Yet recent developments—from regional wars to the reconfiguration of global supply chains—suggest that LNG is rapidly emerging as a decisive variable in the balance of power. From oil chokepoints to gas flexibility One of the most significant structural differences between oil and LNG lies in geographical flexibility. While oil remains highly dependent on chokepoints such as the  Strait of Hormuz, LNG can be rerouted through a diverse network

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  Iran to resume international flights to Istanbul, Muscat on Saturday amid ceasefire

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Iran will resume international passenger flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport beginning Saturday, with Istanbul and Muscat among the first destinations, Anadolu reports. Ramin Kashef Azar, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, said in an interview with the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) that foreign passenger flights will resume on April 25 after being suspended during the war. Round-trip flights to Istanbul and Muscat have so far been authorized, he said, adding that permits for additional domestic and international routes will be issued gradually based on demand. “All infrastructure and navigation systems are fully operational, and there are no issues for conducting flights,” he said. During the ceasefire period, the airport remained active for cargo operations, while foreign airlines also

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  Gaza’s Deir al-Balah set for first municipal elections in 22 years

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip is set to hold municipal elections on Saturday, marking the first such vote in 22 years, Anadolu reports. Jamil al-Khaldi, regional director of the Central Elections Commission in Gaza, said they were fully prepared to conduct the vote. The commission is fully prepared to receive voters on election day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time (0400-1400 GMT), al-Khaldi told Anadolu. The election will be held across 12 polling centers with 100 polling stations distributed throughout the city to ensure easy access for voters, he said. Deir al-Balah was selected for the vote, as it is relatively less damaged than other parts of Gaza, despite the Israeli genocide since October

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  Sudanese army announces liberation of Magja area in Blue Nile state

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The Sudanese Armed Forces have announced that they have fully liberated the Magja area in Blue Nile state and killed dozens of members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In an official statement, the army said: “Our forces have fully secured control over the Magja area, destroyed four combat vehicles belonging to the militia, killed dozens of its members, and captured a number of them.” The operation is part of ongoing military efforts by the Sudanese army to secure Blue Nile state and push RSF forces out of areas they have controlled in recent months. The statement did not provide further details on material or human losses on either side, nor did it specify when the operation began, saying only

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  UAE to convert half of government services to AI within 2 years

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to shift 50 per cent of government sectors and services to self-executing artificial intelligence (AI) models within two years. This was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in a statement posted on the social media platform X on Thursday. He said: “Under the directives of the President of the UAE, we launch a new government model. Within two years, 50 per cent of government sectors, services, and operations will run on Agentic AI.” Sheikh Mohammed added that the UAE government “will be the first government globally to operate at this scale through autonomous systems.”  He also said that “AI is no longer a tool.

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  When Lebanon’s ceasefire still hunts journalists, truth becomes prey

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  There is a particular cruelty in silencing those whose sole weapon is a camera, a notebook, or a voice. The killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in southern Lebanon is not an isolated tragedy; it is part of a pattern that is becoming impossible to ignore, and even harder to explain away. In a war already saturated with grief, the deliberate or reckless targeting of journalists signals something deeper than battlefield error. It suggests an erosion of the very rules that once attempted to civilise conflict. On 22nd April 2026, during what was meant to be a brief, US-mediated ceasefire, Israeli strikes hit a civilian vehicle near al-Tayri. When Khalil and her colleague Zeinab Faraj moved to report on the

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  17 Somali migrants killed after boat capsizes off Algerian coast

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Somali ambassador to Algeria, Yusuf Ahmed Hassan, said at least 17 Somali migrants have died after their boat capsized in waters between Algeria and Spain. In remarks to Somali state media, the ambassador said he had received calls from worried parents seeking information about missing relatives. He said the victims included 12 men and five women, who drowned after the boat overturned while attempting the dangerous journey to Europe. The ambassador added: “I have been contacted by parents searching for their children and wanting to know their whereabouts.” He said he then contacted Algeria’s foreign ministry, which informed him that a group of African migrants had died in a coastal province about 100 kilometres west of the capital, Algiers. The

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  Israel appoints envoy to Christian world after soldier destroy Jesus status in southern Lebanon

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Israel has appointed a special envoy to the Christian world, in a move seen as an effort to improve its international image following after an Israeli soldier destroyed a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Gideon Sa’ar had appointed George Deek as special envoy to the Christian world. The ministry said the appointment aims to strengthen Israel’s relations with Christian communities globally. Deek, a career diplomat with 18 years of experience, most recently served as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan and is described as the first Christian ambassador in Israel’s history. He has also received the Foreign Ministry’s Director General’s Award for Excellence. According to the statement, Deek is a

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  Iran leaders reject Trump claims of internal divisions

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that there is an internal infighting within Iran’s leadership. Pezeshkian said: “There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” “With the iron unity of the nation and the state, and full obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the criminal aggressor regret its actions.”   He added: “One God, one nation, one leader, and one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life.”  Ghalibaf reposted the same message on his account on X. Trump had earlier claimed there was a “crazy” internal conflict in Iran between rival factions within the leadership. Writing on his Truth Social

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  Israel tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Israel and the United States are preparing to resume the war with Iran, despite ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to arrange a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan this week. Kan reported that Iran is refusing to make concessions on its nuclear programme. Following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Israel is waiting for the green light from US President Donald Trump to restart the fighting. Israel has sent a message to Washington saying: “We are interested in resuming the campaign against Iran.” Over the past 24 hours, the United States has reinforced its presence in the region by sending an additional squadron of F/A-18 fighter jets to the Middle East, deploying more refuelling aircraft, and moving defence systems and interceptor

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  Lebanon urges UN action over Israel targeting of journalists

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Lebanon has called on the United Nations to take urgent action to halt Israel’s targeting of journalists, following the reported deaths of 28 media workers since October 2023. In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Caroline Ziadeh, raised concerns over what she characterised as repeated attacks on journalists operating in Lebanon. According to a statement, Ziadeh said the Lebanese Ministry of Information had documented a series of incidents involving Israeli strikes targeting media personnel since early 2023. Among those named were journalist and radio presenter Ghada Dayekh of Sawt Al Farah radio, and Suzanne Khalil, who worked with Al Nour radio and Al Manar TV. Ziadeh said

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  Egypt and Pakistan conclude joint military drills on ‘unconventional threats’

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The Egyptian armed forces have announced the conclusion of a joint military exercise with Pakistan focused on counterterrorism and what were described as “unconventional threats”, as defence ties between the two countries deepen. In a statement released on Thursday, the Egyptian military said the exercise, dubbed “Thunder 2”, was conducted over several days at special forces training facilities in Pakistan. The drills involved Egyptian paratrooper units alongside Pakistani special forces. The training forms part of broader military cooperation efforts between Egypt and Pakistan, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and boosting combat readiness through joint exercises with allied and partner nations. According to the statement, the programme combined theoretical and field-based components designed to standardise operational concepts, facilitate the exchange of

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  Israeli minister says army awaiting US approval for potential strike on Iran

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a fresh warning to Tehran, stating that the Israeli military is awaiting a “green light” from the United States to carry out a large-scale operation against Iran. In remarks widely seen as an escalation in rhetoric, Katz said the objective of any potential strike would be to severely degrade Iran’s capabilities, using language that suggested far-reaching military consequences. The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel signalling that its forces remain on high alert. Katz said the military was fully prepared for both defensive and offensive scenarios in the event of renewed confrontation with Iran. He added that all options remain under consideration, pending final coordination with Washington, Israel’s principal ally. Katz’s

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  Iran announces tolls for Hormuz transit as nuclear talks remain stalled

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified on the 16th day of a fragile ceasefire, as Tehran announced plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations over its nuclear programme remain deadlocked. Washington renewed its demand that Tehran surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, with the White House insisting Iran is obligated to comply despite the continuation of the ceasefire and existing economic sanctions. The White House said US President Donald Trump had put forward what he described as a “generous offer”, urging Tehran to deliver a unified response. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran “always welcomes dialogue and agreement”, but warned that ongoing sanctions and threats remain the principal obstacle to

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  Lebanon won’t ink deal without Israel full withdrawal, PM says

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon “will not sign any agreement that does not include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces,” rejecting any arrangement that maintains a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. In remarks to The Washington Post, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated: “We cannot coexist with what is called a buffer zone, where displaced persons are not allowed to return to their cities and villages.” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the administration of US President, Donald Trump to pressure Israel to reduce its demands and end its occupation. He added: “We have taken bold decisions and made progress in confiscating weapons, banning Hezbollah’s military operations, and ensuring the state’s monopoly on weapons. This is