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

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  UAE says Sunday’s missile threats ‘were outside country’s borders’

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said missile threats detected early Sunday “were outside the country’s borders,” Anadolu reports. “National monitoring and tracking systems are operating at the highest levels of readiness and efficiency around the clock,” the UAE Defence Ministry said on the US social media company X. The statement came hours after Tehran said earlier that it launched attacks on US military sites in regional countries in retaliation for attacks by Washington against Iranian targets. The US said late Saturday that it had completed a third round of military strikes against Iran this week following another Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. READ: Bahrain accuses Iran of ‘systematic aggression’ after attacks

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  Sharaa calls for ‘new chapter’ in Syria’s history as new parliament convenes

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa called for “a new chapter in the country’s history,” as the newly elected parliament held its first session on Sunday, Anadolu reports. “Today, Syria is writing a new chapter in its history — one that reflects its civilisation, values and heritage,” he said in an address to the People’s Assembly as cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). “Together, let us build the history of a modern Syria,” he added. He urged lawmakers to make the parliament “a model of responsibility and competence,” while promoting dialogue, the rule of law and respect for state institutions. READ: Qatar, Syria discuss stronger ties, reconstruction, chemical weapons cooperation

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  Pope Leo warns ‘winds of war’ again blowing across Middle East, Ukraine

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  Pope Leo XIV warned Sunday that “winds of war” are once again blowing across the Middle East, Ukraine and other parts of the world, urging continued efforts toward dialogue and diplomacy, Anadolu reports. “Unfortunately, the winds of war are once again blowing in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and in numerous other parts of the world, sowing violence, terror, and death, and striking, once more, so many innocents,” the pope said in a post on the US social media company X. He called for hope for peace to be preserved despite ongoing conflicts. “Let us not allow these winds to extinguish the little flame of hope and peace, even when it seems fragile and flickering,” he said. Pope Leo renewed

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  5 more Gazans killed by Israeli fire despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  Five Palestinians, including a child, were killed Sunday by Israeli army fire, amid continued violations of a ceasefire in effect since last October, medics said, Anadolu reports. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a workshop in the Sabra district, south of Gaza City. The bodies of the victims were torn to pieces in the attack that also injured a third Palestinian, the organization added in a statement. Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired at least three missiles at a building housing the workshop in the Al-Rayes neighborhood in the district. A medical source said a 9-year-old girl breathed her last from critical injuries she sustained from Israeli gunfire in the Nuseirat

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  Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died Sunday morning at the age of 74, the country’s Amiri Diwan announced, Anadolu reports. “May God grant him His mercy and forgiveness,” it added in a statement on the US social media company X. Qatar announced four days of national mourning from Sunday. Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad will be held after the Maghrib (evening) prayer on Sunday at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha, and he will be laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery, the Diwan said. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive mourners from heads of state, members of the ruling family, dignitaries and citizens at Lusail Palace from Monday, July

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  Bahrain accuses Iran of ‘systematic aggression’ after attacks

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  Bahrain accused Iran on Sunday of launching “systematic aggression” on its territory through missile and drone strikes targeting civilians, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Bahrain Defence Force said the country’s air defences intercepted and destroyed “several treacherous Iranian aerial attacks” on Sunday. “The armed forces, with all their forces and units, are at the highest level of readiness and ready to fulfil their defence duties in order to protect the country,” it added. The military called on the Bahraini people to exercise caution, avoid approaching suspicious objects resulting from the attacks’ remnants, and to report them immediately. Early Sunday, Tehran said it launched attacks on US military sites in regional countries, including Bahrain, in retaliation for attacks by Washington

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  The man who made the world need Qatar

  by Marwa A on July 12, 2026

  The Father Emir is gone. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on Sunday at 74, was the architect of modern Qatar. But that description, however apt, undersells the magnitude of what he actually achieved. He did not merely modernise a small Gulf state. He rewrote the operating system of sovereignty itself—proving that a nation of barely 300,000 citizens could achieve global indispensability not through armies, but through a brilliantly brutal recalibration of what power actually means in the twenty-first century. When Sheikh Hamad seized power in a bloodless palace coup in 1995, Qatar was a sleepy backwater, a peninsula that barely registered on the world’s diplomatic radar. Eighteen years later, when he voluntarily abdicated—shattering Gulf tradition in a

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  French court orders town hall to remove Palestinian flag

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  A French court ordered the town hall of Vaulx-en-Velin, a suburb of Lyon, to remove a Palestinian flag flying from its facade, ruling that it breached the principle of neutrality in public services, Anadolu reports. The Lyon administrative court, ruling in an emergency procedure brought by the Rhone prefect, ordered the flag to be removed without delay and imposed a fine of 100 euros ($117) for each day of non-compliance. The Palestinian flag was raised on July 4 during a municipal event and displayed alongside the French and European flags. READ: Israel deports French journalist over criticism of Gaza genocide

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  UN envoy says Yemen parties renew commitment to delayed prisoner exchange

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said Saturday that he has received renewed commitments from Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi group to implement a prisoner exchange agreement after its planned execution was delayed, Anadolu reports. In a statement on the US social media company He urged both sides to intensify efforts to complete the remaining technical and operational arrangements as soon as possible, adding that they had “affirmed their commitment to doing so.” The statement came a day after the Yemeni government and the Houthis announced the postponement of the exchange, which had been scheduled for Saturday, with each side blaming the other for the delay. On May 14, the two parties signed the agreement in the

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  Qatar, Syria discuss stronger ties, reconstruction, chemical weapons cooperation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Qatar’s Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on Saturday, Anadolu reports. Al-Sharaa received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation at the People’s Palace in Damascus in the presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. The talks focused on efforts to promote regional openness and cooperation, as well as reconstruction, humanitarian response, and investment opportunities during Syria’s recovery phase, according to SANA. Separately, Al-Shaibani met Al-Khulaifi at Tishreen Presidential Palace, where they discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the political and economic fields. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting

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  Israeli strike kills 1 Palestinian, injures 2 in central Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  A Palestinian was killed and two others injured on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike targeting a civilian vehicle west of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, Anadolu reports. The attack came amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement that has been in force in the Gaza Strip since last October. The body of the victim and two wounded Palestinians were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah after the strike hit a vehicle traveling near Al-Nuwairi Hill, west of the camp, the medical sources said. According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, citing eyewitnesses, an Israeli drone fired at least four missiles at the vehicle and its surroundings. READ: 12 Palestinians killed, 20 injured in Israeli strikes in Gaza

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  Hundreds in Sweden protest Israeli attacks, ceasefire violations in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Hundreds of people gathered in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Saturday to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza, ceasefire violations, and restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the enclave, Anadolu reports. The demonstrators gathered at Odenplan Square following calls by several civil society organizations. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags chanted slogans against Israel and called for the immediate lifting of the blockade on Gaza. They also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire reached on Oct. 10, 2025. Dror Feiler, a Swedish Jewish activist and chair of European Jews for a Just Peace, told Anadolu that the demonstrators were standing up for Palestinian rights, justice and equality. READ: Spain’s National Court opens probe into Israeli military officials over Gaza flotilla interception “A peace achieved without

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  Iran is China’s indispensable partner, but Beijing will never fight its war

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  There is a seductive myth that China and Iran are allies bound by blood and ideology, that Beijing would ride to Tehran’s rescue the way NATO would for a member under Article 5. Nothing could be further from the truth. What binds Beijing and Tehran is colder, more durable, and in some ways more dangerous than sentiment: mutual utility. China needs Iran. It will not die for Iran. Understanding that distinction is the key to understanding everything Beijing has — and has not — done since the guns of the 2026 war began firing. A partnership without a promise When China and Iran signed the 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Chinese state media hailed it as a civilizational bond. The agreement

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  Pakistani, Saudi top diplomats warn against renewed conflict in MidEast

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday warned that a renewed conflict in the Middle East “serves no one’s interest,” Anadolu reports. In a phone call, the two leaders discussed recent developments in the region and expressed “deep concern” over the recent escalation in hostilities despite the signing of an agreement between the US and Iran last month, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. They agreed that renewed conflict “serves no one’s interest and undermines efforts toward regional peace and stability,” the statement said. Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of de-escalation and continued dialogue, while Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s call on all parties to “exercise maximum restraint” and allow mediation efforts the

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  Israel launches fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon despite US-brokered deal

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  The Israeli military on Saturday launched a fresh wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon despite a US-brokered framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, Lebanese state media reported. Three airstrikes targeted the al-Mashaa neighborhood in the town of al-Mansouri in the southern Tyre district, according to the National News Agency (NNA). Israeli forces also blew up homes in the town of Houla in the southern Nabatieh district, the agency said. A separate Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Kfar Tebnit, according to the NNA. READ: US military team to visit Lebanon to support ceasefire implementation The attacks came despite Lebanon and Israel signing a US-sponsored framework agreement last month that provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Since

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  Iran’s supreme leader vows to avenge slain predecessor Ali Khamenei

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Saturday that avenging his slain father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, was “the demand of the nation” and “must certainly” be carried out, Anadolu reports. The remarks came in a message delivered during funeral ceremonies for the late supreme leader, according to Iran’s state-run broadcaster IRIB. “We pledge to avenge your innocent blood and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and dishonorable murderers,” Mojtaba Khamenei said in the message. Ali Khamenei was buried Thursday at the Imam Reza Shrine in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, bringing a week of funeral ceremonies to a close. He was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28 and were followed

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  Israeli occupiers attack workers, destroy farm in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Israeli occupiers on Saturday attacked municipal workers south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank and destroyed a farm northwest of the city in the latest attacks across the occupied Palestinian territory, Anadolu reports. The occupiers attacked municipal workers from Qabalan while they were installing an electricity line in the Ain al-Qasab area, forcing them to suspend the work, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing local sources. In a separate incident northwest of Nablus, occupiers attacked a farm in the al-Masoudieh area, on land belonging to Burqa town, destroying its contents, including an agricultural structure, according to Diab Haji, head of the al-Masoudieh Land Defense Committee. READ: Israeli military demolishes Palestinian home in West Bank village In the northern West

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  Israeli army launches incursion, sets up checkpoint in southwest Syria

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  The Israeli army on Saturday raided the vicinity of al-Samdaniyah village in Syria’s southwestern Quneitra Governorate and set up a temporary checkpoint to inspect passersby, Anadolu reports. Israeli forces, consisting of three military vehicles, searched passersby before withdrawing from the area, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. In a separate incident after midnight, an Israeli force of more than 15 military vehicles advanced into the village of Al-Asha in southern Quneitra, searched a house and a livestock feed warehouse, and later withdrew, SANA added. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reported incursions. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel declared the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria void and moved into

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  From proxy war to Gulf rivalry: Yemen’s new battle for influence

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  For more than a decade, Yemen has been viewed primarily through the lens of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Tehran’s support for the Houthi movement and the Saudi-led military intervention launched in 2015 transformed the country into one of the Middle East’s most visible arenas of geopolitical competition. The conflict came to symbolize a broader struggle for regional influence between two rival powers seeking to shape the political order of the Arab world. That interpretation remains relevant, but it is increasingly insufficient. While the Houthis continue to dominate much of northern Yemen and Iran remains an important player, the dynamics shaping the country’s future are changing. A new competition is emerging within the Gulf itself, and Yemen

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Osama Abu Irshaid: Panicked and Cornered, What Will Netanyahu Do Next?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Boyd: A Voice of Freedom on Behalf of an Oppressed Nation 

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  Saudi foreign minister, US secretary of state discuss regional issues

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the latest regional developments in a phone call on Saturday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The statement, posted on the US social media company X, highlighted the importance of “continuing coordination and joint consultation to achieve security and stability in the region.” No further details were revealed regarding the content of the discussions. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in late February. In response, Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets, including Saudi Arabia. In mid-June, Iran and the US reached a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding aimed at

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  US military team to visit Lebanon to support ceasefire implementation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  A US military delegation is expected to travel to Lebanon in the coming days to help implement a framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a media report said Friday, Anadolu reports. Citing two senior Lebanese officials, the Financial Times reported a delegation from the US military Central Command (CENTCOM) is expected to arrive in Beirut ahead of technical talks between Lebanon and Israel scheduled in Rome next week. The discussions will focus on implementing a US-sponsored framework agreement reached on June 26, providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to the report. A State Department spokesperson confirmed to Anadolu that CENTCOM is “coordinating closely” with both countries at the technical and logistical levels

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  Saudi crown prince, US president discuss Iran talks

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a call Friday with US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed regional developments, including talks between Washington and Tehran, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Anadolu reports. The SPA reported that the call covered “relations of cooperation between the Kingdom and the United States of America and ways to support them in several fields.” The two sides also “discussed a number of regional and international issues and exchanged views on them,” it said. The call included a review of “current developments in the region, including the talks between the US and Iran.” “Emphasis was placed on the importance of the security of navigation and maritime passages, and support for everything that contributes

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  Netanyahu’s policies, government ‘burden’ for Israel, region, international security: Turkish foreign minister

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies and government are a strain for Israel, the region and international security, Anadolu reports. “The policies of Netanyahu’s government are not only a problem for us,” Fidan said in an interview with the Abu Dhabi-based The National newspaper. “His policies and his government are a burden for Israel, a burden for the region, and a burden and threat for international security.” Fidan ruled out the possibility that rhetoric between Ankara and Tel Aviv could escalate into an open conflict. “There is no reason to have an open conflict,” he said. Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “is a leader of peace and wisdom” who “wouldn’t be baited into

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  Time as power: Why timing is reshaping energy diplomacy in the Middle East

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  For decades, energy diplomacy in the region has been understood through three familiar dimensions: geography, natural resources and infrastructure. Geography explains where hydrocarbons are found. Resources determine who possesses them. Infrastructure dictates how they are transported to global markets. These three pillars have shaped strategic thinking for more than half a century. Today, however, they are no longer enough.The global energy transition is accelerating. Governments are investing heavily in renewable energy, electric mobility and low-carbon technologies. International climate commitments are gradually reshaping investment priorities, while technological innovation is reducing the long-term dominance of fossil fuels. For hydrocarbon-producing states, the question is no longer simply how much oil or gas they possess. Increasingly, the decisive question is whether they can transform

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  10 Palestinians injured in Israeli occupier, army attacks in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  At least 10 Palestinians were injured Friday in attacks by Israeli occupiers and the army in the occupied West Bank, as raids and assaults targeted several Palestinian towns and lands, according to witnesses and sources. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said two Palestinians were injured after being assaulted by Israeli occupiers in the town of Beit Furik in eastern Nablus. Sources told Anadolu that occupiers stormed Palestinian-owned lands in the eastern part of the town and attacked residents, while the Israeli army deployed military reinforcements to the area. Occupiers also entered the vicinity of the Abu Raafat al-Hajj Hussein Mosque in eastern Beit Furik. READ: Israeli military demolishes Palestinian home in West Bank village In a separate incident, occupiers seized land

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  Lebanese president ‘will not back down’ from negotiations with Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday he will not reverse his decision to pursue negotiations with Israel, according to a statement from the presidency, Anadolu reports. Aoun made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda in eastern Beirut, with a delegation from the Lebanese Forces’ parliamentary bloc led by party chief Samir Geagea. “Why should the Lebanese people continue paying the price for wars ignited at the behest of external actors and for their interests?” asked Aoun. “I assure you that I will not back down from the decision to negotiate that I have taken,” said Aoun. “I also insist that all my positions include explanations to the Lebanese people about the importance of the path we

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  US eases export controls on UAE, expands access to military, advanced technology

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  The US Commerce Department announced on Friday that it will ease export restrictions on the United Arab Emirates, granting the country broader access to US military, commercial space, and advanced technology items in recognition of its role as a major defense partner, Anadolu reports. The department’s Bureau of Industry and Security said in a statement that it will “significantly upgrade” the UAE’s status under the Export Administration Regulations, citing Abu Dhabi’s support for US national security interests, including cooperation related to Operation Epic Fury against Iran. As part of the change, the bureau will remove the UAE from Export Administration Regulations Country Groups D:3 and D:4, eliminating certain restrictions, including those affecting support for UAE unmanned aerial vehicle programs. READ: US officials

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  Germany criticizes Israel over West Bank, stops short of backing tougher EU measures

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Germany on Friday criticized Israel’s continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank but stopped short of backing calls from EU partners for tougher measures, including a trade ban on goods from these settlements, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a news conference in Berlin that Germany’s long-held position on illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories remains unchanged, and that it continues to remind Israel of its obligations under international law. “All German governments to date — and we ourselves — have consistently issued statements to this effect,” Wadephul said, adding that he reiterated Germany’s expectations during his visit to Israel on Tuesday, when he discussed the latest developments with his Israeli counterpart. “International law is the guiding

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  Trump warns 1,000 missiles ‘locked and loaded’ if Iran tries to assassinate him

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  US President Donald Trump threatened to launch thousands of missiles at Iran on Friday should it try to assassinate him, Anadolu reports. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” He added that “orders have already been given” and claimed that the US military is “ready, willing, and able” for a one-year period, subject to extension, “to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran.” Trump

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  Israeli army preparing to withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon within days: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  The Israeli army is preparing to withdraw within days from areas in southern Lebanon under a framework agreement, ahead of a new round of negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv in Rome. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said Friday evening that “the Israeli army intends to withdraw from some pilot areas in southern Lebanon in parallel with the negotiating session between the Lebanese and Israeli sides in Rome.” Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-sponsored framework agreement on June 26 providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory, beginning with two initial areas that were not identified in the agreement. KAN claimed that the planned withdrawal follows US and Lebanese demands that Israel evacuate the areas before the

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  Colombia’s Petro accuses Israeli cyberfirm BlackCore of election interference

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Israeli cyber-intelligence company BlackCore of executing a massive digital disinformation campaign to manipulate the outcome of the country’s recent presidential elections, Anadolu reports. The accusation was made on Friday following a razor-thin victory by challenger Abelardo de la Espriella, a criminal defense attorney openly endorsed by US President Donald Trump. De la Espriella won the June 21 runoff election by a margin of less than 1% over the ruling party’s candidate, Ivan Cepeda. Petro wrote on US social media platform X that BlackCore deployed hundreds of thousands of automated accounts to distort public perception in the run-up to the vote. “BlackCore, the Israeli company, deployed 500,000 bots—fake profiles—to manipulate the Colombian electorate with

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  Sudan’s Burhan says Khartoum will reject any proposal that fails to ensure security, stability

  by Mehdi Editor on July 11, 2026

  Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated on Friday that the country would not accept or pursue any proposal that fails to satisfy the Sudanese people or guarantee their security and stability, Anadolu reports. Al-Burhan, who also heads the army, made the remarks while addressing worshippers following Friday prayers at Sheikh al-Tayeb Mosque in Umm Marrahi, north of Omdurman and west of the capital Khartoum, according to the Sudanese News Agency. “The armed forces are advancing in this battle based on the Sudanese people’s support and the strength of their determination and will,” he said, referring to the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). “We will never let the people down, and we will hand over this

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  Speaking to Iran’s president, Pakistani premier urges US-Iranian commitment to peace pact

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged the US and Iran to uphold the commitments made under their framework peace deal signed last month, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, Anadolu reports. In a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pizishkian, the Pakistani leader called on Iran and “all other parties” to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could jeopardize the “hard-earned” peace gains achieved over the past few months, a statement from Sharif’s office said. Describing the framework pact – reached with Pakistani mediation – as an “enduring” framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and shared prosperity in the region and beyond, Sharif expressed “deep” concern over the recent escalation in tensions in the region

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  Spain’s National Court opens probe into Israeli military officials over Gaza flotilla interception

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Spain’s National Court has opened an investigation into senior Israeli military officials over the illegal detention of activists during the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, limiting the probe to incidents involving Spanish-flagged vessels, newspaper El Pais reported on Friday. Judge Francisco de Jorge accepted complaints filed by the Communist Party of Spain, United Left Federal and several activists against Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Israeli Navy Commander Ram Rothberg. The complaints relate to the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip when it was intercepted by Israeli forces on Oct. 1. According to the ruling, Israeli forces boarded several vessels in international waters about 70 nautical miles off

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  Israeli drone attack injures 3 hospital workers in northern Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Three Palestinian hospital workers were injured Friday when an Israeli quadcopter drone dropped a bomb in the courtyard of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, in the latest violation of the ceasefire in force since Oct. 10, 2025, Anadolu reports. Gaza’s Health Ministry called for urgent international protection for medical facilities and health workers, saying the attack was part of Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire agreement. Three staff members at Kamal Adwan Hospital were injured, including two seriously, when an Israeli quadcopter dropped a bomb while they were working inside the hospital, a medical source told Anadolu Agency. Kamal Adwan Hospital is operating on a very limited basis after Israeli forces stormed and extensively destroyed the facility

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  German upper house advances bill to criminalize ‘denying Israel’s right to exist’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Germany’s upper house of parliament voted Friday to advance a proposal that would make it a criminal offense to publicly deny Israel’s right to exist or call for its destruction, Anadolu reports. The measure, introduced by the western state of Hesse, would impose penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine for statements made publicly that deny Israel’s existence or urge its destruction — but only if they encourage “a willingness to commit acts of antisemitic violence or arbitrary acts.” The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and free-speech advocates, who argue it could chill legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and erode the broad protections for freedom of expression guaranteed by Germany’s Constitution.

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  Red Ribbons Campaign presses Red Cross to resume visits to Palestinians in Israeli jails

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  The Red Ribbons Campaign, an advocacy initiative campaigning for the release and protection of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, has urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to press Israel to resume regular visits to Palestinians held in Israeli custody. In an open letter published yesterday, the campaign called on the ICRC to use all appropriate humanitarian means within its mandate to secure the implementation of an Israeli Supreme Court ruling overturning the general ban on Red Cross visits. The letter is open for endorsement by Palestinian, Arab and international individuals and organisations supporting its humanitarian and legal aims.   The ICRC is a neutral humanitarian organisation whose work includes visiting people held during armed conflicts, checking their treatment

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  Israel detains Jerusalem grand mufti, bars him from Al-Aqsa Mosque for 1 week

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Israeli authorities on Friday barred Jerusalem Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Hussein from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for one week after detaining him following Friday prayers, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. In a statement, the governorate said Israeli forces detained Hussein after he delivered the Friday sermon and led prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. It said authorities later released the grand mufti after issuing an order barring him from entering the mosque compound for one week. READ: Israeli forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque 26 times in June, Palestinian ministry says There was no immediate comment from the Israeli police. Israeli authorities have issued similar bans against Al-Aqsa Mosque preachers in recent years. Earlier Friday, tens of thousands of

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  Israeli army begins major reduction of reserve soldiers amid budget strain

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  The Israeli army has begun a broad reduction in reserve call-ups, Israeli media reported Friday, days after reports that the military was facing financial strain. Yedioth Ahronoth said the move reflects what it described as fighting winding down on multiple fronts. “In accordance with the latest operational assessment, it has been decided to reduce the reserve force and the number of Order 8 call-up notices,” the newspaper cited the army as saying. Order 8 is an emergency mobilization mechanism that allows the Israeli army to rapidly call up reservists during war or other national emergencies. The system has been widely used since the start of Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 8, 2023. The army

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  Iraq sentences 12 tax employees in ‘heist of the century’ corruption case

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said Friday that courts sentenced 12 employees of the General Commission for Taxes to prison for helping businessman Noor Zuhair withdraw state funds in the country’s so-called “heist of the century” corruption case, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the council said the convictions were part of broader efforts by specialized anti-corruption courts to prosecute those involved in financial crimes while recovering stolen public funds. The council said Iraqi courts had also sentenced Zuhair in absentia to 10 years in prison after he stopped repaying the remaining funds he owed to the state and left the country. An extradition file has been prepared, and the Arab and International Police Directorate

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  German troops to leave Erbil base in northern Iraq amid regional tensions

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Germany plans to close its military field camp near Erbil airport in northern Iraq by the end of September and withdraw most of its troops, the weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported Friday. The Defense Ministry has notified parliament of the decision to shut down the camp, according to the report. The base has faced repeated threats in recent months as tensions escalated following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. While German forces were not directly targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks, their proximity to US units forced soldiers to spend many nights in bunkers, Der Spiegel said. Defense Ministry spokeswoman Christiane Noack confirmed that the ministry had briefed parliament’s relevant committees but declined to provide further details on the timeline or

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  Iran security chief warns Israel ‘will not be safe from response’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Iran warned Friday that it would retaliate against any attack on its infrastructure and that Israel would face a response, according to the Mehr news agency. “As we have previously announced, any attack on infrastructure will be met with retaliation in kind,” Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a statement carried by the news agency. Israel, which he said was behind the recent hostile acts, “will not be safe from the response,” he added. Last month, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding under Pakistani mediation aimed at ending their military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. However, the two sides have exchanged attacks over the past two days following Iranian

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  Trump claims Iran asked US to continue ‘talks,’ declares ceasefire ‘over’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has asked Washington to continue “talks” and that Washington agreed to do so, while reiterating that a ceasefire secured last month between the two countries was “over,” Anadolu reports. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Separately, in an interview with the New York Post, Trump said he left instructions for the US to launch massive strikes on Iran if Tehran succeeds in assassinating him. “I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb

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  ‘Death to Christians’: Report documents rising anti-Christian attacks by Israelis in occupied Jerusalem

  by Marwa A on July 10, 2026

  Christian clergy, nuns, pilgrims and holy sites are facing an increasingly hostile environment in Jerusalem, with a new report documenting a pattern of attacks that includes spitting, physical assault, threats, vandalism, anti-Christian abuse and the targeting of church processions. The findings come amid growing warnings from Palestinian Christian leaders that Israel’s far-right political climate, settler extremism and official indifference are deepening pressure on the historic Christian presence in Jerusalem and across Palestine. The latest report by Israel’s Religious Freedom Data Center (RFDC) recorded 83 acts of harassment against Christians between April and June 2026, across 76 separate incidents. The centre said the incidents were part of a wider pattern that has required the creation of a hotline, legal assistance, volunteer

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  Syria has no intention of intervening in Lebanon, says speaker Berri

  by Mehdi Editor on July 10, 2026

  Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has dismissed suggestions that Syria will intervene in Lebanese affairs, following remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding Damascus’s potential role in tackling Hezbollah. In comments reported by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Berri stated that “Syria has no intention of intervening in Lebanon.” The statement follows disclosures by the US President that he had proposed Syria take on the responsibility of confronting Hezbollah. Trump claimed that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa had “promised he would help with the Hezbollah issue.” Berri noted that his recent meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani had clearly addressed all relevant issues. Sources close to Berri—traditionally referred to as Ain el-Tineh circles—viewed Trump’s rhetoric as political pressure aimed at both

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  French report: UAE preparing first Israeli military foothold near Bab al-Mandab

  by Marwa A on July 10, 2026

  The French newspaper Le Monde has published a report titled: “UAE discreetly builds military base in Somaliland for US and Israel”, revealing that Berbera Airport in the internationally unrecognised region of Somaliland is being transformed into a military base near one of the world’s most important shipping routes for the benefit of Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and Washington. Somaliland, whose capital is Hargeisa, lies on the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. It has a coastline of around 800 kilometres, while the Port of Berbera holds a strategic position near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important waterways for global trade and energy supplies between Asia and Europe. The region, which declared independence

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  Gaza family reunited with son believed dead after year in Israeli detention

  by Marwa A on July 10, 2026

  A Palestinian family in the northern Gaza town of Jabalia has been reunited with their son after believing for a year that he had been killed by Israeli army fire, only to discover he had been held in an Israeli prison throughout that time. Inside the family’s home, which was damaged by Israeli bombardment, relatives broke down in tears of joy as 23-year-old Hamada Al-Banna returned unexpectedly after they had lost hope of ever seeing him again. His family had believed that Hamada and his brother, Adham, were shot dead by Israeli forces while on their way to collect food aid during the peak of the famine that hit the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2025. On Monday, Israeli

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  Widespread calls to mobilise at Al-Aqsa Mosque to counter Israeli plans

  by Marwa A on July 10, 2026

  Palestinian groups and organisations in Jerusalem have renewed calls for mass mobilisation and a strong public presence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound amid growing concerns over increased settler activity and plans by extremist groups that they say aim to impose new Judaization realities at the site. Jerusalem-based organisations urged Palestinians to increase their presence and attend Friday prayers at the mosque, saying the move is intended to help protect the site, preserve its Islamic and Arab identity, and counter what they described as attempts to undermine its status. The appeals were directed mainly at Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem and inside Israel, as well as those from the occupied West Bank who are able to reach the city, encouraging them

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  Massad Boulos: Like a man calling Libyans to prayer from Malta

  by Marwa A on July 10, 2026

  When Massad Boulos, the US President’s Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, chooses to meet senior Libyan officials from both East and West Libya in Malta rather than in any Libyan city, he resembles a man calling the faithful to prayer from an island where no one hears the call. Libyans continue to pray to the rhythm of their own cities — Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi, Sabha — while Boulos raises his voice from Malta, a place that neither expects nor responds to such a summons. The metaphor is not ornamental; it captures the entire political moment. Libya’s crisis cannot be resolved from a Mediterranean balcony. It can only be resolved where Libyans actually live, negotiate, fight, and resist: on