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

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  Israeli attacks kill 4 Palestinians, including girl, in Gaza amid ceasefire violations

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip killed four Palestinians, including a girl, and injured more than 19 others on Thursday amid continued violations of an effective ceasefire agreement, medics said. In the latest attack, a Palestinian was killed when an Israeli drone struck an electric bicycle west of the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, a medical source said. Another Palestinian was killed and others were injured, one seriously, when an Israeli drone struck a civilian vehicle in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood southwest of Gaza City, the source said. In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian girl in the head in Jabalia, a medical source told Anadolu. In southern Gaza, another

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  Lebanese president warns regional tensions could spiral into wider escalation

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned Thursday that the region faces “very significant” challenges, expressing hope they would not lead to escalation or an “explosion,” Anadolu reports. Aoun made the warning while chairing a Cabinet session at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. “The challenges facing the region are very significant, and I hope their course will not lead toward escalation or explosion,” Aoun said. He urged parties in Lebanon to “exercise wisdom, awareness and restraint” to shield the country from the impact of regional developments, noting that Lebanon is already suffering from difficult economic conditions. “This requires everyone, ministers and political officials, to act wisely

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  Qatar, US discuss regional de-escalation, maritime navigation

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call Thursday, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Qatar and the US. The discussions also addressed the latest regional developments, particularly ongoing diplomatic efforts and joint coordination to de-escalate tensions and enhance regional security and stability. READ: Qatari emir wants ‘regional system of collective security’ During the call, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at reaching a solution that guarantees freedom of maritime navigation and paves the

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  Indian, Israeli premiers discuss Mideast situation, bilateral ties over phone

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  In a Thursday phone call, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu discussed bilateral ties and the situation in the Middle East, Anadolu reports. “The two leaders welcomed the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries,” said a statement by Modi’s office. New Delhi said the leaders also “exchanged views on recent developments” in the Middle East and “underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. “ Modi reiterated India’s “call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” the statement said. READ: Israeli opposition leaders accuse Netanyahu of clinging to power at country’s expense “The two leaders agreed

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  Yemeni army says 512 Houthi fighters neutralized in 24 hours

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Yemen’s government forces carried out 780 strikes against Houthi positions over the past 24 hours, neutralizing approximately 512 fighters and destroying or damaging more than 330 military vehicles, a military spokesman said Thursday, Anadolu reports. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzayli, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a statement that the operations were conducted as part of the ongoing “Operation Dawn of Yemen.” He said the strikes targeted Houthi field commanders, troop concentrations, reinforcements, heavy weapons positions, fortified sites and military vehicles across the northern fronts as well as Al-Jawf, western Marib, and Al-Bayda provinces. According to al-Nuzayli, the operations also destroyed heavy weapons and reinforcements heading toward front lines in Taiz province. He said the strikes had disrupted Houthi military

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  Trump accuses Iran of driving up oil prices ahead of midterms

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Thursday accused Iran of attempting to drive up global oil prices ahead of the midterm elections, Anadolu reports. “Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the U.S. Midterm Election. “They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else, because more Oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the Conflict,” Trump wrote on his Truth social platform. He accused Iranian authorities of continuing to kill protesters and others who oppose the government, claiming that 75,000 protesters had died in less than seven months. “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and they will never (sic) a

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  Israeli forces blow up abandoned house, open fire on farmland in southern Syria

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli forces blew up an abandoned house and opened machine-gun fire toward agricultural land in Syria’s southern Quneitra province on Thursday, Syrian media reported. Syria’s state-run Alikhbariah TV said Israeli forces demolished an abandoned house in the town of Hamidiyah in the northern Quneitra countryside. In a separate incident, Israeli troops stationed at western Tal al-Ahmar opened machine-gun fire toward farmland surrounding the town of Kudna, the broadcaster reported. READ: Israeli tanks spotted near former governor’s office in Quneitra, southern Syria There were no immediate reports of casualties. The incidents come amid repeated Israeli military incursions into southern Syria. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, Israel has carried out repeated incursions into southern Syria after declaring the

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  Situation in occupied West Bank ‘simply out of control,’ UN chief says

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The situation across the occupied West Bank has deteriorated beyond control as escalating attacks seek to drive Palestinian communities from their land, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday, Anadolu reports. “In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians continue to suffer daily attacks by Israeli settlers. The clear goal is to drive communities off their land,” Guterres told reporters. He said the situation in the occupied territories is “simply out of control” as occupiers also target journalists and diplomats. On Gaza, the UN chief pointed out that essential humanitarian assistance remains “severely restricted” ahead of winter, compounding obstacles facing the Security Council-backed roadmap to resolve the conflict. Guterres stressed that the World Food Program “urgently” requires $450 million to feed populations

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  Iran sets 7 conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz, resuming talks: Official

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or return to negotiations until seven new conditions presented through intermediaries are met, said Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Anadolu reports. “We will not return to the diplomacy of the past, yet we are not abandoning diplomacy altogether,” Rezaei said in a statement carried by ISNA news agency, adding that Tehran was “no longer interested in agreements whose only guarantee was political good faith.” He said Iran’s preference was “de-escalation,” but “the longer the US prolonged the war, the stronger Iran would become, although this was not what Tehran wanted.” Rezaei also warned that if the war resumed, Iran would use new capabilities to target US assets in

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  Gaza faces renewed famine risk as food supplies dwindle: Rights group

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Gaza could face another famine as Israeli restrictions on incoming goods leave residents struggling to obtain food, with flour shortages threatening bread production, a Geneva-based human rights group warned Thursday, Anadolu reports. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said its teams observed increasingly empty markets and soaring food prices, accusing Israel of “deliberately depriving” Palestinians of adequate nutrition as part of an ongoing genocide. According to the rights group, after Israeli authorities suspended commercial goods deliveries to Gaza on Oct. 13, it announced on Oct. 19 that some imports would be allowed to resume. However, the group said the decision brought little relief, as shipments remained heavily restricted and fresh fruits and vegetables were still denied entry. It added that residents and

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  Tech investor Peter Thiel says US should not have launched war on Iran: Report

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Billionaire technology investor Peter Thiel voiced strong skepticism about the US war against Iran, saying Washington should never have launched the conflict, Politico reported Thursday. “I’m skeptical of (the war), I think we should not have done it,” Thiel said at a private event on Oct. 12, according to audio obtained by Politico. “There were a lot of mistakes that were made.” Thiel, a major Republican donor and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, also questioned whether the US had the means to sustain its position in the conflict. “Maybe we don’t have the hard power. Maybe we’re going to lose the soft power war,” he said. READ: Vance acknowledges ‘failures’ in US handling of Iran war In the lecture earlier

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  International Criminal Court, its senior officials awarded 2026 EU Sakharov Prize

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The European Parliament on Thursday awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought jointly to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its senior officials, recognizing their work in upholding international law and justice, Anadolu reports. “The European Union is founded on respect for multilateralism and international institutions. By awarding the Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court and its officials, Parliament recognizes the important work carried out by the Court to uphold international law and justice,” said EP President Roberta Metsola, announcing the winners to the full assembly. The parliament highlighted the ICC investigations, prosecutions, trials, and issuance or authorization of arrest warrants for serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. “The Court plays an

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  1,574 killed, 6,939 injured in Yemen escalation since August: WHO

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  At least 1,574 people have been killed and 6,939 others injured in Yemen since the latest military escalation began in August, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday. In a report seen by Anadolu Agency, the UN health agency said it had recorded 8,513 casualties since the beginning of August. The figure included 1,574 deaths and 6,939 injuries as of Oct. 19, the WHO said, without specifying whether the casualties were civilians, military personnel or both. The agency said 292 people were killed and 1,048 others injured during the latest eight-day reporting period. READ: US envoy says ground intervention in Yemen ‘appears pointless,’ urges regional alliances Last Thursday, the WHO said it had recorded 1,282 deaths and 5,891 injuries since the

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  Sudanese army recaptures strategic military base in Blue Nile region

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The Sudanese army on Thursday recaptured two areas, including a strategic military base, in the Blue Nile region following clashes with paramilitary forces, Sudanese media reported. According to the daily Sudan Tribune, the army and its allied forces regained control of the Bakori military base, southeast of Damazin, the regional capital, on Thursday morning. An alliance of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North seized the strategic Bakori and Sarkam bases in late August in the Qeisan and Kurmuk localities, respectively, the news portal said. READ: UN warns Sudan conflict shows no sign of easing, urges parties to pursue peace Bakori, located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) east of Damazin, serves as the headquarters of the

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  Gaza Health Ministry warns hospital generators may shut down

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Gaza’s Health Ministry warned Thursday that hospital electricity generators could stop working after stocks of operating oil were completely exhausted amid Israel’s continued blockade of the enclave, Anadolu reports. The ministry said in a statement that engineering teams are working under difficult conditions to monitor the generators and keep electricity supply to critical hospital departments. “Generators have been running for thousands of continuous hours without sufficient oil or maintenance, bringing them to the final point of mechanical danger,” the ministry said. “If generator engines burn out because of the lack of oil, they could become permanently unusable even if supplies become available later,” it warned. The ministry renewed its call for urgent intervention, saying the issue was no longer limited

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  Israeli forces kill man with disabilities, abduct young man in southern Syria: Reports

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli forces killed a civilian with disabilities during an incursion into Daraa province and abducted a young man while obstructing a UN patrol in neighboring Quneitra province in southern Syria on Thursday, according to local media reports. Alikhbariah TV reported that Israeli forces entered Taranja village in northern Quneitra countryside with seven military vehicles, abducted a young man and obstructed the passage of a patrol belonging to the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) by blocking the village road. The broadcaster did not provide details about the young man’s identity or where he was taken. Earlier Thursday, Israeli forces entered Jamlah village in western Daraa province and shot dead a civilian with disabilities, according to Syria’s official SANA news agency. The

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  Israeli opposition leaders accuse Netanyahu of clinging to power at country’s expense

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot on Thursday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the country’s interests, as they criticized his government’s record and its handling of security warnings ahead of next week’s elections, Anadolu reports. In a post on the US social media platform X, opposition leader Lapid accused the government of turning Israel’s security into a “farce” and seeking scapegoats for its failures. “The reckless and hysterical statement made by the defense minister is a gift to Israel’s enemies,” Lapid said. “Once again, this failed government is trying to make excuses and look for a scapegoat to cover up the failures of Netanyahu and the group of incompetent people surrounding him,”

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  Macron was right, and the scapegoats were chosen

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Emmanuel Macron’s phrase landed like a cracked whip in the stale air of Western politics. “As unacceptable as they are stupid.” The target was not immigration policy, but a lie — the claim, amplified by Donald Trump and a chorus of right-wing figures, that Muslim migrants had set France alight. The protests that swept Paris, Lyon and Marseille were not a civilisational invasion.  They were a cry about grocery bills, overcrowded classrooms and a state that had cut 4,000 teaching posts while fuel prices climbed. Macron’s fury was therefore more than a defence of immigrants. It was a rejection of the most durable political technology of the age: the conversion of economic failure into cultural panic. The mechanics are almost

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  Israel turned West Bank into prisons, occupier violence made it battlefield: Palestinian official

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli forces have turned the occupied West Bank into “fragmented prisons,” while occupier violence has made it a “battlefield,” Palestinian National Initiative Secretary-General Mustafa Barghouti said Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Barghouti said the Israeli army had fragmented the occupied West Bank with more than 1,300 military checkpoints, most of them closed, turning its cities and towns into “fragmented prisons separated from one another.” He said the restrictions had “severely paralyzed economic activity, education and health services.” Barghouti said the situation was accompanied by Israeli army raids across all West Bank governorates, mass arrests, continued repression and home demolitions, as well as the prevention of most Palestinian farmers from reaching their land to harvest olives. “The Israeli occupation uses

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  Every Moment Is a Life: Gaza in the Time of Genocide

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  “To write stories in the heart of an unfolding genocide is to draw ink from the depths of your own heart,” writes Huzama Habayeb, the Arabic editor of Every Moment Is a Life. “To read stories of genocide, while the slaughter rages relentlessly, unceasingly, means that—at the very least—your heart will be crushed.” She is right. Reading this anthology is a crushing experience. More than once the book has to be put down, and each time the reader picks it up again, because the people who wrote it deserve to be heard to the end. The collection was compiled by the Palestinian American novelist Susan Abulhawa. It brings together heart-rending true stories by eighteen young writers from Gaza. They wrote

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  The failed humanitarian paradigm exposes governments’ complicity in violence

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The international community prefers not to address the fact that violence poses a permanent threat to food security and, as a result, to any humanitarian paradigm. On Monday, the World Food Program (WFP) announced that 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza will be left without food support due to funding shortages. For 2026, the WPF received less than half its funding and requires $450 million “to maintain critical operations in the occupied Palestinian territory over the next six months.” WFP’s announcement broke down the consequences of its funding shortage. Out of 1.6 million Palestinians in Gaza, 1.1 million remain eligible for WFP’s services. Food rations have been but down by half. Hot meals have been reduced from 250,000 to 150,000, while Palestinians

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  Oil prices jump after US orders diplomats to leave Middle East

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Oil prices rose on Thursday after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia prompted Washington to order some diplomats and their family members to leave US missions in the kingdom, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures rose by $1.29, or 1.2 per cent, to $110.11 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 97 cents, or 1 per cent, to $98.12 a barrel. Brent crude closed little changed on Wednesday, while WTI fell by 67 cents. OPINION: Beyond oil: The Gulf crisis is becoming a food security crisis Earlier on Wednesday, the US State Department ordered non-essential staff at its embassy in Riyadh and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, which has faced near-daily attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.  A diplomatic

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  Two Israeli soldiers commit suicide within an hour after Gaza war service

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Two Israeli soldiers died by suicide within an hour on Wednesday evening, one in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, and the other in the southern part of the occupied territories, Hebrew-language media reported. The reports said the soldiers had suffered severe psychological crises after taking part in the war on the Gaza Strip. Suicides among Israeli soldiers have increased since the war on Gaza began, with 21 cases recorded since the start of this year, compared with 12 before the war. READ: French viewers shocked by Israeli soldiers’ accounts of Gaza in ‘NAZA’ documentary

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  Report: Israeli fighter jets flew close to Iranian border in apparent attempt to provoke response

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew close to Iran’s border earlier this week in a maneuver that may have been intended to provoke an Iranian military response, Israeli media reported Wednesday, citing US sources. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the operation took place overnight Monday into Tuesday and involved dozens of fighter jets accompanied by Israeli Air Force refueling aircraft. According to the broadcaster, the aircraft flew over Syrian and Iraqi territory before turning back toward Israel after approaching the Iranian border at a very short distance. US sources told Channel 12 that Israel may have hoped Iranian forces would open fire on the aircraft, potentially providing a justification for launching an attack on Iran. US and Israeli officials described

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  Why Indonesia joined the Badr pact, and what it must do next

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  On Wednesday, 21st  October, four Muslim-majority countries signed a new defence agreement in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Turkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia call it the “Badr Memorandum of Understanding”. A memorandum of understanding is a formal promise to work together. It is not a full treaty, and it does not force any member to go to war for another. The name carries a message. As one Lebanese outlet reported, Badr means “full moon” in Arabic. For many Muslims, the word also recalls the Battle of Badr, a famous early victory in Islamic history. For Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, this is a quiet but important step. Jakarta sent its Deputy Defence Minister, Yusuf

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  Israel condemns Libya’s ratification of maritime agreement with Turkey as Ankara defends its legality

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israel on Wednesday condemned the Libyan House of Representatives’ ratification of a maritime boundary agreement with Turkey, accusing Ankara of destabilising the Eastern Mediterranean, while Turkish officials defended the memorandum as legitimate under international law. The agreement, signed between Turkey and Libya, establishes a framework for demarcating maritime boundaries in an area of the Eastern Mediterranean believed to contain significant natural gas reserves. The ratification was approved by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives, operating in a region controlled by forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Haftar’s administration has strengthened relations with Ankara in recent years, despite its longstanding rivalry with Libya’s internationally recognised government in Tripoli. Israel’s Foreign Ministry strongly criticized the decision, stating that it “strongly condemns the

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  Iran accuses US and Israel of fueling regional insecurity, rejects blame for Gulf tensions

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei accused the United States and Israel on Wednesday of fueling instability in the Middle East through military attacks and violations of international law, rejecting Washington’s attempts to hold Tehran responsible for insecurity in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Baghaei said Washington bears responsibility for escalating regional tensions despite its calls for the international community to condemn Iran over developments in the Gulf. His remarks came in response to an appeal by the US secretary of state urging other countries to condemn Tehran. In a statement published in English on X, Baghaei accused the United States and Israel of bearing responsibility for the consequences of their

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  Israeli forces keep Salfit entrance closed for second day, disrupting healthcare access for thousands

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Israeli forces continued to block the main northern entrance to the occupied West Bank city of Salfit for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, restricting residents’ movement and preventing thousands of patients from accessing essential healthcare services. The entrance remains closed with an iron gate, obstructing travel between Salfit and surrounding Palestinian villages and towns. Local residents said the restrictions have prevented people from reaching medical facilities, government institutions and other essential services inside the city. Dr Haitham Mansour, director-general of the Salfit Health Directorate, warned that the repeated closure has deprived thousands of patients of healthcare services and disrupted the operations of medical facilities across the governorate. Mansour said the restrictions have prevented healthcare workers from reaching 13 clinics

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  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri rejects calls to repeal law boycotting Israel

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday that any attempt to repeal Lebanon’s 1955 law boycotting Israel would fail in parliament, rejecting growing pressure to amend the legislation. In remarks to the press, Berri challenged supporters of repealing the law to submit a formal legislative proposal, making clear his opposition to any move to abolish the boycott. “I am eagerly awaiting for someone to put forward a legislative proposal on this matter,” Berri said. His comments came amid reported US efforts to raise the issue with Lebanese lawmakers. According to the report, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa has discussed the possibility of repealing the boycott legislation during meetings with members of parliament. Some Lebanese expatriate groups have also reportedly

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  Iraq denies presence of Houthi bases on its territory

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The Iraqi government on Wednesday denied that the Houthis had any bases in Iraq. “There are no known Houthi bases in Iraq, and there is no need for government action or a decision on something that does not exist,” government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA). He said some people continued to promote claims circulating on social media, adding that the presence of armed groups from other countries in Iraq violates the country’s constitutional principles. “Iraq will not be used to launch attacks on neighbouring countries or host armed groups involved in conflicts,” he said. READ: Araghchi says Saudi Arabia and Houthis have not responded to Iran’s mediation offer Al-Aboudi also said Iraq is closely coordinating with Turkey

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  After Mecca, why Badr? Because this pact builds, not binds

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Within hours of the ink drying in Doha, the label arrived: another “Muslim NATO.” It is the wrong label for the wrong agreement. On Wednesday, Turkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed “Badr,” a defence-industry memorandum covering joint production, research and development, and military training. The defence ministers of Qatar, Pakistan and Turkiye signed it, with Indonesia represented by its deputy defence minister. It contains no mutual-defence clause. That is the clue. Mecca, signed on 7th August  by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, is the collective-defence pact, where an attack on one is an attack on all, and this month it was activated after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Badr does something different. Mecca settles who stands with whom. Badr asks

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  Trump’s Iran war is on an Israeli leash

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  On October 21, the Financial Times reported that Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed his military to prepare a multi-day bombing campaign against Iran for the weekend of October 10—only for Donald Trump to block it until after the November 3 midterms . The operation would have targeted electricity plants, nuclear facilities, and regime sites, surpassing the intensity of the joint offensive launched in February. Trump’s opposition did not end the war. It rescheduled it. That distinction is the entire story. The veto is being presented as proof that Washington can restrain Jerusalem. In reality, it is a demonstration of an alliance leash—a tether that permits tactical friction while leaving the strategic architecture of the war untouched. Trump can pull the leash

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  Malaysia bans Waze for government employees over security concerns

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Malaysia has banned public sector employees from using the Waze navigation app over concerns about data security and its links to Israel, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced. The ban aims “to protect government information and users’ personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime”, Anwar’s office said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the government was reviewing potential security threats linked to the app. The announcement followed a meeting of the National Cyber Security Committee, chaired by Anwar. In a Facebook post, he recommended using TuJu, a Malaysian mapping app developed by the country’s highway authority, as an alternative to Waze. READ: Malaysia, Indonesia reaffirm support for Palestine, holy sites of Jerusalem In a directive issued

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  Dead for fifteen years, yet Gaddafi still shapes political debate in a divided Libya

  by Marwa A on October 22, 2026

  Two days ago, on 20 October, Gaddafi’s supporters marked the fifteenth anniversary of his death. Killed and hurriedly buried in a secret grave whose location remains unknown to all but those who buried him, Gaddafi seems to have left behind a secret that the current order fears to reveal, as if his grave itself were a threat to the country’s disorder. Many Libyans believe that Gaddafi went to his grave taking the country with him. Denied the opportunity to give Gaddafi a proper public funeral, those who gathered for Saif al-Islam’s funeral came to mourn the son and, through him, the father. Killed in February this year, Saif left behind another unresolved question of political violence and accountability. Libya’s Public

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  Al-Azhar warns Gaza hospitals risk becoming mass graves as fuel supplies run low

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top Islamic authority, warned on Wednesday that dwindling supplies needed to operate electricity generators in Gaza Strip hospitals could put the lives of patients, wounded people and children at risk. It described hospitals being turned into mass graves as “a stain on humanity’s conscience” and called for urgent international action. In a statement, Al-Azhar said depriving medical facilities of electricity amounted to “a mass death sentence for innocent people and a fully-fledged war crime that violates all international laws and norms”. READ: Gaza hospitals face risk of power outages as generator oil runs out It urged the international community to act swiftly to allow aid into Gaza, open humanitarian corridors and end the blockade, which it said was worsening

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  The empty stadium illusion: Why banning Israeli fans is not enough

  by EditorMehdi on October 22, 2026

  The stadium is empty, but Israel is still in the game. Though any form of isolation of those responsible for genocide is welcome, the growing movement for a sports boycott of Israel has yet to translate solidarity into meaningful sporting isolation. Two recent developments illustrate this contradiction. The first is the decision by Alkmaar, a Dutch city north of Amsterdam, to bar visiting supporters of Israeli football club Hapoel Be’er Sheva from attending its 15th October Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium. The decision followed the violence surrounding the November 2024 Ajax–Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam, when Israeli supporters were filmed chanting racist slogans, tearing down Palestinian flags and confronting local residents. Such behaviour is

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  2 killed, 2 injured after Saudi air defenses intercept drone targeting Aramco oil field

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  Two foreign nationals were killed and two others injured Wednesday after Saudi air defenses intercepted a drone attempting to target a facility at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field in the country’s Eastern Province, the Energy Ministry said, Anadolu reports. A ministry official said Saudi air defenses intercepted the drone as it attempted to strike one of the facilities at the oil field, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Debris from the interception sparked a fire in a vehicle belonging to a contractor working at the field, outside the facility’s perimeter, the official said. The incident did not affect operations at the oil field, the ministry added. The official identified the two fatalities as Philippine and Nepalese nationals, while the

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  Hundreds sign letter supporting Irish author Sally Rooney, Faber over UK restrictions

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  Hundreds of authors, actors and musicians have signed an open letter supporting Irish author Sally Rooney and her publisher, Faber, demanding an amendment to legislation that has prevented the sale of her books in the UK, Anadolu reports. The letter, which was published in the New Statesman, argues that the decision to stop distributing Rooney’s works in the UK raises concerns about freedom of expression following the government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terror organization. “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public,” said the letter. Signatories include authors Zadie Smith, Patrick Ness, Damian Barr and Juno Dawson; actors Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Tilda Swinton; musician Kate Nash; filmmaker Jonathan

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  War Without End: How Israel Now Sees Its Future | Palestine This Week

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  In this episode, we unpack Israel’s new national security doctrine of permanent war, the settler attack on a Washington Post journalist and EU diplomats, and eight Israeli parties’ unanimous rejection of a Palestinian state. Plus Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu, Israel’s grip on the Latin American right and the backlash against Obama’s Belfast remarks.     WATCH: ‘Peace Requires Justice’: Why Washington and Tel Aviv Want Neither | Palestine This Week

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  Diplomatic efforts to end Sudan war intensify despite continued fighting: UN envoy

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  Diplomatic efforts to end Sudan’s civil war are increasing despite continued fighting, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Sudan said Wednesday, highlighting new confidence-building initiatives, Anadolu reports. “We also are witnessing more diplomatic efforts than earlier around Sudan,” Pekka Haavisto told reporters in Geneva following the sixth consultative meeting on Sudan, co-hosted by the UN and Switzerland. Responding to Anadolu’s question about concrete progress compared with previous meetings, Haavisto pointed to growing international engagement with Sudanese political actors. He highlighted a “successful” visit to Khartoum in September and meetings with political groups, women and youth representatives. However, Haavisto warned that some parties in Sudan still believed they could achieve a military victory. “We, the international community, are saying that there

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  US vice president sidesteps question on endorsing Netanyahu in Israeli election

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s elections, saying he was focused on the American midterm campaign, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a news conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, Vance was asked about his position on endorsing foreign political candidates. The question followed his recent interview comments and his previous support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the political right in Germany. “I have endorsed one foreign candidate for election in my entire life, first of all, it didn’t go particularly well. As much as I’m very much an admirer of the prime minister, Orban,” Vance said. He stressed that his priority was supporting candidates in the US. “We’re in

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  Mayor Mamdani demands immediate release of New Yorkers detained by Israel

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani demanded the immediate release Wednesday of New Yorkers detained by Israel while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. In a statement posted on the US social media platform X, Mamdani said Democratic US congressional nominee Brad Lander, rabbis and other New Yorkers had accompanied Palestinian farmers during the harvest before being detained by the Israeli government. “Harvesting olives is not illegal. The occupation is,” he said. He welcomed Lander’s release but said other New Yorkers remained in detention. “I am thankful that Brad has been released. But other New Yorkers remain detained, and they must be released immediately,” he said. Mamdani accused Israel of committing genocide

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  Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say preparing to unveil ‘father of all bombs’

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  Iran is preparing to unveil a new weapon described as the “father of all bombs,” a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “We are in the stage of preparing to unveil the ‘father of all bombs.’ This is something new for the enemy,” Hossein Mohebi said in statements carried by Iran’s Young Journalists Club news agency. He did not provide further details about the weapon. On Friday, US President Donald Trump hinted at the possible use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the “mother of all bombs,” to target Iranian nuclear facilities. Weighing around 9,800 kilograms (21,600 pounds), the GBU-43/B is one of the largest non-nuclear conventional bombs in

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  Egyptian president says military support for Saudi Arabia does not include attacks on Yemen

  by Marwa A on October 21, 2026

  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday that Egypt’s military support for Saudi Arabia does not include launching attacks on Yemen, stressing that Cairo’s role is limited to defending the Kingdom’s territory and borders, Anadolu reports. Sisi made the remarks during a session titled “Security of the Nation and Citizens” on the third day of the Egypt Forum 2026, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, ministers and senior officials, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. “The Egyptian military effort is intended to defend the Kingdom’s territory and does not include an attack on Yemen,” Sisi said. He explained that Egypt’s military role involves defending Saudi Arabia’s territory and borders, as well as those of any other Arab country

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  Gaza’s Karate Federation revives 1,000 athletes despite war, blockade, and scarce resources

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  WATCH: A protest against the detention of Tunisian activists from the Sumud Flotilla

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  Pro-Palestine protests sweep Latin America as Brazil’s presidential race intensifies

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Latin America in solidarity with Palestine, as Brazil approaches a closely contested presidential runoff between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known for his pro-Palestinian stance, and pro-Israel Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The demonstrations formed part of a global campaign involving more than 200 organisations in over 60 countries, calling for an end to arms transfers to Israel and stronger international measures to hold it accountable for violations of international law. Organised by the Global Alliance for Palestine, the international mobilisation brought together trade unions, student movements, human rights organisations and grassroots solidarity groups. Demonstrations and solidarity activities took place in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Peru, as activists called for increased

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  Iranian president says Washington cannot expect dialogue with Tehran while issuing threats

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that the US cannot expect dialogue with Iran while at the same time issuing threats, Anadolu reports. Washington “must recognize the rights of our nation and stop their bullying and aggression, then we can sit together and talk,” Pezeshkian said in remarks carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. “You cannot block all the roads and threaten and at the same time want to talk,” he added. Accusing the US of “reneging” on its commitments, the Iranian president said: “I believe that one should not enter into a pact lightly, but once a pact is made, one must remain committed to it until the end – even if it proves disadvantageous.” READ: Iran’s president says

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  Israeli airline suspends ticket sales to Morocco’s Marrakech over security request

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  Israeli airline Arkia announced Wednesday that it had suspended ticket sales for flights to the Moroccan city of Marrakech “until further notice” at the request of security authorities, without specifying the reasons for the decision, Anadolu reports. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the airline halted ticket sales for flights to Marrakech following a request from Israeli security authorities. The newspaper quoted the company as saying it was in contact with the relevant authorities and security agencies to discuss whether flights on the route could continue operating. The discussions also cover the implications of the decision for flights for which tickets have already been sold, the newspaper reported, without specifying what would happen to those flights. Arkia is examining alternatives

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  Turkiye, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan sign defense cooperation pact

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  Turkiye, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan have signed the Badr memorandum to strengthen defense cooperation and develop strategic partnerships, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The agreement was signed Wednesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, by the defense ministers of the four countries. The signatories were Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hasan Al Thani, Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Yusuf Jauhari and Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. The ceremony was also attended by Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries. READ: Turkiye urges international community to act against Israel’s violations of international law Multi-layered cooperation

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  Netanyahu ‘completely lacks legitimacy’ to launch new war ahead of elections: Opposition leader Golan

  by EditorMehdi on October 21, 2026

  Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s opposition Democrats party, said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “completely lacks the legitimacy” to launch a war ahead of Oct. 27 legislative elections, Anadolu reports. His remarks came after The Financial Times reported that US President Donald Trump had rejected Netanyahu’s plan to strike infrastructure and nuclear facilities in Iran, a military campaign that was reportedly set to begin on Oct. 10. Trump opposes any military escalation ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm congressional elections in the US, fearing negative repercussions for the Republican Party’s electoral prospects, according to the report. Golan, also a former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army, said in a post on US social media platform X: