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

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  Egypt Rejects Guardian Report on Sudanese Refugees, Says It Ignored Cairo’s Efforts

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Egypt has formally rejected a report published by the British newspaper The Guardian on the situation of Sudanese refugees in the country, arguing that it presented an incomplete picture and failed to acknowledge Egypt’s role in hosting people displaced by the war in Sudan. The response came in a letter sent by Alaa Youssef, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, to the newspaper following publication of an article titled Poverty, racism and forced disappearances: why Sudanese war refugees are leaving Egypt for Europe.  In the letter, Youssef challenged what he described as the report’s conclusions and argued that it overlooked key aspects of Egypt’s response since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023. According to Youssef, Egypt

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  Trump and Netanyahu: The odd couple

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  “He’ll do whatever I want him to do,” Donald Trump declared recently about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement may be one of the most revealing statements Trump has ever made—not for what it says about Netanyahu, but for what it reveals about Trump’s psychology. It was intended as a display of strength. Instead, it exposed the opposite. Trump has built a political persona around hyperbole, self-aggrandizement, and declarations of superiority to cover up for an oversized inferiority complex, he only knows its extent. When he insists that Netanyahu is acting at his command, he is projecting an authority he does not possess. The louder the boast, the more apparent the insecurity beneath it. If there is one lesson

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  Report: Israel expands security cooperation with Somaliland

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Israel has expanded its security cooperation with the breakaway region of Somaliland, including the training and equipping of security personnel, according to Israeli and British media reports. Israeli state radio reported that security ties between Israel and Somaliland have strengthened steadily in recent years. The report said Israeli authorities are involved in training and supporting security forces in the region. According to The Telegraph, 50 members of Somaliland’s special forces recently returned home after completing military training programmes in Israel. The newspaper said security cooperation has become a central component of the growing relationship between the two sides, citing Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and its proximity to the Red Sea shipping lanes and the Yemeni coast.

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with John W. Miller: The Naval Armada Waiting Offshore, Now What?

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Ali Akbar Dareini: How Long This no-War-no-Peace Will Last?

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  Rights group says 360 Palestinian children are being held in Israeli prisons

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The Palestinian Center for the Defence of Prisoners said on Thursday that 360 Palestinian children are currently being held in Israeli prisons, including minors serving sentences and others being held without trial. In a statement, the independent organisation said that 160 children are serving prison terms, while 90 are being held under administrative detention, a procedure that allows detention without formal charges or trial. According to the center, child detainees face a range of challenges inside prisons, including overcrowding, limited access to medical care, and the spread of infectious diseases. “Child prisoners not only face deprivation of liberty, but also endure daily overcrowding, medical neglect, and the spread of infectious diseases, most notably scabies, in addition to punishments, solitary confinement,

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  From nuclear threshold to nuclear deterrence: Is Iran crossing the line?

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran over recent months has reshaped several dimensions of the conflict. Alongside the economic pressure Iran exerted by disrupting activity in the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear file remains equally consequential. Weeks ago, Iranian media outlets close to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with statements attributed to military sources, suggested that Tehran still possesses advanced weapons it has yet to deploy. Those signals raise a broader question about the nature and limits of Iranian deterrence, and whether the nuclear issue has become part of that undeclared deterrence strategy. The debate today is no longer centered on whether Iran possesses the technical capacity to develop nuclear weapons. Rather, it focuses on whether Tehran has made the political

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  Iranian FM: US bases are a source of instability in the region

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran had achieved strategic gains in recent months, stressing that the region’s security structure should be built by its own countries without foreign interference. In an interview with Al Mayadeen TV, Araghchi said the presence of US military bases had become “a source of instability” in the region. He also discussed domestic and international developments linked to the recent war, saying the Iranian leadership remained present on the ground and enjoyed broad domestic support. Araghchi said Iran’s previous leadership had emphasised staying close to the people and sharing any risks faced by the country. On military readiness, he said there had been clear signs that a confrontation could break out before earlier international talks. He

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  Iran was ready to turn any Israeli advance on Beirut’s southern suburbs into “hell”, Rezaei says

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iranian Supreme Leader military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iranian forces had been waiting for any Israeli advance towards Beirut’s southern suburbs to turn northern Israel into “hell”. Rezaei, speaking about Iran’s military preparations during the recent war with the United States and Israel, made the remarks at a time of rising tensions on the Lebanese front. “All we had to do was wait for the enemy to move towards the southern suburbs. All our missiles were ready, and we would have turned the 40-day war in the north of the occupied territories into hell for Israel many times over,” Rezaei said. His comments suggest that Iran had prepared extensive military plans to respond to any Israeli advance into Beirut’s southern

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  Iran seeks to collect service fees, not tolls for crossing Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iran said it will seek to impose service fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in return for ensuring maritime security, rather than charging transit tolls.  Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Iran’s Mehr news agency on Thursday that Tehran “is not seeking to collect tolls, transit tariffs, or transit permit fees.”  Instead, he said Iran would seek compensation for services provided in cooperation with Oman, including navigational assistance, search and rescue operations, security and safety services, and environmental clean-up efforts in the event of pollution incidents. Gharibabadi said the strategic waterway lies entirely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, adding that the two countries hold sovereignty over the strait under international law and the

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  Violence and Crime Among the Palestinian Community in Israel: The Shattering of the Indigenous

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Through concise but extremely detailed chapters in their book Violence and Crime Among the Palestinian Community in Israel: The Shattering of the Indigenous, Nohad ’Ali and Asad Ghanem break down the politics, science and sociology of a rising violence and crime rate among Palestinians in Israel. Setting the scene immediately for the repercussions of colonialism on the indigenous population, ’Ali and Ghanem take note of “a decline in the frames of reference” that are important for organisation and control in society. “This lack of ‘references’ results from the complex predicament of the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel, which has worsened significantly in the last two decades.” The authors identify three main reasons for this decline. One is due to Israel’s ethnic

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  Iran sets conditions for accepting Trump plan to end war

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran does not consider any proposal with the United States to be final unless Iran’s comments and interests are taken into account. He said Iran insists that 50 per cent of its frozen assets be made available immediately upon signing a memorandum of understanding with the United States. Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that “there will be no calm in the region unless the Zionists withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories”. The IRGC added that US intervention in the name of promoting peace has resulted only in further crimes and genocide in Lebanon. READ: Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium

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  Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Thursday evening that there was no reason to remove enriched uranium from Iran.  “It is entombed,” Trump said, adding that he did not favour the idea of the US military carrying out such an operation.  Trump also said that he did not want to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Reuters.  But he added that if Washington and Tehran reached a deal, it was possible that the two would meet and added: “If it happened … I’d be respectful”.  Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said: “We thought about it, and I didn’t want to be in a position where we had to go in there. “It’s not

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  Houthi leader says group coordinates with resistance movements over developments in Lebanon, Palestine

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement (the Houthis), said his group is in full coordination with resistance movements regarding developments in Lebanon and Palestine. Speaking on Thursday, al-Houthi said the group remains committed to what he described as a Quranic position towards the threats facing the Muslim nation under what he called the project of “Greater Israel and the reshaping of the Middle East”. He said the group’s position is clear regarding what he described as “the crimes, tyranny and aggression of the Zionist entity against our Islamic nation in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran, its aggression against our Yemeni people, and its violations in Syria”. Al-Houthi also urged regional powers and actors to be wary of what

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  Most people in 36 countries hold unfavorable views of Israel: Poll

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  A majority of people in 36 countries hold unfavorable views of Israel and lack confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a new survey Thursday by the Pew Research Center. The survey, conducted Feb. 8 – May 13, 2026, found that a global median of 67% of adults view Israel unfavorably, while 25% hold a favorable view. Views were particularly negative in Muslim-majority countries that were surveyed, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkiye, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The majority in most surveyed countries said they have little or no confidence in Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs, it said. Kenya and the Philippines were the only countries where more than half of the public

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  US secretary of state, Kuwait foreign minister discuss regional security amid ‘reprehensible’ Iranian attacks

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held closed-door talks Thursday with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the strategic partnership between the two nations following recent military escalations, according to the State Department, Anadolu reports. “The Secretary reiterated the commitment of the United States to Kuwait’s security, to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” said spokesperson Tommy Pigott. Rubio condemned the “outrageous and unacceptable” Iranian strikes that recently hit the Kuwait International Airport and other parts of the country, expressing condolences for the casualties. The meeting follows an announcement Wednesday by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it targeted a US base in

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  UN says Gaza aid response weakening as funding appeal remains below 15%

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  The UN said Thursday that funding shortfalls are forcing humanitarian partners in the Gaza Strip to reduce or suspend critical services, warning that aid operations are becoming increasingly difficult as needs remain immense, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned at a news conference that “funding shortfalls are forcing humanitarian partners in Gaza to scale down or suspend critical services.” He said that nearly halfway through the year, “the $4.1 billion requirement identified in the annual appeal for Gaza and the West Bank remains less than 15% funded.” “As a result, humanitarian partners’ ability to plan, pre-position relief and respond effectively is weakening at a time when most of Gaza’s

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  Iranian foreign minister, Hamas leader in Gaza discuss latest Palestinian, regional developments

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call Thursday with Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and they discussed Palestine and the latest regional developments. Araghchi explained the latest measures taken by Iran to stop the war in the region, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement. He stressed “Iran’s principled policy of supporting the legitimate resistance of the peoples of the region, particularly in Palestine and Lebanon, against the occupation and assaults of the Zionist entity,” meaning Israel. For his part, al-Hayya praised the stance of the Iranian negotiating delegation for stressing a simultaneous cessation of war across all regional fronts, expressing gratitude for Iran’s steady support

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  UN peacekeeper killed, 2 others wounded in shelling in southern Lebanon

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  A peacekeeper serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed and two others were wounded after mortar shells struck their position in southern Lebanon, the mission said Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained critical injuries “when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, southeastern Lebanon” late Wednesday night. The injured peacekeeper was evacuated by air to a hospital in Beirut, where he later died from his wounds. The mission said two other peacekeepers were also injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at a medical facility inside a UNIFIL base. The peacekeeping force said it has launched an investigation “to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident.” “UNIFIL

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  University of Vienna Student Assembly votes for academic boycott of Israeli universities

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  At the University of Vienna, an independently organized student assembly voted by a large majority in favor of an academic boycott of Israeli educational institutions, according to the activist group, University of Vienna for Palestine, which announced the result on Instagram, Anadolu reports. Previously, over 1,000 students at the university had signed a petition to convene a student assembly “from below,” which organizers described as the first of its kind in Austria. The students’ resolution is explicitly directed against the strategic partnership between the University of Vienna and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which has been in place since 2015. The first core motion adopted by the assembly was titled “Academic Boycott Instead of Complicity in Genocide.” The initiators accuse

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  France to convene Israeli, Palestinian civil society leaders in Paris to support 2-state solution

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  France will bring together Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives in Paris next week to reaffirm support for a two-state solution and advance efforts toward the recognition and establishment of a Palestinian state, the French foreign minister said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Speaking via video message to a gathering of Israeli and Palestinian civil society actors in Tel Aviv, Jean-Noel Barrot described the upcoming meeting, scheduled for June 12, as “a very important rendezvous for peace.” “It will bring together representatives of Israeli and Palestinian civil society to reaffirm our collective commitment to implementing the two-state solution,” he said. The event will take place one year after the launch of the Paris Appeal and one year after France and around

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  Saudi crown prince reiterates support for Bahrain following Iranian attacks

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday condemned Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for the Gulf kingdom, Anadolu Agency reports. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the crown prince made the remarks during a phone call with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. During the call, Prince Mohammed expressed Saudi Arabia’s “condemnation and denunciation of the attacks that targeted Bahraini territory.” He also reiterated the kingdom’s “full solidarity” with Bahrain and “support for any measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability.” READ: Iran claims US patriot missile, not Iranian strike, destroyed Kuwait airport terminal The US and Iran engaged in fresh attacks earlier this week, after the US

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  Hezbollah rejects Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Thursday rejected the outcomes of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement marking the death anniversary of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, Qassem said the outcomes of the negotiations “are completely rejected by broad segments of the Lebanese people.” He said the US-backed ceasefire understandings reflected American and Israeli visions for Lebanon’s future and sought to subject the country to what he called the “Greater Israel project.” A joint Lebanese-US-Israeli statement announced early Thursday that Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed during talks in Washington to implement a ceasefire based on a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of

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  Ex-Israeli premier warns Netanyahu could try to ‘steal’ next elections

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert warned Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies could attempt to manipulate the next general elections, accusing them of using intimidation and coercion in the Knesset vote that elected a new state comptroller, Anadolu reports. His warning came a day after the Knesset’s election of Michael Rabello, the Netanyahu family’s lawyer, as Israel’s new state comptroller. Rabello, backed by the governing coalition, narrowly defeated opposition-backed retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron, amid warnings of potential conflicts of interest. The opposition has alleged that the vote was marred by irregularities, including warnings for lawmakers against supporting the opposition candidate. “What happened yesterday is a preview of what will happen in the next Knesset elections,”

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  Megawatt diplomacy: Water as the missing link in the new architecture of Middle East energy security

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  From oil geopolitics to the water-energy nexus For more than a century, energy security in the Middle East has been defined by oil and gas. Strategic waterways, export routes, production capacities and geopolitical rivalries have shaped the region’s role in the global energy system. Yet while policymakers continue to debate energy transitions, decarbonisation and the future of hydrocarbon markets, a more fundamental challenge is emerging beneath the surface: water. The Middle East is simultaneously one of the world’s most energy-rich regions and one of its most water-scarce. This reality is not merely an environmental concern; it is increasingly becoming a strategic one. As the region seeks to maintain its energy leadership while adapting to climate change and economic transformation, water

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  Kushner floats cash-for-normalisation with Israel to expand ‘Abraham Accords’

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Jared Kushner has suggested that countries which normalise relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords could be rewarded with investment money and political backing. Speaking in a video interview, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and so-called “Special Envoy for Peace” said he and his partners were looking at opportunities to invest in countries which have joined, or may join, the Abraham Accords. The comments appear to frame normalisation with Israel not as a principled diplomatic breakthrough, but as a gateway to private capital, political favour and economic inducements. Kushner said he had been helping US envoy Steve Witkoff “promote the Abraham Accords” and “find new opportunities.” He added that one of his partners, Asher, is of Moroccan and

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  Repetitive folly: Israel’s futile war in Lebanon deepens

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Call it a repeating script, a rusty template, or simply a creaky model to emulate time and again.  The structural and homicidal destruction of Gaza undertaken by Israeli forces is now finding full expression in southern Lebanon, a cause of concern even for those in Washington.  The war’s increasing savagery is a reminder of how hollow the exhortations by the Netanyahu government seem following the official cessation of hostilities against Hezbollah in November 2024. Israel’s pre-emptive war on Iran, commencing on February 28 with the full and criminal connivance of the United States, took place alongside an incursion into southern Lebanon that has become a burgeoning invasion ostensibly to create a chunky buffer against Hezbollah’s attacks.  Presumably, the wishful thinking

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  The US creates convenient loopholes for Israel

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Seizing 70 percent of Gaza is not part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday at the House Appropriations subcommittee meeting. “We have a plan. That plan does not envision such a thing. Netanyahu made that statement, but it is not part of the plan,” Rubio said. Point 16 does state that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. However, it also includes a loophole for Israel to exploit. The Israeli military is supposed to hand over occupied territory to the International Stabilisation Force “according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are completely withdrawn from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until

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  Ghannouchi’s defence condemns life sentence in ‘secret apparatus’ case

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  The defence team of Rached Ghannouchi, head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement, described his life sentence in the case known as the “secret apparatus” case as “shocking and unjust,” following a Tunisian court ruling against several leaders of Ennahda Movement. In a statement issued after Tuesday’s verdict, the defence team said Ghannouchi, the former speaker of parliament, has now been sentenced to life imprisonment in addition to a cumulative 106 years in prison in other cases. The lawyers stated that these cases are linked to Ghannouchi’s political positions, opinions, and exercise of freedom of expression. The defence team said it would continue pursuing all available legal avenues to defend its client and challenge the ruling. The lawyers argued that the case

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  Islamic Jihad accuses Israel of continued violations of Gaza ceasefire

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  The Palestinian Islamic Jihad accused Israel on Wednesday of continuing to violate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip through ongoing military attacks and the targeting of civilians. In a statement, the movement said Israeli bombardment carried out during the day killed and wounded a number of Palestinians in different parts of Gaza. The group said the attacks form part of Israel’s continuing crimes against Palestinians and occur alongside the ongoing humanitarian blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Islamic Jihad also criticised Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank, saying settlement expansion remains part of a broader annexation strategy. According to the movement, Israeli planning authorities recently approved the construction of 2,162 new settlement units in several settlements across the

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  Gaza: Palestinians bid farewell to nine killed in dawn airstrike

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  IMAGES: Funeral held for seven killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza

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  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says opponents must adapt to ‘new rules’ in Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said opponents of the Islamic Republic have been forced to accept what it described as new realities imposed by Iran’s armed forces, particularly regarding the management and control of the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement marking the anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the June 1963 uprising, the Revolutionary Guard said Iran’s military and political position had altered the balance of power in the region. “The enemy is forced to accept the new rules imposed on the ground by the Iranian people and armed forces, particularly in the smart management and control of the Strait of Hormuz.” The statement described public mobilisation as a key element of Iran’s strategy. “The presence of the

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  Turkish, Sudanese ministers discuss labour and social security cooperation

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Turkish Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan met his Sudanese counterpart, Mutasim Ahmed Saleh Adam, on Wednesday to discuss strengthening cooperation in labour affairs, professional development and social security, Anadolu agency reported. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. According to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the two ministers reviewed ways to expand cooperation between their countries in labour and employment issues and explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in social protection and social security systems. The talks formed part of a series of bilateral meetings being held by Işıkhan during the conference, as Turkey seeks to broaden cooperation and exchange expertise with participating countries. The

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  “My plan”: Netanyahu letter reveals Israel’s bid to replace US aid with military fusion

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  A letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exposed the driving force behind the push to restructure US-Israel military relations. In Netanyahu’s own words, it is “my plan”. The letter, shared widely on social media, reveals that the transition away from American military aid to Israel is not a US-led reform, but an Israeli initiative delivered to Congress for legislative packaging. Its purpose is not to reduce American entanglement with Israel, but to replace visible financial assistance with a far deeper and less accountable form of military integration. Dated 1 June, 2026 and addressed to Israeli lobby funded Congressman Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, the letter was released alongside a press statement announcing a House resolution introduced by Stutzman on

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  Israeli businessman claims Trump threatened Netanyahu through his wife over Lebanon plans

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  An Israeli businessman has claimed that US President Donald Trump threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family in an effort to prevent a planned Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to reports in Israeli media. The claims were made by Israeli businessman Roni Mani and reported by the Hebrew-language news website Walla. Mani said he had received information from what he described as a senior White House source regarding contacts between Trump and Sara Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister’s wife. According to Mani, Trump contacted Sara Netanyahu and urged her to persuade her husband to abandon plans for military action in Beirut’s southern suburbs. “My exclusive information, through my sources in the White House, confirms that Trump contacted

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  Report: Israeli police recruiting far- right religious Jewish police officers for service at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Israeli police have launched a recruitment initiative targeting far- right, religious Jews, including individuals involved in storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report said Daniel Lerch, deputy commander of the police unit responsible for the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, circulated recruitment appeals through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, including groups that reportedly contain settler activists and members of the far right. In a recruitment message cited by Haaretz, Lerch wrote: “We have launched a project to recruit religious police officers for the Temple Mount. Anyone who wants to participate in enforcing sovereignty is welcome to contact me.” According to the newspaper, several activists who support Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa

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  Qatar Chooses Geography Over Ideology in Its Iran Diplomacy

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Over the years, tiny Qatar has emerged as a pivotal regional mediator, deploying balanced approaches to critical crises stretching from the Gulf to the Horn of Africa with a high degree of success. More recently, Doha has had to navigate increasingly volatile conflicts closer to home, most notably the fallout from the current U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. By positioning itself as an indispensable diplomatic conduit, Doha has transformed its inherent geographic vulnerability into a strategic asset, proving that in a region often defined by rigid ideological blocs, pragmatic functional diplomacy remains the only viable path toward stability. This approach acknowledges the unyielding reality of geography: Iran is a permanent fixture of the regional landscape. Consequently, Doha’s policy is built on

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  Former Tunisia intel chief accuses Saied’s government of spying on opponents, fabricating cases

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Former Tunisian intelligence chief Kamel Guizani has accused relatives of President Kais Saied and senior officials in Tunisia’s government of spying on opposition leaders and fabricating court cases to imprison them. Speaking on Al Jazeera’s Maghareb Podcast, Guizani alleged that members of Saied’s family and the president’s security chief were involved in surveillance operations and the unlawful use of state institutions. He said the case was the real reason behind the prosecution of judge Bashir Akremi and the dismissal of dozens of judges. Guizani also accused former Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine of overseeing the fabrication of security-related cases, in cooperation with the Justice Ministry, to target political and human rights opponents and strengthen the ruling system. He said that “some

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  Araghchi: Contacts with Washington continue despite stalled talks, rising tensions

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said contacts between Iran and the United States are continuing despite new attacks and growing speculation over the future of negotiations between the two countries. In an interview with Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen news agency, published by Iranian media on Wednesday, Araghchi said communication with the United States had not been cut off. He added that progress in the negotiations would not be possible until the end of the war involving Iran and Lebanon. In recent days, Iranian media outlets, citing sources familiar with the talks, reported that negotiations between the two sides had collapsed. However, US President Donald Trump denied the reports, writing earlier this week on his Truth Social platform: “Talks are continuing at a

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  Rights group: More than 9,500 missing in Gaza since start of war

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  A human rights organisation in Gaza has reported more than 9,500 cases of Palestinians who have gone missing or lost contact with their families since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on 7th October 2023, including around 4,700 women and children. In a report released on Tuesday evening titled Missing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip Amid the Genocidal War, Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights said the cases fall into five main categories. “The largest category consists of persons whose fate remains unknown beneath the rubble, estimated at more than 8,100 individuals trapped under the debris of tens of thousands of residential buildings and facilities that were completely destroyed as a result of the unprecedented aerial, ground, and naval bombardment,”

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  Egyptian billionaire Sawiris sparks debate after calling for closure of state TV

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has called for the closure of Egypt’s state television, arguing that it incurs annual losses and that no one watches its channels. Sawiris reposted a comment on X by a woman who said: “Naguib Sawiris Pasha is calling for the removal of Maspero, the headquarters of Egypt’s state television, to use its site for real estate development instead of calling for its revival in the service of culture.” She added: “When an ignorant person calls for something that affects a people from a one-dimensional perspective, it can be overlooked because they are ignorant. But when the person is educated and also works in the film industry, then every word they advocate should be held accountable.” Commenting

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  Israeli supreme court strikes down ban on Red Cross visits to Palestinian detainees

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that a government policy introduced in October 2023 preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting Palestinian prisoners and detainees or relaying information about them was unlawful. The court struck down the policy after the state failed for more than two years to provide any legal basis justifying its continuation. The ruling was issued unanimously by a panel including Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, who wrote the main judgment. The court concluded that the government had failed to present any legal foundation for the policy, despite being given “countless opportunities” throughout the proceedings to clarify its position and establish a legal justification. Barak-Erez said the case had been marked by exceptional circumstances, noting that

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  Italian activists from Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla say Israel tortured them

  by Marwa A on June 3, 2026

  Italians who took part in a humanitarian aid flotilla for Gaza said Wednesday that when the Israeli army attacked them last month in the Mediterranean in violation of international law, they abducted some activists, and subjected them to ill-treatment amounting to torture, Anadolu reports. “This time, the Israeli army responded to the flotilla much more violently” than in past humanitarian efforts, Antonio La Piccirella, who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla’s 2026 Spring Mission, told a press conference in Rome. “There were two attacks, one of them off the coast of Europe. In the attack between Italy and Greece, they abducted two of our members, further violating international law. The other intervention was carried out in broad daylight and

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  UN warns of mass displacement, health care strain amid escalating Israeli strikes on Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 3, 2026

  The UN on Wednesday expressed deep alarm about surging displacement and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Lebanon as Israeli military activity across the south reached record levels for the third consecutive day, Anadolu reports. “We are deeply concerned by the ongoing hostilities, as people continue to be forced to leave their homes in search of safety,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference. Dujarric said an estimated 200,000 people were displaced from Beirut’s southern suburbs following an evacuation order issued by Israel on June 1, with tens of thousands more fleeing violence across southern Lebanon in recent days. “Nearly 135,000 people have registered in collective shelters, which are increasingly overcrowded, with thousands more staying on the streets and seaside,

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  The Palestine industry: The rats of Gaza and the opportunists among us

  by Marwa A on June 3, 2026

  It all started with a call to my family in a displacement camp in northern Gaza. Since internet lines rarely stay connected, I managed to send a message to the widow of my cousin—who was killed along with all of his sons during the ongoing Gaza genocide. I asked her a simple question: what do Gazans want? My purpose was to gather raw testimonies from her neighbours to weave into a letter to a European official whose country is active in pursuing justice for Palestinians. I chose this approach to bypass clichéd political discourse and avoid the pitfall of speaking on behalf of those enduring genocide and famine. Palestinians in Gaza are entirely capable of speaking for themselves. The responses,

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  Iran claims US patriot missile, not Iranian strike, destroyed Kuwait airport terminal

  by Marwa A on June 3, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Hossein Mohbi claimed on Wednesday that a US-made Patriot missile was responsible for the destruction of the passenger terminal building at Kuwait International Airport. According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Mohbi said an investigation had been conducted into the attack on the airport terminal, claiming that the IRGC Air Force had not targeted the facility. He said the findings showed that the destruction of the terminal was caused by a malfunction in US Patriot air defence systems, which failed to intercept Iranian missiles and instead fell onto the building. Earlier on Wednesday, the IRGC said in a statement that it had targeted what it described as US military bases and sites in

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  What awaits Iraq’s militias under Tom Barrack?

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  It won’t take long to understand what lies ahead for Iraq—and for the Iran‑aligned militias—after President Donald Trump appointed Tom Barrack as his Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq. All one needs is the paragraph Barrack published just hours after the announcement. He wrote that “the balance of power around which the United States operates works best when allies become more self‑reliant and share the burden—always within a framework that preserves American influence, stability, and alignment with core U.S. strategic objectives.” That single sentence makes something unmistakably clear: Washington no longer views Iraq as a political file requiring relationship management, but as a security file requiring decision management. The irony is that the focus on Barrack’s name obscures the

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  Israeli flight diverts to Croatia after Slovenia denies landing

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Slovenia on Wednesday prevented the landing of a plane chartered by the Israeli company Israir, citing the lack of necessary permits, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported. The plane, operated by the Croatian company Trade Air working on behalf of Israir, diverted its route toward Croatia after Slovenian authorities refused to allow it to land, according to KAN. Israir’s CEO Uri Sirkis, for his part, called the move “political,” claiming that it was caused by Slovenia’s “clear opposition to the policies and direction pursued by Israel.” No official statement has immediately been issued by the Slovenian government regarding the matter. READ: Slovenia joins Spain in urging EU to protect independence of ICC, UN on Gaza

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  The legitimacy of the United States’ hosting of the 2026 World Cup is offside

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  The United States, by obstructing the entry of the national football teams of Iran and South Africa on political grounds, has called into question the legitimacy of its own hosting role. On May 31, 2026, the charter flight carrying South Africa’s national football team never took off from Johannesburg. At least 20 players and staff members, despite months of effort, had failed to obtain transit visas to pass through U.S. territory. The country’s sports minister stated bluntly: “We are being dribbled past.” This is not the first time that the U.S. visa bureaucracy has plunged into crisis on the eve of a major international event. This time, however, the crisis has ensnared not a peripheral state, but one of the

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  Palestine urges US to stop Israeli ‘madness’ after new illegal settlement plans in occupied West Bank

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  The Palestinian Authority condemned Israel’s decision to build 2,162 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, calling for US intervention to halt the Israeli “madness.” “All settlement activity is illegal under international law and does not confer legitimacy to anyone,” the authority said in a statement carried by the official news agency Wafa. It said the Israeli decision constitutes a “blatant challenge to international law and UN resolutions,” particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms the illegality of the Israeli settlements in all occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. It held the Israeli authorities responsible for the “serious consequences” of the settlement policies, warning that they would push the region toward “further cycles of violence and escalation.” READ: Situation

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  Lebanese soldier killed in Israeli strike in new ceasefire violation

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  A Lebanese soldier was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the military said Wednesday, as Israel continued daily violations of an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement, the army said the soldier was killed in the strike that targeted him while traveling on the Nabatieh-Kfartebnit road. The attack came a day after Lebanese and Israeli officials held a fourth round of US-sponsored talks in Washington aimed at preserving the ceasefire and addressing unresolved security issues. Israel has continued near-daily airstrikes and ground attacks in Lebanon despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended until early July. Since March 2, the Israeli attacks have killed nearly 3,500 people, and displaced over 1.6 million,