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

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  Sudanese government rejects US remarks questioning its legitimacy

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  Sudan on Wednesday rejected US remarks questioning the legitimacy of its government, calling on Washington to engage positively with Khartoum. The United States withheld a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of his planned visit to New York to attend the annual UN General Assembly, making his attendance conditional on his agreeing to a 90-day ceasefire, Reuters reported, citing sources. Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has displaced more than 14 million people and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement ​on Tuesday that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid

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  Bahrain’s Energy Connectivity Paradox: Networked Resilience or Deeper Dependence?

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  On 9 March 2026, Bahrain’s Bapco declared force majeure after an attack disrupted operations at its Sitra refinery complex. The incident came amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, as energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf were drawn directly into the conflict. Reuters reported that Bahrain was among the Gulf producers affected as the war disrupted regional energy flows. For Bahrain, this was more than a temporary refining disruption. It exposed a deeper reality: energy security cannot be separated from security geography. Bahrain’s role as host to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its 2020 normalisation with Israel under the Abraham Accords are more than diplomatic facts. They embed the island deeply within the Gulf’s regional security architecture. The

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  Gaza winter nears as 162,000 tents become unusable, raising fears of humanitarian crisis

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  As winter approaches, concerns are growing that hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the Gaza Strip could face a harsh season of cold, rain and flooding, amid deteriorating displacement camps, worn-out tents and shortages of shelter supplies. International organisations are preparing for winter conditions, but the needs in Gaza remain far greater than what is available on the ground, amid Palestinian and international calls to provide tents and other essential supplies before the weather worsens. Ismail al-Thawabta, director-general of the Gaza government media office, warned of severe humanitarian consequences threatening the lives of displaced people, describing the coming winter as a “catastrophic winter” if the current shelter crisis continues without urgent and fundamental action. In a press statement on

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  77 delegations leave UN hall before Netanyahu speech, drawing widespread reaction

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  The mass departure of 77 delegations from the UN General Assembly hall shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech sparked widespread reaction on social media, with users describing the scene as a major blow to Israel and a sign of its growing international isolation. Footage showed most delegations leaving the hall before Netanyahu began speaking, while the prime minister appeared visibly uncomfortable as only a limited number of people remained and protesters chanted slogans. According to Israeli reports, representatives of 77 countries were absent during Netanyahu’s speech, with several delegations leaving shortly before it began, while representatives of other countries had not been in their seats from the outset. The departure drew significant attention in the Israeli media. Channel

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  Cargo ship catches fire after being hit by ‘unknown’ projectile in Strait of Hormuz, one killed

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  A cargo ship was hit by an “unknown” projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, causing a fire and leaving two people injured, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). “The security officer onboard a cargo vessel reports the vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile. Vessel is now on fire and adrift,” UKMTO said, adding that all crew members had been evacuated with two injuries reported. Oman later said one crew member was killed and 27 others evacuated after the commercial vessel was targeted near Musandam Governorate, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. The Omani Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X that “A Royal Navy of Oman vessel, in cooperation and coordination with the

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  Sudan: About 3,650 people displaced from Umm Bader amid rising security tensions

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  About 3,650 people have been displaced from Umm Bader town in Sudan’s North Kordofan state over three days due to deteriorating security conditions in the area, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday. The displaced people have moved towards Sheikan locality in North Kordofan and the city of Omdurman, west of the capital Khartoum. The IOM said security conditions in the area remained tense and volatile and that it was continuing to monitor developments closely. The displacement followed allegations by the Dar Hamar Emergency Committee, a local civil society group, that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed five civilians and wounded 27 others in an attack on the Umm Bader market on Monday. The committee said RSF forces

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  Is Israel’s reign ending? Macklemore and the cultural war over Palestine

  by Marwa A on September 24, 2026

  ‘Page Six Hollywood’ recently declared: “War of Open Letters Erupts Between Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine Factions in Hollywood.” Only a few years ago, a headline like this would have seemed unthinkable. The article described an increasingly open struggle between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel forces within the entertainment industry.  On one side are artists and other industry figures taking a clear stand against Israel’s genocide in Gaza; on the other are defenders of Israel attempting to deny that genocide in the face of irrefutable evidence. Yet even this framing failed to tell the whole story. What is unfolding is far more consequential than a quarrel among celebrities or a “war of open letters.” It is part of a brewing cultural revolution in American

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  AI isn’t a future threat—it is already erasing Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on September 24, 2026

  Much is being said right now about the dangers posed by AI and the possibility that it could ultimately wipe out humanity. Some exp erts, such as Evan Hubinger, Anthropic’s Alignment Science Lead and one of the AI industry’s leading safety researchers, have gone much further, warning publicly that there is more than a 10 percent chance that AI could kill all humans within the next decade. When senior executives from some of the world’s leading AI companies met in San Francisco for Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference, held 15th–17th September 2026, they differed sharply over the seriousness of the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI and over how those risks should be managed. They did, however, share a fundamental belief: that

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  ‘A big victory’ – Palestine Chronicle wins two-year legal battle

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  A US federal court dismissed the lawsuit against the Palestine Chronicle and its editor, Dr. Ramzy Baroud, after the three plaintiffs asked to withdraw it, according to Palestine Chronicle. Almog Meir Jan filed the case in July 2024. Shlomi Ziv and Andrey Kozlov joined an amended complaint the following year. The suit sought to link the Chronicle to their captivity in Gaza through its publication of reports by Palestinian journalist Abdallah Aljamal. The Chronicle rejected the accusations throughout the proceedings. The plaintiffs moved to withdraw their case in July, and US District Judge Tiffany Cartwright granted the request on September 15. The court record closed the case after more than two years of litigation. “After a struggle of over 2

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  Israeli election authority bars United Arab List party from Knesset race

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted Wednesday to bar the United Arab List party, or Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, from running in the Oct. 27 Knesset election, Anadolu reports. The committee approved Ra’am’s disqualification by 18 votes to five, accepting petitions that alleged “the party rejects Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, incites racism and expresses support for an armed struggle against the country or actions of a terror organization against Israel.” Earlier Wednesday, the committee also voted 19-5, with two abstentions, to disqualify Knesset member Ofer Cassif from running as part of the Joint List on grounds that he allegedly “denied Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state.” The panel also voted to disqualify Balad party chairman

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  French activist files complaint alleging torture during 2025 Gaza flotilla

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  French political scientist and activist Thomas Guenole said Wednesday that he had filed a complaint in France alleging torture by Israeli individuals whom he says detained and mistreated him during the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza, Anadolu reports. “I filed a complaint today … for acts of torture against the Israeli individuals who kidnapped me and inflicted mistreatment on me during the 2025 flotilla for Gaza, including Minister Ben Gvir,” Guenole said on US social media company X. He said the complaint was filed with France’s Central Office for the Fight Against Crimes Against Humanity. Guenole thanked the French gendarmes who received his complaint for their “remarkable professionalism.” “I encourage all French veterans of the 2025 and 2026 flotillas

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  Libya seeks balanced partnerships, rejects foreign dependency: Al-Menfi

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  Libya seeks balanced strategic partnerships that preserve its sovereignty and will not replace one form of foreign dependency with another, Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “We do not seek to replace one influence with another, one axis with another or one dependency with another,” al-Menfi said. He said Libya had previously “paid a heavy price” for struggles among foreign powers on its territory and now seeks strong relations with Arab countries, particularly its neighbors, based on common interests, mutual respect, non-interference and respect for national sovereignty. Al-Menfi said sovereignty also means protecting the rights and dignity of Libyans from violations, regardless of the perpetrators, and ensuring that no one is above

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  The Iran War and representation beyond election day

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  On 21st September, Republican Senate candidates Mike Rogers in Michigan and Ashley Hinson in Iowa called for a swift end to the Iran war after previously supporting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct the campaign. Both cited economic pressures on households. Hinson’s statement followed her vote against a House measure seeking to curb the president’s authority to continue the conflict. Their statements form part of a wider debate about political representation during the war. That debate involves several distinct questions: what Americans want, how elected officials respond, and which institutions can change policy. Public opinion surveys, congressional votes and political spending provide evidence about different parts of that process. None measures the whole of it. Public dissatisfaction is documented in

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  US does not want to see ‘additional flashpoint’ in West Bank, Rubio says

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that President Donald Trump “really doesn’t think the world right now needs a West Bank crisis,” warning that the Middle East does not need an “additional flashpoint” amid ongoing regional tensions, Anadolu reports. “It’s not my view. The president has made it clear … that we don’t want to see additional flashpoints there, given everything that’s going on in the region now, the difficulties in implementing the agreements made with regard to Gaza, the tenuous situation in Lebanon, obviously now the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, the ongoing friction and conflict with Iran,” Rubio told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. “The last thing this region needs

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  Iranian president rejects Trump’s terrorism accusation, says Iran ‘victim of terrorism’

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected US President Donald Trump’s characterization of Iran as a sponsor of terrorism Wednesday, saying Tehran is itself a victim of terrorism, Anadolu reports. “Yesterday, Trump said we are terrorists. We are not terrorists — we are victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly, referring to Trump’s address a day earlier in which the US president described Iran as the “number one sponsor of terror.” Pezeshkian said Iran’s leader had been killed “without any justification,” referring to the US-Israeli military attacks against Iran that began earlier this year. He also accused Israel of targeting neighborhoods across Iranian cities and provinces and carrying out assassinations, describing such actions as “true terrorist” behavior. “The people of

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  Golan will remain Syrian, annexation decisions null under UN resolutions, says president Sharaa

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Wednesday that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel, will remain Syrian territory and that all annexation measures are null and void under UN Security Council resolutions, Anadolu reports. Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sharaa said attempts to impose facts on the ground cannot undermine Syria’s sovereignty, the rule of law or the applicability of international law. “The Golan will remain Syrian land,” he said, adding that all annexation measures are invalid under UN Security Council Resolution 497. Sharaa also referred to a UN General Assembly vote in December 2025 in which 123 countries backed a resolution concerning the occupied Syrian Golan, thanking countries that supported it and urging

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  Israeli government’s policies jeopardizing country’s security: French foreign minister

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday that policies pursued by the Israeli government were jeopardizing the country’s security, citing what he described as Israel’s refusal to fulfill its responsibilities under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and developments in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. “Our position is known. Our commitment to Israel’s existence and security is unwavering,” Barrot said. “But the policy pursued by the current government of the State of Israel jeopardizes Israel’s security,” he added. Barrot said this was reflected in what he described as Israeli authorities’ “refusal” to fulfill their responsibilities under Trump’s peace plan, as well as in the buffer-zone strategy being pursued in Lebanon and Syria. He also pointed to the occupied

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  16% of Israel’s 1st-time voters back Eisenkot’s party: Poll

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  An Israeli public opinion poll showed Wednesday that 16% of young people voting for the first time support the opposition Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, compared with 14% who support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, Anadolu reports. The poll, conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 in coordination with Midgam, a private research institute, surveyed 1,521 people and had a margin of error of 4.4%. The channel said the survey focused on young people eligible to vote for the first time, a group of about 550,000 men and women age 18-22. Overall, 39% of first-time voters said they favored opposition parties, compared with 37% who favored parties in the governing coalition, while the remainder supported other parties.

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  Palestine issue featured prominently at UN General Assembly despite US visa refusal

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Preventing President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly in New York “proved to be a failure,” as the Palestinian issue featured prominently in speeches by Arab and international delegations, a Palestinian official said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement cited by Palestinian news agency WAFA, Palestinian Presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said attempts to prevent the Palestinian delegation from participating in the General Assembly and delivering its speech had failed to sideline the Palestinian cause. For the second consecutive year, the US refused to grant Abbas and Palestinian officials visas to attend the General Assembly meetings, he said. That forced Abbas to participate through a recorded video. Under the UN Headquarters Agreement signed between the organization and Washington

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  British banks urged to avoid financing Israeli settlements ahead of UK trade ban

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  British lawmakers urged banks and financial institutions Tuesday to avoid new financial commitments linked to Israel’s E1 settlement project as the government prepares to ban trade with illegal settlements, Anadolu reports. The lawmakers, members of the all-party Britain-Palestine group, made the call in a letter to financial institutions warning of potential legal, sanctions and reputational risks. The letter follows Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s announcement two weeks ago of plans for a complete ban on trade with illegal settlements, alongside new sanctions on those involved in their construction. However, the secondary legislation needed to bring the measures into force could take six to nine months to pass through Parliament. “Commitments made now may be difficult to unwind when restrictions commence; the

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  Netanyahu failing after Macron criticizes occupier violence: Opposition leader

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday that Israel is facing a “serious diplomatic crisis” amid international criticism over escalating occupier violence in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. Lapid made his remarks in a post on US social media company X, commenting on statements by French President Emmanuel Macron about the situation in the occupied West Bank. Macron criticized the escalation of Israeli occupier violence in the occupied West Bank during his speech Tuesday at the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He said occupier actions “deprive the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to exist.” Macron also said peace efforts in the Gaza Strip “have failed to open any humanitarian corridor,”

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  Board of Peace to unveil $2.45B Gaza recovery plan: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The Board of Peace will reveal a six-month, $2.45 billion plan for Gaza’s post war recovery during a meeting on Wednesday, according to a report by Axios. The 66-project proposal reflects a year of input by dozens of people representing the 28-member Board of Peace and the Palestinian technocratic government. It outlines projected funding for temporary housing, clearing rubble, repairing hospitals, supporting economic recovery, and deploying a multinational security force. READ: Hamas says Israel exploits Board of Peace silence to step up Gaza attacks “The plan shows how to stand up a government from nothing, an economy from shambles and a territory from disaster,” a Board of Peace official said. The Board of Peace was established in January as part of

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  Palestinian legislative election nomination applications to open Saturday

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced Wednesday that it will begin accepting applications for the Palestinian Legislative Council starting Saturday, Anadolu reports. The commission said in a statement that it will accept nomination applications until 4 pm (1300GMT), Oct. 7. It said the application period will last 12 days, including official holidays. Legislative elections are scheduled for Nov. 28. According to the timetable approved by the commission, election campaigning will begin on Nov. 6, while early voting for security forces will take place on Nov. 26, with general voting scheduled for Nov. 28. BLOG: Has Palestine become an election issue in Latin America’s largest country? In July, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree setting Nov. 28 as the date

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  Egypt rejects annexation, displacement, calls for Palestinian state

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Egypt on Wednesday reiterated its rejection of Israeli efforts to annex occupied Palestinian territories and displace Palestinians, while calling for the full implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made the remarks on behalf of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a summit on Palestine and the two-state solution held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a statement by the Egyptian Cabinet. Madbouly thanked the UK, France, and Canada, which co-chaired the summit, saying it was held at an “important time.” He said Egypt’s vision for the Palestinian issue and peace in the Middle East is based on the

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  Israeli election committee bars candidate from Knesset race over Gaza war opposition

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israel’s Central Elections Committee on Wednesday decided to disqualify Knesset member Ofer Cassif from running on the Joint List in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Anadolu reports. Cassif is known for his opposition to the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government toward the Palestinian people, particularly Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip since 2023. Israeli Channel 13 reported that the committee is holding sessions Wednesday and Thursday to discuss requests to bar several political parties from the Knesset elections and has decided to disqualify Cassif from running. It said the decision was made following a request submitted by Netanyahu’s Likud party against Cassif, with the case to be referred to the Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial body, for

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  Turkiye’s electricity paradox: More capacity than peak demand, but what comes next?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Turkiye has nearly 127 GW of installed generation capacity, while its summer peak demand reached about 60.4 GW in July 2025. At first glance, that looks like a big surplus. But not every power plant is available when demand is highest. Solar output drops in the evening, wind depends on weather, and hydropower depends on water levels. Plants can also be offline for maintenance or face fuel and grid constraints. So the real question isn’t how much capacity Turkiye has on paper, but whether it can get reliable power to people when they need it. Turkiye generated 362.9 TWh and consumed 360.9 TWh in 2025 annual energy totals that measure something different from peak demand. What the generation mix reveals

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  German foreign minister rejects Trump’s call to quit International Criminal Court

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Germany’s foreign minister Wadephul on Wednesday rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, saying Germany would stand by the Hague tribunal, Anadolu reports. “It is part of the rules-based order. It is part of the history of our civilization,” Johann Wadephul told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. “It is absolutely clear that we stand by the International Criminal Court.” Trump on Tuesday opened the UN General Assembly debate in New York by branding the court “an evil group of people,” adding pointedly: “I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately.” “Honestly, I do not understand this appeal on the substance either,” Wadephul continued.

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  Iran accuses European states of ‘double standards’ over regional developments

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister on Wednesday accused European countries of using double standards in their approach to recent regional developments, Anadolu reports. Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during meetings with several European counterparts on the sidelines of the current UN General Assembly in New York, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. The ministry said in a statement that Araghchi met with the foreign ministers of France, the Netherlands, and Austria, as well as his Iraqi and Azerbaijani counterparts, during his stay in New York. The meetings covered bilateral relations, regional and international developments, tensions between Iran and the US, and the Strait of Hormuz, according to the statement. READ: Iran tells Washington its conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Araghchi said insecurity in

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  Israeli airstrikes kill 4 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Despite a ceasefire still in effect, four Palestinians were killed and several others injured Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas in the Gaza Strip, according to local sources. A Palestinian was killed and others injured when an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of civilians in the Al-Bassa area west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to a medical source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Another Palestinian was killed and others injured when an Israeli drone struck a gathering of civilians near Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City, according to a medical source. An Anadolu correspondent said the strike hit a busy area in the city center where a large number of tents housing displaced Palestinians were located. A medical

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  EU Council chief warns of ‘de facto annexation’ in West Bank jeopardizing 2-state solution

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The European Council president warned Tuesday that developments in the occupied West Bank such as “de facto annexation” are endangering prospects for a two-state solution. “In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the two-state solution is being jeopardized on a daily basis,” Antonio Costa said during a high-level event on the two-state solution and comprehensive peace plan for Gaza on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. “We see the images and hear the testimonies of what is happening in the West Bank daily – settler violence, impunity, displacement of whole communities, and de facto annexation. These settlements are illegal under international law,” he said, adding the urgent action is needed to preserve the two-state solution and the path

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  Water station owners hold a sit-in to warn of shortages of oil, spare parts, and filters

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  WATCH: Gaza’s children suffer as they fetch water amid soaring summer temperatures

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  IRGC says Iran prepared for prolonged war but does not rule out negotiations

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that it was prepared for a prolonged conflict with the United States while leaving open the possibility of negotiations if talks served Iran’s interests. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that negotiations should not necessarily be interpreted as a step toward an immediate settlement or peace. “Negotiation does not mean reaching a settlement or peace; it is, in fact, another phase of the war,” Mohebbi said. He argued that diplomacy and military action could both form part of Iran’s broader confrontation with its adversaries, depending on the country’s strategic interests. Mohebbi said the IRGC was prepared for a long-term war, but stressed that such preparations did not

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  Has Trump’s failure to bomb Iran into capitulation backfired, prompting Netanyahu and MBS to pull Washington in the opposite direction?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the Iranian regime is on its knees and has all along desperately pleaded for a deal to end the seven-month-long war launched jointly by the US and Israel on 28th February, he has admitted on 9th September, albeit indirectly, that Iran was still standing firm, blaming the midterm elections — taking place on 3rd November — for the spectacular failure of his erratic tactics aiming to compel Iran into capitulation. According to Trump, the chief reason behind Iran’s steadfast determination not only to hold out in the face of a ferocious US onslaught — which included 40 days of full-blown US-Israeli attacks — but also to fight back was because they are “desperate to try

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  US ties Sudanese army leader’s UN visa to ceasefire plan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The United States is withholding a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of his scheduled UN ​appearance in a move that Sudanese and other sources say is linked to a US-backed ceasefire proposal that Khartoum has resisted. The dispute, first reported by Reuters, threatens to ‌deepen tensions between Washington and Sudan’s army at a critical moment in the civil war, which the United Nations calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. A senior Sudanese source said Burhan had postponed his trip to New York but had yet to receive official notice that the visa had been denied. “We in the Sudanese government express our deep regret because this is a violation of the UN Convention and international law,”

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  Mamdani renews call for Netanyahu’s ICC arrest warrant to be honoured ahead of New York visit

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his call for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be honoured ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. In an interview with CNN, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and an “architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people.”  Mamdani’s comments came shortly after a cordial meeting with US President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion in New York. The two discussed city issues despite longstanding political differences. Mamdani said the issue of Netanyahu was also raised during his meeting with Trump and reiterated his view that international legal accountability should apply regardless of an individual’s position. “If the

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  Spanish foreign minister says blocking Gaza aid perpetuates genocide

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip was perpetuating what he described as a genocide against Palestinians, and called for unrestricted humanitarian access to the territory. Albares stressed the need to ensure that food, medicine and other essential assistance can reach Gaza’s civilian population without obstruction. The Spanish foreign minister also argued that unilateral approaches had failed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called instead for a political process based on international law and multilateral cooperation. READ: Spain’s National Court opens probe into Israeli military officials over Gaza flotilla interception His remarks reflect Spain’s increasingly critical position on Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The Spanish government has previously described Israel’s actions in the

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  Shin Bet expected to extend restrictions on Israeli airlines flights to UAE

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israel’s Shin Bet security agency is expected to extend restrictions preventing Israeli airlines from operating flights to the United Arab Emirates through November because of security concerns, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. The restrictions currently prevent El Al, Israir and Arkia from operating routes to the UAE because they have not received the required security clearances, the channel reported. Meanwhile, UAE-based airlines Flydubai and Etihad Airways continue to operate flights between the two countries. READ: All Iranian airlines to shut down worldwide by Sept. 23, US Treasury chief says According to Channel 12, the current restrictions are scheduled to remain in place through October but are now expected to be extended to cover November. Israeli airlines have criticized

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  Al-Sharaa jokes with Trump about giving New Jersey to Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Wednesday that he jokingly asked US President Donald Trump to give New Jersey to Israel, since he owns it, while the Golan Heights belongs to its people. Speaking at a discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings, al-Sharaa said: “President Trump is a man who stood by Syria, supported it and issued a historic decision to lift sanctions on Syria.” He added: “I respect him very much and I have a very special relationship with him.”   Al-Sharaa said he once joked with Trump during a visit to the White House when the US president mentioned his recognition of the Golan Heights. READ: Turkish president calls on UN member state to pressure Israel

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  Egypt moves to address Kuwait teachers’ job losses

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Egypt is seeking job opportunities in Kuwait’s private schools for teachers affected by a decision to end thousands of education contracts, as Cairo works with Kuwaiti officials to find solutions to the issue. Egypt’s Teachers’ Union welcomed moves by the Foreign Ministry to address the situation, praising efforts led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to contain the impact of the decision. The union said one option under discussion was allowing the affected teachers to work in private schools, enabling Kuwait to benefit from their experience and qualifications while allowing them to remain in the country. READ: British university re-enrolls Egyptian student suspended over pro-Palestinian protests Egyptian Teachers’ Union chief Khalaf Al-Zanaty said he had contacted the Kuwait Teachers Society to discuss

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  Netanyahu, Smotrich attack Macron over criticism of Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday attacked French President Emmanuel Macron over his latest remarks criticising Israel. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening that the prime minister strongly condemned Macron’s comments about rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank. “What is our credibility worth if we remain inactive on Gaza? Some claim that peace has been achieved, but this has not opened up humanitarian deliveries. It is a spectacle that shames us all,” AFP cited Macron saying. READ: Netanyahu won’t meet Trump during ‘brief’ UN visit: Israeli media The French president made the remarks in his address opening the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Macron also criticised rising settler

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  Iran tells Washington its conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had met with mediators to discuss a possible agreement to end the conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Witkoff on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings, where Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz were conveyed to the US side. According to Iranian state media, the conditions include the immediate lifting of the naval blockade, the immediate release of frozen Iranian assets, and an end to the war on all fronts involving the “resistance”. Iranian state media said the conditions were conveyed to Witkoff during the meeting and that they were

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  Brazil’s Lula warns of lasting impact of Gaza war and criticises UN inaction

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday that “generations of Palestinians will carry the pain and trauma left by the war in the Gaza Strip”, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing “genocide” against women and children in the territory. Lula made the remarks in a speech to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he criticised what he described as the UN’s inability to prevent wars and its declining ability to protect the most vulnerable, amid deadlock at the UN Security Council. READ: Int’l community chose to manage Palestinian-Israeli conflict rather than resolve it, Jordanian king says Lula also criticised pressure and legal action targeting the International Criminal Court

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  Qatari emir wants ‘regional system of collective security’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani urged a “regional system of collective security” on Wednesday, arguing that its absence lies “at the heart of the dangerous situation” facing the region, Anadolu reports. In an address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Al-Thani said the crisis in the Gulf region can be resolved diplomatically by reopening the Strait of Hormuz and returning to talks to avert war and ensure regional security “for the entire region, including Iran.” Al Thani said Qatar has always sought to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations. “This remains our position in the aftermath of the wars we’ve been witnessing,” he said. Unresolved conflicts only grow more costly without just settlements, he stressed.

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  Iran cancels flights from Tehran to Baghdad, Muscat starting early Wednesday

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced Tuesday the cancellation of flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat, Oman, starting early Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “As of 00:00 tonight local time, Baghdad and Muscat airports will not accept Iranian flights, and for this reason, we are coordinating and consulting so that flights destined for Baghdad will be directed to Najaf airport,” the organization’s spokesperson Majid Akhavan said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Other international flights, including those to Istanbul, will operate as scheduled, with no disruptions reported, according to Akhavan. No further details were disclosed. READ: All Iranian airlines to shut down worldwide by Sept. 23, US Treasury chief says

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  British premier defends sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  British Premier Andy Burnham has called for action over illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, warning that failure to act could further undermine trust in politics and make a two-state solution non-viable, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters alongside US President Donald Trump in New York, Burnham said there could be a point at which the expansion of settlements posed a direct challenge to the prospects for a two-state solution. “If we face a situation where there’s a tender to put settlements on the West Bank that, in effect, make a two-state solution non-viable, what do we do?” he said. Burnham argued that politicians needed to demonstrate that their statements were backed by action, warning that otherwise public confidence in politics

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  Trump says he expects Iran deal after US midterm elections

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects to reach a deal with Iran after the US midterm elections, warning that he faces a “big decision” on whether to pursue an agreement or destroy that country, Anadolu reports. “I have a big decision to make: Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world, or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump said in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump said he believes

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  MEMO in Conversation with Benjamin Moser

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  In this episode of MEMO Conversations, we speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser about his book Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History. We explore one of the book’s central arguments: Jewish opposition to Zionism has a long history, yet many of the people who voiced it have been written out of the story. We also discuss the history of Arab Jews and what it reveals about the idea that Jews and Arab have always been in conflict. Our conversation asks what this history can teach us at a time when opposition to Zionism is often conflated with anti-Semitism. MORE >>> MEMO in Conversation With

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  Int’l community chose to manage Palestinian-Israeli conflict rather than resolve it, Jordanian king says

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  The international community avoided resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and instead chose to manage it, Jordan’s King Abdullah II said on Tuesday during a speech at the UN General Assembly, Anadolu reports. “For decades I stood before this assembly and warned of the dangers of leaving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict unresolved. But the international community chose to manage the conflict, not confront it,” Abdullah said in a speech at the 81st session of the assembly in New York. He said every new Israeli violation was initially treated as temporary, “until temporary became permanent, and permanent became policy.” READ: 8 nations, including Turkiye, urge Israel to fulfill commitments under 1st phase of Gaza peace plan The forced displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank

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  Italy, Iran discuss negotiations to reopen Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday that he discussed negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Anadolu reports. “We discussed negotiations for the reopening of Hormuz,” Tajani said in a post on US social media platform X. He said a memorandum reached in June had demonstrated that an agreement was possible, adding that Italy would continue supporting efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway and end the conflict. The meeting comes as diplomatic efforts intensify over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy and commercial shipping. READ: China says opposes ‘illegal unilateral sanctions’

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  France authorizes Netanyahu’s plane to cross airspace en route to UN General Assembly

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Paris authorized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly through French airspace Tuesday as he traveled to New York for the UN General Assembly, according to a diplomatic source, Anadolu reports. “This is the fifth time. It is time to put an end to this France that humiliates itself and tramples on international law,” European Parliament member Emma Fourreau said on US social media company X, as she criticized the authorization. “France under Macron once again authorizes Netanyahu, a criminal, to fly over French airspace to attend the UN General Assembly, even though he is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” Fourreau added. The International Criminal