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

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  Gaza’s UNRWA staff rally against job cuts, demand labor rights

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  UNRWA employees marched in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Monday,  to protest potential layoffs and demand the protection of their labor rights amid the UN agency’s ongoing financial crisis, Anadolu reports. Organized by the UNRWA Arab Employees Union, the demonstration highlighted concerns that proposed austerity measures will devastate staff livelihoods and disrupt critical services for displaced Palestinians enduring the Israeli blockade. READ: Board of Peace says policy on UNRWA in Gaza remains unchanged Following the march, Palestinian Employees Union head Mustafa el-Gul told reporters that the union categorically rejects any threats to agency personnel, emphasizing that workers must not bear the burden of UNRWA’s financial deficit. Zahir el-Benna, head of the Employees Union Council, described the rally as

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  Russian military aircraft makes ‘unusual’ landing at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport: Report

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  A Russian military aircraft used to transport senior officials and military personnel landed at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday evening in an “unusual” flight, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Monday. The Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft arrived at the airport under circumstances that remain unclear, with no information available about the identities of its passengers or the purpose of the visit, according to KAN. The broadcaster said no similar landing had been recorded at the airport in recent years. The aircraft departed from Russia’s Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow and landed at Ben Gurion Airport around 9 pm local time (1900GMT) Sunday, KAN reported. READ: Russia expresses ‘deep concern’ over reports of planned new military action against Iran The plane was

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  Germany calls for more talks with Iran during G7 Paris meeting

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Germany on Monday called for de-escalation and the continuation of indirect talks between the US and Iran to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Anadolu reports. I have reiterated here that I do not see a military solution to this problem, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters after talks with his G7 counterparts and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Paris. We are firmly in favor of continuing these negotiations between the US and Iran—which are taking place indirectly, he said. Every effort made in this direction is a step in the right direction. In this spirit, we remain in constant contact with all our counterparts in the region. Wadephul urged Iran to demonstrate political will in the

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  Iraqi prime minister made unannounced visit to Tehran for talks on ending Iran-US war: Report

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made an unannounced visit to Tehran on Friday for talks with Iran’s chief negotiator on efforts to end the war between Tehran and Washington, Iranian media reported Monday. Iran’s Fars news agency, citing an informed source, said al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation met Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, head of Iran’s negotiating team, during a visit lasting several hours. The source said the discussions focused exclusively on Iraq’s diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US war, with no other issues addressed. Qalibaf expressed appreciation for Baghdad’s efforts and outlined Tehran’s two-day proposal, stressing that Washington must respect Iran’s rights under the plan to advance negotiations, according to the report. The visit had not been publicly announced beforehand, and

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  Israeli forces open fire on journalists in southern Syria

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Israeli army forces opened fire on Monday on a group of journalists in a rural area of Syria’s southern Quneitra province as they were documenting Israeli violations, according to Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV. The incident took place as the journalists “were documenting Israeli violations in the village of Bariqa,” the channel said. Further details were not immediately available. READ: Israeli troops storm school, raid homes in southern Syria

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  Israeli army demolishes house, car showroom in occupied West Bank

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  The Israeli army demolished a house and a car showroom in the West Bank on Monday, as attacks targeting Palestinian property continue to escalate in the occupied territory, Anadolu reports. Anti-settlement activist Iyad Masharqa told Anadolu that Israeli forces raided the al-Qasr neighborhood in the village of al-Hijra, southeast of Dura in Hebron, and demolished a house covering an area of about 200 square meters. He added that Israeli forces also uprooted several fruit-bearing trees, bulldozed land surrounding the house, and demolished a water well and walls belonging to the homeowner. In East Jerusalem, military bulldozers demolished a car showroom in the town of Hizma. In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said Israeli forces closed the town’s entrances and exits

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  EU urges Israel to ensure full humanitarian access to Gaza amid worsening conditions

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  The EU on Monday urged Israel to ensure full humanitarian access to Gaza, warning that heavy flooding and worsening winter conditions were deepening the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, Anadolu reports. “We are aware of the situation in Gaza, and obviously, if you live in the tent and the tent is full of water, the situation gets much more worse,” European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova told reporters during a midday briefing in Brussels. She said the EU had repeatedly called on the Israeli government, at every level and opportunity, to allow full humanitarian access to the territory. “Not all the crossings are open for humanitarian aid,” she said, stressing that restrictions were worsening an already critical situation. Hrncirova warned that

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  Syria denies sending troops to Yemen, says military deal with Saudi Arabia excludes deployment

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Monday that his country has not deployed troops to Yemen and has no immediate plans to do so, stressing that a military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia does not include sending Syrian forces to the war-torn country, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi at Tishreen Palace in Damascus, Shaibani said any Syrian military deployment abroad would be publicly announced rather than carried out secretly. “There is no deployment of Syrian forces in Yemen, nor are there any plans to do so in the near future,” he said. Shaibani also reaffirmed Syria’s support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government and condemned threats by the Houthi group against Saudi

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  2.1 million people in Gaza need protection during winter: Palestinian minister

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Around 2.1 million people in the Gaza Strip need protection and humanitarian assistance during winter amid continued displacement, deteriorating living conditions and Israeli restrictions on relief supplies, a Palestinian minister said Monday, Anadolu reports. Social Development Minister Samah Hamad made the remarks during a news conference at the Government Communication Center in Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank. Hamad said approximately 30% of relief and shelter supplies remain stranded at border crossings due to Israeli measures, preventing their delivery to Gaza. She stressed that addressing the humanitarian crisis requires not only funding but also ensuring the entry of relief supplies, shelter materials, winter essentials and repair equipment. Displacement According to Hamad, more than 1.76 million people, representing 84% of

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  Israel issues tender for over 700 settlement units near Bethlehem in occupied West Bank

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Israeli authorities have issued a tender for the construction of 732 units in the Gvaot settlement west of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank, a Palestinian government body said Monday, Anadolu reports. The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said in a statement that Israeli authorities published the tender Sunday as part of the first phase of a project to expand illegal settlements in the Bethlehem governorate. The tender includes the construction of multistory residential buildings, commercial facilities and public institutions, the commission said, citing the Israel Land Authority’s official records. The commission said bids would be accepted starting Dec. 1, with the submission deadline set for Dec. 28. Israeli authorities also published a separate tender for land designated for commercial

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  Consultancy linked to Trump’s Gaza plans hired to advise on UK’s 10-year strategy: Report

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US consultancy linked to President Donald Trump’s controversial proposals for Gaza, has been hired to advise on the UK government’s 10-year strategy, local media reported Monday. The Times reported that the firm had been brought in to help develop the long-term plan, which could be scaled back from its original ambitions and delayed until the new year rather than unveiled in December. BCG has faced criticism over its reported involvement in Trump’s proposal to transform Gaza into a so-called “Riviera of the Middle East,” which critics have condemned as a plan to displace Palestinians. READ: Trump adviser, Board of Peace envoy to visit Israel for talks on US Gaza plan: Report The consultancy was also involved

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  The unfinished war that broke the GOP

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Trump has admitted that the war with Iran cost Republicans Congress. His vice president is already negotiating a way out of that war. The lesson for Democrats is not merely that war is bad politics, but that war without consent is unsustainable politics. On 4th November` 2026, Donald Trump acknowledged something notable at the White House: the war he had launched against Iran had helped cost his party both chambers of Congress. “I think that’s largely true,” he said, pointing to the short-term rise in gasoline prices as the reason. But he was not remorseful. He conceded that, if he had to choose again, he would do the same thing. And then he said: “You cannot let Iran have a

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  Iran open to negotiations to end ‘no war, no peace’ situation: President

  by EditorMehdi on November 9, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Tehran remains open to negotiations to end the country’s “no war, no peace” situation, stressing that Iran seeks dialogue with the US based on mutual respect but will not surrender to pressure, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a ceremony, Pezeshkian said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had instructed officials to end the state of “neither war nor peace,” according to a statement published on the Iranian presidency’s website. “We can negotiate with dignity and resolve the issue with dignity. We favor dialogue and negotiations,” he said. Pezeshkian stressed that logic dictates resolving disputes through negotiations rather than war whenever a country’s rights can be secured through dialogue. “However, we will not surrender to force and

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  Gaza floods expose deadly cost of Israel’s aid restrictions, says Medical Aid for Palestinians

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a British health and humanitarian charity, has called on the UK government to sanction those obstructing aid to Gaza, after weekend floods exposed what it calls the catastrophic consequences of Israel’s continued restrictions on shelter, medicine and equipment entering the enclave. Heavy rain and high winds flooded tens of thousands of tents across Gaza over the weekend. Families already living in desperate conditions saw their shelters destroyed and belongings washed away, and could no longer easily reach healthcare. Emergency responders struggled to reach people because of fuel shortages and damaged equipment. MAP says around 65 per cent of Gaza’s population lives in tents or makeshift shelters, and some 950,000 people are in areas at medium

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  Can the Gulf become a global hydrogen hub amid the Iran–US war?

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  The Gulf has spent decades selling oil and gas to the world. Now its governments want to sell something else: low-carbon hydrogen. It is an appealing prospect. The region has plenty of sunshine, deep pockets and companies that know how to build energy projects at scale. But the Iran–US war has brought an uncomfortable question to the surface. What good is producing a cleaner fuel at a competitive price if ships cannot move safely, investors hesitate and customers worry about delivery? The conflict has not made the Gulf’s hydrogen plans irrelevant. It has shown how much those plans still depend on the security of the energy system they are supposed to help transform. A promising business, with strings attached The

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  Trump blames ‘great dislike’ for Israel for election defeat and says ‘Israel would not exist except for Donald Trump’

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israel owes its survival to him, saying the countries the United States protected during the war on Iran will repay its full cost, and admitting that “a great dislike, incredibly, for Israel” among American voters helped sink the Republicans in last week’s midterm elections. Trump spoke to Ross Douthat on 60 Minutes, the CBS News current affairs programme, in an interview broadcast last night. It was his first major interview since Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress on 3 November. Asked how the war on Iran would end, Trump said the US-protected countries “are going to pay us back any and all costs that we’ve had for the war. Because without

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  Rubio: Iran’s demands for a settlement are unacceptable, outrageous and unrealistic

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Iran’s demands for a settlement as unacceptable, saying some of them are outrageous and unrealistic, and stressing that talks with Tehran have so far failed to produce meaningful results. “Negotiations right now haven’t been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic,” Rubio told reporters upon arriving in France for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. Rubio stressed that the United States would respond to any Iranian threat against its forces or ships, adding that President Donald Trump is acting to defend US national interests abroad. “The president took on something that other presidents have failed to do,”

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  The cyberwar comes for the refrigerator

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  For years, governments have prepared for cyberattacks on power grids, airports, financial systems, and telecommunications networks. The assumption was straightforward: cyberwarfare would target the infrastructure that keeps nations running. But recent attacks on refrigeration systems in European supermarkets suggest a more unsettling possibility. The next front in cyber conflict may not be critical infrastructure in the traditional sense. It may be the countless ordinary systems that allow modern societies to function without attracting much attention. The target, in this case, was not a military installation, a government ministry, or a strategic energy asset. It was the humble refrigerator. Within weeks, major retailers across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden reported disruptions to refrigeration systems after cyberattacks interfered with temperature controls. Freezers

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  Water must never be a weapon

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  A farmer in Pakistan’s Punjab does not need to follow international arbitration to know when his crops are at risk. A family beside the Chenab does not need to read diplomatic cables to know what an early flood warning is worth. For both, information about water can decide whether they keep their livelihood, their home or their lives. That information now depends on the state of relations between two nuclear-armed neighbours. On 23rd April 2025, a day after the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, India placed the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty “in abeyance”. The attack killed 26 tourists and demands accountability. India says the suspension will last until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for cross-border terrorism. Indian police

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  ‘Toxic’ and ‘radioactive’: Labour MPs turn on Palestine Action ban after 4,000 arrests

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Labour MPs who backed the ban on Palestine Action now say the government pressured them into voting to list the direct-action group as a terrorist organisation, a decision that has led to almost 4,000 arrests of protesters over the past year and that several now admit has damaged the right to protest in Britain. The Observer reported the MPs’ regret yesterday. It says ministers held a series of meetings in Westminster to bring MPs into line ahead of the Commons vote on 2 July last year. One senior backbencher said the security minister, Dan Jarvis, had assured Labour members that peaceful protesters would not be affected. “That is very clearly not the case,” the MP told the paper. “People who

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  Former Israeli Prime Minister Barak urges Eisenkot to accelerate government formation

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called on Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday to accelerate efforts to form a new government, saying the immediate priority should be replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. Speaking to Israel’s public broadcaster, Barak, who served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, urged Eisenkot to move quickly in negotiations over the next governing coalition. “Eisenkot must act as quickly as possible,” Barak said. “The most important commitment is to oust Netanyahu; the primary priority is to replace this government,” he added. Barak also expressed openness to including Arab political parties in the next government, arguing that all potential coalition arrangements should be considered. “All options are valid; if Arab parties are part

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  Activists raise Palestinian flag outside German parliament in protest over Gaza war

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Pro-Palestinian activists raised a Palestinian flag outside Germany’s parliament building on Sunday in a protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Berlin’s continued military support for Israel. The group Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility for the demonstration, which took place at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag building housing the Bundestag. According to German newspaper die tageszeitung (taz), a 22-year-old activist climbed a flagpole approximately 28.5 meters high and raised the Palestinian flag while two other activists assisted from the ground. The group said the action was intended to express solidarity with Palestinians and draw attention to the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip. Daniel Göbel, a representative of Peacefully Against Genocide who was present at the

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  Israel deports 14 foreign activists detained during West Bank olive harvest

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Israeli authorities announced Sunday the deportation of 14 foreign solidarity activists detained in the occupied West Bank while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest. In a statement, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said the foreign nationals had been deported over the weekend after being detained for alleged violations of Israeli law and disruption of public order. According to the Palestinian volunteer campaign Fazaa, Israeli forces detained the activists on Friday while they were accompanying Palestinian farmers harvesting olives between the villages of Ras Karkar and Kafr Ni’ma, west of Ramallah. The campaign said Israeli settlers assaulted the activists before Israeli forces detained them and transported them away by bus. Fazaa, which organizes Palestinian and international volunteers to help

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  Hamas urges mediators to pressure Israel to lift Gaza siege and allow humanitarian aid

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Hamas called on international mediators on Sunday to pressure Israel to lift restrictions on the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of humanitarian assistance and shelter materials, accusing Israel of failing to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said Israel continued to tighten its restrictions on Gaza and obstruct the delivery of relief supplies despite the ceasefire, worsening the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in the territory. In a press statement, Qassem accused Israel of disregarding the efforts of mediators and countries guaranteeing the agreement. He called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene urgently and exert pressure to prevent further

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  Shas reportedly open to supporting Eisenkot-led government if United Torah Judaism joins

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Members of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Shas party are reportedly considering the possibility of supporting a government led by Gadi Eizenkot, provided that the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party also agrees to participate, according to Israeli media reports. The Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv quoted a source within Shas as saying that backing an Eisenkot-led government could be an option if UTJ joins the proposed political arrangement. The report comes amid ongoing discussions between Israel’s so-called change bloc and United Torah Judaism over potential parliamentary cooperation and the formation of a new governing coalition. According to Maariv, a prominent religious figure could play an influential role in determining Shas’s eventual position on the matter. The reported discussions reflect efforts among Israeli political parties to

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  Oman’s Grand Mufti calls for urgent aid to Gaza after storm floods 70,000 displacement tents

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Oman’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Khalili, called on Muslims worldwide on Sunday to provide urgent financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip after heavy rainfall and flash floods submerged tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced families. In a statement published on X, Al-Khalili expressed sympathy for Palestinians affected by the severe weather and urged immediate action to alleviate their suffering. “We have learned of the hardship faced by our brothers in Gaza—Gaza of pride and resilience—due to heavy rainfall and the flash floods that have engulfed their shelters,” he said. He called on Muslims to contribute financially and accelerate the delivery of relief assistance to families affected by the flooding. “We call upon all

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  Gaza Health: 350,000 displaced Palestinians sleeping in the open; “Is the world waiting for our children to freeze?”

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  Around 350,000 displaced Palestinians are sleeping in the open after their tents were flooded by a severe storm, Gaza Health Ministry Director General Munir al-Bursh said on Sunday, asking: “Is the world waiting for our children to freeze to death?” “What is the world waiting for? Is it waiting for a child to arrive at hospital with frozen limbs or suffering from dehydration?” al-Bursh said in press statements. “Protect children where they are displaced, open the crossings and allow reconstruction materials and tents to enter,” he added. Al-Bursh said thousands of tents are waiting at the crossings, but the Israeli army is preventing them from entering, while 350,000 displaced people are left exposed to the elements because of the storm.

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  US military preparations underway near Gaza border for international force deployment: Israeli media

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  US military preparations are underway near the Gaza Strip border ahead of the planned deployment of an international stabilization force inside the Palestinian enclave, Israeli media reported Monday, Anadolu reports. Israeli news site Walla said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had given the US approval for an initial deployment of around 250 foreign troops. Israel had previously spoken of allowing dozens of foreign military personnel into Gaza without specifying a number. In August, Netanyahu denied having approved the entry of the international force into the enclave. Countries that have so far expressed willingness to Washington to participate include Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Uganda and Albania, according to Walla. Kazakhstan has offered medical and logistical assistance, while Kosovo has proposed contributing

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  Iranian army says oil tanker catches fire after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  An oil tanker caught fire after hitting a sea mine in the eastern Strait of Hormuz while sailing in a prohibited area with its navigation systems switched off, the Iranian army’s naval command said on Sunday. In a statement, the naval command’s public relations department said the incident took place before noon when the tanker struck a sea mine after switching off its identification systems and entering a restricted area. The collision caused a fire to break out on the tanker, the statement added. Mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan are continuing between the United States and Iran to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war and resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and maritime security in the

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  PLO rejects UNRWA staff lay off and services reductions

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on Sunday rejected plans to dismiss staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and reduce its services, warning against any move to undermine its UN mandate or restructure the agency. It stressed that addressing UNRWA’s financial deficit is an international responsibility. The position was announced during a meeting between a delegation from the PLO’s Supreme Committee for Following Up on the Preservation of UNRWA’s Mandate and Operations, acting UNRWA Commissioner-General Christian Saunders and other officials, according to a statement by the PLO’s Department of Refugee Affairs. The meeting discussed the financial crisis facing UNRWA, its impact on staff and services, and the challenges threatening the continuation of its operations.

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  Saudi-led coalition says it destroys Houthi missile launcher in Sanaa targeting eastern Saudi Arabia

  by Marwa A on November 9, 2026

  The spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said on Sunday that coalition forces had destroyed a ballistic missile launcher in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. He said in a statement that the Houthis had used the launcher in an attempt to attack Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Sunday, according to Asharq News. Al-Maliki also released a video on Sunday which he said showed coalition forces intercepting and destroying a cruise missile in southern Saudi Arabia. READ: Saudi Arabia says Aramco building suffers ‘minor damage’ after attempted attack in Riyadh

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  Palestinian journalist released from Israeli detention condemns arrest as ‘political pressure’

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Palestinian journalist Abdulkader Abu Shehadeh urged solidarity against political pressure targeting journalists and activists after Israeli authorities released him from detention on Sunday, Anadolu reports. Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency arrested Abu Shehadeh at his home in Jaffa on Nov. 4. Authorities detained Abu Shehadeh on suspicion of “communicating with a foreign agent” following an interview he conducted with Palestinian thinker Azmi Bishara regarding Israeli elections and the situation of Palestinians. Rejecting a police request for an eight-day extension, the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ordered his detention until Nov. 8, leading to his release on Sunday without charges. Following his release, residents, activists, and civil society representatives welcomed Abu Shehadeh at the Jaffa Arab Affairs Association.

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  Iran says 2-day proposal stands, warns US against renewed attacks

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Tehran’s two-day proposal to end the war remains on the table, urging the White House to meet Iran’s conditions and warning of a military response if Washington resumes attacks, Anadolu reports. “American voters have made their choice. Time for the White House to make its own,” Araghchi wrote on the US social media company X, referring to Tuesday’s US midterm elections. “Our 2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results,” he said. He warned that if Washington chose war, Iran’s forces would “rain down hell.” On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Tehran’s seven-step proposal, first put forward in

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  2 Gazans killed, 12 others wounded in continued Israeli attacks

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Two Palestinians, including a woman, were killed and 12 others, including a woman, were injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since dawn Sunday, in the latest violations of a ceasefire in effect since October 2025, Anadolu reports. A medical source at Nasser Medical Complex said two Palestinians, including a woman, were killed and seven others sustained injuries of varying severity in an Israeli strike on a group of civilians in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. A medical source told Anadolu Agency that four Palestinians were wounded, including one seriously, in an Israeli strike targeting a group of civilians in northern Gaza. Eyewitnesses said a drone fired a missile into a gathering of people in

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  US moves to deport 11 Iranians via Pakistan, rights group says

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  The US government moved to deport 11 Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan in an overnight operation that an advocacy organization claims violates a binding federal court order, according to an emergency court motion filed Sunday, Anadolu reports. “Plaintiff learned on the evening of Saturday, November 7, 2026… that ICE will remove eleven Iranian nationals—ten men and one woman—from the United States at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on a flight to Islamabad, Pakistan, with a refueling stop in Georgia (the country) and onward transfer to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday, November 10,” the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund said in the emergency filing submitted to a US federal court. The legal group argued that

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  Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Shas leader withdraws from Knesset list, stays as party chief

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Aryeh Deri, a key ally of outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, withdrew from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party’s list for the incoming Knesset on Sunday and will remain party chairman, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. Lawmaker Moshe Abutbul and candidate Dror Amos also withdrew from the list, clearing the way for Uriel Buso and Yossi Taieb to enter parliament. Shas will retain all six seats it won in the Oct. 27 elections. Deri had offered to step down as chairman after Shas fell from 11 seats in the previous Knesset to six. The party’s top religious authority, the Council of Torah Sages, rejected his request and asked him to stay on. Deri agreed and will lead the party from outside parliament,

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  Trump says return to Iran war ‘highly unlikely’ if talks advance

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said that a return to direct military conflict with Iran remains “highly unlikely” if negotiations produce an agreement on its nuclear program and maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz. “It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement … The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary,” Trump told CNN, adding he would strike if he thinks it is “necessary.” Trump emphasized that the American military had already inflicted severe damage during earlier engagements of the Iran war, maintaining that forces could resume strikes and “finish them off.” “We’re ready for it. I’ve got three aircraft carriers here. The other one just arrived. We have three. They’re fully locked and

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  Israel fears Capitol-style breach ahead of Knesset swearing-in: Report

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Israeli newspaper Maariv warned Sunday that right-wing activists could try to storm the Israeli Knesset on Tuesday to disrupt the swearing-in of newly elected lawmakers, drawing a parallel with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The warning came as Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on Sunday and as Channel 12 reported that outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party was preparing to challenge the Oct. 27 election results in court. According to Maariv, right-wing activists had discussed gathering outside parliament and blocking lawmakers from entering for the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. It also cited social media posts urging counterprotesters to turn up and confront them. “The

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  7 killed, over 100 injured in train derailment in Egypt

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Seven passengers were killed and 112 people injured Sunday after several passenger train cars derailed and overturned in the Giza province in northern Egypt, the Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The accident occurred near the village of Gerza in the Al-Ayyat district, along the Cairo–Aswan agricultural road. The ministry said 72 ambulances took part in the response. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered health facilities across Giza and neighboring Beni Suef provinces to raise their alert level and provide emergency care to the injured. The ministry said the injuries ranged between bruises, abrasions, and fractures, adding that 45 people had already been discharged from hospitals after their conditions improved. It said it was monitoring the condition of those injured and

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  Israeli president tasks Eisenkot with forming new government

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government after parliamentary elections left his bloc and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance short of a majority. Eisenkot formally received the mandate to form the next government during a meeting with Herzog at the presidential residence in West Jerusalem, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported. The appointment followed Herzog’s consultations with parties represented in the Knesset. Sixty-seven lawmakers recommended Eisenkot, 46 backed Netanyahu and seven declined to recommend either candidate. Under Israeli law, Eisenkot has 28 days to form a governing coalition. The president can grant him an extension of up to 14 days. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Herzog said Eisenkot had secured clear

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  Around 80% of Palestinian prisoners suffer from scabies in Israeli jails, advocacy group says

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Scabies affect around 80% of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, including children, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said Sunday, citing accounts from inmanes and freed detainees, Anadolu reports. In a briefing, the nongovernmental organization said its legal teams visited dozens of prisoners in October and early November. It said severe clothing shortages and overcrowding helped spread the disease, while prisoners received inadequate treatment. The society said the accounts pointed to a “systematic policy” of abuse, starvation and medical neglect across Israeli prisons. Prisoners told lawyers that special units from the Israel Prison Service entered prison wings with dogs and used rubber-coated bullets and weapons the prisoners could not identify. Some reported burns or said they were temporarily unable to move

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  Large crowds in Amsterdam join Red Line demonstration for Gaza

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Large crowds dressed in red gathered at Museumplein in Amsterdam on Sunday, for the fourth Red Line demonstration in solidarity with the people of Palestine, Anadolu reports. The demonstration, backed by humanitarian and human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib and Save the Children, called on the Dutch government to take action over the situation in Gaza. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Thursday that 1.98 million people, about 94% of Gaza’s population, needed shelter and other essential supplies, citing surveys conducted in June. It said 58% faced critical or catastrophic shelter needs. READ: Gaza civil defense warns heavy rains, strong winds threaten nearly 950,000 displaced Palestinians In October, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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  EU commissioner urges more aid access to Gaza as floods sweep through displacement camps

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib on Sunday called for greater access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as heavy rains flooded displacement camps, worsening conditions for families already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, Anadolu reports. “In Gaza, families are bailing water out of their tents with pots and pans,” Lahbib wrote on US social media platform X. She said flooding had swept through camps sheltering displaced Palestinians, adding that the rainfall was further aggravating an already dire situation. “The rain makes a crisis that was already unbearable worse,” she said. READ: Flooded out of their tents, Gaza families have nowhere left to go Lahbib noted that humanitarian organizations were continuing their operations despite the storm

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  Former Israeli premier urges Eisenkot to swiftly replace Netanyahu government

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday urged Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government quickly, saying his first priority should be replacing Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Anadolu reports. “Eisenkot should move as quickly as possible,” Barak, who served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, told Israel’s public broadcaster KAN. “The most important pledge is to oust Netanyahu, and the first priority is to replace this government,” he added. Barak said he would welcome Arab parties joining the next government. He also said Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party could have been a partner in a unity government without Netanyahu. Separately, caretaker Defense Minister Israel Katz called for unity in the face of “Iranian threats.” READ: Hundreds rally in

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  Activists raise Palestinian flag outside German parliament

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Germany’s national flag was replaced by a Palestinian flag on a flagpole in front of parliament on Sunday, as activists denounced the government’s pro-Israeli policy and its silence on war crimes in Gaza, Anadolu reports. The group Peacefully Against Genocide said the action was meant to show solidarity with people in Palestine and to protest German politicians’ failure to act against grave human rights violations and genocide targeting Palestinians. Aaron, a member of the group, said in a press release that governments worldwide do not act in the name of the people when they stay silent on, permit or support genocide in Palestine. “No matter where in the world a genocide is committed, it affects us all,” he added. “We

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Caroline Rose: Can Trump Escape His Current Quagmire?

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Jeremy Corbyn: A Nation Mutinies: Can Trump Survive His Own War?

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  United Arab List to back possible Eisenkot-led gov’t in Israel without coalition deal: Report

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  United Arab List (Ra’am), a political party in Israel headed by Mansour Abbas, intends to support a possible government to be formed by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot even without a coalition agreement, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Sunday. “Our party, which has eight Knesset members, will support a Gadi Eisenkot government even if no coalition agreement is signed,” Haaretz quoted a party source as saying. The party did not immediately comment on the report, which came a day after Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a new government. The report said the move is intended to avoid the risks of Eisenkot’s bloc relying on support from the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party. READ: Arab Joint List formally recommends

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  Saudi Arabia says Aramco building suffers ‘minor damage’ after attempted attack in Riyadh

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  Falling shrapnel caused “minor damage” to an administrative building of the Saudi state oil giant Aramco following an attempted attack in the capital Riyadh, the Energy Ministry said Sunday, Anadolu reports. No casualties were reported in the incident, an official source with the ministry said in a statement. The source said relevant authorities “promptly responded to the incident and took the necessary measures.” READ: Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted 4 missiles over Riyadh, southern regions The announcement came after the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis reported intercepting and destroying missiles over the Riyadh and southern regions of the kingdom early Sunday. ​​​​​​​It came amid continued military escalation between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group, which has launched repeated missile and

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  UAE National Guard rescues 22 after fire breaks out on cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  The UAE National Guard said Sunday it had rescued 22 people after a fire broke out on board a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, Anadolu reports. The rescued people were Arab nationals, it said in a statement on US social media platform X, adding that they “received necessary first aid before being handed over to the relevant authorities.” They were all in “stable” condition, it added. The incident came amid ongoing tensions over navigation in the nearby Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israeli offensive against Iran began in late February. READ: Iran’s navy reports oil tanker fire in Gulf of Oman

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  Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted 4 missiles over Riyadh, southern regions

  by EditorMehdi on November 8, 2026

  The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Sunday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone and four missiles, including two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles, Anadolu reports. “Air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region,” coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said in a statement on US social media platform X. Earlier, the coalition announced the interception and destruction of two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward the Saudi capital Riyadh. READ: Saudi Arabia denies report that Houthis demanded $51 billion and official recognition for ceasefire It also reported intercepting two cruise missiles in the Riyadh and southern regions, without providing details regarding the origin of the missiles.