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

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  Pro-Iran Iraqi factions say they are ‘not bound by any timeline or agreement’ on weapons

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Pro-Iran Iraqi factions said on Wednesday that they are “not bound by any timeline or agreement” regarding the surrender of their weapons, as the Iraqi government seeks an understanding with the groups amid increasing US pressure. Jaafar al-Husseini, military spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah, made the remarks during a ceremony held by the factions to mark the end of the US-led international coalition’s mission against jihadist groups. “For more than forty days, the Islamic Resistance has engaged in negotiations to discuss the process of regulating the Resistance’s weapons, while reserving its right to respond directly to any US or Zionist breach or violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” al-Husseini said. “However, we have not received a response from the Iraqi government to this

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  Settlers attack farmers, prevent olive harvesting in Salfit

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in the Wadi al-Ahmar area between the villages of Yasuf and Marda, northeast of Salfit, on Wednesday, according to local farmers. Farmers said a group of settlers confronted them while they were harvesting olives on their land and forced them to leave the area under threat. According to the farmers, the settlers sprayed pepper spray at a man and his children, causing injuries to their faces. Palestinian Red Crescent teams from Marda provided them with first aid and treatment. The farmers also reported that the settlers confiscated olives they had already harvested and prevented them from continuing their work, resulting in financial losses. READ: Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu government of encouraging occupier violence in

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  US lifts policy of denying military export licenses for Syria

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  The US State Department announced on Wednesday that Syria would no longer be subject to a policy of denying licenses and other approvals required for the export of military equipment and defence services. “Syria has been removed from the list of countries subject to a policy of denying licenses and permits required for the export of military equipment and defence services,” the State Department said in a statement. The department said the change would allow the US administration to consider applications for such licenses involving Syria. The amendment is set to take effect on 1st October. The move follows a US decision in late August to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. READ: US removes Syria from

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  Mohammed bin Salman: Establishing an independent Palestinian state remains a steadfast Saudi goal

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday that establishing an independent Palestinian state remains a steadfast goal for Saudi Arabia, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights. The Crown Prince made the remarks in the annual royal address, delivered on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the opening of the third year of the Shura Council’s ninth session. Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia possesses highly capable human and military resources enabling it to confront and deter threats regardless of their source, stressing that protecting the Kingdom’s security and stability remains a priority on which it will not compromise. He said attacks targeting members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) demonstrated the interconnected nature of their

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  Egyptian minister rejects Israeli concerns over Sinai railway project

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir said on Wednesday that Egypt’s expansion of transport infrastructure in North Sinai and the reopening of railway lines to reconnect the peninsula with the rest of Egypt are part of efforts to develop the area. His remarks came in response to concerns over the projects reported by Hebrew media. Speaking on Egyptian television on Wednesday evening, El-Wazir said he was focused on restoring the Sinai railway and extending it to Bir al-Abd, then to Al-Arish and later Taba, alongside the Suez Canal tunnels he oversaw while serving as head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority. He said the projects aimed to reconnect Sinai with the rest of Egypt, adding: “Why are they upset? Have we

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  How Israel destabilizes the Middle East: Denying sovereignty and the right to exist

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Israel’s pursuit of security increasingly rests on a destabilizing proposition: that its neighbours become less threatening when their capacity to exercise sovereignty is diminished. Since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, this approach has become particularly visible across several distinct arenas. Military operations, territorial incursions and restrictions on political and economic autonomy suggest a conception of security dependent on keeping others vulnerable. The consequences extend beyond individual confrontations. When states cannot control their territory, rebuild institutions or protect their populations, the regional conditions necessary for durable security begin to erode. The argument is not that Israel created every conflict in the Middle East. Authoritarian rule, sectarian violence, armed groups and competing regional interventions have all contributed to the region’s

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  Source: Hamas leadership delegation arrives in Cairo for electoral alliance talks

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  A senior Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo to continue talks on forming a broad electoral alliance ahead of Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for November 28, informed Palestinian sources told Quds Press on Wednesday. The sources said discussions are currently focused on the technical details of a proposed electoral list, including its composition, the allocation of seats and representation among participating parties, as well as potential candidates and the final format of the list. Contacts are also underway with several Palestinian factions, political groups and figures over potentially expanding the alliance to include additional parties, the sources said. Discussions are continuing over the form of participation in the elections and the structure of the electoral list. READ: Source: Fatah invites Hamas

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  Hassan Salameh’s fiancée fears he may have been assaulted after Ben-Gvir’s death threat

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Ghufran Zamel, a released Palestinian prisoner and the fiancée of prisoner Hassan Salameh, said she fears he may have been assaulted after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed threatening him with death inside his prison cell. Speaking exclusively to Quds Press, Zamel described seeing Salameh confronted by Ben-Gvir as “deeply painful” and expressed concern about what may have happened to him after the cameras stopped recording. “It was emotionally agonizing to see Hassan in that situation, facing a reckless minister who was trying to threaten him,” she said. Zamel said Salameh is subjected to abuse, torture and deprivation of food in prison, explaining that his physical appearance in the footage reflected the conditions in which he is being

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  Bodies of recovered victims laid to rest in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  WACTH: Palestinian families bury 50 recovered bodies from beneath the rubbles

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Larry Johnson: Why Do American Liberation Projects End in Disaster?

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Phyllis Bennis: Netanyahu Addresses a Deserted UNGA but a Pact Congress

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  Israeli circus in the UN General Assembly

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  The Israeli occupation leadership has long been accustomed to staging bizarre spectacles on some of the world’s most prominent international platforms, but what Benjamin Netanyahu did during his latest appearance on 25th September 2026 surpassed all expectations. The leading suspect wanted by the International Criminal Court took to the podium to deliver his annual speech at the 81st session of the General Assembly carrying a Starlink satellite dish. He went so far as to display a piece of technological explosive equipment in full view of the world, appearing in the form of a handheld communications device. This is not entirely new. Year after year, Netanyahu has become accustomed to performing his theatrical tricks on the platform of the United Nations

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  Sudan extends Adre border crossing with Chad for humanitarian aid for 3 months

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Sudan has extended the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad for humanitarian aid for three months until 31 December 2026. In a statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said the government had decided to extend the opening of the crossing to humanitarian aid provided by international relief organisations and agencies for an additional three months, from 1 October to 31 December 2026. It said the extension was part of the government’s efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians affected across Sudan. The ministry said the government was committed to providing the necessary conditions and facilities for humanitarian organisations to operate, in coordination with UN agencies and international, regional and national organisations, in line with national laws

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  Benkirane declines meeting with newly designated PM Mansouri

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Morocco’s PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane has declined to meet newly designated Prime Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri at her PAM party headquarters, offering instead to receive her at his home. The position opens the door to discussion about the nature of political consultations over the formation of Morocco’s next government and the limits of party customs and protocol. In a video posted on his official Facebook page shortly before, Benkirane said his refusal to meet at PAM headquarters did not mean he was rejecting dialogue with Mansouri. He stressed that he had no objection to receiving her at his home if she wished to meet him, keeping the meeting away from formal or protocol considerations. Benkirane recalled his political experience

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  UNICEF: 1,317 children killed or injured in Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  261 children have been killed and 1,056 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the escalation began in March, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday, warning of the impact of the worsening crisis on the future of children and young people. In a report titled An Enduring Nightmare, UNICEF said about 436 schools had been damaged or destroyed, putting nearly 100,000 children at risk of dropping out of education. It added that 86 teachers had been killed or injured. UNICEF said the economic and humanitarian crisis was pushing more families into being unable to meet basic needs, with four in five families in Lebanon struggling to provide them. READ: Israeli army sets fire to government hospital in southern

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  Tehran receives US response to Hormuz reopening proposal, but differences remain over implementation

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  Tehran said on Wednesday it had received a US response to its proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, days after US President Donald Trump said he had rejected the plan. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the US response to President Masoud Pezeshkian during a cabinet meeting. Iran submitted the proposal last week, calling for reciprocal steps to be taken within seven days. These included the United States lifting its blockade of Iranian ports in return for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Trump said on Sunday that he had rejected the Iranian proposal, but Araghchi said at the time that Tehran had not received an official response.

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  US provides Tunisia with $1m in security equipment to support counter-terrorism efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  The United States on Wednesday provided Tunisia with security equipment worth about $1 million as part of a counter-terrorism assistance programme. The equipment was handed over by US Ambassador to Tunisia Bill Bazzi, according to a statement from the US embassy. The embassy said: “On behalf of the United States, Ambassador Bazzi formally transferred nearly $1M in U.S.-funded security equipment to Tunisia’s Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Intervention Units and Directorate General of the National Guard, strengthening Tunisia’s crisis-response and security capabilities as well as our enduring partnership on shared security priorities.”  READ: Tunisia’s UGTT reaffirms plans for general strike amid dispute with authorities The equipment will support Tunisia’s ability to train and certify law enforcement officers in crisis response

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  How Gaza’s genocide is reshaping US domestic politics

  by Mehdi Editor on October 1, 2026

  To claim that Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has fundamentally changed the internal politics of the United States and the wider world might be an overstatement. But what cannot be overstated is a simple fact: Israel and its policies no longer enjoy the virtually unlimited approval and support in the US that they once taken for granted. At both the local and national levels, support for Israel has weakened significantly, while across Europe, too, political attitudes toward Israel have changed in ways that would have been difficult to imagine just three years ago. To see that change in Europe just consider the new position taken by the United Kingdom toward Israel, particularly over the occupied West Bank. In earlier September,

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  While Gaza dominates the UN, these are the people keeping it alive

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  When I first saw footage of Gaza doctor Munir al-Bursh and his family kneeling beside the white-shrouded body of his son, surrounded by mourners, I thought it was an old video. It was not. My conclusion, however, was understandable. In December 2023, only months after the start of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, the al-Bursh family was targeted in an Israeli attack. Dr. Munir, director-general of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, was wounded. So were other members of his family. His daughter, Jinan, only 13, was killed. That same day, Gaza’s beloved doctor was back at work, joining the many doctors across the Strip trying to save lives as Israel’s killing machine claimed them by the thousands. Alas, the latest footage

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  US has ‘virtually total control’ of Strait of Hormuz: Trump

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the US has “virtually total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, while claiming that oil shipments through the strategically important waterway have surged to historic levels in recent days, Anadolu reports. “We have virtually total control of the Hormuz Strait,” Trump said during a Hispanic heritage month celebration. “In fact, in the last three days, more oil has come out of the Hormuz Strait than at any time in the history of the Hormuz.” The president reiterated that Iran’s military had been “totally wiped out,” and said the war would soon be won. “We’re going to have that war won very quickly, one way or the other,” he said. In February, the US and

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  Direct talks with Israel only way to regain Lebanese territory: Foreign minister

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said Wednesday that direct negotiations with Israel under US auspices are the only way to regain Lebanese territory and allow residents to return to their villages, Anadolu reports. Rajji made the remarks during a discussion organized by the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, according to a Lebanese Foreign Ministry statement. The discussion, chaired by former US diplomat Elliott Abrams, was attended by council members, journalists and representatives of research centers, the ministry said. It addressed the situation in Lebanon, reasons for delays in implementing the framework agreement, Hezbollah’s weapons, the future of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and relations with Syria’s new government, the statement said. Rajji said Lebanon’s priority is to ensure

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  263 Palestinian journalists killed since start of Israel’s war on Gaza: Media office

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The number of Palestinian journalists killed since the start of Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip has risen to 263, Gaza’s government media office said Wednesday. The latest death toll came after Palestinian journalist Muhammad Abdel Aziz al-Najjar was killed Wednesday in an Israeli drone strike, the office said. In a statement, the media office “strongly condemned the Israeli occupation’s targeting, killing and systematic assassination of Palestinian journalists.” READ: 262 Palestinian journalists killed by Israel since Gaza war: Media office It called on the Federation of Journalists, the Federation of Arab Journalists and press organizations worldwide to condemn what it described as crimes against journalists and media workers in Gaza. The office also urged the international community to pursue those crimes

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  Switzerland says violence level ‘cannot be tolerated’ as it condemns recent West Bank occupier attack

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Switzerland on Wednesday condemned an attack by 100 Israeli occupiers on the Palestinian village of Jalud in the occupied West Bank, saying the “unprecedented level of settler violence cannot be tolerated.” “Switzerland condemns yesterday’s attack on the village of Jalud by around 100 settlers,” the Foreign Ministry said in a post on the US social media platform X. “Israel must protect Palestinian civilians and bring those responsible to justice,” it added. Israeli occupiers attacked three Palestinian villages in the West Bank early Tuesday, forcing a family from its home minutes after it returned under an Israeli court order, torching homes and vehicles and assaulting an elderly woman. In Jalud, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Al-Tubasi family

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  Saudi crown prince says ‘Mecca Defense Alliance’ with Turkiye, Pakistan aims to bolster regional stability

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday said that the “Mecca Defense Alliance” with Turkiye and Pakistan aims to bolster regional stability and shield the region from tensions and conflicts, Anadolu reports. He made the remarks while delivering the annual royal address on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz during the opening of the third year of the ninth session of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council. “To strengthen regional stability, shield it from the repercussions of tensions and conflicts, and coordinate efforts, the Mecca Defense Alliance was established between the kingdom, Turkiye and Pakistan,” the crown prince said. He said attacks targeting Gulf Cooperation Council countries demonstrate that Gulf security and stability are “indivisible.” He said Saudi Arabia is working

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  Israel’s Supreme Court to hear appeals against disqualification of Arab candidates

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Israel’s Supreme Court is set to hold a hearing Thursday on petitions challenging decisions to bar Arab candidates and electoral lists from parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 27, Anadolu reports. Adalah, a Palestinian human rights center based in Israel, said in a statement seen by Anadolu that a nine-judge panel would consider cases involving the disqualifications. “The decisions to disqualify all Arab electoral lists, Knesset member Ofer Cassif and former Knesset member Sami Abu Shehadeh are unfounded and discriminatory,” Adalah said. Last week, Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted to disqualify the Joint List, the United Arab List, Abu Shehadeh, head of the Balad party, and Cassif, a lawmaker from the Joint List. Palestinians make up about 21% of Israel’s population

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  Greek Education Ministry reportedly urges universities to expand academic cooperation with Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Greece’s Education Ministry urged universities to pursue academic and research cooperation with Israeli institutions under an Israeli-funded initiative, the EFSYN newspaper reported Wednesday. Interested Greek higher education institutions were invited to establish cooperation with Israeli counterparts in areas including joint research, conferences and workshops, student scholarships, and exchange programs for academic staff and students, according to a ministry letter obtained by EFSYN. The initiative by Israel’s Ministry of Regional Cooperation has a budget of 6.5 million shekels (€2 million, or more than $2.2 million), according to the letter. It said Greece is considered a “partner country” and that promoting research cooperation with Athens, as well as broader cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, is a strategic priority for the Israeli ministry.

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  Trump hails Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as US forces leave

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  President Donald Trump placed Iraqi new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the center of his announcement that the last American forces are leaving the country, portraying the new Iraqi leader as a key figure in the next chapter of US-Iraq relations, Anadolu reports. “This is a Great Day for America and, importantly, we leave with Iraq having a wonderful new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, somebody I supported from the beginning and fully endorsed. “He won an Election that he was not expected to win, and did so, in a landslide!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Earlier Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced that the US and its coalition partners have formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. READ: US, coalition partners

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  Israeli restrictions on 65% of Gaza’s land ‘main obstacle’ to aid, shelter: UN

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Israeli restrictions in nearly two-thirds of the Gaza Strip represent the primary barrier to humanitarian relief and flood protection efforts, the UN said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “Our humanitarian partners stress that the main obstacle is restrictions on access of 65% of Gaza’s land,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a media briefing. “The remaining 35% is already overcrowded.” The constraints come as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and partner groups assess emergency measures to protect families from winter downpours. Aid teams inspected three potential relocation zones for temporary shelters to assist families choosing to leave flood-prone grounds near structural ruins at risk of collapse. In parallel, humanitarian teams are evaluating more than 450 existing displacement

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  ‘Strong indication’ of Iran’s involvement in suspected plot near RAF base: UK PM

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  There is a “strong indication” that Iran played a role in Sunday’s suspected terror plot near Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in South West England, the prime minister confirmed Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “There is indeed a strong indication that Iran played a part,” Andy Burnham confirmed in an interview with Sky News. However, he added: “This remains, though, a complex and very serious police investigation. So I can’t say any more at this stage.” Five men from London, age between 23 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. The incident came after a farmer discovered three vans blocking a road near the RAF base in Gloucestershire at 1.30 am local time (0030GMT). Later, it was

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  US removes Syria from arms export ban list under revised defense trade policy

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The US said Wednesday that it lifted its long-standing blanket ban on arms exports to Syria, clearing the way for case-by-case reviews of defense sales and security services to Damascus, Anadolu reports. “The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove Syria from the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for licenses and other approvals,” the agency said in a public notice published in the Federal Register. The administrative rule formally takes effect Thursday. The regulatory adjustment implements a decision authorized Aug. 19 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who approved a revised defense trade framework permitting authorities to evaluate individual applications for military equipment and security service transactions bound for

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  No Vote, No Representation, No State: Democracy, Israeli Style | Palestine This Week

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  This week’s MEMO review examines claims about Netanyahu’s advance knowledge of 7 October, his provocative UN speech and Israel’s sweeping West Bank closure. We discuss calls to free Marwan Barghouti, moves to bar Arab-led parties from Israeli elections, Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal and allegations of election interference involving Israeli firms.     WATCH: Gaza and the dystopian future of AI-powered war | Palestine This Week

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  Israel’s defense minister claims Flydubai was ‘attempted terror attack’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Wednesday that an incident involving an Israel-bound Flydubai flight was an “attempted terrorist attack,” Anadolu reports. The Dubai-based carrier Flydubai said an altercation broke out in the flight deck of the Israel-bound plane, and that crew members managed to secure the plane and divert it safely to Saudi Arabia. It “was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit,” Katz alleged, according to the Ynet newspaper. The airline, however, said the reasons and motives behind the altercation remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation. READ: Bennett warns Israeli army faces risk of collapse over recruitment crisis “We urge all parties to refrain

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  Israeli strike kills imam while preparing Quran education report in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  A Palestinian imam and religious radio presenter was killed Wednesday in an Israeli drone strike while he was preparing a media report on Quran memorization in the southern Gaza Strip, according to an official, Anadolu reports. Mohammed Abdul Aziz al-Najjar, 38, was an imam as well as a producer and presenter of religious programs at Quran Radio, affiliated with Gaza’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. Ikrami al-Mudallal, the ministry’s media director, told Anadolu that al-Najjar was targeted by an Israeli drone strike “while carrying out his work producing media material related to Quran memorization.” A medical source at Nasser Hospital said al-Najjar’s body and another victim with moderate injuries were brought to the hospital following the strike in the

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  Takfirism or J.Lo: The theology of regime survival

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  For years, Mohammed bin Salman appeared determined to prove that Saudi Arabia could be modernized by exchanging the stern face of clerical authority for the smiling face of entertainment capitalism. The kingdom of injunctions would become the kingdom of investment forums, Formula One, celebrity concerts and carefully imported glamour. Then Ansar Allah advanced, Saudi security came under pressure, Washington grew less dependable — and suddenly Islam was summoned back from storage. Theology, it turns out, had not been retired. It had been subordinated to the state. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye formalized the proposition that an attack on one would be treated as an attack on all. Alliances are hardly

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  Israeli opposition leader accuses goverment of playing ‘cheap politics’ over plane incident

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday accused the government of playing “cheap politics” at the expense of Israel’s security following the scare involving a Flydubai passenger plane, Anadolu reports. Lapid rejected attempts to link the incident to a security briefing he received from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening. “Let me make this clear. Nothing even resembling this morning’s plane incident appeared in the security briefing with the prime minister last night. Nothing similar, nothing reminiscent of it, not even a hint,” he said on the US social media company X. Lapid accused government-aligned voices of trying to use the incident for political purposes. “All the spin the mouthpieces are doing now only proves what was already clear

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  Egyptian foreign minister, UN envoy discuss Libya political process, elections

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and UN envoy to Libya Hanna Tetteh discussed Wednesday the latest political and security developments in Libya and efforts to advance the political process and hold elections, Anadolu reports. Abdelatty received Tetteh in Cairo to discuss developments in Libya and efforts to advance the political process within the framework of the UN roadmap, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s support for UN efforts to reach a “comprehensive Libyan-Libyan political settlement,” stressing that the political process should remain “Libyan-owned and led.” He emphasized the importance of pushing for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held simultaneously, ending transitional periods and unifying Libya’s state institutions. The Egyptian minister also stressed the need

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  The cost of Trump’s “no” at Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  On Saturday, 26 September, US President Donald Trump announced that he had rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring hostilities to an end. Within hours, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the intermediaries carrying messages between the two governments had conveyed no such rejection to Tehran. Washington has not stated what, if anything, is to replace the proposal it claims to have declined. Seven months into the closure of the strait, the operative US policy therefore amounts to a public “no”, an unconfirmed private channel and no timetable. Each of those elements carries a measurable cost. None of it is being paid in Washington. The stakes are quantifiable. In the first half of 2025, roughly

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  Iran receives US response to Qatari-mediated proposal: Spokesperson

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has received the US response to a proposal conveyed through Qatari mediation, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Wednesday, according to state broadcaster IRIB. Mohajerani did not immediately disclose the contents of Washington’s response or say what Tehran’s next step would be. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said Tehran is making every possible effort to ensure the success of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, according to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). He said that explaining the benefits of the negotiations and what had been achieved should not be interpreted as submission to Iran’s adversaries but rather as an exercise in transparency. Pezeshkian also said Iran had not compromised on its principles in any provision of

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  Hundreds of Israeli occupiers repeat Al-Aqsa incursions with rituals

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Hundreds of Israeli occupiers stormed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday morning to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a Jerusalem Islamic Waqf official said, Anadolu reports. The official, who requested anonymity, told Anadolu that hundreds of occupiers entered the mosque compound under Israeli police protection. The incursions included the performance of Talmudic rituals, prayers, dancing and singing, in violation of the status quo at the mosque, the official said. The historical status quo predating Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967 stipulates that the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Endowments, has exclusive responsibility for administering the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which covers 144 dunams (about 35.6 acres), as a

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  US, coalition partners conclude military mission in Iraq: Pentagon

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The US and its coalition partners have formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Parnell said the conclusion was consistent with the September 2024 US-Iraq joint statement and US national interests. The “orderly departure” of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marked the “successful conclusion” of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq, he said. “This milestone reflects the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region,” Parnell said. He said the development also “marks a transition from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security

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  Sudan’s strategic role in the Red Sea

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The recent period witnessed considerable instability in the Red Sea; the Houthis repeatedly imposed a blockade on this crucial international trade corridor; this disturbance is expected to increase with the continuation of the war with Iran and the risk of Iran leveraging the Houthis as a proxy to expand the war to this area.  Amid this geopolitical tension, Sudan, a country with a long coastline along the Red Sea, emerges as a stabilising force and a trusted partner in containing this threat. But this role depends on a balanced dynamic between the country and regional and global powers with vested interests in Red Sea stability.   There have been several steps Sudan has taken and initiatives it has joined to ensure

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  UAE, Egypt renew currency swap deal

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The central banks of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt renewed their currency swap agreement between their respective currencies on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The nominal value of the deal was set at 5 billion Emirati dirhams or 69 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.36 billion). It was signed by UAE Central Bank (CBUAE) Governor Khaled Balama and Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla. The renewal aims to foster trade between the two countries, boost financial cooperation and support economic development. “This agreement contributes to supporting financial stability, and facilitating trade and investment operations between the two countries. It represents a progressive step within our ongoing efforts to deepen the utilization of local currencies in bilateral settlements, in line with

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  Five killed in Israel attack on Gaza taxi

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  The targeted vehicle was a public taxi bus, with a trailer attached to the back carrying several civilians who were riding the vehicle. One possibility is that a person wanted by the Israeli military may have been traveling in this taxi. In previous cases, individuals described as senior figures in the resistance were targeted in their vehicles or at their places of residence, and they were often killed without causing large numbers of casualties among other people. But this appears to indicate an increase in the pace of targeting ahead of the elections, with those wanted by Israel being targeted wherever they are found—even when they are among dozens of other civilians. READ: Gaza authorities report over 5,100 Israeli ceasefire violations,

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  Fight between pilots reportedly triggers hijacking code on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  A fight between the pilots of a passenger plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv reportedly triggered a hijacking code before the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to Israeli daily Ynet. Ynet said the aircraft had been scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport. The flight was carrying 174 passengers and briefly transmitted a distress signal. According to the report, the code indicating a possible hijacking was activated during the cockpit altercation. The aircraft subsequently landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Around 90 minutes after takeoff, while entering Jordanian airspace, the aircraft transmitted code “7700,” the international code for a general emergency, the newspaper said. It subsequently transmitted code “7500,” which is used to indicate unlawful

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  China calls on US, Iran to return to Islamabad MoU, dialogue

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  China on Wednesday reminded the US and Iran to return to the framework of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) and resume dialogue, Anadolu reports. Reiterating support for ending disputes through political and diplomatic means, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing hopes that Iran and the United States “will choose peace, recommit themselves to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible.” “Since day one of the conflict, China has been making active efforts to promote the end of the fighting and talks for peace,” he said, adding that Beijing will uphold a series of initiatives and propositions put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping for peace and stability in the Middle East.

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  Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthis ‘by any means available’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Pakistan will use “any means available” to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Tuesday. Speaking during a visit to Rome, Asif said Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under its new mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. “I’m not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they’ll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that’s a categoric statement,” he said. READ: Houthi official warns Turkey and Pakistan against intervention on Saudi Arabia’s side Asif did not explicitly confirm Pakistani participation in any air strikes on Yemen, nor did

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  Saudi official denies Saudi-Israeli meeting in UAE

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  A senior Saudi official has denied reports that Saudi and Israeli officials held a meeting in the United Arab Emirates, Reuters reported. On Monday, Israeli Channel 14 reported, citing a senior Emirati source, that Saudi representatives joined an expanded meeting after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The source said Netanyahu had initiated the meeting. Its first part was attended by the two leaders and Israeli and Emirati representatives, while representatives from other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, joined the second part. READ: Israeli reports: Netanyahu held secret UAE meetings with Saudi, Arab representatives The meeting discussed security cooperation, including defence systems such as Iron Dome, the war with Iran and the Houthis, and the

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  Iran’s Rezaei says Tehran has told US its conditions, accuses Trump of being unable to decide

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said on Tuesday that Tehran had informed the United States of its conditions, accusing US President Donald Trump of being unable to decide.  Rezaei said Trump was “stuck in a quagmire”, adding that he was “neither able to negotiate nor able to wage war”. The Iranian official accused the United States of resorting to what he described as an “air blockade” because of its inability to confront Iran militarily. Rezaei also said Iran is ready to help establish peace in the Caucasus, while stressing that Tehran would continue confronting the United States in the region. Rezaei had earlier said Tehran had conveyed its conditions for ending the war through mediators. They include

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  Thousands of Haredim protest in Jerusalem against Israeli military service

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, protested in west Jerusalem on Tuesday against military conscription, describing the Israeli army as the “enemy army”, Hebrew-language media reported. Channel 12 reported that the march, attended by thousands of Haredim, was held “in honour of draft evaders who were recently released from military prison”. The channel said the march began in Jerusalem’s Geula neighbourhood, leading to the closure of several roads. It added that money was due to be distributed to those refusing military service at the end of the march, with each receiving hundreds of shekels. The dollar is worth about three shekels. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the draft evaders arrived at the march by bus and were greeted

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  Bennett warns Israeli army faces risk of collapse over recruitment crisis

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Tuesday that the Israeli army faces a “risk of collapse” because of a severe shortage of soldiers, blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for the ongoing recruitment crisis, particularly amid growing tensions over the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews. Bennett, leader of the opposition Together alliance, told Israel’s Channel 12 that he was issuing a “serious strategic security warning”, saying the army does not have enough soldiers to deal with all the threats cited by the government. READ: Former Israeli diplomat warns country could face apartheid-era South Africa-style isolation He said prolonged rounds of fighting were exhausting soldiers and damaging their operational readiness, adding that the shortage of troops sometimes forces the army to

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Phyllis Bennis: Netanyahu Addresses a Deserted UNGA but a Pact Congress

  by Mehdi Editor on September 30, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Mark Pfeifeil: Who is Winning The War of Narration, Trump or Iran?