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

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  Hebrew newspaper: Microsoft temporarily moves management of its Israeli branch to France

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  The Israeli business daily Globes revealed that Microsoft has temporarily moved the management of its Israeli branch to France following an internal investigation into allegations that it provided services to Israeli security agencies and monitored data related to Palestinians. The newspaper reported that “Microsoft decided to temporarily move the management of its Israeli branch to France following an internal investigation into allegations that it provided services to Israeli security agencies in a manner that may conflict with its internal policies and code of ethics.” The report stated that the investigation addressed information concerning the storage of data related to the monitoring of Palestinians on company servers located in Europe, “which raised legal and regulatory concerns within the company, especially in

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  Israeli Knesset approves law to establish military court for Hamas elite unit members

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  The Israeli parliament on Monday night approved a law establishing a special military court for members of Hamas’ elite unit, after passing its second and third readings. In mid-January, the Knesset approved the bill in its first reading. It was introduced by Constitution Committee chairman Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party and opposition lawmaker Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beytenu party.  Israel’s public broadcaster said the bill passed its second and third readings, officially becoming law. The privately owned newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the law was approved by 93 votes, with no opposition or abstentions. The newspaper said: “the law lays the legal foundation for unprecedented trials – the largest and most significant held in Israel since the Eichmann trial.”   

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  Israeli media attack Yamal after he waved Palestinian flag at Barcelona La Liga win celebrations

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  Israeli media outlets on Monday criticised Lamine Yamal, the Spanish football star of FC Barcelona, after he waved a Palestinian flag while celebrating his team’s Spanish league title victory. Yamal, 18, drew widespread attention during the team’s open-top bus parade through the Catalan city, where he was seen waving the Palestinian flag in scenes that sparked wide interaction among fans and on social media. The celebrations followed Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday. Commenting on the incident, Israel’s Channel 12 said Yamal had “used the football occasion to express his political position”, adding that while Barcelona players celebrated wearing club scarves, Yamal celebrated with the Palestinian flag “in contrast to the rest of his teammates”. Israeli newspaper Yedioth

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  UAE condemns hijacking of oil tanker off Yemen, expresses full solidarity with Egypt

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker while sailing off the Yemeni coast, carrying a number of Egyptian sailors, saying such criminal acts threaten maritime security and global trade. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country’s full solidarity with Egypt and with the families of the kidnapped sailors, and voiced support for efforts aimed at ensuring their safety and securing their release. The ministry stressed the “importance of intensifying international efforts to combat piracy and organised crime in vital maritime routes”. It also said maritime security is a key pillar of global economic stability and international trade, reaffirming the UAE’s call for stronger regional and international cooperation to protect commercial

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  Iran warns of 90% uranium enrichment in case of renewed US-Israeli attack

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  Iran warned on Tuesday that one of its responses could be 90% of uranium enrichment in case of a renewed offensive by the US and Israel on its territory. “We will review it in the parliament,” said Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, in a post through US social media company X. Rezaei’s remarks came as regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel, as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a

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  Israeli army raids West Bank’s Ramallah, renews closure of Al Jazeera office

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  Israeli forces raided the city of Ramallah in the central West Bank early Tuesday and stormed the office of Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV, Anadolu reports. An Israeli army force entered central Ramallah and raided Al Jazeera’s office in Manara Square, witnesses told Anadolu. Israeli forces posted an order renewing the office’s closure and fired tear gas and stun grenades around the square, the witnesses added. They also tightened military measures at Ramallah’s northern entrances and closed main roads for several hours, causing traffic congestion and disrupting Palestinian movement, according to witnesses. On May 5, 2024, the Israeli government approved a decision to close Al Jazeera’s offices for 45 days based on a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister

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  Occupation forces expel Catholic priest from Palestine amidst widespread anger in Christian circles

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  In a poignant farewell, Catholic priest Father Louis Salman presided over his final mass in Beit Sahour on Sunday before being forced to leave the Palestinian territories and return to Jordan after Israeli authorities refused to renew his residency permit. Father Louis, who serves as the pastor of the Latin Church in Beit Sahour and the spiritual advisor for youth, and is considered one of the most influential figures among Palestinian Christian youth, was officially informed that he must leave the country before Monday, 11th May, following a lengthy and unusual security investigation conducted by Israeli authorities. According to church sources, Israel justified its decision by citing Father Louis’s political stances and his significant influence on Christian youth, particularly given

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  US report says UAE secretly carrying out attacks on Iran

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  US intelligence reports have revealed that the UAE has joined active military operations against Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday evening that “the United Arab Emirates has carried out military strikes on Iran,” with implicit backing from the US administration, which has also encouraged other Gulf states to join the fighting. The attacks, which the UAE has not officially acknowledged, reportedly included strikes on an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. People familiar with the matter said the UAE had launched military strikes against Iran, describing the Gulf monarchy as an active combatant in a war in which it has been Iran’s biggest target.  The report said the UAE military is well equipped with

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  Aramco warns world is nearing severe fuel crisis

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco has warned that global petrol and jet fuel stocks could fall to “critical levels” by the summer if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to the Financial Times. The warning marks a rare and high-profile intervention by the world’s largest oil company amid growing concerns over a worsening energy crisis following the war with Iran. Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser said the depletion of onshore reserves was accelerating rapidly, with refined fuels, including petrol and jet fuel, seeing the sharpest decline. He said the world had effectively lost the equivalent of around one billion barrels of oil since the start of the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He

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  Smotrich unveils plan to annex strategic territories in West Bank

  by MI on May 12, 2026

  Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that he had submitted a plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take control of strategic land in the occupied West Bank. The announcement represents a clear challenge to the European Union’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers and groups involved in supporting settlement activity.  In response to the EU decision, Smotrich posted on X, claiming that “European hypocrisy knows no bounds.”   “No one will force the State of Israel to pursue a policy of national suicide,” he said, claiming that the attempt to turn the national conflict against Palestinian terrorism into a crime will fail. READ: EU agrees on sanctions targeting Israeli occupiers in West Bank The Israeli minister, who also

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Phyllis Bennis on Israeli Genocide and Palestinians｜Vanishing Dream

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Former CIA Analyst Scott Ritter: Iran and Nuclear Armageddon

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  Italy evacuates 72 Palestinian students from Gaza under university program

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Italy has evacuated 72 Palestinian university students from Gaza under a program aimed at allowing them to continue their studies at universities in Italy and San Marino, Anadolu reports. Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Monday the students were evacuated through the “university corridor” initiative led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. According to the ministry, the students are expected to arrive in Jordan’s capital Amman on Monday evening before traveling to Italy on Tuesday. Of the 72 students, two will continue their education in San Marino, while the others will enroll at 21 universities across Italy. READ: EU cannot continue to be ‘bystanders’ on Gaza, West Bank, says Irish foreign minister The initiative aims to relocate students from Gaza

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  Israeli occupiers establish new illegal settlement outpost in West Bank, attack Palestinians

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Israeli occupiers established a new illegal settlement outpost on Palestinian land east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Monday, while three Palestinians were injured in an occupier attack near Hebron, according to Palestinian organizations. The Bedouin rights group Al-Baydar said in a statement that occupiers erected a new outpost in the Jisr al-Khala area near the town of Rummon, east of Ramallah. The organization said Israeli occupiers set up a tent and installed mobile homes on land belonging to Palestinian residents. Attempts to seize the area aim to forcibly displace Palestinians, it said, warning the outpost could become a launch point for “terror attacks” against residents in the area. Separately, Israeli occupiers attacked Palestinian vehicles Monday evening on

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  Indonesia to deploy over 700 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon amid attacks, killings by Israel

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Indonesia on Monday said that it will deploy more than 700 peacekeepers to southern Lebanon despite attacks and killings by Israel, Anadolu reports. The deployment of 742 soldiers will be carried out as part of a rotation to replace Indonesian peacekeeping troops currently serving in Lebanon, according to Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman, reported by the state-run news agency Antara. “I see that the troops are ready. Of course, this is a UN mission, but more importantly it is a mission for the Indonesian nation,” Dudung said. READ: UN peacekeepers in Lebanon record over 1,296 Israeli military strikes in last 3 days He emphasized the importance of ensuring the soldiers’ safety, maintaining Indonesia’s reputation, and carrying out their duties to

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  Palestinian prisoner dies of injuries from gunfire by Israeli occupiers in West Bank

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  A Palestinian man died Monday in an Israeli hospital from wounds sustained from gunfire by occupiers in the occupied West Bank before he was detained by army forces, according to Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups, Anadolu reports. The Palestinian Prisoner Society and the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs said in a joint statement that 29-year-old Qusai Ibrahim Ali Rayyan died at Beilinson Hospital in Israel. The groups said Rayyan, a father of one from the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan near Salfit in the northern West Bank, was detained by Israeli forces on April 15 after Israeli authorities alleged he attempted to carry out “a stabbing attack.” According to the statement, Israeli authorities extended his detention for eight days. The groups said

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  Iran says ready to give ‘memorable lesson’ to any aggression

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Iran is ready to give a “memorable lesson” to any aggression, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war. “Our armed forces are ready to give a memorable lesson to any aggression,” Qalibaf wrote in a post on US social media company X. “Wrong strategies and wrong decisions always produce wrong results. The whole world has already understood this,” he added. Qalibaf also warned that Iran is prepared for “all options,” saying opponents “will be surprised.” The warning came after Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to a US proposal to end the war as “totally unacceptable.” Iranian officials and media outlets have said Tehran’s proposal focuses on

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  Trump says Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support,’ blasts Tehran’s response as ‘piece of garbage’

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the ceasefire with Iran is on “massive life support,” calling Tehran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal a “piece of garbage,” Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said the ceasefire was in an “unbelievably weak” state. “I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage,” referring to the response Iran sent Pakistani mediators on Sunday. “I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living’,” he added. “It’s a stupid proposal, and nobody would take it,” Trump said. Trump also criticized the Iranian side for taking four

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  Heathrow passenger traffic falls amid Mideast conflict disruptions

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Passenger traffic at London’s Heathrow Airport declined in April as tensions and conflict in the Middle East affected international travel demand and disrupted global aviation routes, Anadolu reports. The airport said around 6.7 million passengers traveled through Heathrow last month, marking a 5% decrease compared with the same period in April 2025 and the sharpest annual decline since March last year. Airport officials attributed the slowdown to the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict and broader regional tensions and short-term changes in travel behavior. Despite the overall decline, transit passenger numbers increased 10% year over year in April as travelers flying to destinations in Asia and Oceania increasingly chose Heathrow for connecting flights instead of Gulf hubs such as Dubai International

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  UN peacekeepers in Lebanon record over 1,296 Israeli military strikes in last 3 days

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has recorded extensive Israeli army activity over the last three days, according to a UN spokesperson on Monday. “Between Friday and today, UNIFIL has continued to record extensive military activity across this area of operations,” Farhan Haq said at a news conference. Haq noted that “peacekeepers observed more than 1,296 trajectories or projectiles attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces, and 64 trajectories or projectiles attributed to Hezbollah” during this period. On movement restrictions, he said “incidents involving the denial of freedom of movement to UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to occur daily,” adding that an Israeli army tank and bulldozer blocked UNIFIL personnel in Sector West on Saturday. Haq reiterated that “the responsibility of all

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  Italy slams ‘too many, unacceptable’ attacks against Christians by Israel

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned what he described as “unacceptable” violence against Christians by Israel in the Middle East, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Tajani said attacks and acts of intimidation targeting Christians in Lebanon, Israel, and the occupied West Bank had become “far too many.” Asked about incidents of violence and insults directed at Christians and Christian values in the Middle East by the Israeli army and illegal occupiers, Tajani said: “I condemned the violence against Christians in Lebanon, Israel, and the West Bank. These incidents are far too many and unacceptable. This also includes disrespectful behavior and insults against sacred values that offend the sensitivities of Catholics. No one

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  Israeli army preparing to expand ground operations in Lebanon despite ceasefire: Report

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The Israeli army is preparing to expand its ground operations in Lebanon pending approval from the political echelon, Israeli media reported Monday. “In light of the ceasefire and the ongoing violations by Hezbollah, the Israeli army is already preparing on the ground to expand its ground operations in Lebanon,” according to Channel 12 The broadcaster said the army was making field preparations “to create the possibility of expanding the fighting,” depending on decisions by Israel’s political leadership. “We are preparing for the possibility that the political echelon will give the green light to expand the operation in Lebanon,” the broadcaster quoted an unnamed Israeli military source as saying. Three Israeli military divisions are currently operating in Lebanon, according to the

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  US says 62 commercial vessels redirected under naval blockade of Iran

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The US military said Monday that 62 commercial vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports have been redirected under a US naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic, Anadolu Agency reports. “USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) monitors regional waters as it transits the Arabian Sea during enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on the US social media platform X. It added: “CENTCOM forces have redirected 62 commercial ships and disabled 4 to ensure compliance.” Regional tensions sharply escalated after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and American allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took

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  EU agrees to lift sanctions on Syria’s interior, defense ministers

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The EU has agreed to lift sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministers as part of a broader policy shift toward Damascus, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. “We also agreed to lift the sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministers,” Kallas told reporters following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, adding that the decision is linked to efforts to reset relations and support political transition in the country after years of suspension under the Bashar Assad era. EU ministers also agreed to fully resume the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, previously partially suspended, and to launch a high-level political dialogue with Syrian authorities later in the day. She said that the EU is preparing

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  Egypt confirms oil tanker hijacked off Yemen’s coast, taken to Somalia

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Egypt confirmed Monday that an oil tanker carrying eight Egyptian sailors was hijacked off Yemen’s coast and taken to Somalia, Anadolu Agency reports. Egypt is “closely monitoring the hijacking of the tanker M/T Eureka from Yemeni territorial waters, which was taken to Somali territorial waters,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Foreign Badr Abdelatty has instructed the embassy in Mogadishu to follow up on the situation of the eight Egyptian sailors aboard the hijacked tanker and work for their swift release. Abdelatty also urged the embassy to communicate “at the highest level” with Somali authorities to ensure the safety and security of the sailors. READ: Egypt incurs $10B in Suez Canal losses over Gaza war, president

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  A mass wedding ceremony for fifty couples was held in Gaza City under the sponsorship of the Turkish IHH

  by MI on May 11, 2026

    WATCH: On Labor Day, workers in Gaza are living under difficult conditions and earning very little due to the war  

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  Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport becomes ‘US military base,’ official says

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Israel’s civil aviation chief warned Monday that Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has effectively become a “US military base,” disrupting civilian flights and threatening Israeli airlines. Civil Aviation Authority chief Shmuel Zakay told Transportation Minister Miri Regev and ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken that military activity at Israel’s main international airport is delaying the return of foreign carriers and increasing ticket prices ahead of the summer tourism season, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported. In recent weeks, Israeli media published images showing dozens of US military aircraft, including refueling planes, stationed at the airport amid continued US military support for Israel. “Turning Ben Gurion International Airport into a military base harms the return of foreign airlines and threatens the

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  EU cannot continue to be ‘bystanders’ on Gaza, West Bank, says Irish foreign minister

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The EU nations need to act as they cannot continue to be “bystanders,” particularly when it comes to Gaza, the Irish foreign minister said Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Helen McEntee reiterated that Ireland has called for sanctions against violent occupiers in the West Bank and “those who support them.” “It is my view that the EU needs to act, that we cannot continue to be bystanders, particularly when it comes to Gaza, particularly when it comes to the escalating situation in the West Bank,” she said. Underscoring that she will be calling for the suspension of the trade elements of the Israeli-EU Association Agreement, McEntee said that it is

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  Pakistani, Saudi top diplomats discuss regional situation after Trump rejects Iranian response

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed the regional situation on Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response, Anadolu reports. During a phone call, Prince Faisal appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive role and reiterated support for Islamabad’s efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability, particularly in the context of ongoing engagement between Iran and the United States,” according to a statement from Islamabad’s Foreign Ministry. Both leaders also discussed the importance of safeguarding maritime security, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and agreed to remain in close contact on regional and international developments, it added. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel as

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  EU agrees on sanctions targeting Israeli occupiers in West Bank

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  European Union foreign ministers agreed Monday on a new round of sanctions targeting Israeli occupiers and organizations accused of supporting illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. “It’s done! The European Union is sanctioning today the main Israeli organizations guilty of supporting the extremist and violent colonization of the West Bank, as well as their leaders. These most serious and intolerable acts must cease without delay,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on US social media platform X. Barrot said the EU also adopted sanctions against “the main leaders of Hamas.” “The hope that France revived last year in New York, that of two recognized and respected States living side by side in peace and security, we will let

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  9 Israeli ministers demand police allow occupiers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark East Jerusalem occupation

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Nine Israeli ministers and 13 lawmakers have called on police to allow occupiers to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday to mark the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem, Anadolu reports. The request came in a letter sent by the police and published on Monday by Beyadenu, a far-right organization that encourages Israeli occupier incursions into Al-Aqsa mosque. Most of the signatories belong to the right-wing Likud party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. Likud ministers who signed the request include Defense Minister Israel Katz, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Health Minister Haim Katz, Energy

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  ‘Place of peace’: Threats to worshippers at Australian mosque trigger condemnation

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  Threats against worshippers at a mosque in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland sparked widespread condemnation Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. Local lawmaker Bisma Asif said in a social media post that a man threatened to shoot worshippers at the Bald Hills Mosque with an AK-47 on Sunday. She noted that the same mosque was targeted with a swastika and anti-Muslim graffiti in December. “A place of worship should be a place of peace,” Asif said. “No one – regardless of their faith – should fear for their safety when they gather to pray,” she added, blaming politicians “seeking to use racial division to gain votes, and those too weak to call it out,” for the “rise in racism, Islamophobia and

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  Italy says no Hormuz mission underway despite naval movements

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The Italian defense minister said Monday that no mission in the Strait of Hormuz was currently underway, despite reports of naval movements in the region, ANSA news agency reported. “It’s one thing to bring the ships closer together and another to direct them directly towards Hormuz,” Guido Crosetto told ANSA. Crosetto said that any deployment directly linked to the Strait of Hormuz would require “approval of a new mission,” including “a truce, then a legal framework, and finally parliamentary authorization.” He said discussions on the issue would begin in parliament on Wednesday. Crosetto added that moving ships closer to the region would not amount to a Hormuz mission, but could instead form part of existing operations. READ: Iran seeks compensation from

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  1st group of Palestinian pilgrims set to leave West Bank for Saudi Arabia for Hajj

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The first group of Palestinian pilgrims from the occupied West Bank began to leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, as Israel continues to prevent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from making the soul-searching journey for the third consecutive year, Anadolu reports. Waleed Ghannam, director of police at the Karama crossing, which serves as the main thoroughfare for West Bank Palestinians to travel abroad, said buses carrying pilgrims began arriving in the morning in Jericho, where travel procedures were being completed before their departure for Saudi Arabia. The first group includes 2,230 pilgrims, while 1,730 others are scheduled to leave Tuesday as part of ongoing arrangements to send Palestinian pilgrims to the holy sites in Saudi

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  World’s top 10 firms gain nearly $4.2T amid Middle East war

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  The total market value of the world’s top 10 most valuable firms surged 16.69% or by $4.183 trillion, reaching $29.24 trillion since the start of the war in Iran in late February, Anadolu Agency reports. The world’s leading companies’ market values were fluctuating prior to the US and Israel’s joint attacks against Iran on Feb. 28. As of the end of March, the total market cap of the top 10 firms fell 4.3% or by $1.077 trillion over the one-month period versus the market close prior to the tensions, falling to $23.98 trillion. Major investment banks’ recommendations to buy and expectations over artificial intelligence (AI) investments drove the market value of these firms especially amid geopolitical tensions reportedly easing, bringing

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 11 May

  by MI on May 11, 2026

  MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 22 April

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  78 years since the Nakba and the collapse of the Zionist project

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  For decades, the Zionist project sold the world a carefully constructed image: that of a modern democracy, militarily invincible, morally superior, and destined for historical permanence. Today, that narrative is collapsing before the eyes of the world. But this crisis did not begin yesterday. As the 78th anniversary of the Nakba approaches — the Palestinian catastrophe of 1948, which saw the mass expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, the destruction of entire villages, and the formal consolidation of a settler-colonial project over historic Palestine — it is impossible to separate the current crisis from its foundational roots. What we are witnessing in Gaza is not a rupture with Israel’s history. It is the radical continuation of the very logic

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  Iran refuses to kneel: Why the US cannot dictate peace

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  War rarely ends when one side declares victory. It ends when both sides conclude that continuing the conflict costs more than compromise. The current confrontation between the United States and Iran has now reached precisely that dangerous threshold. What began as a campaign of “maximum pressure” against Tehran is slowly turning into a test of endurance, political legitimacy, and strategic patience. Beneath the rhetoric of ceasefires, missile strikes, and diplomatic manoeuvring lies a deeper reality: the United States seeks a settlement on its own terms, while Iran insists that peace without justice is merely another form of surrender. Diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran have hit a critical impasse, with both sides trading fire and accusations while attempting

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  US energy secretary admits Washington has no plan to remove enriched uranium from Iran

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has acknowledged that the United States does not have a specific plan to remove enriched uranium from Iran. Speaking to CBS News, Wright said in response to a question on the issue: “We do not know that. That’s what- that’s what’s still yet to be determined.” Removing enriched uranium from Iran had been one of Washington’s main demands for reaching a deal with Tehran over its nuclear programme. Iran has repeatedly rejected any discussion of restrictions on uranium enrichment, insisting that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes. Tehran has also refused to transfer its stockpiles of enriched uranium to the United States. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses more

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  Britons now measure politics by the price of a bottle of milk

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  In Britain today, no one is truly winning. Even when Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, steps forward to celebrate what some newspapers have called a “political earthquake,” the picture—on closer inspection—looks far less solid than advertised. His “victory” is not a mandate; it is a cry of anger from a public exhausted by parties that have worn them down, a public that has reached the point where elderly voters, shuffling toward polling stations, seem to say: we will not tolerate more failure. I saw it on election day: tired faces, but determined ones. People who no longer trust the promises of anyone—neither Conservatives nor Labour. People who now measure politics by the price of a bottle of milk, not

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  Gaza: Mothers face triple threat of famine, displacement and loss of children

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Amid torn tents and exhausted children, mothers in the Gaza Strip are facing an increasingly harsh humanitarian reality marked by hunger, displacement and the loss of children and husbands. In overcrowded displacement camps, where teared tents stand beside the memory of destroyed homes, childhood has become overshadowed by hunger and fear. Many mothers have lost both their children and husbands, while struggling to survive in extremely difficult conditions. On Mother’s Day, marked on Sunday in several countries including Turkey, Anadolu highlighted the suffering of mothers living in displacement camps in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Many of the women are trying to survive after losing family members and homes, while living in conditions that fall far below basic

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  How Israel gamed Eurovision in state-led bid to mask its global pariah status

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Israel artificially boosted its Eurovision candidate through a state-backed influence campaign, fuelling speculation that its second-place finish in the popular vote was distorted by government intervention, a New York Times investigation has revealed. The campaign, which included public money, diplomatic pressure, multilingual online adverts and direct calls for viewers to vote repeatedly, has exposed how Israel turned the world’s most-watched music competition into a soft power weapon while its global image collapsed over the genocide in Gaza. A Times investigation, based on internal Eurovision documents, undisclosed voting data and interviews with more than 50 people, found that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government spent at least $1 million on Eurovision-related marketing. Some of the funding came from Netanyahu’s hasbara office, widely

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  Iran, Egypt discuss regional developments and Tehran-Washington talks

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty discussed on Sunday regional developments and the ongoing diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States, which are being mediated by Pakistan. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the two ministers held a phone call to review the latest political and security developments in the region, as well as diplomatic exchanges between Tehran and Washington, amid regional efforts and mediation aimed at easing tensions. Earlier, the head of Iran’s Interests Section in Egypt, Mojtaba Ferdowsi, commented on reports circulated by several media outlets, particularly in the Gulf, regarding a possible Egyptian military presence in the UAE. He said Tehran does not oppose such a move and that Cairo is “free

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  Gulf States have nothing but to talk to Iran, NOW

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Here is what Washington missed: the Gulf is not a chessboard where outside powers can “manage escalation” and still keep business as usual. The Gulf is a narrow geography with one choke point, one energy artery, and one unavoidable neighbor with leverage. When the Strait of Hormuz becomes the battleground, or even the bargaining chip, every Gulf capital eventually faces the same conclusion: you either build a working arrangement with Iran, or you live inside a permanent crisis. The US bases did not “solve” Gulf security—now they expose it For decades, the security bargain was simple: Gulf states host US forces, and the US deters threats. But deterrence is only real if it protects the host countries and the forces

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  Energy crisis reaches India as Modi urges public to cut fuel use

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the public to reduce petrol and diesel consumption amid supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. Addressing a crowd in the southern state of Telangana, Modi said: “We must reduce our consumption of petrol and diesel.” He urged people to use public transport wherever possible, utilize metro in cities with metro lines and adopt car-sharing to reduce fuel consumption. Modi also called for the return of energy-saving measures followed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including working from home, online conferences and virtual meetings. The prime minister also urged citizens to postpone unnecessary overseas travel, including destination weddings, and avoid non-essential gold purchases for at least a year to ease pressure

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  Iran says Trump’s rejection of its proposal ‘does not matter’

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  An informed Iranian source said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s reaction to Tehran’s response to Washington’s proposal to end the war “does not matter”, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency. The source said that “when Trump expresses dissatisfaction with a plan, it is often a sign that the plan is better”. The source added that “Trump’s reaction does not matter, as nobody in Iran is working on a plan to satisfy the US president”. Earlier, Trump announced that he had rejected the response submitted by Iran through a Pakistani mediator regarding Washington’s proposal to end the war, describing it as “completely unacceptable”. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called

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  Iran seeks compensation from US, stresses sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz: Report

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Iran’s latest counterproposal to a US peace plan calls for compensation from the United States and stresses Tehran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported early Monday, Anadolu reports. The report said it also demands an end to sanctions and the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad. Tehran rejected the US plan because it would have required submission to President Donald Trump’s “excessive demands,” the report said. Iran’s response also emphasized the “fundamental rights of the Iranian nation.” Trump said Sunday on his Truth Social platform that he had reviewed Iran’s latest response and described it as “totally unacceptable.” Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28,

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  Arab League holds emergency meeting over Sudan’s accusations against Ethiopia

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  The Arab League held an emergency meeting in Cairo on Sunday to discuss Sudanese accusations regarding Ethiopian attacks on Sudan. The session of permanent representatives was chaired by Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal in her capacity as head of the League Council’s 165th session. According to Egyptian media, the meeting was convened following a request submitted by Sudan to discuss what it described as Ethiopian attacks targeting the country. Zainal said she hoped the crisis would be resolved in a manner that preserves Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and stability, stressing that “the stability of Sudan is an Arab priority”. She also warned against developments that could further escalate tensions and negatively affect regional security. During the meeting, Sudan’s ambassador to Cairo and

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  Report: Iranian response falls short of US demands on nuclear programme

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  The Wall Street Journal reported, citing informed sources, that Iran has formally submitted a multi-page response to the latest American proposal aimed at ending the war. According to the report, the Iranian response does not satisfy key United States demands regarding guarantees tied to Iran’s nuclear programme or the handling of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The report said Tehran proposed a gradual end to hostilities and a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside the lifting of the American embargo. It added that Iran proposed diluting part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile while transferring the remainder to a third country rather than the United States. Tehran reportedly requested guarantees ensuring the return of the transferred uranium

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  Netanyahu says military incursion into Iran to seize enriched uranium remains possible

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ground military operation inside Iran to seize enriched uranium remains a possible option, revealing that US President Donald Trump had expressed willingness to take direct action. In media interviews on Sunday, Netanyahu and Trump said the military campaign against Iran would continue until what they described as the Iranian nuclear and missile threat is fully neutralised. Asked whether the war had ended, Netanyahu replied that the campaign had “achieved a lot” but was “not over yet”, outlining remaining objectives including the removal of enriched uranium, dismantling enrichment facilities, halting ballistic missile production and weakening Iranian-backed groups. When questioned about how enriched uranium could be removed from Iranian territory, Netanyahu said: “Go in and

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  Hamas says Israel targeting Gaza police force to spread fear and chaos

  by Marwa A on May 11, 2026

  Hamas said Israeli forces are continuing to target police and security personnel in the Gaza Strip following the killing of a senior police official in Khan Younis. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas said the assassination of the head of the Khan Younis criminal investigations department was part of an ongoing campaign by Israel against Palestinian institutions and civilians. The movement said Israel aims to spread lawlessness and chaos and obstruct efforts to restore normal life in Gaza. Earlier, Gaza’s Interior Ministry announced that Wissam Abdel-Hadi and his companion Fadi Heikal were killed after Israeli forces targeted their vehicle in the Al-Amal neighbourhood. Hamas called on the international community, including mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, to intervene