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

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  Fascism for the digital age

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Old-school fascism controlled the press with a fist; the new version controls the data with a contract. When the state and the corporation agree on which words—and which images—are ‘dangerous,’ the truth is not only suppressed; it is simply made unsearchable. The official American narrative of the ‘miraculous’ rescue mission in the Zagros mountains on 3rd April 2026 serves as a perfect case in point. Despite America’s digital iron curtain, the truth keeps breaking. The narrative concerning the rescued pilot is already in ruins, and the Trump administration has moved from defending the story, to managing the wreckage. The first signs came over Telegram:  grainy phone photos of debris, an empty ejection seat, and videos of helicopters flying low over

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  Sanctioned tanker crosses Hormuz despite US blockade

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  International maritime tracking data on Monday evening showed that an Iranian “shadow fleet” oil tanker had successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite the start of a US-imposed naval blockade on Iranian exports. The ship-tracking platform Kpler reported that the tanker Elpis, which has been under US sanctions since last year, traversed the strait carrying a shipment of oil, in a direct defiance of the tightened US measures that officially came into force earlier on Monday.  In contrast, other vessels were seen avoiding the crossing. Reports indicated that a tanker registered in Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, changed course towards the United Arab Emirates, while a third vessel halted off the Iranian coast. These developments come amid heightened

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  Amnesty warns French bill could criminalise solidarity with Palestinians

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Amnesty International warned on Monday about the potential impact of a proposed French law aimed at penalising anti-Zionism, saying it could effectively make support for Palestinians a criminal offence. In a statement posted on the X platform, the organisation’s France branch criticised what is known as the “Yadan law”, warning it could lead to “criminalising support for Palestinians”. The statement said French MP Caroline Yadan plans to submit the bill to the National Assembly on 16 April, cautioning that it could open the door to “extremely serious abuses”. The draft law, first introduced in November 2024, proposes penalties for denying the existence of the State of Israel or comparing it to the Nazi regime. READ: Algerian president, Pope Leo XIV call

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  Hezbollah launches ‘hard-to-detect’ drone for first time: Israeli broadcaster

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Hezbollah launched at least 40 drones towards northern Israel on Monday, causing significant damage. Among them was a drone deployed for the first time, equipped with an optical guidance system that makes it difficult to detect. According to the broadcaster, one of the drones crashed in the settlement of Kiryat Shmona.  It said only a small number of the drones were intercepted, while the rest struck targets, causing heavy damage, without providing further details. Kan added that the new drone is considered an advanced aerial system, resistant to electronic warfare and difficult to detect or stop. It said the drone can manoeuvre inside buildings, carry up to 5 kilograms of explosives, and reach ranges

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  Israel rejects Lebanon ceasefire during Washington talks: Report

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Israel pre-empted a Tuesday meeting with Lebanon in Washington by rejecting a ceasefire during preliminary talks, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Anadolu reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views the start of the talks as “a tactic to buy time without stopping the fighting, while showing goodwill toward the Americans and (US) President Donald Trump,” the daily said, citing Israeli sources. The sources expressed skepticism about the possibility of making progress in the planned talks. Since March 2, Israel has been carrying out an expanded offensive in Lebanon that has killed 2,089 and injured 6,762 others. The US State Department said in a statement on Monday evening that the talks will be held at the department’s headquarters in Washington on

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  What kind of colonialism is Trump deploying in the Middle East?

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  As a Political Science student who studies peace-building in the Middle East, I want to start with something a scholar named Edward Said taught us: pay attention to the language first. Not the bombs, not the speeches about “peace,” not the media event. The language. Because power rarely calls itself power. It often arrives as expert advice, as management, as a “solution” imposed on people who are portrayed as unable to govern themselves. This is the core of what Said called Orientalism: a way of thinking that draws a hard line between “the West” and “the East” then uses that line to justify control. It is not only stereotypes—it is also policy: who is treated as rational, who is treated

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  Turkish top diplomat says Netanyahu seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan said Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy, amid rising regional tensions. Speaking during a meeting with editors at the Anadolu Agency headquarters, Fidan stated that Israel “cannot live without an enemy after Iran,” in reference to ongoing geopolitical developments. The Turkish minister’s statements come amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Turkey and its President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following Ankara’s announcement of an indictment against 35 Israelis — including Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges including genocide — suspected of targeting the Global Flotilla as it attempted to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. In his remarks, Fidan said that his country believes

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  Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon and Tyre’s ancient citadel

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting the town of Qantara and the outskirts of Tibnin, while artillery shelling struck the ancient citadel of Tyre, a site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the citadel area includes the shrine and tomb of Prophet Simeon the Just, raising concerns over damage to cultural and historical heritage. Israeli drones and artillery also targeted multiple towns and villages across southern Lebanon, amid continued escalation. READ: UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon An earlier airstrike on the town of Bustan resulted in the deaths of several Syrian workers, while another strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa killed a young

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  Algerian president, Pope Leo XIV call for justice for Palestinians

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Pope Leo XIV issued a joint call urging the international community to act urgently to achieve justice for the Palestinian people and support their right to establish an independent state. Speaking during a meeting at the Cultural Center of the Grand Mosque of Algiers, President Tebboune said the two leaders are delivering a unified message calling for an end to violations against Palestinians and affirming their inalienable right to self-determination. He praised Pope Leo XIV’s stance on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as courageous and principled, and noted that Algeria’s position aligns with the Vatican’s calls for security and stability in the Gulf and Lebanon, as well as efforts to alleviate human suffering.

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  UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Israeli forces have destroyed the shrine of Prophet Shimon the Just in the town of Shamaa in the Tyre district, according to official and local media reports. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli artillery shelling targeted the area of the ancient citadel in Tyre, where the shrine was located. The site was listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, granting it international cultural protection. According to the report, surrounding hills near Shamaa were subjected to intermittent shelling early Monday, though there was no immediate confirmation of casualties. READ: EU calls for immediate halt to attacks in Lebanon, urges protection of civilians Lebanese media, including Al-Akhbar, said Israeli forces had bulldozed the shrine before destroying it in an

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  Pope Leo XIV vows to continue opposing war despite Trump criticism

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  Pope Leo XIV said he will continue to oppose war and advocate for peace, despite direct criticism from Donald Trump. Speaking to Reuters aboard the papal plane, the Pope said the Christian message is being misused, adding that he would not engage in a personal dispute but would remain committed to his principles. “I don’t want to get into an argument with him,” Pope Leo XIV said, stressing that the message of the Gospel should not be used inappropriately. He reaffirmed his intention to raise his voice against war, promoting peace, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation to resolve conflicts. READ: Trump attacks Pope Leo, posts ‘shocking’ image as Christ The Pope also highlighted the human cost of ongoing conflicts, stating that innocent

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  Jerusalem church leader condemns Trump’s self-comparison to Jesus

  by MI on April 14, 2026

  The Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem, Bishop William Shomali has criticised US President Donald Trump over a post in which he appeared to compare himself to Jesus Christ, describing the act as “offensive and unacceptable.” Shomali’s remarks followed the circulation of a digitally altered image shared by Trump depicting himself with features resembling Jesus, in the context of criticism directed at Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff spoke against US and Israeli military operations against Iran. The Jerusalem church official said that ongoing military actions contradict Christian teachings, emphasizing that Jesus represents humility, service, and self-sacrifice, rather than domination or exclusion. READ: Trump attacks Pope Leo, posts ‘shocking’ image as Christ He described Trump’s actions as a form of self-aggrandizement, adding

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  Iran’s parliament speaker backs Pope Leo after Trump criticism

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf praised Pope Leo XIV’s stance against the US-Israeli war on his country, describing his opposition of the conflict “inspires millions” amid rising regional tensions, Anadolu reports. “Honoring Pope Leo’s fearless stand! ‘I have no fear’ echoes as he condemns the war crimes of Israel and the US. This slogan lights the path for all who refuse to stay silent on the killing of innocents,”Qalibaf said in a post on the US social media company X. He added that the pope’s leadership “inspires millions” and thanked him “for this light.” Qalibaf’s remarks come after a series of statements by Iranian officials defending the pope following criticism from US President Donald Trump. Earlier, Iranian President Masoud

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  6 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  Six Palestinians were killed and seven others wounded Monday in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, medical sources said, as Israel continued its violations of a ceasefire in effect since last October, Anadolu reports. Three Palestinians were killed and a fourth was injured in an Israeli strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah, a medical source said. Witnesses said an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of civilians on Al-Mazraa Street in Deir al-Balah, in an area outside the army’s agreed control zone. Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in the Muawiya area northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza, another medical source said. A fifth Palestinian was shot dead near Abu Hamid roundabout in Khan Younis. Both locations are

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  More than 80 Mideast energy facilities damaged in war, over one-third severely hit: IEA chief

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  More than 80 energy facilities in the Middle East have been damaged since the Feb. 28 start of the Iran war, with over one-third of them classified as severely or very severely hit, said the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday, Anadolu reports. Speaking during an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC, Fatih Birol said the scale of destruction to oil fields, refineries, terminals, and other infrastructure means supply recovery will take time even if the conflict were to end immediately. “This is one of the most critical issues, and different than the past, many of the facilities are badly damaged,” he said, adding that the IEA is monitoring all affected sites. Birol, a Turkish economist and

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  Trump post depicting himself as Jesus removed from social media

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Monday deleted a controversial social media post that included an AI image that depicted himself as Jesus Christ, prompting charges of blasphemy from some of those in his conservative religious base, Anadolu reports. Trump posted the image on his platform Truth Social amid an increasingly tense public row with Catholic Pope Leo that has grown since the US president joined Israel in attacking Iran at the end of February. It is unclear why the post was deleted. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The AI image was created in the form of an Americana-heavy painting, showing Trump clad in a flowing white robe and red sash normally associated with

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  US begins blockading ships entering or exiting Iranian ports

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  The US military on Monday began a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, Anadolu reports. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for military operations in the Mideast, said on Sunday that the blockade will be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” it said. US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on Iranian ports set to take effect at 1400GMT on Monday. The announcement followed rare direct talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending

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  UN experts urge end to attacks on Gaza shelters, forced displacement in West Bank

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  A group of UN experts on Monday expressed “grave” concern over Israeli military attacks affecting sites sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza and a renewed pattern of forced displacement in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Anadolu reports. “This cycle of displacement, terror, and targeted attacks serves an ultimate purpose: to make life unbearable for Palestinians and permanently force them from their land,” they said in a statement. They warned that “targeting areas known to shelter displaced civilians is a grave breach of international humanitarian law.” The experts cited a March 11 Israeli strike near the Qatari Committee building in western Gaza City that ignited a fire spreading to tents sheltering internally displaced persons. They also reported that shelling of tents

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  Trump warns any Iranian ships that come close to US blockade ‘will be immediately eliminated’

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Any Iranian ships that come close to the US blockade of Iranian ports “will be immediately eliminated,” US President Donald Trump said Monday, Anadolu reports. “Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth social. “Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea,” His warning came right after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) began

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  5 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Five Palestinians were killed and another was wounded Monday in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, medical sources said, as Israel continued its violations of a ceasefire in effect since last October, Anadolu reports. Three Palestinians were killed and a fourth was injured in an Israeli strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah, a medical source said. Witnesses said an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of civilians on Al-Mazraa Street in Deir al-Balah, in an area outside the army’s agreed control zone. Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in the Muawiya area northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza, another medical source said. READ: Gaza faces deliberate pattern of genocide and suffocation of life, says MSF A fifth Palestinian was

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  J Street backs ending US military aid to Israel in sign of widening Democratic shift

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  The liberal pro-Israel lobby group J Street has called for the phased end of all US military aid to Israel by 2028, in a striking sign of how far the political ground has shifted in Washington over unconditional support for the occupation state.  In an interview with Haaretz, J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami said the US-Israel relationship should be “normalised” so there are “no more exceptions to special treatment”, with Israel expected to fund its own military needs from its own budget once the current aid agreement expires. Many critics have pointed out that Israel’s aggressive posture in the region and ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine, would be severely hampered without US aid, forcing the apartheid state to shift its

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  French cement company Lafarge found guilty of financing terrorism in Syria

  by Marwa A on April 13, 2026

  A French court on Monday found cement giant Lafarge, its former CEO Bruno Lafont and seven other executives guilty of financing terrorism over payments made to armed groups, including the ISIS (Daesh) terror group, during the Syrian civil war, Anadolu reports. The Paris court ruled that Lafarge paid about €5.6 million ($6.5 million) to armed groups in Syria between 2013 and 2014, in order to maintain operations at its cement plant in Jalabiya in the country’s north. It said Lafarge paid about $972,000 directly to terrorist groups, including more than $584,000 to ISIS. According to the judgment, the payments were made through the company’s Syrian subsidiary to secure supply routes, ensure the movement of employees and goods, and allow the

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  Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional developments

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, discussed the latest regional developments during a phone call on Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The discussions also addressed a recent round of talks mediated by Pakistan between Washington and Tehran, the ministry added in a statement. Iran’s state-run news IRNA confirmed the contact, without giving details about its content. The phone call came after the US and Iran held rare direct talks in Islamabad on Saturday aimed at ending their current conflict, which started after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Tehran on Feb. 28, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory attacks targeting Israel, Iraq, Jordan and Gulf countries hosting US military

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  Ceasefire with Iran could collapse ‘in very short time,’ Israeli premier says

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  The ceasefire agreement with Iran could collapse “in a very short time,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on Monday, a day after the end of talks between Tehran and Washington without an agreement, Anadolu reports. According to Channel 12, Netanyahu also expressed Tel Aviv’s support for a US blockade on Iranian ports that will take effect at 1400GMT on Monday. “I spoke yesterday with Vice President J.D. Vance. He made it clear that the main issue is the removal of all enriched material and ensuring that there is no more enrichment,” he said, stating that this point is important for Israel as well. READ: Israeli Knesset committee head responds to Trump over Iran threats Netanyahu claimed that

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  Hezbollah claims 11 attacks on Israeli targets as sirens sound 15 times in northern Israel

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Hezbollah said Monday it carried out 11 attacks on Israeli targets, as air raid sirens sounded 15 times across northern Israel following launches from Lebanon, Anadolu reports. In a series of statements, the Lebanese group said it used drones to target the settlement of Metula, as well as military sites in Avivim and Kiryat Shmona, and gatherings of Israeli soldiers in Shlomi and Shomera. It said drone strikes also hit a hill in the border town of Odaisseh in southern Lebanon, causing a fire at the site. Hezbollah added that it launched rockets at the settlement of Dovev, troop gatherings in Kfar Giladi, and targeted another troop gathering in Misgav Am with both rockets and drones. The group said the

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  Israeli army detains 30 Palestinians in West Bank raids

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Israeli forces detained at least 30 Palestinians early Monday in raids across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said. In a statement, the office said two children and freed detainees were among those rounded up in the raids that targeted several cities and towns in the occupied territory. The military raids included searches of homes and property damage, the statement said. Since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 8, 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers in the West Bank have killed at least 1,133 Palestinians, wounded about 11,700 others and led to nearly 22,000 arrests, according to Palestinian figures. In a landmark opinion in July 2024, the International Court of

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  Israel’s ‘rock’ in Europe, anti-Muslim far-right leader Viktor Orbán, defeated in landmark election

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Israel has suffered a major political setback in Europe after Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, conceded defeat in a landmark election that ended his 16-year rule and handed a crushing victory to the opposition Tisza party led by Péter Magyar.  Tisza won 138 of 199 parliamentary seats, giving it a two-thirds majority and the power to begin dismantling much of Orbán’s entrenched political system. Orbán’s defeat followed years of economic stagnation, corruption scandals and growing public anger at his authoritarian style of government. The result is being viewed not only as a domestic political earthquake in Hungary, but also as a wider repudiation of the far-right axis associated with Orbán, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

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  Israeli Knesset committee head responds to Trump over Iran threats

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  A senior Israeli lawmaker has mocked US President Donald Trump over his threats against Iran despite an ongoing ceasefire. Tzvika Fogel, head of the National Security Committee in the Knesset and a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, criticised Trump in a post on the X platform. “Donald, if you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t quack,” Fogel wrote. He accompanied the comment with a duck emoji, in a sarcastic reference to Trump’s repeated statements and threats towards Iran while the ceasefire remains in place. Fogel appeared to be referring to remarks made by Trump earlier on Sunday, in which he claimed the US Navy would begin imposing a blockade on all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait

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  Iran Khamenei’s advisor affirms Strait of Hormuz firmly under Iran’s control

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  A senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and one of the country’s most prominent politicians, Ali Akbar Velayati has affirmed that his country holds decisive control over the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that safeguarding the country has always been the central principle of Iranian diplomacy. In a post on social media, Velayati said that “the key to the Strait of Hormuz is in our powerful hands,” underscoring Tehran’s position amid ongoing tensions and negotiations. His remarks come after talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad ended without reaching an agreement to end the war, according to Iranian and US officials. READ: Netanyahu to hold security meeting on possible renewal of Iran fighting The negotiations, which took place

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  Egypt rejects “parallel entities” in Sudan, calls for unity

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel-Aty reaffirmed Egypt’s position rejecting the establishment of “parallel entities” in Sudan, stressing the importance of preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity. In a phone call with the European Union’s Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, Abdel-Aty discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and preparations for the upcoming ministerial conference on Sudan in Berlin. According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, he emphasized the need for a Sudanese-led political process to end the conflict, alongside the importance of reaching a humanitarian truce as a step toward a lasting ceasefire and improved access for aid delivery. READ: Egypt’s Al-Azhar warns of Israeli intentions to undermine ceasefire agreement Abdel-Aty also condemned violations

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  Netanyahu to hold security meeting on possible renewal of Iran fighting

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been set to hold a meeting with the security cabinet and senior defence officials to discuss scenarios for a possible resumption of fighting with Iran, as Israel reviews several options. Among the scenarios under discussion is restarting the campaign at a lower intensity than previously seen.  A government meeting scheduled for today is expected to take place under tight security measures across several sensitive sites. At the same time, military alert levels have been significantly raised.  The Chief of Staff has instructed the army to prepare for an immediate return to combat and ordered the start of operational preparations. READ: Israeli ministers hint at possible resumption of attacks on Iran The air force is focusing on

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  “University city” emerges in Khan Younis to revive education in Gaza

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Amid the destruction of educational institutions across the Gaza Strip, a grassroots initiative has led to the creation of a temporary “university city” in southern Gaza, offering students a chance to continue their studies despite the ongoing crisis. The project, established in Khan Younis, was not the result of an official plan, but rather an urgent response by academics and activists to the collapse of higher education infrastructure. With most universities out of service, the initiative provides flexible learning spaces, where lectures are held in tents or open areas using minimal resources. Students attend classes seated on basic benches or even the ground, while lecturers rely on simple tools such as whiteboards, printed materials, and oral instruction to deliver lessons.

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  Hamas condemns repeated storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas said that repeated incursions by Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque confirm the Israeli occupation’s intention to implement Judaisation projects in the holy site. In a statement issued Sunday, Hamas said the latest incursion reflects the Israeli occupation government’s continued support for settler groups, describing the move as a provocation to Muslims worldwide and a violation of the mosque’s sanctity. The movement stressed that such actions “will not change the fact that Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs exclusively to Muslims,” asserting that all settlement and Judaization plans will ultimately fail. READ: Nearly 450 Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa after reopening since Feb. 28 Hamas called on Palestinians to mobilise and remain present at Al-Aqsa Mosque

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  Israeli minister announces approval of 33 new settlements in occupied West Bank

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the Israeli government has granted licenses for 33 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In remarks to Hebrew media, Smotrich described the move as a “historic achievement,” stating that the government had recognised the construction of dozens of settlements and legalized additional outposts in recent months. He added that the policy aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying the government is moving toward what he described as “practical sovereignty on the ground.” READ: Smotrich speaks about Israel’s intention to expand in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza According to Israeli media reports, the approvals include both the recognition of new settlements and the legalisation of previously unauthorised outposts. Approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers

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  Hezbollah: Ukraine unable to help itself, its statements on confronting Iran ‘absurd’

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of the political council of Hezbollah, has said that statements by Ukraine about its readiness to help Israel and countries in the region confront Iran and resistance groups are “absurd”. In remarks to RIA Novosti, a Russian state-owned domestic news agency, Qamati said Ukraine’s comments about supporting and training forces in the region, including those of the United States, on how to confront Iran and its allies were unrealistic. “Ukraine cannot even protect itself or its sovereignty. How can it take part in confronting the resistance or Iran? This is absurd,” he said. Asked about Hezbollah’s position on Ukraine’s actions and the possibility of Ukrainian specialists being present within the Israeli army, Qamati said he had

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  Trump attacks Pope Leo, posts ‘shocking’ image as Christ

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  US President Donald Trump has criticised Pope Leo XIV, describing him as weak on crime and bad on foreign policy. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Pope Leo is weak in dealing with crime and terrible on foreign policy.” He added that ‘Leo should get his act together as Pope,’ and later told reporters he is “not a big fan” of the pontiff. “I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo. He’s a very liberal person, and he’s a man that doesn’t believe in stopping crime,” Trump said, adding that the pope was “toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon.” Earlier, Pope Leo had openly criticised the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February. The

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  Saudi Arabia summons Iraqi ambassador, hands over protest note

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Iraqi ambassador to the Kingdom, Safia al-Suhail, over what it described as ongoing “blatant attacks and threats” targeting Saudi Arabia and Gulf states by drones launched from Iraqi territory. During the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Ambassador Dr Saud al-Sati, handed the ambassador an official protest note. He stressed Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation and denunciation of attacks originating from Iraq against the Kingdom and other Gulf countries. He underlined “the importance of Iraq acting responsibly in addressing these threats and attacks”, reaffirming the Kingdom’s firm rejection of any violation of state sovereignty or attempts to undermine regional security and stability. He added that Saudi Arabia would take all necessary

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  Gaza faces deliberate pattern of genocide and suffocation of life, says MSF

  by MI on April 13, 2026

  Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that ongoing and expanding Israeli military attacks and control over the Gaza Strip are causing what it described as a deliberate pattern of destruction and “suffocation of life”. In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation said living conditions for Palestinians remain “dire and catastrophic”, blaming what it called the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, which has led to preventable deaths. MSF said the so-called ceasefire in place since last October has not ended the suffering of civilians, noting that at least 733 people have been killed and 1,913 others injured during that period. The organisation added that its medical teams have carried out more than 40,000 wound dressings for injuries caused by violence,

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  Iran says over 940 schools damaged in US-Israeli attacks

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  Iran said Sunday that 942 schools have been damaged in US-Israeli attacks across the country since Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told a press conference that the damaged buildings will need between two and three months to be rebuilt. The US-Israeli assault also destroyed 125,640 civilian units, including 100,000 homes, 20,500 shops, and 339 health centers, she added. Mohajerani indicated that rebuilding the damaged civilian units is expected to take between three and 24 months. She noted that citizens whose homes were damaged in the attacks can take advantage of housing loan opportunities to rebuild their units. More than 3,000 people have been killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28. Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on

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  The US attack on Iran is a wrecking ball aimed at its foundations

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  In Washington, the phrase “restoring deterrence” functions as a foreign policy reflex. The logic appears straightforward: strike Iran’s assets, degrade its proxies, and demonstrate that the United States remains the unassailable guarantor of regional order. It is a satisfying narrative. It is also a profound strategic blind spot. The military campaign the United States has waged against Iran is not merely a gamble on containing a troublesome regime. It is a wrecking ball that has swung past its intended target and smashed directly into the economic and political foundations of America’s own allies. From the industrial heartland of Europe to the energy-dependent economies of Asia and the fragile states of the Gulf, the costs of this conflict have been outsourced

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  UK will not join US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  The UK will not participate in a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to local media, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks about blockading the critical shipping route, Anadolu reports. “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” said a government spokesperson, according to Sky News. “The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling,” the official added. The official noted that London is “urgently working” with France and other partners to build a broad coalition to safeguard freedom of navigation. Trump had earlier said that the UK was sending minesweepers to help clear

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  Lebanon says 35 killed in Israeli attacks over past 24 hours, death toll rises to 2,055

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Sunday that 35 people were killed and 152 wounded in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said the new fatalities brought the death toll since March 2 to 2,055, with 6,588 others injured. The victims include 252 women and 165 children, while 1,120 and 644 others were injured, respectively, it added. The Israeli army has pounded Lebanon with deadly airstrikes since Hezbollah launched a cross-border attack on March 2 amid escalating regional tensions following a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to escalate attacks across Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and a peace agreement “that endures for generations” is reached. Lebanon’s

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  Does diplomacy through the use of military force always succeed?

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  In a surprising development, US President Donald Trump announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning a two-week ceasefire with Iran, contingent upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to navigation. Trump’s announcement came shortly before the expiration of the deadline he had set for striking Iranian infrastructure and power plants, threatening to “obliterate Iranian civilization” unless Iran agreed to a deal. Despite this, Washington had previously set April 9th ​​as the deadline for ending the war, a date Israel deemed insufficient at the time, requiring additional weeks. So, has the US strategy of diplomacy under military pressure succeeded in achieving its objectives? Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to

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  Trump says other nations will assist US in naval blockade against Iran

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the other countries will be assisting the US in a naval blockade against Iran after Saturday’s talks with Tehran in the Pakistani capital Islamabad failed to produce a deal to end weeks of war in the Middle East, Anadolu reports. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said: “Well, we’re going to be blockading. It’ll take a little while, but it’ll be effective pretty soon.” “We think that numerous countries are going to be helping us with this also, but we’re putting on a complete blockade. We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don’t like,” Trump said. The blockade

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  How the Iran war turned civilian lifelines into bargaining currency

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  The most revealing thing about the 8 April ceasefire was not that it paused, for the moment, threatened attacks on Iran’s bridges, power stations and other essential infrastructure. It was that such targets had become bargaining language at all. On Truth Social, Donald Trump threatened to destroy bridges and electric power plants if Tehran did not meet his deadline over Hormuz. On 5 April, Easter Sunday, he widened the warning again, turning infrastructure itself into the object of coercive diplomacy. Tehran answered by threatening Persian Gulf energy and water systems if Iran’s own civilian lifelines were hit. By the time the ceasefire arrived, the region had already crossed a line: civilian life was no longer just exposed to war; it

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  Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail again from Barcelona to Gaza with double participation

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  The Global Sumud Flotilla, formed to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip, deliver humanitarian aid and raise global awareness about the enclave, is setting sail from Barcelona again after a year, this time with nearly double the participation, Anadolu reports. Created in… pic.twitter.com/5cSXLWloVV — Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) April 12, 2026 The Global Sumud Flotilla, formed to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip, deliver humanitarian aid and raise global awareness about the enclave, is setting sail from Barcelona again after a year, this time with nearly double the participation, Anadolu reports. Created in 2025 by NGO representatives, activists and volunteers from various countries, the flotilla is launching its second mission to Gaza. It is notable that the largest

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  2 dead bodies arrive at Gaza hospitals, death toll surges to over 72,320

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  Two Palestinian bodies and eight wounded people arrived at hospitals across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll from Israel’s military campaign since October 2023 to 72,329 people and 172,192 injured, the Health Ministry said Sunday, Anadolu reports. A ministry statement said that the two bodies included one newly reported death and one recovered from the rubble, without giving further details on the circumstances. The Israeli military has continued to violate the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, through shelling and gunfire that have caused more deaths and injuries. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 750 people have been killed and 2,090 others injured since the ceasefire, while 760 bodies have been

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  Varying degrees of silence over colonialism and annexation

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a settlement in Benjamin, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel will expand in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, widening its non-existent borders. The comments are the latest in a series of threats made by Smotrich in which bombing on a scale similar to that in Gaza is being promoted as the step for land appropriation. The international community cannot say it wasn’t warned after Smotrich’s detailed explanation of colonial expansion in the region. Expanding Israel’s borders is repeatedly asserted. Yet not one single leader has linked Israel’s military and political strategies to implementing the Zionist concept of Greater Israel. One example of tacit silence was reported by Sydney Criminal

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  South Korean president vows respect for ‘universal human rights’ amid online exchanges with Israel

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday reiterated his stance on respecting universal human rights amid an online diplomatic exchange between Seoul and Tel Aviv, following his posting of a video linked to Israel, local media reported, Anadolu reports. Lee, in a post on US social media platform X, reaffirmed his call to uphold human rights, two days after sharing a 2024 video showing members of the Israel Defense Forces mistreating a Palestinian boy. His move drew criticism from Israel. “The sovereignty of each nation and universal human rights must be respected, and wars of aggression must be rejected, which is both the spirit of our constitution and an international norm,” Lee wrote. “The principle of putting oneself in

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  Iran says it identified 3,375 people killed in US-Israeli attacks

  by Marwa A on April 12, 2026

  The head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization said 3,375 people killed in US-Israeli airstrikes have been identified using scientific and specialized methods, the state broadcaster IRIB reported Sunday, Anadolu reports. Abbas Masjedi Arani said the fatalities, from Feb. 28 to April 7, included 2,875 men and 496 women, with no details on the remaining four people. Some foreigners were among those killed, including individuals from Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, China, Iraq, and Lebanon, he added, without giving an exact figure. He said the identification process was carried out through advanced forensic procedures by the state-affiliated organization. The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing dozens of top military officials, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, before