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

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  Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 rises to 1,953

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 1,953, with 6,303 injured, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said the wave of Israeli attacks on April 8 killed 357 people and injured 1,223 others. It added that the figures remain preliminary as rescue teams continue clearing rubble, noting that a large number of remains require DNA testing to confirm the identities of victims. A US State Department official told Anadolu on Thursday that the US will host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon next week as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The expected talks come after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran,

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  Israeli tanks shell Daraa province in southern Syria

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  Israeli forces shelled the area surrounding the town of Jamla in Daraa province, southern Syria, Alikhbaria TV reported on Friday, Anadolu reports. Israeli tanks are shelling the area around the town of Jamla in the western Daraa countryside, the channel reported, without providing further details. Syrian authorities had not commented on the report as of 1855GMT. Israeli forces target Syrian territory almost daily, carrying out ground incursions, particularly in rural areas of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints to search and question passersby, and damaging agricultural land. Israel has illegally occupied most of Syria’s Golan Heights since 1967 and, following the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, announced the collapse of the

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  Israel’s death penalty for Palestinian prisoners akin to Hitler’s policies: Turkish president

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  Israeli parliament’s decision to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners is “essentially no different from Hitler’s policies against Jews,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, Anadolu reports. “What is being done is discrimination, it is racism, it means implementing in Israel a worse version of the apartheid regime that was overthrown in South Africa in 1994,” Erdogan said at a meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) Women’s Wing. He said that imposing the death penalty only for Palestinians amounts to “apartheid’ and turns law into an “instrument of racist fascism.” READ: Palestinian centre warns of “legalised killing” under prisoner execution law

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  Trump says Iran has ‘no cards’ other than Strait of Hormuz ahead of negotiations

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  US President Donald Trump sought to diminish Iran’s negotiating position ahead of critical weekend talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, saying Friday that its only point of leverage is the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” the US president said on his Truth Social platform. The allusion to “international waterways” is likely a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran restricted during the conflict to ramp up pressure on the US and Israel. “The Iranians are better at handling the fake news media, and ‘public relations,’ than they are

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  Israel says over 18,000 bombs dropped on Iran during war

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  Israel said Friday it dropped more than 18,000 bombs on Iran during a 40-day war that began on Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. In a statement on the US social media company X, the Israeli army said it carried out “more than 1,000 offensive air sorties” against Iran during the conflict. According to previously released military data, dozens of fighter jets participated in each airstrike. The army said more than 10,800 airstrikes were conducted, hitting over “6,700 components and 4,000 targets,” without providing further details. On Thursday, Israel’s Finance Ministry estimated the cost of 40 days of war with Iran and Lebanon at around $17.5 billion, according to Channel 12. Pakistan, together with Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, managed to

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  Starmer urges Trump to stay in NATO as Mideast tensions ‘define us for a generation’

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday urged US President Donald Trump to remain committed to NATO, warning that continued US support for the alliance is “in America’s interests,” after the president issued his latest threat to withdraw, Anadolu reports. Starmer’s remarks came as he concluded a three-day visit to the Middle East, where discussions with Gulf leaders were dominated by the fragility of a ceasefire in the region and the future of key strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. In a recorded pooled TV interview in Qatar, Starmer confirmed he had a call with Trump Thursday evening, but suggested he had avoided directly repeating his recent criticism that he was “fed up” with the president’s role in

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  Trump, Netanyahu hold ‘tense’ phone call before Israel sought ceasefire talks with Lebanon: Report

  by Marwa A on April 10, 2026

  US President Donald Trump held a “tense” phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, CNN reported Friday, Anadolu reports. Citing a US and Israeli source familiar with the matter, CNN reported the conversation came shortly before Israel announced it would seek direct ceasefire talks with Lebanon. The Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu came to understand that if he did not call for direct talks with Lebanon, Trump might simply declare a ceasefire. The call marked at least the third conversation between the two leaders this week in which Lebanon featured prominently. Earlier in the week, they spoke ahead of Trump announcing a two-week ceasefire with Iran. During that exchange, Netanyahu reportedly urged that Lebanon not be

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  US Vice President Vance heads to Pakistan for Iran peace talks

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  US Vice President JD Vance departed Friday for Pakistan to lead peace talks with Iran, saying he expects the negotiations to be “positive,” according to a video record on DRM News’ YouTube account, Anadolu Agency reported. Speaking before departure, Vance said the US delegation is “looking forward to the negotiation,” and voiced hope that the talks would yield a constructive outcome. “I think it’s going to be positive,” he said, while stressing that progress would depend on Iran’s approach at the negotiating table. “If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith and extend an open hand, that’s one thing,” Vance said. “If they’re going to try to play us, they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that

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  Hezbollah urges Lebanese officials to stop making ‘gratuitous concessions’

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Hezbollah on Friday called on Lebanese officials to stop making what it called “gratuitous concessions,” Anadolu reports. The remarks came in a message issued by the Lebanese group’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem as released by Hezbollah’s Al-Ahed news website. “We will not accept a return to the previous situation, and we call on officials to stop gratuitous concessions,” said Qassem. “Together as a state, army, people, and resistance, we protect our country, restore its sovereignty, and expel the occupier,” he added, vowing to continue the “resistance” till the “last breath.” He also asserted that the Israeli army failed on the ground and also was unable to prevent “rockets, shells, and drones from reaching its settlements near and far, up to Haifa and

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  Shin Bet downplays Jewish terrorism as mere ‘friction’

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Jewish terrorism against Palestinians is being normalised at the highest levels of Israel’s internal security service, according to Haaretz, which reports that Shin Bet chief David Zini dismisses settler attacks as mere “friction”.  Shin Bet’s Jewish Division is said to be in deep crisis, a situation that has worsened since Zini took office. Sources told Haaretz that Zini does not refer to attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as “Jewish terror” but instead calls them “cases of friction” between Jews and Palestinians.  Zini has deprioritised the division responsible for tackling right-wing Jewish extremism, despite internal 2026 data showing that, for the first time, there were more Jewish than Palestinian terror incidents.  READ: US Jewish organisations slam ‘pogroms’ and

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  Activists block Rheinmetall factory to protest arms supplies to Israel

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Activists blocked entrances to a Rheinmetall facility in Berlin on Friday, protesting the German defense contractor’s role in supplying weapons to Israel amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Anadolu reports. Members of the group “Peacefully Against Genocide” sat in front of the gates at the site in the Wedding district, gluing their hands to the pavement. They chanted slogans including “Freedom for Palestine,” “Stop the genocide” and “Israel bombs, Germany finances.” Police later arrived and used special solvents to dissolve the glue before detaining the protesters. One demonstrator, Hannes Sommerkamp, said in a social media statement that the action targeted weapons production linked to civilian casualties. “While we are sitting here, Israel continues to kill people in Gaza, in the

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  France plans naval escorts in Hormuz with other countries, if needed: Defense minister

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  A planning process is underway under France’s initiative involving around 20 countries on how ships could be escorted through the Strait of Hormuz if needed, the French defense minister said on Friday, Anadolu reports. “There is an ongoing planning process initiated by France, involving around 20 countries, to assess how ships could be able to transit the Strait under escort if needed,” Catherine Vautrin told broadcaster LCI.​​​​​​​ She stressed that the priority remains ensuring freedom of navigation through diplomatic coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including shipping companies and insurers. Vautrin said the initiative is being developed in cooperation with partner countries as part of broader efforts to secure maritime routes. She added that the Strait of Hormuz remains a key global

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  Israeli army’s covert media cells exposed for posing as impartial outlets to mislead the public

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Soldiers and journalists say the Israeli army’s Spokesperson’s Unit operated covert media channels posing as independent outlets while working to shape coverage, manage public discourse and push Israel’s narrative at home and abroad, according to a new investigation by +972 Magazine in partnership with The Hottest Place in Hell. Testimonies from reservists and military correspondents point to what they said was a systematic effort to reward compliant reporting, sideline critical journalists and present propaganda as impartial information.  According to the report, during the first 14 months of Israel’s assault on Gaza, the unit ran a covert psychological operations campaign aimed at shaping opinion in Israel and abroad. English-language WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram channels branded as “Fact Check” were presented as

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  In 3 years of war, WHO verifies 217 attacks on health care in Sudan

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday warned of a surge in deadly attacks on health care in Sudan as the country’s war enters its third year, Anadolu reports. WHO Representative in Sudan Shible Sahbani told reporters in Geneva that “in the three years of war, WHO has verified 217 attacks on health care with 2,052 deaths and 810 injuries,” adding that 16 attacks in the past three months alone caused 194 deaths and 320 injuries. He said attacks have become more frequent and deadly since 2025, with victims including a woman in labor, a doctor, and children killed inside a hospital. Sahbani also warned that disease outbreaks are spreading, with malaria, dengue, measles, polio, hepatitis E and diphtheria reported across

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  EU calls for immediate halt to attacks in Lebanon, urges protection of civilians

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The European Union called on Friday for an immediate halt to attacks in Lebanon, stressing that the ongoing violence has already caused severe civilian casualties and widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, Anadolu reports. “We demand the immediate cessation of attacks in Lebanon, which have already taken a heavy, heavy toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure. It is clear that all parties must fully comply with international humanitarian law,” European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told reporters in Brussels. El Anouni said the EU welcomes recent announcements regarding the initiation of peace talks between Israel and Lebanon, describing them as a “positive development,” while stressing that diplomacy remains “the only viable path forward.” He urged all parties to engage “seriously and in

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  Al-Aqsa Mosque reopens to worshippers for 1st Friday prayers after weeks-long closure

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first Friday prayers after a closure that lasted more than five weeks, Anadolu reports. Israel announced Wednesday that it would reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem starting Thursday morning, allowing access for the first time in 40 days following restrictions imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Large crowds began arriving in the early morning hours, filling the mosque’s courtyards with men, women, children, and elderly worshippers in a reflection of Palestinians’ eagerness to return after a prolonged absence. During the closure, Palestinians were barred from performing daily prayers, including five consecutive Friday prayers on March 6, 13, 20, and 27, and April

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  Belgium says violence against Palestinians ‘unacceptable,’ urges halt to settlement policy

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Belgium said Friday that violence against Palestinians is “unacceptable” and called on Israel to halt its settlement policy, describing it as a violation of international law, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on the US social media company X that a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, along with reports that Israel has agreed to open negotiations with Lebanon toward a cessation of hostilities, is “good news” for the Middle East. However, he voiced concern over recent Israeli decisions, including the announcement of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank and what he described as steps undermining the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites. “I am horrified to see Palestinians injured or killed by settler gangs. This

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  Irish minister condemns Israeli strikes in Lebanon, calls for ceasefire extension

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Ireland’s foreign minister said Friday she is “appalled” by Israeli attacks on Lebanon and called for a ceasefire to be extended to the country, Anadolu reports. “I am appalled by Israel’s brutal attacks across Lebanon, with over 200 dead,” Helen McEntee wrote on X, the US social media platform, after a phone call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. “These attacks are unacceptable and must stop,” she said, adding that a ceasefire must be upheld by all parties and extended to Lebanon. Her remarks came as the Israeli army intensified attacks across Lebanon since Wednesday, killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, according to Lebanese Civil Defense. The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888

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  Iran Red Crescent says over 125,000 civilian units damaged in US-Israeli attacks

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  More than 125,000 civilian units across Iran have been damaged in attacks since Feb. 28, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society said Friday. Around 100,000 of these are residential properties, with some completely destroyed and others partially damaged, said Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the humanitarian aid group. At least 23,500 units are commercial properties, affecting businesses and civilian livelihoods, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB cited Kolivand as saying. Some 339 medical facilities — including hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, health centers and emergency units — have been damaged, with some rendered inoperable and others resuming partial or full operations. In addition, Kolivand said 32 universities, 857 schools, and 20 Red Crescent centers were also damaged in the attacks. He noted

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  Iran targeted 7 Arab countries with 6,413 missiles, drones over past 41 days

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Iran targeted seven Arab countries, most of them in the Gulf, with at least 6,413 missiles and drones, in addition to an attack involving two fighter jets, over the past 41 days, including the first and second days of a Washington-Tehran ceasefire, according to an Anadolu tally. The attacks continued through the first and second days of the truce, according to Anadolu’s monitoring and compilation based on official data and statistics as of 2155GMT Thursday. The US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, brokered by Pakistan, as a step toward a possible broader agreement to halt an armed conflict launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran on Feb. 28 that has left thousands killed and wounded. According

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  Smotrich speaks about Israel’s intention to expand in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Far-right Israeli Finance Minister and settlement official Bezalel Smotrich announced that Israel intends to expand its borders into the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria. Speaking at the opening of a new settlement on Thursday, Smotrich said: “We always talk about the military part and then the political part, and there are those who criticise us, saying there are only military achievements without a political component.” He added: “There will be a political component in Gaza to expand our borders, another component that will extend into Lebanon up to the Litani River at defensible boundaries, and a third component that will extend into Syria, ending at the peak of Mount Beit She’an and at least a security zone.” He said: “This

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  Pakistan defence minister calls Israel ‘a curse for humanity’

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has criticised Israel, describing it as “evil and a curse for humanity”, prompting a swift response from Israel.  The remarks come as Israeli air strikes continue in Lebanon, amid ongoing disagreement over whether the country is covered by the broader ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, brokered by Islamabad, which is preparing to host talks between the two sides on Saturday. In a post on X, Asif accused Israel of “killing innocent civilians”, saying the violence began in Gaza, then spread to Iran, and has now reached Lebanon. He stressed that the bloodshed continues unabated, in one of Pakistan’s strongest statements since the war began. READ: Pakistan’s premier assures ‘highest support’ to US,

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  17 killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  At least 17 people were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported. An Israeli strike on the town of Zrariyeh in southern Lebanon killed more than 10 people, including women and children, after targeting a residential building, NNA reported. Earlier, in a separate incident, the agency reported an Israeli air raid on the town of Abbassiyeh killed at least seven people and injured others, noting the figures remain preliminary. It added that Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on several towns, including Kafra, Jmaijmeh, Safad al-Battikh, Majdal Selm, Deir Antar and areas surrounding the Qasmiyeh bridge. The strikes were carried out along with

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  Turkey urges global response to ‘Israel’s potential acts of sabotage’ amid ceasefire in Mideast

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday called on the international community to be ready to respond “appropriately to Israel’s potential acts of sabotage” amid the recently declared US-Iran ceasefire, Anadolu Agency reported. “We also hope for the establishment of a new security and peace architecture in the region, including the normalization of relations between Iran and the Gulf countries on a stronger foundation. As Turkiye, I would like to reiterate that we are ready to play an active role in this process and provide all necessary support,” Fidan said during a joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. Fidan warned that Tel Aviv is “now extending” its genocide in Gaza to Lebanon, stressing that “even before

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  US reinforces military presence in Middle East despite ceasefire

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the region despite the ceasefire with Iran, with navigational data showing ongoing movements of cargo and refuelling aircraft toward the Middle East. According to available tracking data, US Air Force logistics and aerial refuelling operations have continued, indicating sustained operational readiness and strategic positioning. In parallel, the commander of US Central Command confirmed that the United States has temporarily halted offensive operations against Iran in line with the ceasefire agreement. He stated that US forces had achieved their core strategic objectives, claiming the destruction of Iran’s missile, naval, and drone capabilities, as well as its defence industrial base. READ: France signals possible review of EU-Israel agreement over Lebanon strikes The commander added

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  Lebanese Red Cross warns of worsening humanitarian crisis amid Israeli aggression

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The Lebanese Red Cross has called for urgent international intervention as the humanitarian situation in Lebanon deteriorates amid ongoing Israeli aggression. The Lebanese Red Cross chief, Antoine Zoghbi warned in televised remarks that the scale of destruction is severe, noting that entire families have been wiped out by Israeli airstrikes. He said ambulance teams are facing major obstacles reaching affected areas, particularly those with high numbers of casualties, due to continued bombing and unsafe conditions on the ground. Zoghbi stressed that Lebanon’s health sector is on the verge of collapse, warning that if hospitals become inoperable, there will be an urgent need to establish field hospitals to handle the growing number of wounded. He urged the international community to provide

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  France signals possible review of EU-Israel agreement over Lebanon strikes

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  France has indicated that it may revisit discussions on suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement following intensified Israeli aggression on Lebanon and ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said that, given the seriousness of recent developments, Paris “cannot rule out reopening the discussion” on suspending the agreement, as well as considering national sanctions. He linked the potential move to what he described as the scale of Israeli strikes in Lebanon and settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Confavreaux stated that while Israel claims a right to self-defence, its actions are “not only unacceptable, but also disproportionate,” warning that they risk leading to a dead end. The remarks signal growing European concern over the

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  Houthi leader says operations escalating with “surprises” ahead

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, head of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement in Yemen, stated that their military operations are escalating, warning that further steps will include “surprises and effective options” in line with evolving phases of confrontation. In remarks on Thursday, al-Houthi said that the Yemeni front has participated in joint operations, including missile and drone strikes against Israeli-controlled areas, describing these actions as part of a coordinated and long-term strategy. He pointed to the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon in shaping a “unified fronts” equation, highlighting the intensity of operations and resilience demonstrated during the current conflict. Al-Houthi also referred to the involvement of allied groups in Iraq, stating that they had joined coordinated efforts from the early stages of the escalation.

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  Trump reviews Lebanon ceasefire stance after Netanyahu call

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  CBS News reported that US President Donald Trump has reconsidered his position on including Lebanon in the ceasefire plan following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The network said that Trump had initially agreed that the Middle East ceasefire announced on Wednesday would apply across the region, including Lebanon.  However, the US position changed after the call between Netanyahu and Trump. According to CBS News, Mediators, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also indicated that Lebanon was part of the agreement. Israel intensified its air strikes on Wednesday, targeting around 100 sites within just ten minutes, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, according to the Lebanese Civil Defence. It said the

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  Fragile ceasefire: The illusion of war’s end

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The announcement of a ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran in April 2026 was widely framed as a moment of de-escalation in one of the most dangerous confrontations in the Middle East in recent years. Yet, a closer examination suggests something far less reassuring. The war may have slowed, but it has not ended. What has emerged is not peace, but a pause—fragile, conditional, and deeply uncertain. This ceasefire did not arise from a shared strategic vision or a genuine convergence of interests. Instead, it reflects a mutual recognition of risk. The prospect of a wider regional war—one that could disrupt critical global energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz—created incentives for restraint. However, restraint is not

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  Gaza’s media office denies Board of Peace envoy’s claims on 602 aid trucks entering Strip

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The Government Media Office in Gaza has denied remarks by Nikolay Mladenov, the “high representative for Gaza” at the so-called Board of Peace, claiming that 602 aid trucks entered the enclave on Thursday. Mladenov said in a post on X on Thursday evening that “602 trucks entered Gaza today with essential supplies for families who have waited too long.”     In response, the Gaza Government Media Office said in a statement that Malenkov’s figures were “false, inaccurate and lacked credibility.”  It added that official data for 9 April showed that only 207 trucks entered Gaza, including 79 carrying aid, while the rest were commercial goods for private companies, according to Palestinian commercial sources. The office said the number of trucks entering

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  Iran: ceasefire covers ‘axis of resistance’, vows not to abandon Lebanon

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the proposed ceasefire proposal includes Lebanon and the entire “axis of resistance”. He warned that any violations of the ceasefire would carry a “clear cost” and prompt strong responses. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Israeli strikes on Lebanon as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement. Pezeshkian said continued attacks would render negotiations meaningless, adding: “Our hands will remain on the trigger and Iran will not abandon its Lebanese brothers and sisters.” Earlier on Wednesday, Ghalibaf said Iran had been monitoring the ceasefire process with distrust, accusing the United States of breaching commitments even before talks began. He added that, as stated by the US president, a 10-point initiative proposed by Iran forms

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  Khamenei: Resistance fronts are a unified entity and vows retaliation

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that his country does not seek war, but will not give up its rights. In a statement read on Iranian state television and attributed to Khamenei, he said Iran would move the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a “new phase”, without providing further details. He added that Iran is determined to “take revenge” for its late Supreme Leader, stressing that all resistance fronts are considered a unified entity. Khamenei also called on Iranian citizens not to leave the streets, despite what he described as “negotiations with the enemy”. The remarks come after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on 28 February, killing thousands, including Supreme Leader

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  No Iranian team in Pakistan for talks with US until attacks on Lebanon stopped: Report

  by MI on April 10, 2026

  The Iranian negotiating team has not arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad and has no plans to attend peace talks with the US until Israel stops bombing Lebanon, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported, citing a knowledgeable source. The news agency denied reports from some US media outlets that an Iranian negotiating delegation had arrived in Islamabad. Citing the unnamed source, the agency claimed that Iran has officially informed Pakistani authorities that it will not participate in peace talks with the US in Islamabad until a ceasefire is established in Lebanon. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that an Iranian delegation had arrived in Islamabad to begin negotiations with Washington. READ: Netanyahu orders direct talks with Lebanon amid ongoing strikes Iranian

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  9-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli fire on Gaza school tent

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  A 9-year-old Palestinian girl was killed after being shot by Israeli forces while attending class in a tent set up for education at Abu Ubayda bin Jarrah School in northern Gaza, Anadolu reports. The child, identified as Ritac Abdurrauf Reyhan, was taken to Al-Shifa Hospital in critical condition but later died despite medical efforts. The incident occurred inside a temporary classroom tent with reports of panic among those present at the time of the shooting. More than 72,000 people have been killed and over 171,000 others injured in Israeli genocide in Gaza since October 2023. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached on Oct. 10, based on a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. According to

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  Iran’s supreme leader vows ‘new phase’ in Hormuz management, demands war compensation

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei said in a message Thursday that the management of the Strait of Hormuz will “certainly enter a new phase,” while vowing that Tehran will demand compensation for all war-related damages, Anadolu reports. The message, released by his office on the 40th day since the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described his death as a “heavy and historic blow” for the Iranian nation, and one of the most painful moments in its recent history. It portrayed the current phase as a continuation of his path and legacy. Strait of Hormuz Khamenei said Iran will move toward a new strategic phase with the Strait of Hormuz. “The management of

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  Iran’s foreign minister says ceasefire could hasten Netanyahu’s trial outcome

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday a region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon, could hasten the jailing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on US social media company X, Araghchi also warned that undermining diplomatic efforts could carry economic consequences, saying the US would bear responsibility if diplomacy is derailed. “If the US wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it,” he wrote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial is set to resume on Sunday after weeks of emergency restrictions on Israel’s court system during the war with Iran, according to a court notice cited by the

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  UN envoy meets senior officials, tours civilian sites damaged by airstrikes in Tehran

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Personal Envoy Jean Arnault visited Tehran on Thursday, holding meetings with senior Foreign Ministry officials, according to the UN. Arnault met Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi and representatives of the Iranian Red Crescent, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Dujarric said Arnault described the meeting with the deputy foreign minister as “substantive” and hoped to continue consultations. Arnault was taken to civilian sites damaged in US-Israeli airstrikes, including a university and an apartment block that was destroyed. The envoy “heard views on the way forward” and reiterated Guterres’ commitment to supporting a peaceful settlement. Arnault is expected to continue his regional tour with visits to the Middle East, said Dujarric. On whether Arnault planned to travel

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  Netanyahu orders direct talks with Lebanon amid ongoing strikes

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he instructed officials to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes across the country, Anadolu reports. “In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement posted on US social media platform X. The statement added that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing “peaceful relations” between Israel and Lebanon. According to the US news portal Axios, a senior Israeli official said the talks are expected to begin next week. READ: Death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli strikes in Lebanon

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  Death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli strikes in Lebanon rises to 303: Health Ministry

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Israeli airstrikes killed 303 people and injured 1,150 others across Lebanon on Wednesday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said at least 110 children, women and elderly people were among those killed in Wednesday’s deadly strikes. Efforts are still ongoing to recover the bodies of the victims from under the rubble in several locations, the statement said. The ministry said the fatalities have brought the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 to 1,888 people, while 6,092 others have been injured. The Israeli army escalated airstrikes across Lebanon since Wednesday despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. While Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the ceasefire

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  Nearly 450 Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa after reopening since Feb. 28

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  A total of 448 Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, the first day of its reopening after being closed since Feb. 28. An official from the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, who requested anonymity, told Anadolu that “448 (settlers) occupiers stormed the mosque compound during the morning period and after the noon prayer.” Eyewitnesses said the occupiers entered through Bab al-Magharibah on the western side of the compound, under heavy escort by Israeli police. They added that the incursions were accompanied by violations, including loud singing, dancing, and performing prayers. Israeli police had closed the mosque’s gates on Feb. 28, citing the need to prevent gatherings during wartime with Iran, in line with

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  Israel estimates $17.5B cost of 40 days of war on Iran, Lebanon

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  The Israeli Finance Ministry estimated the cost of 40 days of war on Iran and Lebanon at around $17.5 billion, the Israeli Channel 12 reported on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Direct military expenditures for the ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah are estimated at around 40 billion shekels ($12.9 billion), the report said. Civilian costs are projected at around 13-14 billion shekels ($4.2-4.5 billion), bringing the total to roughly 54 billion shekels ($17.5 billion), the channel added. The figures are preliminary and expected to be updated, and do not include future reconstruction costs or losses to gross domestic product caused by the partial shutdown of the economy during the war. The Finance Ministry has also allocated about 7 billion shekels ($2.3

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  UAE oil giant says Hormuz still closed despite truce, 230 loaded oil vessels waiting to sail

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  The head of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed despite a ceasefire, with Iranian restrictions still blocking normal energy exports and around 230 loaded oil vessels waiting to sail, Anadolu reports. In a LinkedIn post, ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said access to the waterway was being restricted and conditioned, adding that “conditional passage is not passage” and that the strait must be reopened “fully, unconditionally and without restriction.” Al Jaber said around 230 vessels loaded with oil are ready to sail and that ADNOC has already loaded cargoes, adding that the company would expand production within the limits imposed by war-related damage to its infrastructure and the need to

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  Experts discuss how to dismantle Israel’s £580m hasbara machine

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  In an era where social media is branded the ‘most important weapon’ of the state, the battle for Palestine is being fought as much on smartphone screens as it is on the ground. On 7th April 2026, a seminal webinar hosted by the Global Alliance for Palestine (GAFP) dissected the industrial-scale architecture of hasbara – state-sponsored propaganda – and equipped activists with the tools to dismantle it.  Chairing the session, the Global Alliance for Palestine’s Lujane Abdullah described the current landscape as ‘state-sponsored information warfare’. With a staggering $729 million (£580m) recently allocated to fund social media campaigns and influence AI systems over the course of 2026, Abdullah warned that this machinery is ‘trying to shape what the machines tell

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  Pakistan’s premier assures ‘highest support’ to US, Iran talks

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday pledged “highest support” to expected delegations from the US and Iran, Anadolu reports. During a meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad, Sharif lauded the “commitment of the parties involved in the process” and wished them success in their pursuit of peace. Sharif and Munir, the chief of Pakistan’s army, met at the prime minister’s office to review progress in Islamabad’s mediation efforts between the US and Iran to “achieve sustainable peace in the region,” according to an official statement. The meeting comes as Islamabad is set to host talks between the two sides over the weekend. Islamabad secured a 14-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran early Wednesday, 39 days after the

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  Indonesia should use its Morocco pact to build a real security presence in MENA

  by Marwa A on April 9, 2026

  On March 31, 2026, Morocco and Indonesia moved to deepen their security ties during talks in Rabat between Morocco’s top security official and Indonesia’s ambassador. The discussions focused on implementing existing agreements and drafting a new memorandum of understanding to formalize cooperation between their security agencies. The planned framework centers on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism coordination and institutional exchanges, building on the broader strategic partnership signed in 2023. This is not a breakthrough. It is an opportunity—and one Indonesia has yet to fully use. The urgency is clear. Since the start of the Iran war in February 2026, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have cut shipping, raised energy prices and destabilized global trade. Indonesia is directly affected. As a net

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  Israel’s Security Cabinet ‘secretly’ approves 34 illegal settlements in occupied West Bank: Report

  by MI on April 9, 2026

  Israel’s Security Cabinet “secretly” approved the establishment of 34 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank during a recent session, Israeli media reported on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Channel 24 did not specify the exact date of the decision but said it was taken during the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began Feb. 28. “The Security Cabinet secretly approved the construction of 34 new settlements in the West Bank, a record number passed in a single move during the campaign against Iran,” the channel said. The approved sites include locations within Palestinian neighborhoods in the northern West Bank and remote areas rarely reached by Israeli forces, the broadcaster said. “This is the largest number of settlements ever approved in a

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  The victory Iran names, the diplomatic space it unexpectedly opens

  by Marwa A on April 9, 2026

  In a world fatigued by endless war cycles and diplomatic stalemates, moments that signal even the possibility of strategic recalibration deserve careful, even hopeful, attention. The recent statement attributed to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council—asserting not merely survival but a structured Political and military outcome following confrontation with the United States and Israel—lands as one such moment. It is not simply rhetoric. It is an attempt to redefine the rules of engagement across West Asia, and, strikingly, to do so from a position framed as strength rather than defence. There is, undeniably, a powerful emotional current running through the statement—language of sacrifice, sovereignty, and historical vindication. Yet beneath that tone lies a set of concrete geopolitical claims that policymakers cannot

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  After US-Israeli war on Iran: What is left of the Gulf countries’ trust in America?

  by Marwa A on April 9, 2026

  The world has now witnessed relief as a two-week-long truce between Iran and the US came into effect on April 8 (Wednesday), after nearly 40 days of relentless exchanges of attacks between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, during which the Gulf region served as one of the main military theaters. As the fog of conflict begins to clear, one painful reality becomes undeniable: the Gulf states were dragged into a war they never chose, to serve an agenda that was never theirs, all while their security was traded away to protect Israel, not them. This has fundamentally exposed the true nature of Washington’s alliances in the region. While most Gulf countries publicly

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  Beyond the ceasefire: Pakistan’s diplomatic “success” and the illusion of peace in the Muslim world

  by Marwa A on April 9, 2026

  As news of the fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel spreads in April 2026, many Muslims are breathing a cautious sigh of relief. Killings inside Iran have temporarily halted, and Pakistan’s diplomatic intervention has been widely praised for helping broker the deal. Yet this moment of apparent calm should not blind us to a bitter historical pattern: ceasefires offered to Muslim nations are rarely acts of justice. More often, they are tactical pauses granted by powerful aggressors only when continued conflict begins to hurt their interests. Celebrating them as victories risks repeating the same mistakes that have left the Ummah weaker and more divided. History offers no shortage of examples to learn from. The 2020 Doha