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

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  US Democrat: Trump using foreign crises to distract from Epstein scandal

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Dr Mehdi Afifi, a member of the US Democratic Party, has accused US President Donald Trump of using external crises to divert attention from the Epstein scandal. Afifi described Trump’s recent speech on military escalation against Iran as a “desperate attempt” to justify a worsening situation, saying it offered nothing new apart from what he called a continued policy of “escaping forward” and making unrealistic promises of a decisive military victory. Speaking in a phone interview with Egypt’s Al Shams TV on Thursday evening, Afifi said Washington had witnessed large protests under the slogan “No Kings in America”, opposing Trump’s unilateral decision to pursue war without consulting legislative institutions. He added that the decision to escalate was not based on

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  Triple veto blocks Arab push to reopen Strait of Hormuz by force

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Russia, China and France have blocked a broad Arab initiative aimed at securing international backing for military action against Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported. According to a diplomat and senior United Nations official, Arab states sought a resolution “authorising the use of force” to ensure global freedom of navigation. However, the effort failed due to opposition from the three countries, which hold veto power. Russia, China and France said their stance was based on a “principled opposition to any language authorising force”. This position has been widely interpreted as effectively allowing Iran to continue holding the global economy hostage and restricting the flow of oil and goods. The development highlights deep divisions within the international

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  UN chief warns of wider Middle East war, urges de-escalation

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Thursday of the consequences of the war in the Middle East, saying it is causing widespread destruction and could expand into a full regional conflict. Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said “the world is on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe,” noting that its impact is already being felt in many countries, “in the daily lives of people struggling with rising food and energy costs.” He said “Every day this war continues, human suffering grows,” warning that any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would directly affect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

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  Iran publishes lists of regional bridges in possible ‘tit-for-tat’ retaliation after US-Israeli attack

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Iranian media published a list of major bridges across the region on Thursday, hinting at a “tit-for-tat” retaliation following a US-Israeli attack on a key bridge in the northern city of Karaj, Anadolu reports. The semi-official Fars News Agency said that several prominent bridges in regional countries could be possible targets after two strikes hit the B1 bridge early Thursday. The list includes Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Sea Bridge in Kuwait, King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Khalifa Bridge in the United Arab Emirates, as well as King Hussein Bridge, Damia Bridge, and Abdoun Bridge in Jordan. The US and Israel carried out two strikes early Thursday on the B1 bridge, a vital

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  US defense chief asks Army Chief of Staff Gen. George to step down: Report

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and immediately retire, CBS News reported Thursday, Anadolu reports. Citing sources familiar with the decision, the broadcaster said Hegseth wants someone in the role who would implement President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s vision for the Army. George previously served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration from 2021 to 2022. READ: Israeli soldiers’ families say their sons face ‘unreasonable’ conditions in southern Lebanon

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  Israeli soldiers’ families say their sons face ‘unreasonable’ conditions in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Families of Israeli soldiers complained of “unreasonable” conditions their sons face in southern Lebanon, claiming they are under direct fire amid a lack of resources and insufficient air cover, Israeli media reported Thursday, Anadolu reports. The Times of Israel said that families of Israeli soldiers claim that their children are “exposed to direct fire amid limited resources and insufficient air cover” during the military operation. According to the report, families of soldiers in the “Nahal” reconnaissance unit sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Israeli soldiers are facing heavy losses. Four soldiers were killed and others injured in clashes with Hezbollah. The letter, also addressed to Defense Minister Israel Katz and military leaders, criticized the focus of

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  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claim attack on Amazon cloud facility in Bahrain

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that it had targeted an Amazon cloud computing facility in Bahrain in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC claimed that Amazon is among companies involved in “espionage activities and terrorist operations” against Iran. It warned that continued assassinations of Iranian officials would lead to further attacks on other companies previously named in a list issued by the force. On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that Amazon’s cloud computing unit in Bahrain had been damaged in an Iranian attack. The IRGC on Wednesday threatened attacks on 18 US companies, including Google and Microsoft, alleging their involvement in attacks and assassinations inside Iran. Regional tensions

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  Israeli attacks displace over 1M in Lebanon, 1 in 5 affected: UN refugee agency

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon over the past month following Israeli attacks, with one in every five people in the country currently displaced, according to the UNHCR, Anadolu reports. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told Anadolu that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is “deepening day by day.” “We have seen it during the last one month that the Israeli evacuation orders, then the strikes and people have been on the move. Right now inside Lebanon we have more than a million people that have been displaced because of the escalating conflict inside the region and in Lebanon itself as well,” Baloch said. He stressed that one in five people inside Lebanon “currently is displaced and many

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  Notes on the Knesset’s approval of the death penalty for Palestinians

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  The Israeli parliament (the Knesset) has approved amendments to the penal code that have triggered a broad wave of criticism, as they directly target Palestinians by introducing the death penalty in a legal framework designed to facilitate both its imposition and execution. The law applies to Palestinians across all legal classifications: citizens within the Green Line, residents of Jerusalem subject to civil law, and inhabitants of the territories occupied in 1967 who fall under military law. This amendment must be understood as part of a longer continuum of policy pursued by an occupying government intent on entrenching permanent control over Palestinian land. It operates within a legal architecture that differentiates between Palestinians in the occupied territories and Israeli settlers, as

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  UN warns of ‘occupation’ risk in southern Lebanon as 200,000 flee to Syria amid Israeli attacks

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  The UN relief chief warned on Thursday of a possible “occupation” in southern Lebanon as he said 200,000 refugees and displaced people have fled from Lebanon to Syria in recent weeks amid Israeli attacks, Anadolu reports. “About 200,000 refugees or displaced people have crossed the border in the last three or four weeks,” Tom Fletcher told the UN Security Council, adding that the vast majority, 175,000 of those, are Syrians coming home, while about 25,000 others are mainly Lebanese and Palestinians. He described a worsening humanitarian crisis, saying “one in five people in Lebanon is displaced right now,” amid Israel’s devastating military action and Hezbollah’s rocket fires. Fletcher said he saw “enormous destruction” and “active, coercive displacement,” warning: “We may

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  Amazon adds 3.5% fuel-logistics surcharge for all sellers amid soaring fuel prices related to Mideast tensions

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Amazon will apply an additional 3.5% fuel and logistics charge to fulfillment fees for sellers starting April 17 to address rising operational costs, Anadolu reports. The e-commerce giant announced the move to its merchant partners in a notice on Thursday, stating the surcharge would apply to fulfillment by Amazon fees in the US and Canada. The measure also covers remote fulfillment from the US into Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Global oil prices surged sharply following the start of the conflict in Iran on February 28. In the US, national average retail gasoline prices increased by approximately 36% in the four weeks following the start of the war. The national average for a gallon of gasoline reached $4.1, up from $2.98

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  UN urges investment in Syria as 1.6M return, warns lack of services may deter returns

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  UN officials on Thursday called for urgent international investment in Syria as more than 1.6 million refugees returned to the country, warning that those who have the intention to return might “not return at all” without adequate services, Anadolu reports. “Last year, more than 1.6 million people returned to Syria to reconstruct their country, to come back to the country which they left, often in dramatic circumstances,” Alexander de Croo, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told reporters during a virtual briefing during his visit to Syria. He stressed that Syrians face increased needs in housing, government services, and jobs following a devastating war waged by the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad that lasted 14 years, from 2011

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  UN experts condemn Israel’s death penalty law against Palestinians, urge immediate repeal

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  UN experts on Thursday condemned a new Israeli law enabling the death penalty against Palestinians, warning it constitutes a discriminatory system that violates international human rights law, Anadolu reports. “Israel’s new law, effectively providing for the death penalty solely against Palestinians, constitutes a discriminatory regime of capital punishment and manifestly violates Israel’s obligations under international human rights law,” the experts said in a statement. “We condemn the Knesset’s adoption of this law and call for its immediate repeal,” they said. “This law marks a grave escalation in Israel’s discriminatory oppression of Palestinians.” The statement was signed by UN special rapporteurs on extrajudicial executions, the occupied Palestinian territory, counterterrorism and human rights, and violence against women and girls. They warned that

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  Lebanon says Israeli attacks killed 27, injured 105 in past 24 hours

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed 27 people and wounded 105 others over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. The ministry added that the total death toll since March 2 has risen to 1,345, with 4,040 people injured. Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities said that nearly 1,318 people have since been killed and 3,935 others wounded in the Israeli assault. Israeli attacks kill 50 more people in Lebanon in past 24 hours: Health Ministry

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  UAE rejects report claiming it is ready to join war on Iran to reopen Hormuz

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has rejected reports suggesting that it is willing to join the war against Iran in order to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying such claims are misleading and do not reflect its actual position. In a statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi said: “Recent reporting suggesting a shift in the UAE’s posture is misleading.” The ministry stressed that the UAE maintains a defensive posture focused on protecting its sovereignty, population and infrastructure, while reserving the right to self-defence against what it described as “ongoing unlawful and unprovoked attacks.” The statement came in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that the UAE “is willing to join the

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  Dominance without legitimacy in a changing world: The decline of American power

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in an Al Jazeera interview that messages have been exchanged with the United States during the ongoing conflict, but clarified that these do not constitute formal negotiations. Araghchi cited a deep lack of trust, rooted in Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, and noted that Iran has not had a single positive experience negotiating with the U.S. Messages continue to be routed through intermediaries. These communications are described as warnings and exchanges of position rather than genuine diplomacy. Iran has refused to engage with figures such as Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, viewing them as untrustworthy in light of the collapse of earlier agreements. Araghchi is unambiguous: Iran has not

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  A quest for justice through the wrong channels

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  In his last interview as UNRWA’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini stated that he asked for a UN investigation into Israel’s killing of almost 400 aid workers since the start of the genocide in October 2023.  Speaking to the press in Geneva, Lazzarini said that “a high level panel of experts” were required to investigate the killings of aid workers and other UN staff members, as well as Israel’s destruction of UN and UNRWA premises in Gaza.  “For two years we have witnessed atrocities such that one gets the feeling this war had no rules, that every possible red line has been crossed, and that there has never been the slightest consequence – diplomatic, political, economic, legal, nothing at all,” Lazzarini

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  Reservists with PTSD pushed back into service as Israeli army nears collapse

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Israel’s deepening manpower crisis appears to be pushing the occupation army to drag even traumatised reservists back into service. According to a report in the Haaretz, some Israeli soldiers suffering from severe mental trauma were threatened with penalties, including arrest, if they failed to report for duty. The report points to an army under mounting pressure as Israel wages war on multiple fronts while struggling to sustain its reserve forces. Commanders demanded that reservists receiving treatment for war-related trauma report for duty, even when some had been admitted to the Israeli Defence Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department and were undergoing psychiatric care. It’s claimed that many of the soldiers had not yet received formal disability rulings, a process that can take years,

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  China urges global support for joint peace initiative with Pakistan

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  China has called on the international community to support its joint initiative with Pakistan aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Middle East, amid the ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel. In a statement on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the conflict has been intensifying for over a month, warning that it is delivering an increasingly severe blow to regional and global stability. She stressed that the war is having growing negative repercussions on global energy supplies, industrial continuity, and supply chains, as well as broader economic development worldwide. Mao highlighted the China–Pakistan initiative, describing it as a “rational and fair position” designed to build broader international consensus and strengthen collective efforts to

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  The politics of death in “Israel’s” prisons

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The approval by the Knesset of a law instituting the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners marks a historic rupture in Israeli penal policy—and a dangerous escalation in the institutionalization of state violence. For the first time in decades, the Zionist state has formalized execution as a regular instrument of punishment, establishing death, including by hanging, as a standard sentence for Palestinians accused of attacks classified as “terrorism.” The law, approved by 62 votes to 48, stipulates that executions must be carried out within 90 days of conviction, with severe restrictions on the right to defense, no requirement for judicial unanimity, and virtually no possibility of appeal or clemency. In practice, this is a legal mechanism designed to target Palestinians exclusively.

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  Iran sets four conditions for ending war with US and Israel

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iran has outlined four key conditions for ending the war with the United States and Israel, according to Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia. In statements to Russia’s TASS news agency, Jalali said Tehran’s conditions include a complete and final cessation of aggression, the provision of objective guarantees to prevent any recurrence of war, full compensation for material and moral damages, and respect for Iran’s jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz to ensure maritime security. He emphasised that while Iran values mediation efforts, peace depends on adherence to these commitments, adding that Tehran remains open to “constructive and sincere” initiatives aimed at restoring stability in the region. Jalali stressed that any proposal for a ceasefire or long-term settlement must reflect

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  War, chokepoints and markets: Rethinking the US-Israel-Iran war

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The ongoing US-Israel-Iran war is often framed as a military confrontation or an ideological battle. However, such interpretations only capture part of the picture. The conflict is better understood as a multi-layered phenomenon shaped by strategic geography, competing narratives and systemic economic dynamics. At its core, it is not only about territory or security but about control over flows of energy, trade and capital. A central element in this war is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime chokepoints in the world. A substantial proportion of global oil supplies transit through this narrow passage, making it a vital artery of the international economy. Its vulnerability lies not only in its geography but in its strategic significance. Even

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 1 April

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 9 March

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  Iran claims strike on Israeli-linked oil tanker in Gulf waters

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday that it had targeted an oil tanker in the Gulf, claiming the vessel was linked to Israel. In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the Guard said that an oil tanker named “Aqua 1”, which it described as belonging to the Israeli entity, was struck in what it called a “precise missile operation” carried out by its naval forces, adding that the vessel was set ablaze. Qatar had earlier stated that the tanker was hit within its territorial waters, raising concerns over the expansion of hostilities into sensitive maritime zones in the Gulf. Meanwhile, the United States has intensified its military posture, deploying 12 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to Britain and increasing

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  Pakistan’s mirage of mediation

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Diplomacy occasionally produces documents that clarify reality; more often, it produces documents that elegantly conceal its absence. The China–Pakistan five-point statement on Iran belongs firmly to the latter category — a text so carefully balanced, so impeccably reasonable, that it quietly exposes how little of consequence it contains. Ceasefire, sovereignty, humanitarian access, shipping security, the United Nations — each clause is correct, each sentiment agreeable, and the cumulative effect strategically weightless. This is not policy. It is performance. That is not accidental. In moments of genuine geopolitical transition, such statements function as diplomatic camouflage — allowing disagreement to masquerade as consensus and indecision to pass for prudence. Pakistan’s recent activism fits this pattern with almost studied precision. Islamabad is eager

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  Saudi Arabia records $42.6bn in foreign tourist spending in 2025

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Saudi Arabia recorded foreign tourist spending of 159.86 billion riyals ($42.63 billion) in 2025, marking the highest annual level ever, according to official data released by the Saudi Central Bank. The figures show a 4.07 percent increase compared to 2024, when spending stood at 153.61 billion riyals ($40.96 billion), reflecting an annual rise of 6.25 billion riyals ($1.67 billion). Growth was particularly notable in the final quarter of the year, with foreign tourist spending rising by 9.77 percent year-on-year to reach 39.48 billion riyals ($10.53 billion), up from 35.97 billion riyals ($9.59 billion) in the same period of 2024. Despite the increase in inbound tourism revenues, Saudi Arabia recorded a travel balance surplus of 49.43 billion riyals ($13.18 billion) in

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  IOM: 1,725 newly displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile State

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that 1,725 people have been newly displaced from the city of Qaysan in Sudan’s Blue Nile State, marking the second wave of displacement in recent days due to escalating clashes. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organisation said its teams recorded the displacement of 345 families on Monday as a result of deteriorating security conditions in the area. According to the IOM, those displaced have fled toward Al-Rusayris city and the Wad Al-Mahi area within Blue Nile State. The organization described the situation as “highly tense and volatile,” adding that it continues to closely monitor developments as fighting intensifies. This latest displacement follows an earlier incident reported on 25th March, when the

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  Iran rejects Trump’s claim of ceasefire request as “baseless”

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iran has dismissed claims by US President Donald Trump that its leadership had sought a ceasefire, describing the remarks as lacking credibility. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that Trump’s assertion that “the new Iranian regime leader asked him for a ceasefire” was baseless, adding in remarks reported by Iranian media that such statements “have no credibility.” Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said that Iran’s new leadership had requested a ceasefire and indicated he would consider such a request only after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. On 2nd March, Iran imposed restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait, warning that vessels attempting to pass without coordination could be targeted. Since 28th February, Israel and the United States have been

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  Ministers warn Israeli death penalty plan for Palestinians could raise tensions

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Muslim countries warned Thursday that a proposed Israeli law introducing the death penalty for Palestinian detainees could heighten regional tensions, Anadolu reports. In a joint statement, the ministers of Turkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates addressed the bill, saying it would apply the death penalty to Palestinian prisoners. “The Ministers underscored that this legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners,” the statement said, adding that such measures risk “further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability.” READ: Israeli Knesset passes law mandating death penalty for Palestinian prisoners The ministers said increasingly discriminatory Israeli practices risk entrenching “a system of apartheid” and promoting “a rejectionist

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  Closing air spaces and cracking alliances: Trump’s growing problem with allies

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  With the Iran War groaning along, the Trump administration is getting increasingly indignant.  Plumes of childish anger can be seen coming out of the White House and Pentagon.  Having joined an illegal, joint enterprise with Israel in attacking Iran, allies are proving increasingly unwilling to play along.   That unwillingness gurgled to the top with Spain’s announcement on March 30 that it had closed its airspace to US aircraft participating in strikes on Iran.  This added to Madrid’s decision earlier in the month to deny the US military access to its bases for military operations against Tehran.  “We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Defence Minister

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  Iran launches missile attack on Israel moments after Trump threat

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iran launched a missile attack on Israel in its first military move just moments after a speech by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening, in which he threatened to destroy Iran. Israel’s Home Front Command said sirens were activated widely across northern Israel, including the Upper and Lower Galilee, Haifa Bay, and large parts of the Golan, Mount Carmel and the Jezreel Valley (Marj ibn Amir), after missiles were detected heading towards these areas. Alerts were reported in major cities including Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, Tiberias and Safed, as well as dozens of towns and residential areas. Warning times ranged between 15 seconds and one and a half minutes, indicating a large-scale missile attack. The developments come amid ongoing escalation,

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  Iraqi Islamic Resistance claims 41 attacks on US bases in Iraq and region

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The group calling itself the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” said its fighters carried out 41 attacks on what it described as “occupation bases” in Iraq and the wider region on Wednesday. In a statement, the group said: “The fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out 41 operations today, Wednesday, 1st April 2026, using dozens of drones targeting occupation bases in Iraq and the region.” Its military media also released footage showing the launch of drones towards those bases. US forces in Iraq have recently faced a sharp increase in attacks using drones and rockets, mainly targeting bases in Baghdad and Erbil. The group and Iran say these operations are part of their response to what they describe as

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  Oil prices rise after Trump speech as gold and silver fall

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Oil prices surged by more than four dollars after US President Donald Trump said the United States would continue its strikes on Iran, including energy and oil targets, in the coming weeks, without setting a clear timeline for ending the war. Brent crude futures rose by $4.88, or 4.8 percent, to $106.04 a barrel by 2am GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $4.17, or 4.2 percent, to $104.29 a barrel. The gains came after both benchmarks had fallen by more than one dollar earlier today, Thursday, ahead of Trump’s speech, and had also declined at the close of the previous session. In a televised address to the nation, Trump said the US military was close to completing its

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  Is America still a democracy, or just a power with democratic branding?

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The crisis unfolding around Iran is not simply another Middle Eastern confrontation. It has become something far more profound – a test of whether the democratic world still believes in its own values, or whether those values have quietly been replaced by brute power dressed up as principle. The document Democracy at the Edge of Empire captures a grim truth: the world is no longer convinced by the moral narrative once championed by Washington and its closest partners. Across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, public opinion has shifted dramatically. A GeoPoll survey cited in the article shows that 43 per cent of respondents in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa now view the United States less

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  Gaza universities resume in-person learning, restoring hope amid displacement

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  A pilot project to restart in-person university education has begun in a displacement area in southern Gaza, in a move aimed at restoring academic life after a long disruption caused by the war. The “university campus” has been set up in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, offering students a chance to return to face-to-face learning after more than two years of relying on online education. At the site entrance, students showed clear signs of joy, with many saying it felt like their first real university experience. One student said entering a classroom was an exceptional moment that restored her sense of belonging to university life, away from screens and the difficult conditions of the war, according to Al Jazeera Net.

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  PLO calls on UNRWA to reverse dismissal of Gaza health workers

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) has urged the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, to reverse its decision to terminate the contracts of dozens of health workers in the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PLO’s Department of Refugee Affairs rejected the move, saying it undermines the core of humanitarian and healthcare work in the territory. Earlier the same day, the Arab Employees Union at UNRWA in Gaza said it was surprised by new austerity measures, including the suspension of 87 health staff working on daily contracts. It warned that the step would further complicate an already severe humanitarian situation. The PLO said the decision affects around 87 healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, some of whom

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  ‘Torture and degrading treatment’ — The case of Dr Abu Safiya and Gaza’s broken medical system

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  “Israel must immediately release Gazan doctor Dr Hussam Abu Safiya,” UN experts said in a recent statement, in unequivocal terms. Dr Abu Safiya was “subjected to torture and other cruel and degrading treatment,” they said. His health condition is “dire.” Many are already familiar with the iconic Palestinian doctor from Gaza. But the deserved and urgent focus on his case should not end with him. Rather, it should illuminate the broader catastrophe afflicting Gaza’s health sector — one deliberately dismantled as part of the ongoing genocide that began on 7th October 2023. Palestinians and others continue to refer to the genocide as ‘ongoing’. This is not hyperbole. Though the rate of killing by bombs has decreased, the genocide remains in

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  Thousands of Syrians protest against law to execute Palestinian prisoners

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Thousands of Syrians staged protests across several parts of the country, rejecting a law passed by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners. According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent and videos circulating on social media, large demonstrations took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in multiple areas. Protesters chanted slogans condemning the Israeli decision and expressing support for Palestinian detainees and the Gaza Strip, which they said has been subjected to a genocide by Tel Aviv for two years since October 2023. The protests were reported in various regions, including Damascus and its countryside, Daraa and Quneitra in the south, Homs and Hama in central Syria, Latakia in the west, and Aleppo and Idlib in the north,

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  The West Wing takeover: Replacing Libyan democracy with transactionalism

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The shift in American priorities regarding Libya was laid bare on 18th February 2026, during the UN Security Council’s 60-day briefing. Libya observers including myself, expected the usual diplomatic platitudes from the US State Department, the microphone was instead taken by Massad Boulos. As the Senior Advisor to President Trump for Arab and African Affairs, Boulos’s appearance was a stark departure from protocol. He is not a career diplomat from “Foggy Bottom,” but a direct extension of the West Wing. By having Boulos deliver the US comments following the briefing—rather than the U.S. Permanent Representative—the Trump administration signalled that the “Libya File” has been officially annexed by the White House. This is more than a mere change of face; it

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  Most Americans want Iran war ended quickly, oppose ground troops: Polls

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  A majority of Americans want the war against Iran brought to a swift close and strongly oppose sending ground troops, according to three major polls, as the US-Israeli offensive enters its second month, Anadolu reports. Reuters/Ipsos found that 66% of Americans favor an expedited end to the war, even if objectives are not fully met, while an Economist/YouGov survey put overall opposition to the war at 59%, with 28% in support. An AP-NORC poll found 60% believe US military action has already gone too far. Opposition to ground deployment is even more pronounced. Across the three polls, between 62% and 76% of respondents opposed sending American soldiers into Iran, with 86% in the Ipsos survey expressing concern about the risk

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  Poland condemns Israeli death penalty law on Palestinian prisoners

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  Poland strongly criticized on Wednesday an Israeli death penalty law concerning Palestinian prisoners, warning that it raises serious concerns about the use of capital punishment and adherence to international legal standards, Anadolu reports. Polish officials said they “oppose the death penalty in all cases and circumstances,” describing it as incompatible with the principles of a state governed by the rule of law. The government added that applying the penalty in a way that could be seen as discriminatory against individuals of a particular nationality was “completely unacceptable.” READ: Israeli Knesset passes law mandating death penalty for Palestinian prisoners Poland urged Israel to exercise restraint. “Due to our particular historical sensitivity, we call on Israel to maintain a moratorium both on carrying

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  Amazon’s cloud operation in Bahrain damaged in Iran strike: Report

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  Amazon’s cloud computing operation in Bahrain was damaged in an Iranian strike, according to a report Wednesday by the Financial Times, which cited someone familiar with the matter. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said earlier that civil defense teams were “extinguishing a fire in a facility of a company as a result of the Iranian aggression,” but did not identify the company or provide details on the extent of the damage. Amazon declined to comment on any specific strike, according to the report. The attack is the latest sign that the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran is spilling into the Gulf’s commercial technology infrastructure. READ: Iranian drones strike Amazon data centres in Bahrain, UAE The development came one day after Iran’s

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  The US offers up to $3M reward for info on attacks targeting diplomatic facilities in Iraq

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  The US State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program said Wednesday it is offering a reward of up to $3 million for information on attacks against American diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Anadolu reports. “Help us stop terrorist attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad and elsewhere,” the program wrote on US social media platform X. The announcement came after repeated attacks by Iranian-aligned militia groups or others targeting facilities, including the US Embassy in Baghdad, the US Consulate General in Erbil and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center. READ: Iraqi factions announce carrying out 23 military operations targeting US bases The State Department said individuals who provide credible information may be eligible for relocation as well as a financial reward. The attacks came

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  US says over 12,300 targets hit in Iran as military operation continues

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday said it has struck more than 12,300 targets inside Iran, including dozens of naval vessels, as part of an ongoing military operation, which began on Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. According to a fact sheet from CENTCOM, the US has damaged or destroyed more than 155 vessels. The US military said a wide range of air, naval and ground systems have been employed in the operation, including strategic bombers, fighter aircraft, drones and missile defense systems. Regional tensions have escalated since Feb. 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting

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  Israeli law to execute Palestinian prisoners reflects far-right dominance: Israeli daily

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  The approval of a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners reflects the dominance of the far right in Israel, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said on Wednesday, suggesting the Supreme Court is likely to overturn it, Anadolu reports. The newspaper said the Knesset’s approval of the law on Monday shows how what it described as a “Kahanist revolution” has taken over Israeli society. “Kahanism” in Israel refers to an extremist right-wing ideology attributed to Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach movement was designated as a terrorist organization in 1994 due to its calls and activities involving the killing and expulsion of Palestinians. Haaretz described the law as “a clear populist tool serving (far-right National Security Minister) Itamar Ben Gvir.” It added:

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  Iran says US-Israeli attacks ‘amount to genocide’

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  Iran on Wednesday said that US-Israeli attacks “amount to genocide,” accusing both countries of carrying out systematic strikes on civilian infrastructure, Anadolu reports. In a statement posted on the US social media company X, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the attacks are part of a broader pattern of unlawful warfare against Iran. “This is not an isolated act of cruelty — it is part of a systematic and brutal pattern of illegal warfare against Iran,” he said. He added that more than 600 schools and educational centers have been deliberately targeted over the past 33 days, citing examples of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab and the Lamerd Sports Hall. “The term ‘war crime’ falls far short of adequately

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  Gazans rally to protest Israeli execution law targeting Palestinian prisoners

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  A large number of people, including community leaders, dignitaries, and prisoners’ families, gathered on Wednesday in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza to condemn Israel’s approval of a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, Anadolu reports. The rally took place after Israel’s parliament, or Knesset, passed legislation that enraged not only international leaders and human rights organizations but also Gazans, who turned out in large numbers to protest what they described as “racist legislation.” Participants held up photos of prisoners and banners stressing that harming them is a “red line,” and urged immediate global action to prevent the law from being implemented. Ali al-Shashniya, spokesperson for tribes and popular committees in Bureij, told Anadolu that the protest aimed

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  Trump discusses Iran ceasefire talks with Saudi crown prince: Report

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  President Donald Trump spoke by phone Wednesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the US-Israeli war against Iran and efforts for a possible ceasefire, Axios reported. Citing two sources with knowledge of the call, Axios said Trump briefed the crown prince on “talks over a possible ceasefire”. The White House has not responded to Anadolu’s inquiry on the reported call. The US has sent Iran a proposal to end the war via Pakistan, reportedly including steps on Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. READ: Trump claims Iran’s ‘new regime’ president asked US for ceasefire Iran has denied holding direct talks with the US, insisting that contacts have been limited

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  Israeli attacks kill 50 more people in Lebanon in past 24 hours: Health Ministry

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  With 50 more deaths, the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 1,318, with thousands more wounded, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the National News Agency, the ministry said the number of injured has reached 3,935 over the same period. It added that in the past 24 hours alone, 50 people were killed and 185 others wounded. Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. Hezbollah has fired barrages of rockets into Israel since early March, saying the attacks are in response to continued

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  Trump claims Iran’s ‘new regime’ president asked US for ceasefire

  by MI on April 1, 2026

  US President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that Iran’s new leadership had asked Washington for a ceasefire, saying the US would consider the request only if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, Anadolu reports. “Iran’s new regime president, much less radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a ceasefire,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Washington would consider the request only when the strait is “open, free, and clear,” he said, warning it would continue striking Iran “into oblivion or, as they say, back to the stone ages” in the meantime. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei rejected Trump’s claim, saying Tehran asking for a ceasefire does not