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

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  Calls grow louder to ban Israeli president’s entry into Australia as parliament debates motion

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Calls are growing to bar Israeli President Isaac Herzog from entering Australia as lawmakers debate a motion urging Canberra to withdraw an invitation extended to him, Anadolu reports. Australia’s Greens Party Senator David Shoebridge said his party moved the motion in the Senate, calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to revoke the invitation to Herzog, who is expected to visit the country next week. Herzog has “literally signed bombs used in the genocide in Gaza. Labor, the Liberals and One Nation joined together to vote it down,” said Shoebridge, who represents New South Wales (NSW) in the upper house of the Australian parliament. “That tells you everything,” Shoebridge added. Herzog is expected to land in Sydney on Feb. 8 for a

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  Australia sanctions individuals, entities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Australia announced Tuesday additional sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials and financial networks, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the new measures target 20 individuals and three entities, including senior officials and organizations linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “This announcement builds on the Albanese Government’s listing of the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism and our sanctions on more than 200 Iranian individuals and entities,” she said in a statement. The Australian government has so far sanctioned more than 200 Iranian individuals and entities, including over 100 linked to the IRGC. On Friday, the US Treasury Department also announced a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials and financial networks. Earlier, the EU designated the IRGC

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  Israeli prime minister attacks Gaza technocratic committee’s use of Palestinian Authority logo

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday attacked the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) over its decision to update its logo to match the Palestinian Authority (PA) emblem, Anadolu reports. “The logo of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) which was presented to Israel was entirely different from the one published this evening,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, according to Israeli media on Monday. “Israel will not accept the use of a Palestinian Authority symbol; the Palestinian Authority will have no part in the administration of Gaza,” it added. Netanyahu seeks to completely separate the two bodies and has vehemently objected to any role for the PA in Gaza, although he acknowledged last week

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  Israel’s is surreptitiously gaining control over East Jerusalem

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Israel considers Jerusalem its “complete and undivided” capital, a position solidified by the 1980 Jerusalem Law (WIPO Lex), which serves as the seat for its Knesset (parliament), Supreme Court, and government ministries. While Israel holds full control over the city, particularly after capturing East Jerusalem in 1967, this status is deeply contested internationally.  Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and extended its legal jurisdiction there. West Jerusalem has served as the capital since 1949, with major state institutions located there. Although the U.S. and a few other countries have recognized Jerusalem as the capital and moved their embassies there, most of the international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem. Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the

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  Italian report suggests 27 Tunisian boats sank, around 1,000 dead in storm Harry

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on Monday that at least 27 out of 29 boats that set off from the coast of Tunisia sank during storm Harry which struck the Mediterranean Sea last January, leaving hundreds of migrants dead.    Earlier, the Italian coastguard estimated that about 380 people were lost on eight boats that never reached Italy. Non-governmental organisations, however, say the death toll could be at least 1,000. According to the report on the newspaper’s website, refugees in Libya said that at least 29 iron boats, called “floating coffins,” left Tunisia, but only two reached Lampedusa or returned to land. Storm Harry hit the region between 19 and 21 January, bringing waves as high as 16 metres. The Italian

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  UAE-Saudi Arabia contestation in Yemen conflict

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  The Yemeni conflict remains unresolved. The feud between the Yemeni government-backed Hadramawt Tribal Alliance and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) continues to escalate. The power struggle between the two is escalating in Hadramawt province, East Yemen. The Southern Transitional Council is demanding the separation of South Yemen from North Yemen. Moreover, the Hadramawt Tribal Alliance, established in 2013, is seeking autonomy for its province to safeguard its sovereignty and resources, and is rejecting external forces. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, and the Southern Transitional Council is deploying military support led by General Saleh Ali bin Sheikh Abu Bakr, also known as Abu Ali al-Hadrami. This has transformed the conflict, which initially revolved around territorial and oil issues, into a

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  Irani official says Israel would be involved in any attack if US acts

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Ali Shamkhani, the political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said Iran is ready to negotiate only on its nuclear file, provided that talks are held without threats or what he described as unlogical conditions.  In an interview with Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV, Shamkhani said Iran could reduce its uranium enrichment level from 60 per cent to 20 per cent, but only if it receives what he called an “appropriate price and return”. On the military front, he warned that any attack on Iran, even a limited one, would turn into a major crisis beyond the expectations of those behind it. He said Iran’s response to Israel would be inevitable and proportionate to its actions. Shamkhani added that if the

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  Qatar urges unhindered and permanent reopening of Rafah crossing

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Qatar has stressed the need to reopen the Rafah land crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip “without obstacles and on a lasting basis”, after Israel kept it closed for two years. In a statement issued on Monday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said reopening the Rafah crossing for the movement of Palestinians was “a step in the right direction towards addressing the tragic conditions faced by civilians, especially in humanitarian and health areas”. The ministry also underlined the need for all parties to fully implement the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and to open all crossings to ensure the steady and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid into the territory. It reaffirmed “the State of Qatar’s firm

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  Neglect of Gaza war soldiers shake trust in Israeli army

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Israeli soldiers who took part in the fighting in the Gaza Strip are facing serious physical and psychological health problems. This comes at a time when the Israeli army appears hesitant or unable to provide proper support for injured soldiers. This has raised concern among families and has led some parents to say they are unwilling to send their children for military service. Aviv Ivergan, 21, a former soldier in the Nahal Brigade, was injured during training in November 2024 and later left combat service, according to his mother, Tadla, speaking to the Yedioth Ahronoth website. She said: “He was injured in the head, and it is believed he was injured in Gaza. If they continue like this, I will not send

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  Israel’s Shin Bet excludes West Bank settler attacks from terrorism classification

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  In a serious move that could give official cover to Israeli settler crimes, the Shin Bet security agency has decided to change how it defines attacks carried out by settlers in the West Bank, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan has revealed. Under the new decision, attacks that do not show a “clear intent to kill” will no longer be classified as terrorist crimes. Instead, they will be redefined as “serious incidents”. According to the new definition, the burning of buildings or vehicles will be treated as a “serious incident”. While the Shin Bet still investigates such incidents, the change affects priorities, resources and the number of staff assigned to investigations within the agency. This month, settlers carried out more than ten arson attacks.

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  France issues arrest warrants against 2 Israeli women over genocide complicity in Gaza

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  French authorities have issued two arrest warrants against two Israeli women over alleged “complicity in genocide” in the Gaza Strip. The French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday that the two right-wing Israeli women, Nili Kupfer-Naouri and Rachel Tioutou, who also hold French citizenship, are accused of obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid into the war-hit Gaza Strip. According to the report, Kupfer-Naouri, a French-Israeli lawyer and head of the organisation Israel Is Forever, and Tioutou, a spokesperson for the group Tsav 9, are suspected of blocking aid deliveries to Gaza. Kupfer-Naouri confirmed the case and said: “The danger is that I will never be able to go to France, because I do not intend to enter French prisons.” She added that other members of

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  Iran denies plans to transfer enriched uranium abroad

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  A senior Iranian official denied Monday any plans to transfer Iran’s enriched uranium to any other country, Anadolu agency reported. “Iranian officials have no intention of transferring enriched nuclear material abroad,” Ali Bagheri, the deputy for foreign policy at the Secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in comments carried by the state news agency IRNA. “Negotiations are not basically focused on such an issue,” he added. The Kremlin repeated its offer on Monday to process or store Iran’s enriched uranium, in a bid to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington. “This topic has been on the agenda for a long time,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. READ: US Envoy Witkoff, Iranian foreign minister expected to meet in Istanbul for nuclear talks: Report “Russia

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  Erdogan warns SDF against undermining Syria agreements reached with Damascus

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against undermining agreements reached with the Syrian government last January, saying attempts to sabotage the understandings would not be tolerated. Erdogan made the remarks on Monday in a speech after chairing a Turkish cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Referring to the understandings between Damascus and the SDF — which Turkey describes as the armed wing of the YPG — Erdogan said: “The recent agreements have opened a new chapter for the Syrian people, and anyone who tries to undermine them will be buried under their rubble.” He added that Turkey would “stand firmly against all those who profit from bloodshed, fuel conflicts, exploit tensions, and disregard human

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  UAE denies claims it will manage Gaza, says governance is for Palestinians

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has denied claims that it intends to assume civil administration of the Gaza Strip, stressing that governance of the territory is the responsibility of the Palestinian people. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, said on Monday that reports suggesting Abu Dhabi would take over Gaza’s civilian administration were false. “The UAE categorically denies the baseless claims regarding its assumption of civil administration of the Gaza Strip,” Al Hashemi said in a statement. She added that “the governance and administration of Gaza is the responsibility of the Palestinian people”, and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to expanding humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in the Strip. READ: Hamas says arrangements complete to hand over Gaza administration

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  Hamas says arrangements complete to hand over Gaza administration to national committee

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Hamas said on Monday that it has completed arrangements to transfer governing authority in Gaza to the National Committee for the Administration of the Palestinian Strip. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said all procedures had been finalised by governmental and administrative bodies in Gaza to hand over “all powers and resources” to an independent national committee tasked with managing the Strip. “As soon as the committee enters the Gaza Strip, the handover process will begin in a transparent and comprehensive manner across all sectors,” Qassem said. Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, after the collapse of a national unity government and escalating disputes with the Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, following Hamas’s victory in the January 2006

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  Gaza Holds a Mirror to the World

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  In most parts of the world, a patient’s journey to treatment begins at the hospital door. In Gaza, it begins at the door of politics, passes through layers of security and often never reaches a doctor at all. The occupation has reduced the Gazan to a dossier, rather than a human life. What is being presented today as the “opening” of the Rafah crossing cannot in all seriousness be described as a breakthrough for humanitarian effort. Rather, it’s a re-engineering of the siege, repackaged in calmer language and administered with tighter control. Movement is not governed by need or rights, but by lists, quotas and prior security approvals, turning the most basic human necessities into temporary exemptions. Under the current

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  UNIFIL warns after Israeli army drops chemical substance in southern Lebanon

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned of the repercussions of an Israeli aerial operation in southern Lebanon involving the dropping of a chemical substance, saying the incident disrupted peacekeeping operations and raised health and environmental concerns. In a statement issued on Monday, UNIFIL said the Israeli army informed the force on Sunday morning that it intended to carry out an aerial activity to drop a chemical substance over areas near the Blue Line, the demarcation line marking Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. According to UNIFIL, Israeli forces instructed peacekeepers to move away from the area and remain indoors, prompting the cancellation of more than 10 UNIFIL field activities. The UN force said its personnel were unable

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  Israeli, US navies conduct joint military drill in Red Sea amid tension with Iran

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Israeli and US navies conducted a joint military exercise in the Red Sea, the military said on Monday, as tensions continued to grow between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program, Anadolu reports. An Israeli military statement said Sunday’s drill between destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and Israeli Navy vessels was “part of the ongoing cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the US 5th fleet in the Red Sea arena.” The army said the US destroyer docked at the Eilat port “as part of a pre-planned, routine visit and within the framework of the strategic and close cooperation between the two navies and respective militaries.” The US Central Command (CENTCOM) called the drill “a routine maritime exercise.” “The combined

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  US Envoy Witkoff, Iranian foreign minister expected to meet in Istanbul for nuclear talks: Report

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to hold talks in Istanbul on Friday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program, according to a report by Axios on Monday. Citing sources familiar with the discussions, the report noted that preparations are underway for the meeting, while another cautioned that plans remain fluid and have not yet been finalized. The planned talks are taking place after US President Donald Trump’s statement last week in a social media post that a massive “armada” was heading toward Iran, while urging Tehran to enter negotiations immediately. He later said that Iran was “seriously talking” with the US. The US president has threatened military action

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  Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ to give Hamas ‘2-month ultimatum’ to disarm, Israeli finance minister says

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Hamas will be given a “two-month ultimatum” by US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” to disarm, Anadolu reports. “The Board of Peace will issue a two-month ultimatum to Hamas to disarm,” Smotrich said in comments carried by the local newspaper Makor Rishon. He said that Israel will not end its war on the Gaza Strip “before Hamas is destroyed.” “There will be no Hamas in Gaza, neither militarily, nor civilianly, nor in government. We made a commitment, and that is the main objective of the war.” There was no immediate comment from Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Smotrich’s statements. The extremist minister said the Israeli army controls more than half

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  Jordan says it will not be ‘battleground’ in any regional conflict amid US-Iran tension

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Jordan will not be a “battleground” in any regional conflict or a launchpad for any military action against Iran, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Monday, Anadolu reports. Safadi’s remarks came over a phone call during which the ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said on US social media company X. Safadi said Amman will not allow any party to violate Jordan’s airspace or threaten its security and the safety of its citizens, “and will confront with all its capabilities any attempt to breach its airspace.” He reiterated Amman’s rejection of violating the sovereignty of states and highlighted the need to respect international law, according to the statement. The top diplomats

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  Hundreds of former EU officials call for stronger action against Israel

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Hundreds of former EU and member state ministers, ambassadors and senior officials have called on the European Union to take “robust and sustained action” to increase pressure on Israel and end “unremitting violations of international law” in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Anadolu reports. In a joint statement released Monday and co-signed by 404 former officials, the group urged the EU and its members to move beyond condemnatory statements and adopt concrete measures, including suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and halting all military support to Israel. “A robust approach based on the EU’s founding values and principles will be essential to reestablish the Union’s reputation as a force for peace and good in our time,” the statement said.

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  EU rejects Iran’s announcement of listing of European armies as ‘terrorist groups’

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The EU on Monday rejected Iran’s designation of European armies as terrorist organizations and said diplomatic engagement with Tehran must remain part of its foreign policy toolbox, Anadolu reports. Asked about Iran’s move to label EU armies as terrorist entities, spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told the European Commission’s midday press briefing: “We reject the announcement of listing of EU armies as such and the accusation of terrorism altogether.” He said the EU expected diplomatic engagement to continue despite tensions following the EU decision to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Recalling remarks by the EU’s high representative Kaja Kallas he said: “We expect diplomatic channels to remain open after the decision of listing IRGC as part of the EU terror

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  My response to a member of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council on joining the Board of Peace

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  I write this to refute an article published by ANTARA, Indonesia’s state owned news agency, and authored by a former Chair of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for 2009 to 2016 and a current member of the DPD RI for 2024 to 2029 from West Sumatra. I respond directly to its arguments. I reject its framing, logic, and conclusions. The article opens by invoking Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Mahatma Gandhi to justify engagement with power at any cost. I reject this comparison. Mandela and Tutu spoke about dialogue after apartheid was named as a crime and after sustained global pressure constrained its architects. Gandhi warned against revenge, not against accountability. None of them argued for cooperation with perpetrators

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  Iran denies Trump’s ‘ultimatum’ in talks with US

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Iran on Monday denied receiving “any kind of ultimatum or deadline” in negotiations with the United States, as both sides acknowledged they are exchanging messages to ease tensions, Anadolu reports. Tehran has “always acted with honesty and seriousness” in diplomatic processes, but has “never accepted any kind of ultimatum or deadline,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said at his weekly press conference in Tehran. “Therefore, the claim that Iran has received any deadlines from the US cannot be confirmed.” US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has given Iran a deadline to reach a deal, amid a rapid US military buildup in the Persian Gulf region. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that he had communicated

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  The SDF and the Assad regime: Parallels of self-inflicted collapse and cruelty

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Is it possible for a state to develop, sustain economic growth, keep its citizens safe, and start to rebuild after many years of conflict when it does not fully control its own territory? This was the question facing Syria under Ahmed Al-Sharaa until recently, and whilst the state is still facing questions in the Sweida region in the far south, the size of the area and its population pale in comparison to the north-east, which was until recently controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF.  The collapse of the SDF was quick, and has been likened by commentators to the fall of Assad just over a year ago, but it was also self-inflicted and a result of poor decisions from

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  Spain condemns Israeli ban on Doctors Without Borders

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Spanish government on Monday condemned the Israeli decision to ban the activities of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. “The Spanish Government condemns the decision by the Israeli authorities to impose a halt on the activities of Medecins Sans Frontieres, which are essential to alleviating the dramatic health situation of the Gazan population in the Gaza Strip,” the Foreign Ministry announced in a written statement. The statement reiterated that international humanitarian NGOs, like MSF, provide “irreplaceable assistance” in life-saving services across Gaza and the West Bank. “The work of MSF in Gaza, as well as that of all humanitarian organizations in the field of health, is essential in addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 2 Feb

  by MI on February 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 19 Jan

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  Israel’s Netanyahu convenes security meeting with top officials

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting attended by senior officials including Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who recently returned from the US, where he held talks with American officials on Iran, local media reported Sunday. The meeting was also attended by Mossad Director David Barnea, said Israel’s state broadcaster KAN. Zamir reportedly traveled to the US aboard a private aircraft instead of a military plane to avoid detection and sought to persuade Washington to carry out a strike on Iran. An unnamed Israeli official involved in the discussions claimed that US President Donald Trump wants to pursue tough negotiations with Iran, which the official alleged would lead to the dismantling of its nuclear program. During the

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  Qatari emir, French president discuss Iran, regional security in phone call

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the latest developments following the US military buildup in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s warning of war engulfing the entire region in the event of an attack, and the implications for regional security with French President Emmanuel Macron during a phone call Sunday, the Qatari Amiri Diwan said, Anadolu reports. The call addressed efforts to curb escalation in the region and developments related to Iran and their impact on regional security, according to the statement from the Amiri Court. The conversation came as the US has stepped up military deployments in the Middle East in recent weeks, alongside threats by US President Donald Trump to target Iran. Iran says Washington is using sanctions, pressure,

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  EU condemns repeated Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza, urges respect for humanitarian law

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The European Union condemned on Sunday repeated Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and called for full respect for international humanitarian law. Hadja Lahbib, the European commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, condemned Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire and its ongoing strikes in the Gaza Strip. “We condemn the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians were killed and injured by Israeli strikes over the weekend,” Lahbib said in a statement shared on US social media company X. Lahbib stressed that international humanitarian law must be upheld and that civilians must be protected everywhere and at all times. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks, killing 524 people and injuring 1,360 others since Oct.

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  Lapid to introduce bill in Knesset declaring Qatar an enemy state

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid is expected to submit a bill to the Israeli parliament (Knesset) on Monday titled “Declaration of Qatar as an enemy state,” according to Hebrew newspaper Maariv. The proposed law, which consists of a single article, aims to “designate Qatar as an enemy state” and apply all Israeli legal provisions related to enemy states to it. According to the bill’s explanatory note, Israeli law does not include a single, clear definition of an “enemy state”, although several laws already deal with activities and relations with enemies.  Qatar has long backed the Palestinian cause and has hosted Hamas leaders since 2012 under a US-brokered agreement.  It has played a vital role in mediation efforts to end the

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  Trump’s Gulf brinkmanship: Is the United States replaying the Cuban Missile Crisis with Iran?

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  When US President Donald Trump announced that a “massive fleet”,  an “armada” centered on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships, was heading toward the Persian Gulf, the language evoked memories not of 21st-century diplomacy but of a 20th-century crisis. It was the kind of rhetoric once reserved for the Cuban Missile Crisis when superpowers manoeuvred fleets on opposite sides of a nuclear threshold. Today, as Iran reels from the deadliest wave of domestic protests in its modern history and Washington signals readiness to use force, if necessary, the deployment of US naval power to the region constitutes a stark reminder that the current climate of global politics can easily revert to Cold War-style brinkmanship in response to

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  Rade’ Launches 2 ambushes against groups cooperating with Israel in Gaza

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Resistance Security in the Gaza Strip, known as Rade’, said that two ambushes against groups cooperating with Israel resulted in deaths and injuries in Khan Younis and Gaza City. According to the source, an armed clash took place in Khan Younis, forcing members of the groups to withdraw and leave behind weapons and military equipment. Another ambush was carried out in Gaza City, leading to the seizure of military equipment held by the targeted cell. In a statement, Rade said it would continue to pursue and dismantle these groups across different areas. It added that field efforts are ongoing despite difficult conditions, and praised public unity and society’s rejection of any cooperation that harms national security. Earlier reports said

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  The raging bull in the chinaware shop

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Donald Trump is not a strategic thinker but an incredible force of nature. He is, at best, a reactive tactician. He enters complex situations with blunt force, mistakes disruption for strength, and leaves others to calculate the damage. This pattern has defined his domestic politics. It now defines American power. Set aside the chaos at home — the deployment of federal immigration forces, ICE, into US cities, the protests that followed, and the deaths of civilians caught in the spiral of escalation. Set aside the unsubstantiated claim that he “ended eight wars,” the exaggeration of tariff revenues, and the myth of effortless dominance. What matters is the perceived image. Trump is viewed as a raging bull in a chinaware shop,

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  Hamas says opening Rafah crossing is a right and urges monitoring of Israeli actions

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has said that opening the Rafah crossing is a right for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, warning that any Israeli obstacles or conditions would amount to a violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law. Speaking on Sunday, Qassem said the Rafah crossing should have been reopened at the start of the first phase of the agreement, but accused the Israeli occupation of delaying it and arbitrarily linking its opening to the handover of the body of the last prisoner in Gaza. “Opening the Rafah crossing is a right of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he said, according to the Safa news agency. Qassem added that Palestinians have the right to freely enter and leave the

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  MSF warns Israeli decision to end Gaza operations threatens patients’ lives

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that an Israeli decision requiring it to end its activities in the Gaza Strip by 28th February would pose a direct threat to patients’ lives and further worsen an already deteriorating humanitarian situation. In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation said Israeli occupation authorities had ordered MSF to cease operations and leave Gaza entirely by the end of February. MSF described the move as a direct attack on humanitarian and medical work in the Strip, saying it would prevent life-saving aid from reaching the population. The organisation said the Israeli authorities were presenting humanitarian agencies with an “impossible” choice: either endanger medical teams or stop providing emergency care to the sick and wounded

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  International legal team lodges new annex at ICC over Israel’s targeting of civilians in Gaza

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  An international legal team representing the Palestinian people has submitted an emergency memorandum to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), explaining that Israeli occupation forces deliberately bombarded and killed unarmed civilians in Gaza as part of a tactical plan to force them to flee towards Egypt ahead of the opening of the Rafah crossing. According to the submission, described as emergency memorandum No. 34, the filing argues that the bombardment took place about 48 hours before the planned opening of the Rafah crossing, with the alleged objective of emptying Gaza of its Palestinian population. The legal team is headed by Kuwaiti lawyer Dr Faisal Khazal and includes Tunisian lawyers Shawqi Al-Tabib, assistant secretary-general of the

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  Between elephants and birds: The illusion of imperial invincibility

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The narrative contained in Surah Al-Fil (105: 1–5), known as the Surah of “The Elephant”, remains one of the most symbolic passages of the Qur’an when it comes to reflecting on power, arrogance and the historical limits of domination. Far from being merely a religious episode, the Surah offers a powerful interpretative key for understanding cycles of the rise and decline of empires. Its central message is simple and incisive: no empire is invincible when it distances itself from justice. According to Islamic tradition, the Yemeni governor Abraha marched against the Kaaba, in Mecca, leading an army that included elephants, the imposing instruments of war and the ultimate symbol of power at the time. The campaign aimed to impose religious

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  Popular Conference urges support for UNRWA and resilience of refugee camps abroad

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad has stressed the need to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian refugee camps overseas and support the role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), amid Israeli and American pressure aimed at ending the agency’s operations. In a statement issued at the close of its 28th General Secretariat meeting and reported by Quds Press, the conference rejected measures taken by the UNRWA administration that it said undermine the rights of agency employees and Palestinian refugees who rely on its services. It also called for sustaining the global popular solidarity movement in support of the Palestinian people, urging supporters to build on and institutionalise popular mobilisation. The conference reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian national principles

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  Israeli think tank warns Russian-Syrian security ties could limit Israel’s freedom of action

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  An Israeli security think tank has warned that deepening security cooperation between Russia and Syria is not in Israel’s interest, arguing that an expanded Russian military presence could restrict Tel Aviv’s freedom of action in the regional arena. In a report issued on Sunday, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) said the consolidation of Russian forces in Syria could limit Israeli manoeuvrability, even if Moscow’s influence does not return to the level it held during the years of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. The report said Russia is exploiting Israeli and Turkish concerns over shifting regional power dynamics to strengthen its foothold in Syria and the wider region. It urged Israel to “abandon its reliance on Russia as a

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  Rafah crossing officially reopens

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Rafah border crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border officially resumed operations on Monday, with 50 people expected to leave Gaza and 50 others set to return, according to Egyptian official media, Anadolu reports. Al-Qahera News reported on Monday that an initial group of Palestinians had arrived at the crossing. The Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing began operating on a trial basis on Sunday after being completely closed for more than 18 months because of Israeli restrictions. About 50 Palestinians are expected to enter Gaza, while 150 patients and their companions are set to leave the enclave for medical treatment in Egypt, according to Israeli media. Gaza health officials estimate that about 22,000 patients are waiting for the crossing to fully

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  Weaponising America’s economy in the service of Israel

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Empires rarely fall on the battlefield; they implode under the weight of their own arrogance and corruption. The hubris radiating from the White House suggests that this old imperial truth is once again asserting itself.  Unable to compete in the global economy it once championed, Washington now weaponizes its economy turning trade, finance, currency, and credit into instruments of blackmail. Washington has changed the “rules-based international order” into tariffs, sanctions, asset seizures, secondary penalties, and financial intimidation. Economic power morphed from competition and as a means of exchange into a tool of retribution. Nowhere this tool is used more obsessively by the US government than in service of Israel. Long before Israel’s genocide in Gaza, successive US administrations, Democratic and

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  Israel orders demolition of 14 homes in Jerusalem

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  Israeli authorities informed residents of 14 homes in the al-Bustan neighbourhood of Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, on Sunday evening that their houses were to be demolished. The authorities said the homes had been built without permits and plan to replace the area with so-called “biblical gardens.” The Jerusalem Governorate, part of the Palestinian Authority, said in a statement that the Israeli authorities issued notices to immediately demolish the 14 homes in al-Bustan, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. The governorate described the move as “a new escalation in a systematic policy targeting the Palestinian presence in one of the most sensitive and strategic areas around Al-Aqsa.” It added that the homes targeted for demolition shelter Palestinian

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  AIPAC targets former ally in New Jersey over conditional Israel aid stance

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has launched a $2 million advertising campaign against former congressman Tom Malinowski, who is running to represent New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, despite having been seen as an ally of the organisation in previous years. The move comes in response to Malinowski’s position that US military aid to Israel should be linked to specific conditions. This stance was viewed by the lobby as a lack of “unconditional” support for Israel, which goes against the policies it promotes. Malinowski, who was previously known for supporting Israel’s occupation and opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, said that his call to attach conditions to aid reflects the view of the majority of Americans. To

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  Israel extends closure, siege of northern West Bank camps until end of March

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The Israeli army has issued a new military order extending the closure and siege of several refugee camps in the northern West Bank as part of its ongoing intensified military operations in the area. According to the document, the Head of the Israeli Army’s Central Command in the West Bank, Major General Avi Bluth, signed the order to extend restrictions on movement in the refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams. “The decision would take effect from 30 January 2026 and remain in force until 31st March 2026 at 11:59pm.” The military order bans any person from entering or leaving the cordoned areas of the affected camps without a special permit. Israeli army and police forces are exempt from these restrictions.  The extension

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  UAE seeks to take over full civil administration in Gaza with Israeli backing

  by MI on February 2, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates is seeking to take full control of civil affairs in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli support for the move, as part of the transition to the second phase of the war ceasefire agreement, according to an Israeli media report. Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening that the UAE has held talks in recent weeks with the United States and Israel about managing civilian matters in Gaza. The report said Abu Dhabi aims to oversee all civil affairs in the territory and plans to invest billions of dollars in Gaza. Under the proposal, several billion dollars would be transferred immediately, with further investments to follow at a later stage. READ: UAE is Israel’s ‘Zionist Trojan Horse’ in

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  Iran foreign minister says path to nuclear deal exists if trust rebuilt with US

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that meaningful nuclear negotiations with the US are still possible if trust can be restored, while warning that any military confrontation would engulf the wider region, Anadolu reports. In an interview with CNN International, Abbas Araghchi said he is not concerned about war but about miscalculations driven by misinformation and outside efforts to push Washington into conflict. Araghchi said Iran has lost trust in the US as a negotiating partner but that regional countries are acting as intermediaries to pass messages and help rebuild confidence. “Unfortunately, we have lost our trust in the United States as a negotiating partner,” he said. “We need to overcome this mistrust.” Aragchi described the current exchanges as “fruitful” and

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  Trump responds to Iran’s Khamenei, expressing hope to make deal

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Sunday responded to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he warned a US strike on Iran would trigger a regional war, Anadolu reports. “Why wouldn’t he say that? Of course, he is going to say that,” Trump told reporters during his visit to Mar-a-Lago. “We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close,” Trump said, adding, “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal.” In case of a no-deal, Trump said, “then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.” READ: Iran’s Khamenei warns of regional war in case of US attack

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  Germany condemns Iran’s move to designate EU militaries as ‘terrorist organizations’

  by MI on February 1, 2026

  Germany on Sunday dismissed Iran’s decision to designate the armed forces of EU member states as terrorist organizations as “baseless” and “propagandistic” after the EU labeled Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Tehran’s retaliatory announcement would not alter Berlin’s stance following the EU’s move against the IRGC, according to DPA International. Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s parliament speaker said European countries’ armed forces are considered “terrorist organizations” under Iranian law, warning that the EU would bear responsibility for the consequences of its actions against the IRGC. Wadephul criticized Iran’s response as unfounded and politically motivated and defended the EU’s designation of the IRGC as correct and long overdue, accusing the IRGC of