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

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  52 dead since start of year amid crime surge in Israel’s Arab communities

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Since the start of the year, 52 people have been killed, including four young men shot dead on Wednesday evening in three separate incidents. One was shot by police in Kabul, in the Galilee region; another was killed in a shooting in Laqiya, in the Negev; and two young men were shot inside a shop in Haifa. This raises the number of people killed by police gunfire since the start of the year to four. National Security Minister, far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, expressed support for the police officer involved, saying: “Anyone who endangers the police must be neutralised.” Overall, the total number of murder victims since the beginning of the year is 52, including 26 so far this month and

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  Iran closes large parts of its airspace ahead of missile drill

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority issued an unusual official notice to pilots (NOTAM) on Wednesday, announcing the closure of large sections of the country’s airspace. The notice said the closure is to allow a planned missile launch exercise tomorrow. It specified danger zones where flying will be completely banned due to military activity.  The move has caused serious concern among international airlines, many of which have already begun rerouting flights. READ: Netanyahu postpones security cabinet meeting amid expectations of Iran strike “within days” Following Iran’s announcement, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an urgent safety alert for civil aircraft operators. The FAA urged airlines to exercise a “higher level of caution” when flying over or near the area, warning that uncoordinated

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  Iraq says US warned of possible sanctions over al-Maliki nomination

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it had received a verbal message from the United States warning of possible sanctions on individuals and institutions if Nouri al-Maliki is nominated as prime minister. According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the message contained two main points. The first included a clear indication that sanctions could be imposed on certain individuals and entities. The second set out conditions related to the nature of close cooperation with Washington, particularly concerning the formation of any new government and its mechanisms of work. The ministry said the message was received in Washington and warned that, should the largest parliamentary bloc insist on its current nominee, sanctions could follow. In an immediate response, the media office

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  24 European countries warn of humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Twenty-four European and Western countries have voiced concern over the continued killing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure and targeting of humanitarian missions in Sudan. In a joint international statement, the countries said air strikes and drone attacks on displaced people, health facilities and food convoys had resulted in a high number of civilian deaths and injuries, and had disrupted the delivery of humanitarian aid. The statement said deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers or their vehicles “are contrary to international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” It stressed the need for prompt and independent investigations into the alleged violations and for those responsible to be held to account. READ: Over 529,000 refugees return to Sudan in two years, UN says

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  Presenter Tucker Carlson claims Israel detained him after interview with US ambassador

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  A new political row has erupted after conservative US broadcaster Tucker Carlson accused Israeli authorities of detaining him at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday following an interview with the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.  Israeli officials and the US embassy in Tel Aviv swiftly rejected the claim, describing the incident as “routine procedures”. Carlson, who has been sharply critical of Israel over its war in Gaza and what he describes as the mistreatment of Christians, said individuals identifying themselves as airport security officers confiscated his passport and those of his team. He added that the executive producer of his programme was taken to a side room and questioned about the content of his discussion with the ambassador. READ: Israel prepares

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  Israeli dates allegedly being sold in European market under different labels

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  A significant portion of dates offered for sale in Europe allegedly enters the market through third countries while concealing their true origin, Anadolu reports. The rapid expansion of the global date trade and the complexity of supply chains have fueled debate over traceability and labeling transparency. Israel, currently facing boycott campaigns particularly in the Muslim world, has reportedly adopted labeling strategies to mitigate the impact of consumer boycotts in Europe. The global date market, valued at $32.7 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to $34.5 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.14%. The market is forecast to reach $55.58 billion by 2034. The Middle East and Africa region maintains a dominant position, with annual harvest

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  Netanyahu postpones security cabinet meeting amid expectations of Iran strike “within days”

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unexpectedly postponed a meeting of the country’s security cabinet, as estimates suggest a possible US attack on Iran could begin within days, Hebrew media reported on Wednesday. The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said assessments inside Israel indicate that US President Donald Trump is leaning towards launching a large-scale military strike on Iranian targets. This comes amid stalled negotiations and Tehran’s refusal to accept US demands. The newspaper reported: “in Israel, assessments indicate that US President Donald Trump is inclined to launch a large-scale military attack on Iran soon, given Tehran’s rejection of US demands in the negotiations.”     It added that the political-security cabinet meeting, which had been scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until next

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  Russia urges dialogue on Iran nuclear issue, dismisses threats

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Russia has called for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue, warning that threats and pressure tactics will not advance negotiations. Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow believes that acceptable solutions can only be achieved through “dialogue based on equality and respect”. “There is no reasonable alternative to this dialogue,” Zakharova said, expressing Russia’s readiness to contribute to resolving tensions between Iran and the United States by political and diplomatic means. She added: “We hope that reason will prevail and that the region will not be pushed into a new military adventure that would have devastating consequences.” Her remarks came amid renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. The Sultanate of Oman hosted a recent

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  Report links Somaliland recognition to rising Cairo–Tel Aviv tensions

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  An Israeli news platform has published an assessment warning of rising tensions between Egypt and Israel in the Horn of Africa, raising the possibility of indirect or even direct military confrontation on Somali territory. The Hebrew-language outlet Natsiv Net reported that developments up to February 2026 point to escalating rivalry between Cairo and Tel Aviv, particularly in light of their growing involvement in Somalia. According to the report, Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent entity marked a turning point. On 26th December 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway region, a move that was strongly rejected by both Egypt and the Federal Government of Somalia. The platform said Cairo viewed the recognition as a

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  Pakistan PM Sharif to seek clarity on troops for Gaza in US visit, sources say

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Before Pakistan commits to sending troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force it wants assurances from the United States that it will be a peacekeeping mission rather than tasked with disarming Hamas, three sources told Reuters. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the first formal meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, alongside delegations from at least 20 countries. Trump, who will chair the meeting, is expected to announce a multi-billion dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and detailed plans for a UN- authorised stabilisation force for the Palestinian enclave. Three government sources said during the Washington visit Sharif wanted to better understand the goal of the ISF, what authority

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  Vatican declines to join Trump-led Peace Council on Gaza

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  The Vatican has announced it will not participate in the “Peace Council” initiative launched by US President Donald Trump to oversee post-war arrangements in Gaza. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s secretary of state and chief diplomat, said on Tuesday that the Vatican would not join the body, citing its distinctive role in international affairs. “We will not participate in the Peace Council because of its unique nature, which is of course different from that of other countries,” Parolin said. He added that the Vatican believes international crises should be managed through the United Nations. “One of our concerns is that, at the international level, it should be the United Nations that manages these crises, and this is one of

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  US judge overturns deportation order for Columbia student

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  A US federal judge has overturned a deportation order issued against a Palestinian student at Columbia University who took part in protests against the Israeli war in Gaza, according to US media reports. Muhsin Mahdawi, 34, was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and has held a US permanent resident card, or “green card”, since 2015. He was detained by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 14 April while attending a citizenship interview. Although he was released at the end of April following a court order, the deportation proceedings remained in place. Judge Nina Frois has now closed the case, citing a procedural error by government lawyers. Details of the ruling were disclosed

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  UN agency says Gaza rubble removal could take 7 years as 90% live in dangerous conditions

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  The UN Development Program (UNDP) said on Tuesday that clearing Gaza’s rubble at the current pace could take seven years, as most residents continue to live in extremely hazardous conditions, Anadolu reports. In a virtual briefing from Jerusalem following a recent visit to the Gaza Strip, UNDP chief Alexander De Croo described the humanitarian situation as the worst he has seen in his years of development work. “This is the worst living conditions that I have ever seen, extremely painful conditions to live in,” De Croo said, adding that “90% of the people of Gaza today live in the middle of that rubble, which is extremely dangerous.” Noting that UNDP’s recovery efforts are focused on three main areas, he said

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  Israel prepares for possible US green light to strike Iran’s ballistic missile system: Public broadcaster

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  Israel is preparing for the possibility of receiving a green light from the US to launch an attack on Iran’s ballistic missile system, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said late Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The broadcaster noted that the scenario of Israel striking Iran’s ballistic missiles comes amid widespread focus on whether US President Donald Trump will order the attack on Iran. Israeli security establishment assessments over the past 24 hours indicate a rising likelihood of a US attack on Iran, following the latest round of talks between Washington and Tehran, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. READ: Trump urges UK not to give away Diego Garcia, says US may need island if Iran refuses deal

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  Trump urges UK not to give away Diego Garcia, says US may need island if Iran refuses deal

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  US President Donald Trump urged the United Kingdom on Wednesday not to give away Diego Garcia, warning America may need the island and a British airfield if Iran refuses to make a deal, Anadolu reports. “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. The US president said an attack would potentially be made on the UK and other “friendly countries.” Trump said America will always be ready, willing and able to fight for Britain but the UK must remain

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  ‘Regime Cleavage’: How the ‘Language of Humiliation’ is Engineering a Second American Civil War

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  A January 2026 Gallup poll showed that 89 percent of all Americans expect high levels of political conflict this year, as the country heads toward one of its most decisive midterm elections ever. Gallup, however, was stating the obvious. It is a surprise that not all Americans feel this way, judging by the coarse, often outright racist discourse currently being normalized by top American officials. Some call this new rhetoric the “language of humiliation,” where officials refer to entire social and racial groups as ‘vermin’, ‘garbage’, or ‘invaders’. The aim of this language is not simply to insult, but to feed the “Rage Bait Cycle” – tellingly, Oxford’s 2025 Word of the Year: a high-ranking official attacks a whole community

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  Indonesia condemns West Bank annexation while sustaining a dangerous contradiction

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  This week, Indonesia joined Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in condemning Israel’s decision to designate large areas of the occupied West Bank as so-called state land. The joint statement called it a serious escalation. It cited violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The details matter. Israeli media reported that the proposal came from Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Smotrich described it as a continuation of a settlement revolution to control all the land. Levin spoke of strengthening Israel’s grip on all its territories. The plan allows the state to

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  English Premier League to observe short breaks during matches in Ramadan

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  The English Premier League will pause matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan, according to British media reports. The BBC reported that before each match it will be determined whether any player is fasting. If so, the game will be briefly paused at iftar time to allow them to break their fast. The first such pause took place in April 2021 during a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace. The game was temporarily stopped to allow Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate to break their fast. The players consumed liquids and energy gels before play resumed. Ramadan is a month centred on developing God-consciousness, self-discipline, and personal growth. From dawn to sunset, fast—not just

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  Gazans welcome Ramadan with destroyed mosques and weak market activity

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  Gaza: Efforts underway to rebuild 900-year-old bathhouse

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  Israel’s not-so-subtle annexation plans in the West Bank

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  Israel’s latest moves in the occupied West Bank are not being framed in dramatic language inside the country. There has been no formal declaration of annexation, no parliamentary ceremony proclaiming sovereignty over the hills and valleys east of the Green Line. Instead, the changes have come through cabinet decisions, legal revisions, and administrative transfers—quiet adjustments that, taken together, are reshaping the political geography of the territory captured in 1967. Earlier this week, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a package of measures expanding Israeli civilian authority in parts of the West Bank. On paper, the steps may appear technical: repealing restrictions that barred the sale of land in the occupied territory to Israeli citizens; reopening sealed land registration records; transferring planning and

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  ‘Common enemy’: the Epstein class behind Oslo’s failure | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  In this episode of Palestine This Week, we ask whether the two-state solution has finally run out of graves to bury it in. As Israel tightens its grip on the occupied West Bank and rewrites the Oslo framework in real time, we examine the collapse of diplomatic illusions and the rise of raw power politics. We unpack the shifting narrative around Gaza’s death toll, Israel’s parallel aid system, Netanyahu’s Washington visit and growing fractures inside the US conservative base over Israel. And in a deeper dive, we explore the idea of a “common enemy” — from the legacy of Oslo to the emergence of what some are calling the Epstein class — and what that says about the global networks

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  ‘Britain’s Index of Repression’ documents 964 incidents of anti-Palestinian crackdown

  by Marwa A on February 18, 2026

  A new report by the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC) has documented 964 verified incidents of anti-Palestinian repression across Britain between January 2019 and August 2025, identifying what it describes as a cross-sector pattern of institutional crackdowns on Palestine solidarity. The findings form part of Britain’s Index of Repression, a searchable national database developed in collaboration with Forensic Architecture and launched today at the Frontline Club in London. Documented incidents listed in the database include arrests, workplace dismissals, suspensions and event cancellations. The Index, originally launched in Germany in 2025, is now publicly available for Britain and is described as the first accessible database of its kind in the country. The data indicates a marked escalation in incidents after October

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  Israeli army kills Palestinian in Gaza on 1st day of Ramadan

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  The Israeli army killed a Palestinian man Wednesday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, medics said. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said in a brief statement that a young man was killed by Israeli gunfire near the Bani Suheila roundabout, east of the city. Israeli military vehicles stationed in eastern Khan Younis opened heavy fire since the early morning hours, witnesses told Anadolu. Israeli forces also fired near the Morag axis north of Rafah in southern Gaza, while artillery shelled eastern areas of the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, they added. READ: Gazans perform Taraweeh prayers on rubble in first Ramadan after the genocide war In Gaza

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  Israel limits number of worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque to 10,000 Palestinians during Ramadan

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Israel decided on Wednesday to limit the number of worshippers for the Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank, requiring each worshipper to obtain a prior permit, Anadolu reports. Israeli military agency COGAT said in a statement that the political leadership approved the restrictions following a security assessment. “After a security situation assessment, the political echelon approved the entry plan for Palestinian worshippers to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque throughout the month of Ramadan,” the agency said. It added that 10,000 Palestinian worshippers will be allowed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the Friday prayers throughout Ramadan, “provided they

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  Spanish civil society takes eDreams to court over profits from illegal Israeli settlements

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Three Spanish civil society organisations have filed a criminal complaint in Madrid accusing the multinational travel company eDreams of laundering profits derived from activity in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and the Occupied Syrian Golan, according to a press release issued yesterday. The complaint, submitted to the Investigating Courts in Madrid by NOVACT, SUDS and Comité de Solidaridad Contra la Causa Árabe, alleges that by promoting, facilitating and monetising tourism in Israeli settlements, eDreams integrated proceeds linked to war crimes into the financial system as if they were lawful commercial income. According to the complaint seen by MEMO, the legal basis for the filing is Article 301 of the Spanish Criminal Code, which criminalises the integration

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  Mexico declines Trump’s Gaza Peace Board and reaffirms support for Palestine

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, reaffirmed this week her long-standing position with Gaza and Palestine as she declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his newly established Board of Peace, while reinforcing Mexico’s economic strategy with Canada and its commitment to key trade agreements. Speaking at her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico would not become a member of the Board of Peace, an initiative launched by Trump to oversee reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Gaza. She explained that Mexico’s decision is rooted in its longstanding recognition of Palestine as a state. In her view, any credible peace effort in the Middle East must include representation from both Israel and Palestine. Mexico will instead attend the

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  Israeli soldier killed by ‘friendly fire’ in southern Gaza

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  An Israeli soldier was killed by friendly fire on Wednesday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, according to the military. In a statement, the army said a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit was killed in Khan Younis, without giving further details. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that the soldier was killed “by mistake by Israeli army fire,” adding that the army opened an investigation into the incident. READ: Israeli reserve officer commits suicide after serving in Gaza war According to Israeli military data, 925 troops have been killed since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, including 471 who died in ground fighting in the enclave. A US-backed ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza

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  Over 80 international artists condemn Berlin Festival’s silence on Israel’s Gaza war

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  More than 80 actors and directors have sent an open letter to the organisers of the Berlin International Film Festival, urging them to take a clear stance against the mass killings of Palestinians. Indian novelist Arundhati Roy announced her withdrawal from the festival in protest at the organisers’ failure to adopt a firm position against Israel’s actions and the ongoing war in Gaza. The letter criticised the festival’s silence on Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.  The letter signatories included well-known names from the film industry, such as Spanish actor Javier Bardem, British actress Tilda Swinton, and directors Adam McKay, Fernando Meirelles, and Mike Leigh, as well as French artists Blanche Gardin and Adèle Haenel.  Coordinated by the group Film

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  Vance says Iran unwilling to accept some US red lines after Geneva talks

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  US Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday evening that Iran is not prepared to recognise some of the red lines set by President Donald Trump, following a second round of negotiations between the two countries held earlier in Geneva, Switzerland. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the talks with Tehran “went well in some ways”, but added “in other ways, it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”  He added that Trump “is very much trying to find a solution here, whether it’s through diplomatic options or through another option, that means the Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon,”    READ: US

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  Gazans perform Taraweeh prayers on rubble in first Ramadan after the genocide war

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Palestinians in the Gaza Strip performed Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday evening, marking the first night of Ramadan, on the ruins of destroyed mosques and in makeshift prayer spaces set up inside tents made of nylon and wood. The prayers were held amid the vast destruction left by what Palestinians describe as genocide committed by Israel. On Tuesday evening, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories and head of the Supreme Fatwa Council, Mohammed Hussein, announced that Wednesday would be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH. This is the first Ramadan for residents of the enclave since the cessation of the genocide. It comes amid widespread devastation and dire humanitarian conditions.

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  How Addis and Ankara are shaping a more stable Red Sea

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  At the edge of the Red Sea, where history has always been written in salt and blood, a new chapter is quietly unfolding. It is not the clash of empires that once defined relations between the Ottoman fleet and the highland kingdom of Abyssinia. It is something subtler, more ambitious, and perhaps more consequential for the future of Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific. Turkey and Ethiopia — once adversaries in the sixteenth century, now partners in the twenty-first — are testing whether middle powers can reshape the geopolitical grammar of the Horn of Africa. The historical memory is long. Scholars have chronicled how Ottoman forces, allied with the Adal Sultanate, seized Massawa and Suakin, pressing hard against Ethiopia’s sovereignty in

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  Hamas urges ‘Peace Council’ to assume responsibilities

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Hamas has called on the so-called Peace Council to take immediate action to stop what it described as Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The movement urged the council to implement the principles it has announced in order to achieve peace on the ground. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the past four months had shown that Israel had not halted what he described as a “war of genocide”, but had instead changed its methods and forms. He stressed that the war was still continuing, and that killings, displacement, siege and starvation had not stopped. In a recorded video statement, Qassem called on the Peace Council, which is due to hold its first meeting on 19

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  Smotrich: I will cancel the ‘cursed’ Oslo Accords, dismantle Palestinian Authority

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party and Israel’s Finance Minister, has said that one of his main goals in the next term is to cancel the Oslo Accords, dismantle the Palestinian Authority and impose full Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Smotrich made the remarks during a special conference held on Tuesday evening with settlement leaders in the West Bank. He said that “cancelling the Oslo Accords will bring about the end of the Palestinian Authority,” describing this course of action as “the only long-term solution”. Addressing settlement leaders, he added: “We are placing before you one of our objectives for the coming term: to eliminate the idea of a terrorist Arab state, to cancel the cursed

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  Israel probes alleged bribery, smuggling at US-run Gaza reconstruction hub

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Israeli military authorities are investigating allegations that senior criminal figures bribed foreign personnel at a US-run headquarters in the city of Kiryat Gat, which oversees matters related to Gaza’s reconstruction, in order to smuggle prohibited goods into the enclave. According to i24NEWS, security officials suspect cooperation between Israeli criminals and foreign staff at the American facility. The alleged scheme involved smuggling goods into Gaza while diverting large sums of money into the hands of traffickers.     The development follows indictments filed around two weeks ago in a separate smuggling case into Gaza, in which 12 individuals were charged with transporting goods worth 3.9 million shekels. In that case, cartons of cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, communication cables and car spare parts were reportedly

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  The Rise and Fall of Turkey’s Democrat Party: The Cold War and Illiberalism, 1945–60: 73

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Turkish politics was fundamentally altered by the rule of the Democrat Party (DP) between 1950-1960. It has been often viewed as highly controversial party that ended with its leaders being toppled by a military coup in 1960. The Turkish memory of the DP rule and Prime Minister Adnan Menderes is polarised with some seeing them as democratic heroes and others seeing them as betraying a democratic vision. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is said, draws inspiration from Menderes and in 2020 had a memorial museum built on the island where Menderes was imprisoned. The importance attached to the DP years and why so many different groups remember them differently makes them a critical subject of inquiry. Reuben Silverman’s new book

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  Smotrich calls for reoccupation of Gaza and military rule

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has renewed his call for the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a military government there, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who described the proposal as “delusional”. According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Smotrich told a press conference on Monday evening that “the goal is to occupy Gaza, establish a military government, build Israeli settlements in the Strip, and encourage the voluntary emigration of Gaza’s residents”. His remarks come despite the implementation last October of a plan promoted by US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Smotrich, a leading figure on the far right, has consistently advocated for Israeli control over the territory. READ: Israel will

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  Erdogan aide rejects speculation over ‘right of hope’ for PKK leader

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  The administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denied reports suggesting the possible conditional release of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). In recent weeks, Turkish media outlets have speculated about potential legal adjustments under the government’s “Turkey Free of Terror” initiative, which aims to disarm armed groups and dismantle their clandestine structures. Some reports suggested that, within a broader political framework, authorities might consider easing detention conditions for certain prisoners, including the possibility of house arrest under what is known as the “right of hope” — a legal principle applicable to some individuals convicted of crimes against the state. READ: Kurdish PKK begins disarmament process Mehmet Uçum, senior adviser to the president and deputy head

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  Adalah says West Bank land settlement plan could amount to war crime

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  The Adalah Center, a Haifa-based human rights organisation, has called on Israeli authorities to revoke a recent government decision on land settlement procedures in the occupied West Bank, warning that it may amount to a war crime. In a letter addressed to the Israeli defence minister, the attorney general and other relevant legal and military authorities, Adalah demanded the cancellation of a decision issued on 15th February 2026. The directive instructs the commander of the Israeli army in the West Bank to enable land settlement procedures in Area C and to register approximately 15 per cent of unregistered land in the area as part of the process. Dr Suhad Bishara, Adalah’s legal director, said the move serves the expansion of

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  1,200 former Israeli officials urge Knesset to reject death penalty bill

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  More than 1,200 former Israeli officials and public figures have signed a petition opposing a proposed bill that would impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, according to Hebrew media reports published on Tuesday. The signatories include former Supreme Court judges, Nobel laureates, ex-heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad intelligence agencies, academics, university presidents, former Israel Defense Forces chiefs of staff Dan Halutz and Moshe Yaalon, as well as former prime minister Ehud Olmert. In the petition, the group said it “strongly opposes the death penalty bill currently being debated in the Knesset in preparation for its second and third readings” and called on lawmakers to vote it down. READ: Knesset approves bill allowing death penalty for Palestinians over 7

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  Ben-Gvir accuses attorney general over surge in Arab community killings

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of bearing responsibility for a surge in killings within the Arab community, amid mounting criticism over the government’s handling of violent crime. Speaking at a conference organised by a right-wing newspaper on Tuesday, Ben-Gvir said the attorney general’s “hands are stained with the blood” of victims killed since the start of the year. Official data show that violence in Arab towns has reached record levels during his tenure. Ben-Gvir claimed that three years ago he had requested the use of administrative detention against 100 Arab families, but that Baharav-Miara had refused. He argued that such measures are applied to members of the extremist settler group known as the

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  Turkish intelligence highlights role in Syria and Gaza diplomacy

  by MI on February 18, 2026

  The head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), Ibrahim Kalin, has said Ankara has taken proactive measures to prevent new threats to its national security along the Syrian border. In the introduction to MIT’s 2025 activity report, released on Tuesday, Kalın said the agency had adopted a comprehensive approach to developments in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2014. He stated that Turkish intelligence had played an active role in addressing the Syrian crisis since its outset and had acted within the framework of efforts to build a new state structure in Syria. “Proactive steps were taken to counter any new threats that might arise against our country in Syria,” Kalın said, adding that these measures

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  Over 80 UN members condemn Israeli acts to expand ‘unlawful presence’ in occupied West Bank

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  More than 80 UN member states and several organizations on Tuesday condemned “unilateral” Israeli decisions aimed at expanding Israel’s “unlawful presence” in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. Delivering a statement at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour said, “I have the honor to deliver the following statement on behalf of 80 States and a number of organizations on the latest Israeli decisions regarding the occupied West Bank.” “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed,” he said, underlining “our strong opposition to any form of annexation.”

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  US official says Iran talks made ‘progress,’ but ‘there are still a lot of details to discuss’

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Talks between the US and Iran “made progress,” but additional details need to be addressed, a US official said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. “Progress was made, but there are still a lot of details to discuss. The Iranians said they would come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to address some of the open gaps in our positions,” said the official. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier Tuesday that “more serious discussions” were held during the latest round of indirect nuclear negotiations, describing the atmosphere as “more constructive.” Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the second round of talks in Geneva, Araghchi said the parties reached a general agreement on a set of “guiding principles” to

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  Israel’s recognition of Somaliland benefits no one: Turkish president

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday touched on Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state and become the only country to do so, stressing that the decision benefits neither Somalia nor the region, Anadolu reports. “I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would benefit neither Somaliland nor the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan said in a joint presser with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa. Ankara believes that the countries of the region should develop solutions to the region’s problems, said Erdogan, urging the Horn of Africa not to be turned into “an arena of struggle for foreign powers.” Stressing the bilateral relations between Turkiye and Ethiopia, Erdogan said that it

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  Egypt calls for cooperation among Nile Basin countries, rejects ‘unilateral measures’ on river

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored the importance of cooperation among the Nile Basin countries, rejecting any unilateral measures on the waterway, the country’s foreign ministry said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. A ministry statement said that Abdelatty met in Nairobi on Monday with Kenyan President William Ruto during which he delivered a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to his Kenyan counterpart. In the message, Sisi hailed the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership between the two countries and the signing of the Cairo Declaration during Ruto’s visit to Cairo last month. On water security, Abdelatty stressed the importance of cooperation and consensus among Nile Basin states, rejecting “unilateral measures” on the river and reiterating

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  Afghanistan hands over 3 Pakistani soldiers to Saudi negotiators

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Afghanistan on Tuesday said it handed over three Pakistani soldiers to negotiators from Saudi Arabia, months after they were captured during deadly border clashes between the two neighbors, Anadolu reports. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Pakistani soldiers were captured on Oct. 12 last year during clashes with Pakistani forces along the border. They “were released and handed over to the respected delegation that came from the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia,” Mujahid said in a post on US social media company X. Islamabad has yet to comment on the handover. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan deteriorated last year following a series of deadly border clashes. Mujahid said the decision was taken in line with Afghan policy of “maintaining

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  Extremist Israeli settler burns copy of Quran in Jerusalem ahead of Ramadan

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  An extremist Israeli settler burned a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, at an unspecified location in Jerusalem, days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, a video showed on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. “A religious Zionist activist from the neo-Nazis is burning the Holy Quran with his face uncovered,” Arab Knesset member Ahmad Tibi said on the US social media company X. He said the extremist Israeli “will not be punished because he is Jewish.” In the footage shared by Tibi, the illegal Israeli settler is heard saying: “What’s happening? We are here now celebrating and burning a very sacred book to Muslims, surah by surah, all the surahs. Congratulations to us.” “The people of Israel

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  Israeli firms use advanced cyber tools to spy on cars, track movement: Report

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Israeli companies are using advanced cyber tools to hack into digital systems of cars to spy on people inside and track the vehicle’s movement, Haaretz newspaper said on Tuesday. “These tools can also assist in a cross-referencing of data to identify an intelligence target among tens of thousands of cars on the road,” the daily said. An investigation by the paper found that at least three Israeli firms operate a system called CARINT (car intelligence), which uses data generated by connected vehicles for surveillance. One of these companies, Toka, even developed an “offensive” tool that could tap into a car’s microphones and cameras to collect information. This company was co-founded by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former army cyber

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  British Museum rejects claims it removed ‘Palestine’ from displays under pressure

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  The British Museum has rejected a claim that it removed the word “Palestine” from its displays in response to pressure from a pro-Israeli lawyers group, adding it continues to use Palestine across a series of galleries, Anadolu reports. The row over changes to some galleries continues, as the UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) said Saturday that the British Museum has confirmed it is reviewing and updating some gallery panels and labels after “Audience testing has shown that the historic use of the term Palestine … is in some circumstances no longer meaningful.” The pro-Israeli group said there were “historically inaccurate” references to Palestine in displays covering the ancient Levant and Egypt, which was also reported by the Sunday Telegraph during

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  Iran’s foreign minister says ‘serious discussions’ held with US, ‘clear path’ lies for deal

  by MI on February 17, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that “more serious discussions” were held during the latest round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States and the dialogue atmosphere was “more constructive”, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the second round of talks with the US in Geneva under Omani mediation, Araghchi said the parties reached a general agreement on a set of “guiding principles” to serve as a basis for beginning work on the text of a potential agreement. “It was decided that both sides will work on the drafts of a potential agreement, and after exchanging the texts,” he said. “The timing of the next round of talks will be determined,” Araghchi said. Iran’s top