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

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  US House passes $1.15tn defence bill embedding Israel’s war machine inside America

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  The US House of Representatives has passed a $1.15 trillion defence policy bill which would embed military support for Israel more deeply within Pentagon research, weapons procurement, technology sharing and the American defence-industrial base. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2027 fiscal year passed yesterday by 216 votes to 212. Six Democrats joined 209 Republicans and one independent in supporting the legislation, while seven Republicans voted against it alongside 205 Democrats. Three representatives did not vote.  At the centre of the controversy is section 219, titled the “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative”. The provision requires the US secretary of defence to appoint an executive agent responsible for synchronising, expanding and accelerating military technology cooperation between the US

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  Met Police reverses decision to close Gaza war-crimes referral against British nationals

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  The Metropolitan Police has withdrawn its decision not to investigate allegations that British nationals committed war crimes while serving with the Israeli army in Gaza, following a legal challenge brought by a British-Palestinian human rights campaigner. The reversal means that the force’s previous decision no longer stands and its War Crimes Team will conduct a fresh assessment of the evidence relating to four identifiable British nationals. British-Palestinian campaigner Lubna Speitan challenged the decision with the assistance of the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC). Lawyers sent the Metropolitan Police a detailed letter before action threatening judicial-review proceedings over its handling of the case. The original referral was submitted by PILC and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) on April, 2025.

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  Wounded Journalists Demand Their Right to Travel for Medical Treatment

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  WATCH: Displaced civilians gather west of Gaza as Israeli forces control 70% of the territory

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  The geopolitics of energy reconstruction: Who will rebuild the Middle East’s damaged energy systems?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  In the Middle East, war often survives in the electricity grid long after it recedes from the battlefield. It persists through blackouts, fuel shortages, damaged substations, disrupted water supplies and hospitals forced to rely on generators for the basic requirements of life. From Gaza and Syria to Lebanon and Yemen, energy systems have been destroyed, degraded or deprived of investment. Restoring them will require immense financial resources, advanced technology and sustained political coordination. Yet energy reconstruction is not simply an engineering or humanitarian undertaking. Decisions about who finances a power station, supplies its equipment, controls its software and maintains its operations can shape a country’s economic orientation and political relationships for decades. The next phase of Middle Eastern energy diplomacy

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  Palestinian election commission announces timetable for Nov. 28 legislative vote

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  The Palestinian Central Elections Commission on Thursday announced the legal timetable for legislative elections scheduled for Nov. 28, in accordance with a presidential decree and the general elections law, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the commission said voter registration centers in the West Bank will open on Saturday, Aug. 15, for five days, until the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 19. Candidate nominations will open on Saturday, Sept. 26, and continue for 12 days until the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 7, it added. The commission said election campaigning will begin Friday, Nov. 6, and continue for 21 days, ending with the start of the electoral silence period on Friday, Nov. 27. Early voting for security forces will be held Thursday, Nov.

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  Rights groups sue France over failure to stop corporate support for Israel’s occupation

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Five human rights organisations have launched legal action against the French government over its failure to prevent French companies and financial institutions from contributing to Israel’s unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Jurists for the Respect of International Law (JURDI), the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), La Ligue des Droits Humains (LDH) and Law for Palestine filed the challenge before the Conseil d’État, France’s highest administrative court, on 22 July, 2026.  The organisations want the court to order the French government to introduce effective regulatory and enforcement measures restricting trade, investment and other commercial activities that help sustain Israel’s illegal occupation. The defendants include the French prime minister and ministers

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  Lebanese parliament speaker says success of Aoun-Trump meeting depends on results on the ground

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the success of this week’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun should be judged by developments on the ground, particularly the implementation of a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. In remarks published on Wednesday by the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri said, “What matters now, after the summit between Presidents Trump and Aoun in Washington, are the results on the ground, not just the way things appeared.” He said that the key test would be “establishing a ceasefire and implementing withdrawals,” adding that these objectives had not yet been achieved. Referring to the reported Israeli withdrawal from the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya on Monday, Berri

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 22 July

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 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 08 July

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  Modish Blockades: The Houthis, Trump and Expanding the War

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  The naval blockade has become conveniently modish, particularly when it comes to narrow straits of water where heavy international traffic and cargo pass through.  The Iranians were the first to realise an eventuality long suspected: that the Strait of Hormuz might be feasibly shut for lengthy periods of time with minimum use of force, periodically and selectively opened to balance the strategic books when needed.  It has been seen, no less, as a divine gift with ambrosial properties.  The Iranian-backed Houthis of the Ansar Allah (Partisans of God) movement are now doing much the same thing with their July 20 announcement of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia.  The measure is intended to counter the Saudi blockade of ports and

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  New York mayor says he and his wife received death threats over their views on Gaza and Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he and his wife have received death threats following public statements they made regarding Israel and the war in Gaza. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mamdani said, “It’s difficult to prepare for death threats, but when you’re prepared to stand up for everyone, there are consequences.” He added that he had received similar threats while serving as a member of the New York State Legislature, citing his criticism of US military assistance to Israel and his opposition to the killing of Palestinian civilians. READ: Mamdani says New York City reviews authority to arrest Netanyahu during UN visit: Report Mamdani said the threats began before he became mayor and continued after taking office. He

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  Israeli minister says government’s ultimate goal is to control Gaza and establish settlements

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said on Wednesday that the government’s ultimate goal is to regain control of the Gaza Strip and establish Israeli settlements there. According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), Eliyahu, a member of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said: “Our ultimate goal is to regain control of Gaza, including establishing settlements.” He added: “I agree that the prime minister has not yet put this matter on the agenda, but it is certainly up for discussion,” and said, “In the Middle East, public opinion understands this language.” The Otzma Yehudit party has repeatedly called for Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, establish Israeli settlements there, and encourage the

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  Israel on ‘high alert’ for any scenario with Iran amid Washington-Tehran tension: Energy minister

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Thursday that Israel was on “high alert for any scenario,” warning of a forceful response if Iran launches an attack, Anadolu reports. In an interview with local radio station 103FM, Cohen said Israel had been closely monitoring developments across the region over the past three weeks, stressing that it was on “high alert for any scenario.” “Only one country is destabilizing the Middle East. If Iran makes a mistake, we will respond forcefully,” he said. Cohen said Israel seeks to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, arguing that “regime change” in Tehran was necessary to achieve long-term regional stability. He also criticized the agreement signed between the US and Iran, saying Israel had

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  China urges US, Iran to cease hostilities, resume dialogue

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  China on Thursday voiced “deep concern” over escalating tensions in the Middle East, urging the US and Iran to halt hostilities, return to dialogue and pursue a political solution amid fears that full-scale conflict could resume, Anadolu reports. “The achievements made through negotiations have been hard-won, and the resumption of hostilities serves the interests of no party. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the region should be respected and upheld,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. He was responding to questions about reports that the US is deploying additional military equipment, including aircraft carriers and fighter jets, to the region, that a full-scale war against Iran may resume in the coming days, and that multiple

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  Rubio says Houthis should ‘stay out of’ Iran conflict, claims they got ‘suckered into’ war by Tehran

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  US Secretary of State Rubio said Thursday that Houthis should “stay out of” the Iran conflict, claiming that they were “suckered into” the war in the Middle East by Tehran, Anadolu reports. “I hope that they’ll stop. They shouldn’t really do that. They got suckered into this by the Iranians,” Rubio told reporters in the Philippines. “You know, the Houthis largely were smart and stayed out of all this throughout the conflict, but they now apparently have gotten themselves suckered into this, going after Saudi Arabia and their ships,” Rubio said. He expressed his hopes for the situation to de-escalate, saying that the Houthis “should stay out of it, and they should stop. We’ll see what happens there. Obviously, it’s not

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  Why Does Saudi Arabia Tolerate the Houthis as a Dagger in Its Side?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  The question sounds deceptively simple, but it cuts straight into the structural weakness of how Riyadh thinks about its national security, the limits of power when it is used without strategy, and the illusion that crises can be “managed” rather than resolved. It is not just a question about Yemen and what remains of Iran’s network of militias; it is a question about the future of the Red Sea, the stability of global energy markets, Iran’s ability to maneuver through its proxies, and the strategic vacuum Saudi Arabia has allowed to persist since the first day of the war in Yemen. The spark for this question came by chance, on a flight, when I found myself seated next to a

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  Over 2,500 Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  More than 2,500 Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday morning as they marked the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, commemorating what they call the “destruction of the Temple.” An official from the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, who requested anonymity, told Anadolu Agency that more than 2,500 Israeli occupiers had stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, adding that the incursions were “continuing in very large numbers.” The official said the incursions were accompanied by “widespread violations,” including collective Talmudic prayers, praying aloud and performing full prostrations. Videos circulated by Israeli right-wing activists showed occupiers performing collective prayers opposite the Dome of the Rock. Another clip showed the Israeli flag being raised inside the compound

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  Settlers seize Palestinian home as Israeli army continues West Bank raids

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Israeli settlers seized a Palestinian family’s home in the village of Jalud, south of Nablus in the occupied northern West Bank, on Wednesday after forcing the family to leave, while the Israeli army continued raids across the territory, according to Palestinian sources. Local sources told Anadolu that settlers took over the home of Mahmoud al-Tubasi after forcing his family to leave following more than three months of attacks and restrictions. The sources said the settlers had previously set fire to the house and established a settlement outpost nearby. Despite being cut off from water and food and living under what the family described as a siege, they had remained in the home. According to the sources, the settlers cut off

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  Oil hits six-week high as war threatens crude shipping routes

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Oil prices rose to their highest levels in six weeks on Wednesday, with Brent crude nearing 99 dollars a barrel, as concerns over supply increased amid the escalating US-Iran war and growing Houthi threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices settled at their highest level since 11 June, driven by fears of supply disruptions caused by the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran and Houthi threats to target commercial vessels. Brent crude futures rose by 3.06 dollars, or 3.36 per cent, to settle at 94.07 dollars a barrel, their highest closing level in about six weeks, after reaching an intraday high of 95.47 dollars. READ: After Trump’s threat, Iran warns no one will sell oil if

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  Heavy US losses reported in Iranian attacks across Arab countries

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Twelve US soldiers suffered serious injuries in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and other countries during July, according to a US military official quoted by The New York Times. The official said the injured troops were flown to a US military hospital in Germany for treatment. They are among around 100 US service members whom the Pentagon says have been injured in Iranian attacks since the beginning of July. The official added that about 50 of those injuries were sustained during recent attacks on bases hosting US forces in Jordan. The New York Times reported that US Central Command is not required to disclose information about injured service members, particularly if they return to duty quickly. The official

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  Houthis say they targeted two Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group said early on Thursday that it had carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement that Houthi forces targeted two Saudi oil tankers that had violated the group’s shipping ban in the Red Sea. He identified the vessels as Encelia and Layla. Saree said the attack was carried out using ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. He claimed the strikes were accurate and caused large fires on board both tankers. He also claimed that the Encelia and Layla had breached the maritime blockade imposed by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia. Reuters quoted a maritime security source as saying that

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  France investigates alleged torture of French MP and Gaza flotilla participants by Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that French activists, including left-wing La France Insoumise MP Marie Mesmeur, were tortured after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in early October 2025 while heading to the Gaza Strip to challenge the blockade. The prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday that the investigation was launched earlier this month following two complaints concerning alleged incidents that took place between 1 and 7 October 2025. The case has been assigned to the Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and is being investigated on suspicion of torture, as defined under the UN Convention against Torture. The investigation was opened after Mesmeur filed a

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  Is it just about AIPAC’s money, or does the US-Israel rot run far deeper?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 23, 2026

  Two major stories regarding the United States and Israel in recent days represent profound watershed moments in the history of the relationship between both countries.  The first incident occurred on 8 July when US Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) and his delegation were detained by armed, illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.  “These hoodlums come in with machine guns—an M4, an American-made machine gun—and they detain us,” Khanna recounted in a stunning statement. “They block off the road. And then they call the IDF, and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans.”  Equally shocking to the congressman’s direct encounter with the raw, lawless reality of the occupation was the response of US Ambassador

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  After Trump’s threat, Iran warns no one will sell oil if Tehran can’t

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Wednesday that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war state, warning that no country in the region would be able to sell oil if Iran was prevented from doing so, Anadolu reports. In a post on the US social media platform X, Qalibaf said the conflict had become an “all or nothing” equation. “In a region where we cannot sell oil, no one will sell oil,” he warned. Qalibaf also warned that if Iran’s security was not guaranteed, “no infrastructure will remain secure.” He further argued that security in the Strait of Hormuz depends on the absence of US forces, adding that Iran had

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  Iran warns any attack on its infrastructure will trigger ‘powerful’ response

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Iran warned Wednesday that any attack on its infrastructure would trigger a “powerful and decisive” response, saying countries supporting such strikes would be considered legitimate targets, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the warning in a post on the US social media platform X, saying Iran’s defense doctrine was based on the principle of “eye for an eye.” “Our defense doctrine is clear: eye for an eye,” Araghchi wrote. “Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.” He added that “those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets.” READ: Trump warns US will bomb bridge or power plant for every attack on ship in

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  Libyan parties call for unified institutions, presidential and parliamentary elections

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Libyan political parties called Wednesday for unifying state institutions and holding presidential and parliamentary elections based on a consensual constitutional framework to restore stability in the country, Anadolu reports. The call came in a statement issued during the first conference of Libyan parties, which opened in the central city of Sirte. The conference is scheduled to continue for two days. The statement stressed the importance of “unifying state institutions, foremost the executive authority and the military institution, in a way that supports building a state of institutions and law and meets citizens’ aspirations.” “Holding free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections under a consensual constitutional framework represents the most legitimate path to restoring state institutions and renewing their legitimacy, leading

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  US urges citizens in Israel to remain vigilant amid surge in organized crime violence

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  The US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning American citizens of a significant increase in violence linked to rivalries between organized crime groups in central Israel, Anadolu reports. “US Embassy Jerusalem is closely monitoring reports of a spike in violence … primarily in the Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Herzliya neighborhoods,” the embassy said. It said that recent attacks have involved hand or stun grenades thrown at vehicles, private homes, and businesses, often by assailants on motorcycles. READ: US, Israel discuss potential Trump-Netanyahu Oval Office meeting: Report The embassy advised Americans to remain vigilant in commercial districts, particularly during evening and overnight hours. It urged citizens to avoid areas with heavy police activity, report suspicious items to local

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  New Hamas chief outlines 6 priorities topped by ending Israeli offensive in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Newly elected Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya on Wednesday outlined six priorities for the Palestinian group, placing a comprehensive end to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave at the top of the agenda, Anadolu reports. In his first televised speech since assuming the post, Hayya called on countries mediating ceasefire negotiations to pressure the Israeli government to implement existing agreements and move to the next phase of the process. He said Hamas’ second priority is restoring “dignified living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, thwarting displacement plans, accelerating reconstruction efforts and securing the release of prisoners.” The third priority, he said, is achieving Palestinian unity by launching an immediate national dialogue to rebuild Palestinian institutions, particularly the

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  Iran threatens attacks on regional energy infrastructure after Trump’s threat over Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  An Iranian military source warned Wednesday that Tehran would strike regional infrastructure, including energy facilities, if Washington targeted bridges and power plants in Iran, following US President Donald Trump’s threat to attack infrastructure over commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. Trump threatened early Wednesday that the US would bomb an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacked a commercial vessel in the strategic waterway. Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the source said Iran has a “steel determination” to exercise its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and “would never allow the waterway to become a source of threats” against the country again. READ: Trump says 18 US troops killed during war with Iran The source added

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  US, Israel discuss potential Trump-Netanyahu Oval Office meeting: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office are discussing a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, Axios reported Wednesday. The proposed Oval Office session would follow Netanyahu’s reported failure to secure an appointment last week, according to the news outlet. The Israeli leader is scheduled to travel Tuesday to Washington to attend funeral services for Sen. Lindsey Graham. A meeting, however, has not yet been arranged between the leaders, a White House official and Israeli source told Axios. Netanyahu has visited the White House six times since Trump returned to office, more than any other world leader. Anadolu contacted the White House for confirmation, but received no response. Axios said

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  Trump warns US will bomb bridge or power plant for every attack on ship in Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Washington would bomb an Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran attacks a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The US has been carrying out a series of strikes across Iran since last week, while Tehran has responded with strikes targeting facilities and bases it said

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  Iran says US strikes killed 53, wounded 592 since June 27

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  US airstrikes on Iran since June 27 have killed 53 people and wounded 592 others, Iran’s Health Ministry said Wednesday, amid escalating tensions across the region, Anadolu reports. Hussein Kermanpour, head of the ministry’s public relations and information center, said the casualties were recorded from June 27 to 8.30 am (05.30GMT) Wednesday, according to a statement posted on the US social media platform X. He said 535 of those injured had been discharged after receiving medical treatment, while 36 remained hospitalized and 21 received treatment at the scene. The US has carried out a series of strikes across Iran since last week, while Tehran has responded with attacks targeting facilities and bases it says are being used by the US military in

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  Israeli shelling, incursions continue in southern Lebanon as army deployment enters 2nd day

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Israeli violations continued in southern Lebanon on Wednesday as the Lebanese army’s deployment in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh entered its second day under phase one of a framework formula agreement, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported, Anadolu reports. Israeli artillery intermittently shelled Ali al-Taher hill on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while an Israeli drone carried out a strike on the town, the agency said. An Israeli force advanced to the outskirts of Burj al-Muluk on the main road linking Tall al-Nahhas to the town, where troops raided a man’s home, searched it, confiscated his passport after checking his phone, and interrogated him before withdrawing toward Tall al-Nahhas, the agency also reported. Another Israeli force also entered the border town of Sarbin,

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  Italy to host meeting on 2-state solution on July 28-29

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Wednesday that Italy will host a new round of talks on Lebanon on Aug. 4, highlighting Rome’s “leading role” in the process, Anadolu reports. “Last week, we hosted here in Rome the first negotiating session on the follow-up to the agreement, and on Aug. 4 we will host a new dialogue session,” Tajani told lawmakers, adding that the initiative was “an important achievement, the result of patient foreign policy efforts that build bridges and never erect walls.” Speaking alongside Defense Minister Guido Crosetto before a joint meeting of Foreign Affairs and defense committees on the outcome of the NATO summit in Türkiye earlier this month, Tajani announced that Rome will host a Global Alliance meeting on the

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  Iraqi premier to visit Iran for talks on gas, regional developments

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi will visit Iran on Thursday at the head of a ministerial delegation to discuss gas cooperation and regional developments following an official invitation from the Iranian president, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said Wednesday, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Anadolu reports. Al-Aboudi said the issue of restricting weapons to the state has only been discussed in Baghdad, stressing that it is an internal Iraqi matter and will not be discussed in any capital outside Iraq, INA reported. The gas file will be on the agenda during bilateral talks between Iraq and Iran in line with Iraq’s national interests, he said. Iraq is pursuing an initiative based on diplomatic solutions, particularly regarding current regional developments, al-Aboudi added.

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  Rubio says US ‘would love to reach a diplomatic settlement’ with Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington “would love to reach a diplomatic settlement” with Iran, warning that President Donald Trump has “many options available” if Tehran does not cooperate, Anadolu reports. “I think everybody here understands that the US would love to reach a diplomatic settlement. We would love to reach an agreement if it were possible with Iran that would ensure they never have a nuclear weapon, and obviously help stop them,” Rubio told reporters in the Philippines. Rubio said that the US would prefer an agreement where the Iranian side “says we’ll no longer sponsor terrorism and we will not pursue a nuclear weapon or the things you need for a nuclear weapon.” He noted that

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  Israeli army building barrier inside Gaza beyond ‘yellow line’: Haaretz

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  Israel’s army is building a ground barrier inside the Gaza Strip that extends hundreds of meters beyond the so-called “yellow line” in two areas, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The yellow line marks the area to which the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw under the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to halt Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Citing an investigation based on recent satellite images, Haaretz said the barrier consists mainly of an earth berm and a trench, and has expanded the area under Israeli army control to 65% of the Gaza Strip. After announcing its withdrawal to the yellow line in October 2025, the Israeli army said it controlled 53% of Gaza. The barrier’s

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with former CIA analyst Ray McGovern & Larry Johnson

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Dalton: Can the US and Iran Avoid a Major War?

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  Surge in miscarriage in Gaza raises alarm over genocide through preventing births

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  A senior Palestinian medical official has warned that 3,958 miscarriages were recorded in the Gaza Strip during the first half of 2026, describing the figure as an “unprecedented” increase as Israel’s genocide continues to devastate maternal and reproductive healthcare. Dr Bassam Zaqout, director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in Gaza, attributed the rise to the severe conditions imposed on pregnant women, including repeated displacement, unsafe transport over damaged roads, inadequate shelter, poor sanitation and continuing fear caused by Israeli attacks. 300% spike in miscarriages: no safe pregnancies in Gaza as Israel’s assault continues, HRW report finds Zaqout also highlighted the absence of hot water and hygiene products, the spread of disease in overcrowded displacement camps and the lack of

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  New UK defence secretary stands by Israel war crimes remarks

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Britain’s new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting on Wednesday defended his previous remarks accusing Israel of committing war crimes, saying he would not distance himself from comments already on the record, Anadolu reports. Speaking to journalists at the Farnborough International Airshow, Streeting said Israel must be judged by the same standards applied to Britain and its other allies, while maintaining that the country had the right to defend itself. Asked whether he still stood by his past remarks that Israel had committed war crimes now that he was defence secretary, Streeting said he was not distancing himself from those comments. “I have expressed very clearly my concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.. My comments are there. They

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  Israel begins digging crocodile trenches around prison wing holding Hamas members

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Trenches intended to hold crocodiles are being dug around a high-security wing of a prison in southern Israel housing Hamas members, according to an Israeli media report on Wednesday. The trenches are being dug around the Ketziot prison and will extend about 170 meters, daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported. A local official from the Ramat Negev Regional Council, where the prison is located, said the trenches are being dug inside the prison around one of its special wings and cannot be seen from outside. “No one knows if there will actually be crocodiles there, but preparations are being made,” the unnamed official was quoted as saying. The Israeli National Security Ministry also confirmed the start of work on channels designated for

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  Oslo on the Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  The most successful peace processes are often those that allow the stronger party to continue the war under diplomatic cover. Bombs fall. Ports close. Civilians die. Then diplomats appear before polished lecterns to announce that dialogue remains “constructive.” Constructive for whom is never explained. Not for those beneath the aircraft. Not for the states ordered to negotiate while under attack. But extremely constructive for empire, which has perfected the art of converting aggression into procedure and coercion into statesmanship. The emerging American-Iranian “peace process” belongs to this tradition of organised fraud. A Pakistan-brokered, 14-point memorandum was presented as a path toward ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, suspending attacks, and negotiating a durable settlement. Within weeks, the United States

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  New York City mayor calls Netanyahu ‘war criminal,’ urges US to enforce ICC arrest warrant

  by Mehdi Editor on July 22, 2026

  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and urged the US government to enforce an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) if he enters the US, Anadolu reports. “Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said in a video message Tuesday posted on the US social media platform X. He accused Netanyahu of being responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, targeting hospitals, and blocking food and humanitarian aid from reaching people in need in the Gaza Strip. Mamdani said that the US bears responsibility because, he said, “we, as Americans, pay for the bombs that do the

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  Daughter of Tunisian opposition figure raises concerns over prison conditions, says Rached Ghannouchi fainted

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Haifa Chebbi, daughter of imprisoned Tunisian opposition politician Ahmed Najib Chebbi, has expressed concern over detention conditions at Mornaguia Prison, saying she witnessed Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda Movement, faint due to extreme heat. In a video statement released after visiting her father, Chebbi described the conditions inside the prison as extremely difficult, particularly amid high summer temperatures. She urged Tunisia’s political class and civil society to move beyond expressions of solidarity on social media and take what she described as meaningful action. Chebbi said she visited her father alongside Abdelhamid Jelassi and Ziad Hani, adding that she left the prison feeling distressed by what she had witnessed. According to her account, temperatures reached 52 degrees Celsius, and she

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  Amal Movement official says no settlement is possible without full Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  A senior official in Lebanon’s Amal Movement said on Tuesday that any lasting settlement in southern Lebanon must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the reconstruction of areas damaged during the conflict. Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, the Amal Movement’s central cultural official and the Mufti of Tyre and Jabal Amel, said the current phase requires greater dialogue among Lebanon’s political factions to reach a unified national position. Speaking during a memorial ceremony in the town of Bnaafoul, Abdullah called on Lebanese authorities to “open the door to discussion and dialogue among the various Lebanese factions” to strengthen national unity, which he described as the foundation of Lebanon’s strength. He said defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression is a national

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  Khaled Meshaal pledges support for new Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas abroad, has pledged his support for Dr Khalil al-Hayya following his election as head of the movement’s political bureau, calling for unity during what he described as a critical period for the Palestinian people. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Meshaal congratulated al-Hayya on his election by Hamas’ General Shura Council, expressing hope that he would be granted success in leading the movement. Meshaal said the current circumstances require all efforts to be united in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, adding that members of the movement should work together to assist the population and pursue what he described as their national objectives. He said the internal election was conducted in accordance with Hamas’

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  Trump wants to nominate FIFA chief for UN secretary-general: Report

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be the next secretary-general of the UN, the New York Post reported Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Citing a source close to Trump, the Post reported that the president believes that Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognises he has a special ability to bring people together.” Infantino, 56, developed close ties with Trump during this year’s World Cup, with the Swiss-born FIFA president making repeated efforts to court the US leader, including presenting him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December, the report said. A successor to current UN chief Antonio Guterres will serve a five-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Under Article 97 of the UN Charter,

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  Iranian President says Supreme Leader called for end to “neither war nor peace” state as Pakistan pursues mediation efforts

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that all major decisions in Iran are made in accordance with the directives of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, adding that communication between the two has increased in recent weeks. Speaking during the National Industry and Mining Day ceremony, Pezeshkian said Khamenei had stressed in private meetings the need to end what he described as the state of “neither war nor peace.” The president said Iran’s negotiating position included reopening the Strait of Hormuz to oil exports and addressing other key issues. He also accused the United States of failing to honour its commitments. Pezeshkian further alleged that the United States was waging what he described as a “comprehensive war” aimed at creating internal

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  Burnham and Al-Turabi: The surprise of decentralisation in politics

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  In politics, comparisons are not necessarily about drawing parallels. Rather, they are a way of exploring how ideas separated by geography and ideology can converge around the same fundamental question. Perhaps one of the most surprising comparisons is that between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the late Sudanese Islamic thinker Dr Hassan Al-Turabi. It is difficult to imagine two figures from more contrasting worlds: the former emerged from Britain’s Labour tradition, shaped by the norms of liberal democracy; the latter was one of the leading theorists of political Islam in the twentieth century, whose intellectual and political journey unfolded in a country that has rarely enjoyed lasting stability. History, however, shows that ideas do not recognise geographical boundaries, and

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  IRGC claims Pentagon is underreporting US military losses in Jordan

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Tuesday that the US Department of Defence (Pentagon) is concealing the true number of US military casualties resulting from attacks on American forces in Jordan. In a statement, the IRGC alleged that the number of US service members killed in the attacks was higher than the figures publicly announced by the United States. The statement further claimed that the Pentagon was covering up losses sustained during attacks on a US military base in Jordan, which it said resulted in the deaths of a significant number of American personnel. The claims could not be independently verified. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), two US soldiers were killed and a third was reported missing

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  Trump says 18 US troops killed during war with Iran

  by Marwa A on July 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that 18 American troops have been killed during the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran. In a post on social media, Trump wrote: “Military conflict with Iran: four months and 18 dead.” Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said two US soldiers were killed and a third was missing in Jordan on Friday while responding to Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. The US military also announced on Sunday that one American soldier was killed and another suffered minor injuries while disposing of munitions from an Iranian drone in northern Iraq. The United States has carried out repeated waves of strikes on targets inside Iran in recent days, while Tehran has