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

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  ‘Israel, What Went Wrong’: Omer Bartov on genocide in Palestine

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Omer Bartov is an Israeli-American historian. He is professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University in the United States. Dr Mohammad Farhan who is Assistant Professor (English) at the Center for Distance and Online Education, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, recently interviewed him about his latest book Israel: What Went Wrong. What is happening in Palestine is not a conflict or war, it is a genocide as Bartov Omer, a leading authority on genocide writes in his book. In this interview he succinctly discusses how Israel commits war crimes and genocide on Palestinians: Mohammad Farhan:  I would like to ask what inspired you to use such a title What Went Wrong and what actually went wrong in the

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  EgyptAir suspends flights to UAE until further notice

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  EgyptAir has announced the suspension of all its flights from Cairo International Airport to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, effective immediately and until further notice. In an official statement, the airline said the decision was taken in light of recent developments in the region and in line with instructions issued by the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates. EgyptAir added that it is closely monitoring the situation around the clock through its integrated operations centre, in coordination with the authorities at the airports concerned. It said customers will be notified of any updates as soon as they are available. The airline urged passengers to check their bookings before heading to the airport by contacting EgyptAir’s call centre on 1717

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  Obama: Netanyahu pushed for war on Iran using same arguments presented to Trump

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Former US President Barack Obama has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly tried to persuade him to launch a full-scale armed confrontation with Iran. In an interview published on Monday by The New Yorker, Obama said Netanyahu used the same arguments and justifications that he later presented to US President Donald Trump. Obama added that although Netanyahu ultimately achieved his aim, he remains highly doubtful that such a war would serve the interests of either Israeli or American citizens. He also noted that historical records clearly show the deep disagreements that marked his relationship with Netanyahu over the Iran issue. “I think there’s an ample record of my differences with Mr. Netanyahu,” Obama said. Netanyahu: Israel preparing for

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  Italy opens probe into activists’ detention after Gaza aid flotilla interception

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  The public prosecutor’s office in Rome has opened an investigation into the alleged abduction of individuals by Israeli forces after they intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound aid convoy, in international waters on Thursday, Italian media reports. According to the reports, three legal complaints have been filed against Israeli forces over the alleged abduction of two activists — Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila — who are currently being held in Israel. Both were on board a vessel flying the Italian flag at the time of their detention in international waters. An Israeli court has ordered that the activists’ detention be extended for an additional two days. The Rome prosecutor’s office had previously opened a

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  Hamas condemns Israel’s repression of female prisoners in Damon prison, calls for international action

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  The Hamas has condemned the Israeli escalating repression and torture of Palestinian female detainees in Damon Prison, calling the practices “war crimes” and urging immediate international intervention. In a statement on Monday, the group cited testimonies indicating that female prisoners are forced to lie face down, handcuffed behind their backs, and subjected to beatings, kicks and other forms of abuse. It also said detainees have been placed in solitary confinement. Hamas said such practices reflect Israel’s disregard for humanitarian and moral standards, and called for accountability for Israeli officials, as well as urgent efforts to protect detainees. The group urged Palestinian factions, human rights organisations and civil society groups to intensify efforts in support of prisoners and advocate for their

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  Aoun says negotiations with Israel will continue, rules out Netanyahu meeting for now

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said there is no turning back from direct negotiations with Israel, but that the timing is not appropriate for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at Baabda Palace during a meeting with lawmakers from the “Strong Republic” parliamentary bloc led by Strida Geagea, Aoun said negotiations remain Lebanon’s only viable path forward. “There is no turning back on the path of negotiations because we have no other option,” he said, according to a statement from the presidency. Aoun added that Lebanon’s objectives in any talks are based on securing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories and the return of detainees, describing them as longstanding national demands. He said that a meeting

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  UAE says Iran targeted ADNOC tanker with drones in Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates said Iran targeted one of its oil tankers with drones while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, condemning the incident as a “terrorist attack”. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the vessel, operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), was struck by two drones as it passed through the strait. ADNOC confirmed that its crude oil tanker Barakah was involved in the incident off the coast of Oman, adding that no injuries were reported among the crew. The company said the tanker was not carrying any cargo at the time of the attack. READ: Iran had no plan to target UAE, senior military official says

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  Nablus: son born hours after father killed by Israeli forces

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  A newborn was delivered in Nablus less than 24 hours after his father, Naif Samaro, was killed by Israeli forces, according to local sources. Medical staff said the child’s mother gave birth by caesarean section on Monday, confirming that both mother and baby are in stable condition following the delivery at a city hospital. The family named the child Yaman, in line with his father’s wish, relatives said, noting that Samaro had been awaiting the birth of his first child shortly before his death. The birth came the same day after Samaro was killed in Nablus, with the child arriving without his father present. READ: 1 in 5 amputees in Gaza is a child, UN warns amid prosthetic care crisis

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  Berri: No negotiations with Israel before end of fighting in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said there can be no negotiations with Israel while fighting continues in southern Lebanon, stressing that halting the war must come first. In remarks reported by his media office and published in An-Nahar, Berri said: “Stopping the war must precede any political process,” rejecting talks without clear guarantees that Israeli military actions will cease. His comments come as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon, including reported evacuation orders for residents of several villages, underscoring the fragility of the current ceasefire. Berri said any future settlement must include an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, describing it as a fundamental condition for entering negotiations. The developments highlight the challenges facing international efforts, including those led by

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  1 in 5 amputees in Gaza is a child, UN warns amid prosthetic care crisis

  by Marwa A on May 4, 2026

  The UN on Monday warned that one in five amputees in the Gaza Strip is a child, as a critical shortage of prosthetic specialists and restricted entry of materials leave thousands without adequate care, Anadolu reports. “On health, concerns remain over skin diseases and other medical issues linked to the presence of pests and rodents,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference, adding that more than 6,600 people need prosthetic and rehabilitation care. “That includes thousands of people who have received amputations since October 2023, yet only eight prosthetic technicians are available to respond,” he said. Warning that “with severe shortages of specialists and restricted entry of prosthetic materials, it could take five years or more to meet

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  Israeli army ‘on high alert’ for possible resumption of Iran war

  by Marwa A on May 4, 2026

  The Israeli army said Monday evening it is on high alert for a possible resumption of war with Iran amid rising escalation between Tehran and Washington in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “We are monitoring the situation and are on high alert amid the escalation in the Gulf,” the army said in a statement. “We confirm that there is no change in the instructions of the Home Front Command,” it added. The public broadcaster KAN said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held “a series of security consultations” throughout Monday to discuss the situation in the Gulf. Regional tensions have escalated after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel, as well

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  Iran had no plan to target UAE, senior military official says

  by Marwa A on May 4, 2026

  A senior Iranian military official said on Monday that Tehran had no plans to target the United Arab Emirates, Iranian state media IRIB reported, Anadolu reports. A major fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone on Monday after what UAE authorities said was a drone attack launched from Iran. Civil defense teams were dispatched to contain the blaze, with reports of three moderate injuries. The incident followed reports by the UAE Defense Ministry that four cruise missiles were launched toward the country, most of which were intercepted. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took

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  Major fire erupts at UAE oil facility after drone strike from Iran

  by Marwa A on May 4, 2026

  A major fire broke out at an oil facility in the Fujairah emirate of the UAE on Monday after it was struck by a drone launched from Iran, authorities said, Anadolu reports. The attack marks the first since a ceasefire took effect between Iran and the US last month. In a statement, the Fujairah Media Office said the blaze erupted at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a key energy hub on the UAE’s eastern coast, after it was targeted by a drone launched from Iran. Civil defense teams were immediately dispatched to the site and are continuing efforts to contain and extinguish the fire, the statement said. Authorities in Fujairah said three Indian nationals were injured with moderate wounds and

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  US directs ships to transit Strait of Hormuz through Oman’s territorial waters

  by Marwa A on May 4, 2026

  The US Navy on Monday directed vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz to route through Oman’s territorial waters south of the Traffic Separation Scheme, warning that the main shipping lane remained extremely hazardous due to sea mines that had not been fully surveyed or cleared, Anadolu reports. The US Naval Forces Central Command advisory urged ships to contact Omani authorities on VHF channel 16, given anticipated traffic volume, and encouraged operators to carefully review risk assessments before attempting transit. The guidance came as US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the strait in support of “Project Freedom,” Washington’s initiative to escort neutral vessels out of the waterway, US Central Command said. Iranian state media claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

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  Egypt incurs $10B in Suez Canal losses over Gaza war, president says

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Egypt has lost about $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a result of the Gaza war, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking during a meeting in Cairo with Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sisi said continued attacks on ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, had sharply reduced traffic heading to the Suez Canal, the presidency said in a statement. Bab al-Mandab is one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes for energy and food supplies, alongside the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks

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  Are Gaza anti-blockade flotillas futile?

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Each time a new flotilla sets sail towards Gaza with the aim of challenging the blockade, the same question is repeated: what is the point if these ships are intercepted before they arrive? From a purely logistical perspective, the pattern appears predictable. The vessels are stopped. The participants are detained. The mission does not reach its physical destination. On that narrow reading, some conclude that these efforts are indeed futile. But this way of framing the issue reduces a complex political and moral action to a single outcome: arrival of the vessels and delivery of the aid on board. It ignores the wider purpose these initiatives serve, and misunderstands how resistance movements operate under conditions of asymmetrical power. As a

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  Israeli forces demolish two-story Palestinian home in southern West Bank

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Israeli forces demolished a two-story Palestinian home in the village of al-Deirat, in the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron, on Monday. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the house belonged to Radi al-Jabbarin and his son, Munir al-Jabbarin, and housed 15 family members. The report added that Israeli forces also uprooted trees around the property using bulldozers and damaged nearby agricultural land during the operation. The West Bank and East Jerusalem have been witnessing a rise in Israeli military operations, including raids, arrests, gunfire, and the use of excessive force. READ: Settlers uproot 1,000 olive trees in Turmus Ayya near Ramallah Palestinians are also facing increasing attacks by the occupiers aimed at pressuring residents to leave their land in

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  Iran says 2 missiles hit US navy vessel near Gulf of Oman, Washington denies

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Iran said on Monday that two missiles struck a US Navy vessel near Jask Island, which is situated on the Gulf of Oman in southern Iran, while Washington denied the claim. “The vessel, which had been sailing through the Strait of Hormuz today in violation of traffic and shipping security near Jask, was targeted by a missile attack after ignoring a warning from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy,” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said, citing local sources. The outlet said the vessel was unable to continue its route as a result of the attack and “was forced to turn back and flee the area.” But US Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly denied the Iranian claim. “No U.S. Navy ships have

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  Trump’s Board of Peace envoy set to meet Israeli officials on easing restrictions on Gaza aid

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  The lead envoy with US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, is set to hold talks on Monday with senior Israeli officials on the situation in the Palestinian enclave. During the talks, Mladenov is expected to ask Israel to ease restrictions on the entry of humanitarian supplies into the blockaded Gaza Strip and limit its military operations there, The Times of Israel news website said. His trip to Israel comes after the envoy held talks with Hamas in Egypt on the implementation of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. No details were provided about the content of the discussions between the two sides, but Israeli media claimed that Mladenov’s talks with the group for disarmament have failed. According

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  Iran releases new map outlining areas in Hormuz under its control

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday issued a new map outlining areas in the Strait of Hormuz that it says under its control. The designated zone stretches between two defined maritime lines: one running from the western tip of Iran’s Qeshm Island to Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates, and another extending from Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran to the area south of Fujairah in the UAE, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. It was not immediately clear to what degree the claimed area of control has changed. READ: Netanyahu: Israel preparing for fight with Iran and disarming Hamas The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel, as well

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  Israel approves $270M budget for settlement roads in occupied West Bank

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Israel’s government approved a budget of about $270 million to build roads connecting illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz newspaper reported on Monday. The daily said the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved more than 1 billion shekels (about $270 million) to construct roads linking new settlements in the occupied territory. In the first phase, about 3 million shekels (around $1 million) will be allocated to prepare the plan and complete initial design work, which will be submitted to the government for approval within 45 days, Haaretz said, citing a government statement. The statement added that funding for development work would be provided as an additional allocation from the Finance Ministry’s budget. READ: Israel bankrolls war crimes in

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  Palestinian National Popular Action Committee condemns Israel abduction of flotilla activists

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  The Palestinian National Popular Action Committee have today issued a press statement strongly condemning the Israeli abduction of activists Saif Abu Khashk and Thiago Ávila in international waters near the island of Crete. “This act of maritime piracy,” the Committee said, “is part of a continuing pattern of violations of all international norms and laws.”  The statement said Israel’s cross-border lawlessness comes as no surprise from an occupation that systematically disregards international law. “We hold all those complicit in these crimes, including those who remain silent, fully responsible.”  It added; “While we hold the occupation fully accountable for the safety of Saif and Thiago, we urgently call on the Governments of Spain and Brazil to intervene immediately to secure their

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  A post-OPEC moment calls for a UAE–Indonesia green sukuk

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave OPEC is not just a rupture in oil diplomacy. It is a signal that the old architecture of energy coordination—built on production quotas and cartel discipline—is giving way to something looser, more competitive, and potentially more volatile. For Indonesia, the implications are immediate. But so is the opportunity. Effective 1st May 2026, the UAE exited OPEC after nearly six decades, citing national interest and a reassessment of its production strategy. The move frees Abu Dhabi from output quotas that had constrained its ability to monetize expanded production capacity. It also reflects deeper tensions within the group—particularly with Saudi Arabia—and the disruptive effects of regional conflict, including the war involving Iran and instability in

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  Netanyahu: Israel preparing for fight with Iran and disarming Hamas

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told senior army commanders that Israel is preparing for a confrontation with Iran and will continue efforts to dismantle Hamas, according to Channel 14 on Sunday evening. During a meeting with top Israeli military officials, Netanyahu said Iran would emerge from the current campaign weaker than ever, while Israel would be significantly stronger. He addressed claims about the possible rapid collapse of the Iranian regime, saying there are no guarantees it would fall at the start of any conflict. However, he stressed that heavy economic pressure is creating conditions that could lead to such an outcome. READ: Israel triggers Gaza talks crisis over disarmament dispute Netanyahu said Iran’s leadership is deeply concerned that economic collapse could

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  Gaza is the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, UN rights body says

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  The UN Human Rights Office has said that Gaza is the deadliest place in the world for journalists.  In a post on X on Sunday, the UN body called on countries to take action “beyond words of condemnation and solidarity” to ensure accountability, protect journalists and allow independent access for international media. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that “Israel’s war in Gaza has become a death trap for the media,” adding that “his office has verified the killing of nearly 300 journalists since October 2023, with many more injured.” READ: Israel responsible for two-thirds of record 129 journalist deaths in 2025, press group says

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  Israel triggers Gaza talks crisis over disarmament dispute

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Hamas has voiced growing anger over the insistence of Nikolay Mladenov, head of the Board of Peace, on linking the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and an Israeli military withdrawal to the issue of disarmament. The movement has informed mediators it will not move to the second phase of talks unless Israel fully implements all terms of the first phase. Israeli channel Kan reported on Sunday evening that a sharp dispute is escalating between Hamas and mediators over the disarmament issue. It said talks between Mladenov and a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya have reached a deadlock. READ: Report: over 86% of Gaza farmland damaged Hamas is insisting on the full implementation of the first phase before discussing any subsequent

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  Study: over a third of Israeli university students consider suicide due to war

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  An Israeli academic study involving more than 700 university students, most of whom have direct links to the war through military service, has found that more than one third have experienced suicidal thoughts. The newspaper Israel Hayom reported that long periods of reserve duty in the Israeli army have “shaken” students’ lives, due to separation from home and friends, exposure to difficult scenes on the battlefield, fear of injury, and a sense among reservists of being “forgotten”. This has led to psychological distress among many students. According to new data set to be presented at the annual scientific conference on suicide in Israel, 39.4 per cent of students reported severe symptoms of depression, while 33.8 per cent reported active suicidal

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  Iran says any US intervention in Hormoz Strait would breach ceasefire

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  A senior Iranian official on Monday warned that Tehran would treat any US attempt to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the ceasefire, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump of an operation to escort ships stranded in the strategic waterway. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on X that “any US intervention in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire.” These remarks followed Trump’s Sunday announcement that the US would assist to free up vessels stranded within the Strait of Hormuz out of restricted waters, noting that the operation would begin on Monday. READ: Trump calls US naval

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  Why emerging “peace processes” risk recycling war

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Each time diplomacy returns to the Middle East, it promises de-escalation, stability, perhaps even peace. Yet for those in Gaza, such promises have become part of a familiar cycle—violence, pause, and violence again. In the current confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, the language of peace is once again gaining ground. Envoys are active, backchannels are open, and cautious optimism is being carefully staged. But what is emerging may not be peace at all. It may be another way of managing war. The region has seen this script before. Escalation produces urgency, urgency produces diplomacy, and diplomacy produces agreements that promise stability. For a moment, tensions recede. Then they return. Not because peace failed, but because it was

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  Khamenei adviser dismisses Trump threats, says Iran controls key supply routes

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Senior Iranian official Ali Akbar Velayati has dismissed threats by US President Donald Trump to impose famine on Iran, saying the country remains in control of critical economic routes. Speaking to media outlets cited by Sputnik, Velayati said Trump’s remarks “demonstrate a lack of understanding of the global economic and political situation”. He added that global food security and fertiliser supply chains linked to the Strait of Hormuz are “under Iran’s control”, warning that “whoever tampers with the world’s lifeline will find themselves in a predicament”. Velayati also pointed to what he described as signs of declining US influence, citing troop withdrawals from Europe, challenges within NATO, and technical issues affecting US naval forces. Separately, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

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  Report: over 86% of Gaza farmland damaged

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  More than 86 per cent of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has been damaged to varying degrees during the latest war, the Palestinian Centre for Political Studies said on Sunday, warning of serious consequences for food security. The finding was published in an economic policy paper titled “Rehabilitation of Agricultural Land in Gaza after the 2023–2025 War”, prepared by researcher Khaled Abu Amer. The paper highlights the scale of destruction across the agricultural sector. The study said the damage extended beyond crops and infrastructure to include soil, water resources and the wider ecosystem, making recovery more complex. Quoting the researcher, the report said water systems and livestock resources have almost completely collapsed. Rehabilitation efforts remain limited to preparing land

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  2 US service members missing during military exercise in Morocco

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Two US service members went missing near the Cap Draa Training Area close to the city of Tan Tan in Morocco while participating in African Lion 2026 exercise, the US Africa Command said Sunday. The US, Moroccan and other multinational forces launched coordinated search and rescue operations involving ground, air and maritime assets, the command said in a statement, adding that the incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing. The soldiers went missing in an accident unrelated to the exercise, CBS News reported. African Lion 2026 is one of the largest military exercises in Africa and runs from 13th April to 8th May, with forces from more than 30 countries taking part under the leadership of the US

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  Hezbollah says it will not abide by negotiations, vows to confront “any conspiracy”

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  A member of the Hezbollah has said the group will not recognise or implement outcomes of ongoing negotiations, pledging to resist any efforts it views as targeting the organisation. MP Hassan Fadlallah said “the negotiations, with all their outcomes, do not concern us, and we will not implement them, nor will we allow them to be implemented.” He was speaking at a memorial ceremony held for fighters from what Hezbollah refers to as the Islamic Resistance, where he added: “We will thwart any conspiracy targeting the resistance.” Fadlallah said the group would not adhere to decisions resulting from negotiations, arguing that developments on the battlefield outweigh political agreements. “There are prices and sacrifices we are paying today in this war,”

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  Settlers uproot 1,000 olive trees in Turmus Ayya near Ramallah

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Israeli settlers uprooted and vandalised at least 1,000 olive trees in the town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, according to local officials. A member of the town’s council, Abdullah Awad said settlers entered the agricultural plain at dawn accompanied by a bulldozer from the nearby Shiloh settlement, bulldozing farmland and uprooting trees across an area of around 50 dunams (about 10 acres) belonging to local families. Awad said the area has faced an intensifying settlement campaign over the past three years, including repeated attacks on farmland and restrictions preventing farmers from accessing their land. He added that approximately 25,000 olive trees have been uprooted in the area during that period, without formal military orders or land confiscation procedures. The

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  Iran executes three men accused of links to Mossad and killing security officer

  by MI on May 4, 2026

  Iranian authorities said three men have been executed after being convicted of collaborating with the Israeli spy agency, Mossad and, in one case, killing a member of the security forces during protests. According to Iranian media, one of those executed, Mehrab Abdullahzadeh, was found guilty of involvement in the killing of Abbas Fatemieh, a member of Iran’s volunteer security forces. Authorities said the killing took place during protests, with Abdullahzadeh accused of fatally beating Fatemieh with iron bars. In a separate case, two other men—Yaqoub Karimpour and Nasser Bakarzadeh—were executed by hanging after being convicted of espionage for Israel. Iranian authorities said their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court. Officials stated that the two men had gathered information on

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  Iran sets one-month deadline for US to end naval blockade, wars in Iran, Lebanon

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Iran has set a one-month deadline for negotiations on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end a US naval blockade and permanently end the war in Iran and Lebanon, according to a report Saturday by Axios, Anadolu reports. Tehran submitted a 14-point revised proposal Thursday for a framework agreement to Washington. Two sources briefed on the document said it lays out a strict one-month timeline to secure a deal covering maritime access, ending the US naval blockade and a lasting ceasefire on both fronts. “If they misbehave, if they do something bad — but right now, we’ll see. It’s a possibility that could happen, certainly,” US President Donald Trump told reporters Saturday when asked whether he could order

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  Iranian supertanker carrying $220M of oil evades US blockade, says tracker

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  An Iranian supertanker carrying nearly $220 million worth of oil has evaded US blockade efforts, TankerTrackers reported Sunday, Anadolu reports. “A National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertanker carrying over 1.9 million barrels (valued at nearly $220 million dollars) of crude oil has managed to evade the U.S. Navy and reach the Far East,” TankerTrackers wrote on US social media platform X. The vessel, identified as “HUGE” (9357183), was last seen off Sri Lanka more than a week ago and is currently moving through the Lombok Strait in Indonesia toward the Riau Archipelago. The tanker has not transmitted Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals since March 20, when it departed the Strait of Malacca bound for Iran, according to maritime tracking

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  Israel approves plan to buy F-35, F-15IA fighter jets from US

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  An Israeli ministerial committee approved the purchase of two new squadrons of US-manufactured F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets, the Israeli Defense Ministry said, amid ongoing tensions with Iran, Anadolu reports. In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said the Ministerial Committee on Procurement approved a plan to acquire a fourth squadron of the F-35 aircraft and a second squadron of the F-15IA aircraft. The deals valued at “tens of billions” of shekels and “include full fleet integration into the Israeli Air Force, comprehensive sustainment, spare parts, and logistics support,” the statement said. This came as Israel continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire agreements. Reports suggest Tel Aviv also prepares for a possible

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  New Israeli attacks kill at least 7 in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Fresh Israeli attacks killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon on Sunday despite an ongoing ceasefire, Lebanese media reported, Anadolu reports. Three people were killed in an airstrike in the town of Safad al- Battikh, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) said. Another airstrike near Tyre killed three more people – two Syrians and an Egyptian, NNA added. Another person was killed when a drone struck a motorcycle in the same area. On March 2, Israeli army has launched expanded strikes in Lebanon, killing over 2,600 people and displacing over 1.6 million others, according to the Lebanese officials. On April 17, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, before he extended it by three

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  Israeli occupation of Gaza Strip expands to 59% despite truce: Report

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Israel has expanded its occupation to 59% of Gaza and is preparing for possible resumption of genocide in the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli Army Radio said Sunday, Anadolu reports. Before the October 2025 ceasefire, Israel occupied 53% of the strip, the broadcaster said. For its part, Palestinian group Hamas has said Israeli army occupies over 60% of the coastal enclave. Senior Israeli military officials “are pressing for a resumption of fighting in Gaza and believe that the best time to defeat Hamas is now,” the radio said. The radio also reported military preparations for a possible resumption of fighting, noting that the army has reduced forces in southern Lebanon and redeployed regular brigades to Gaza and the West Bank. It

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  Apple… The digital Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  I return to my favourite writer, John Thornhill, and borrow from him that rare glint of insight. When he replaced the Strait of Hormuz with Apple, the analogy seemed exaggerated at first glance, almost too bold. But the more one contemplates it, the more its precision reveals itself. The Strait of Hormuz is not merely a waterway; it is a choke point of power, a bottleneck through which energy flows and from which the world is watched. Apple, in Thornhill’s metaphor, performs the same function—only in the digital geography. When it comes to how artificial intelligence is deployed in consumer services, Apple controls the technological equivalent of the Strait of Hormuz. Not because it is always the most innovative, nor

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  Israel’s inevitable failure to disarm Hezbollah

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Since the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon to expel the PLO, Hezbollah has been a thorn in Israel’s side. Born of that very invasion, the Party — as it is called — waged a relentless guerrilla war against Israeli troops occupying southern Lebanon, backed, financed, and trained by Iran. Its ideological allegiance to Tehran was never a secret. In a remarkably candid 2016 speech, the late Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah declared openly what enemies had long alleged: “Hezbollah’s budget, its income, its expenses, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, come from the Islamic Republic of Iran.” In a separate address to Iranian nationals in Beirut, Nasrallah went further, proclaiming that “We were born with Iran’s Islamic revolution

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  Palestinians mark World Press Freedom Day in Gaza

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  IMAGES: On Labor Day, workers in Gaza are living under difficult conditions and earning very little due to the war

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  Fresh Israeli attacks in occupied West Bank kill 1 Palestinian, injure several others

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  One Palestinian was killed and five others, including a child, were injured on Sunday in Israeli attacks in Nablus, a city in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem, the Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. “26-year-old Nayef Firas Ziyad Samaro was killed, and four others were injured by live ammunition, during an Israeli military raid on the city of Nablus,” the ministry said. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that 40 Palestinians suffered suffocation from tear gas during the Israeli army raid on Nablus, with 10 of them transferred to the hospital. Local sources told Anadolu that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and stun grenades at civilians, medical teams, and journalists during the raid, in addition

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  Trump must choose ‘impossible’ war or ‘bad deal’ with Iran, says IRGC

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said Sunday that US President Donald Trump must choose between an “impossible” war or a “bad deal” with Iran, Anadolu reports. In a post on the US social media company X, the intelligence department of the IRGC said Tehran sent the US military a deadline to end its blockade of Iranian ports. It added that Europe, China and Russia are adopting a more critical tone toward Washington. “There is only one way to read this: Trump must choose between ‘an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. “The room for US decision-making has narrowed,” it said. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering

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  Israeli court extends detention of 2 Gaza-bound flotilla volunteers

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  An Israeli court extended on Saturday the detention of Thiago de Avila and Saif Abukeshek, two volunteers aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, for two days, Anadolu reports. Israeli prosecutors sought a four-day detention extension for the Global Sumud Flotilla activists over security-related allegations, according to a statement by Adalah, an Israeli advocacy group for Palestinians inside Israel. However, their lawyers argued that “the entire legal process is fundamentally flawed and illegal,” the statement added. No charges have been filed against either activists and they remain under interrogation at the pre-indictment stage, the group said. “Both Mr. de Avila and Mr. Abukeshek will be transferred back to the Shikma detention facility in Israel (Ashkelon), where they remain in isolation,” it added.

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  Why the United States should pursue a long-term agreement and security partnership with Iran

  by Marwa A on May 3, 2026

  Look, the Middle East keeps being this expensive, messy headache for American foreign policy. It’s unstable, it drains resources, and it keeps dragging us into stuff that doesn’t really serve our big-picture interests. So Washington has a pretty straightforward choice right now: keep leaning on those small, super-dependent Gulf monarchies, or finally make the shift toward a long-term agreement and a gradual security partnership with Iran. I know it sounds politically crazy to a lot of people, but the Iran option is honestly more realistic, more sustainable, and way better for letting us focus on the one competition that actually matters — China. For years we’ve built our whole regional strategy around these smaller Gulf states. They’ve been handy in

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  Stockholm protesters rally against Israeli strikes on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  Activists gathered in the Swedish capital on Saturday to protest Israel’s ongoing military offensives in the Gaza Strip, Iran and Lebanon, Anadolu Agency reports. Responding to calls from several non-governmental organizations, demonstrators assembled at Odenplan Square, carrying banners reading ‘Stop the killing of civilians,’ ‘End the food blockade in Gaza,’ and ‘Stop attacks on Lebanon and Iran’. Participants demanded an immediate end to genocide in Gaza and urged the Swedish government to halt arms sales to Israel. Ann Christin Kristiansson, a nun from the Church of Sweden, told Anadolu that the current violence constitutes a crime against humanity that transcends politics and religion. She emphasized that the global community must unite against this oppression, stating that the dignity shown by

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  UAE restores normal air traffic after war-related disruption

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced Saturday that air traffic has returned to normal air navigation and temporary precautionary measures imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran have been lifted, Anadolu Agency reports. “Following a comprehensive evaluation of operational and security conditions, we have officially lifted the temporary precautionary measures previously in place,” the authority said in a statement. “Our priority remains the safety of our skies, and we continue to maintain continuous, real-time monitoring to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety for all,” it added. The UAE had announced a “temporary and partial” closure of its airspace on Feb. 28, as a precautionary measure at the outset of the war, which is on a hold after Pakistan

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  Iran strikes damaged 16 US military sites in Middle East, report claims

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  Iran and its allies struck no fewer than 16 US military sites in eight countries across the Middle East in the latest military conflict, leaving some of them “virtually unusable,” CNN reported on Friday citing sources. The report was based on dozens of satellite images and interviews with sources from the US and Gulf Arab countries, and the affected facilities make up the “majority of US military positions” in the region. “There has been a spectrum of assessments,” one source said. “From a pretty dramatic side, of the whole facility is destroyed and needs to be shut down, to leaders who say these things are worth repairing due to the strategic benefit they give the US.” READ: US says it redirected