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

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  Israel cuts water, electricity to UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  Israeli authorities cut off water and electricity to the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem on Wednesday. Israel’s Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, said on Wednesday evening that he personally oversaw the move. In a post on X, he wrote: “In words and in actions, I shut off the tap on UNRWA.” Cohen said he arrived at the UNRWA headquarters on Wednesday morning and found that the electricity had already been cut. He added that he also ordered the water supply to be shut off. He said: “There is no place for UNRWA in the State of Israel,” claiming that the agency had been “an executive arm of Hamas”. Earlier on Wednesday,

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  Israeli admission accuses Ben Gvir of fuelling chaos among Arab citizens

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  As the countdown to Israel’s elections continues, assessments are growing that chaos inside the political system is increasing, marked by noise and misinformation that could ultimately lead to the state collapsing from within. Shiriel Hovij, a co-founder of the Kumu (Get Up) movement and a performance improvement expert working with Israeli and international companies, said that while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is busy chasing surveillance cameras and posting videos on TikTok, criminal organisations are thriving because of an administrative vacuum. He said this vacuum has been created by a government that has replaced dealing with the root causes of problems with hollow public relations shows. According to Hovij, the main aim is to weaken Israelis, break their morale, and

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  Addis and Riyadh reaffirm priorities at a critical regional moment

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  Across the Red Sea, history has always travelled faster than politics. Long before borders, treaties or modern diplomacy, the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula were bound by faith, trade and survival. Today, as global power fractures and regional orders are rewritten, that ancient corridor is again becoming one of the most consequential strategic spaces on earth.  At its centre sit Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia—two states shaped by deep history, demographic weight and civilisational confidence, now cautiously rediscovering one another in a moment that could redefine the future of the Horn of Africa and its relationship with the Gulf. The Red Sea carries close to 15 per cent of global trade and nearly a third of the world’s container

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  Israel invents claims to justify targeting medics: Gaza Civil Defence

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  The General Directorate of Civil Defence in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday denied claims by the Israeli army that an ambulance was used to “transport Palestinian fighters”, saying the allegations are completely false. In a press statement, the directorate said that ambulances have never been used by any armed groups. It explained that the people shown in footage released by Israel were members of the civil police carrying their personal weapons. They were carrying out their duties by helping to clear the way for ambulances while wounded people were being transported, not as Israel has claimed. The directorate stressed that Israel deliberately fabricates images and selectively edits video clips in an attempt to mislead public opinion and justify its ongoing

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  Entries now open for the 15th annual Palestine Book Awards

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  Middle East Monitor (MEMO) is pleased to announce the opening of submissions for the Palestine Book Awards 2026, marking the Awards’ 15th consecutive year of celebrating outstanding literature on Palestine. Publishers, authors, and members of the public are invited to submit eligible titles for consideration across a range of categories, including Academic, Translation, Creative, Memoir, and Social History. At a time of continued global attention on Palestine, the Palestine Book Awards remain a vital platform for amplifying Palestinian voices, histories, and lived experiences. Through this annual celebration of books and scholarship, MEMO seeks to recognise works that contribute meaningfully to understanding Palestine, challenge dominant narratives, and preserve its cultural and political history. To be eligible, books must be written in

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  On the menu: How the middle powers sacrificed Gaza to save themselves

  by MI on February 5, 2026

  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sounded more like a populist leader than a former central banker during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 20 January. Bemoaning the “fading” of the rules-based order, Carney delivered a surprisingly blunt speech. “The old order is not coming back,” he declared. “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” In this new reality, he warned, quoting Thucydides, “the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must.” The ‘revolutionary’ rhetoric did not stop there. Carney called for “strategic autonomy” for middle powers, warning that “if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” He insisted that the West could no longer

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  Morocco evacuates over 100,000 people from 4 provinces after floods

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Morocco evacuated more than 100,000 people from four provinces after flash floods swept several areas, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Authorities carried out a phased evacuation of residents from multiple municipalities based on risk levels and expected damage while providing transportation for those affected, the ministry said in a statement. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 108,423 people have been evacuated across four provinces, it added. Heavy rainfall in recent days caused flooding in several northern regions, prompting ongoing evacuation and rescue operations. The ministry said about 81,709 people were evacuated in Larache province, mainly in the city of Ksar el-Kebir, while 9,728 were evacuated in Sidi Kacem province, 2,853 in Sidi Slimane province and 14,133 in

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  Red Cross ‘outraged’ over killing of Palestinian paramedic in Gaza

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Wednesday said it is “outraged” by the killing of a Palestinian paramedic during a humanitarian mission in southern Gaza, calling the death a violation of protections for medical and aid workers, Anadolu reports. Hussein Hassan Hussein Al-Samiri, a paramedic with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), was killed while performing life-saving duties in Khan Younis during an attack in the Al-Mawasi area on Wednesday, the organization said in a statement. Extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, the IFRC expressed “full solidarity” with the PRCS. “Humanitarian workers and medical personnel must be respected and protected at all times to ensure life-saving assistance can reach people in need,”

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  Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal complaint against former Israeli soldier for war crimes in Gaza

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The Hind Rajab Foundation on Wednesday filed a complaint in the US seeking a criminal investigation into war crimes and genocidal acts by Adi Karni, a former Israeli army sergeant, during Israel’s war on Gaza, Anadolu reports. “This U.S. filing follows earlier complaints filed by HRF in multiple jurisdictions, including Peru, where a formal criminal investigation is already open against Karni for genocide,” the foundation said in a statement. It added that the HRF has also submitted filings concerning Karni in several other countries, “as part of its strategy to ensure that jurisdiction is activated wherever he travels.” HRF said Karni is currently present in the US and is scheduled to speak publicly at Boston University this evening, “a fact

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  Syrian president meets US envoy in Damascus to discuss regional developments

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Wednesday in Damascus with a US delegation led by special envoy Tom Barrack to discuss recent regional developments and issues of mutual interest, the presidency said, Anadolu reports. The meeting took place at the People’s Palace in the capital and was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, it added in a statement. The statement did not provide further details on the agenda or outcomes of the talks. Earlier, Barrack said that Syria “continues to impress with its social fabric vertically and horizontally, under the leadership of Sharaa,” according to Alikhbariah TV. READ: Syria signs MoU with Chevron, Qatari firm to explore oil, gas offshore His comments came during the signing of a memorandum of understanding

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  Israeli army damages Palestinian school in West Bank raid

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Israeli army forces raided a school on Wednesday in the northern West Bank, damaging its facilities, seizing equipment and blocking access, the Palestinian Education Ministry said, Anadolu reports. A ministry statement said that Israeli forces stormed al-Tahaddi School–Ibziq, which is run by the Tubas Education Directorate, and destroyed its campus for the second time. The forces closed the road leading to the school, confiscated educational tools and materials, and destroyed water, electricity and internet networks, the ministry said. Israeli authorities often target Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank on the grounds that they were built without permits. On Tuesday, illegal Israeli settlers attacked al-Malih Coeducational Basic School in the Tubas governorate. The ministry also said Israeli forces impeded students’

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  Turkiye, Egypt working together on Gaza peace efforts, Libya stability, says President Erdogan

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Turkiye and Egypt are working together on efforts for peace in Gaza as well as stability in neighboring Libya, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “Turkiye is working with Egypt on initiatives to make peace in Gaza possible and will continue these efforts,” Erdogan told a joint press conference in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “Our shared objective with Egypt continues to be the preservation of Libya’s unity and territorial integrity to establish lasting stability in the country,” he added. Noting that Egypt is already Turkiye’s largest trade partner in Africa, Erdogan said Ankara aims to boost the bilateral trade volume from $8-9 billion to $15 billion. “Turkiye wants to enhance its cooperation with

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  UN experts urge Israel to withdraw proposed mandatory death penalty bill

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  UN human rights experts on Wednesday urged Israel to withdraw a proposed bill introducing mandatory death sentences for certain terrorist acts, warning it would violate international law and disproportionately target Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory, Anadolu reports. “Mandatory death sentences are contrary to the right to life. By removing judicial and prosecutorial discretion, they prevent a court from considering the individual circumstances, including mitigating factors, and from imposing a proportionate sentence that fits the crime,” the experts said. According to the statement, the bill creates two tracks. In the occupied West Bank, military courts would impose the death penalty for acts causing death, even if unintended. In Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, it would apply only to the “intentional

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  Saudi Arabia launches ‘camel passport project’ to regulate sector

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Saudi Arabia has launched a project to issue passports for camels, in a move seen as a “qualitative step” to regulate the sector and strengthen the kingdom’s credibility in local and international markets, the government said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. A statement by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said Deputy Minister Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti inaugurated the camel passport project Tuesday evening. The initiative is designed to organize the camel sector, document identity and improve service efficiency while enhancing market trust domestically and internationally, the ministry said. The project seeks to record camels’ data, ownership and breeds and link them to verified health and regulatory information, making the passport an officially recognized reference that supports more efficient

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  Syria signs MoU with Chevron, Qatari firm to explore oil, gas offshore

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Syria signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday with US oil firm Chevron and Qatar-based Power International Holding to explore for oil and natural gas in Syrian territorial waters, Anadolu reports. During the signing ceremony, Youssef Qablawi, CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, said the importance of the memorandums lies in their role in strengthening the national economy, Alikhbariah TV reported. A dedicated team has been assigned to support the agreement with the aim of turning it into a binding contract, Qablawi said. Oil wells in Syria had been subjected to sabotage before coming under state control during a military operation against the terrorist organization YPG/SDF in the northeastern provinces of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour, he added. US special envoy

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  ‘This is our problem’: Guardiola speaks out on Gaza genocide, global injustice

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the killing of innocent people around the world deeply affects him and urged people not to remain silent in the face of injustice, speaking at a press conference ahead of his team’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg match against Newcastle United, Anadolu reports. “Never in human history have we had everything so clearly in front of our eyes,” Guardiola said. “The genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, in Russia, in Sudan – everywhere. This is our problem as human beings.” The 55-year-old coach said the issue went beyond politics or taking sides, stressing that protecting human life must come first. “It’s not only about Palestine. It’s about every cause that can make humanity better,”

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  British couple asked to leave India for pasting pro-Palestine posters

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  A British couple was asked to leave India for pasting posters in support of Palestine at various locations in the western state of Rajasthan, local media reported Tuesday. Lewis Gabriel Dee and his girlfriend Anushi Emma Christine were visiting India on a tourist visa and staying in Pushkar, an ancient temple town, according to Firstpost. On Jan. 21, local authorities noticed posters carrying messages such as “Free Palestine, Boycott Israel” at several public locations. Following an investigation, India’s Intelligence Department concluded that the act violated local sensitivities and breached visa rules, as political activity is not permitted on a tourist visa. READ: HRW pulls report linking Israel’s denial of right of return to crime against humanity The two British nationals, both

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  Abbas expresses gratitude to Turkiye, Saudi Arabia for their support to Palestinian cause

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas conveyed his gratitude to Turkiye and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for their support for the Palestinian people, during Tuesday’s visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the kingdom, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the official news agency Wafa, Abbas praised “the honorable and principled stances” of Ankara and Riyadh in upholding international law and legitimacy, and in supporting “the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and independence.” Abbas also highlighted a joint statement released by the two countries emphasizing the need to establish an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the 1967 borders, in accordance with international law, United Nations resolutions, and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, noting

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  Power without purpose: Why Texas Muslims are politically absent amid the Gaza genocide

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched investigations into mosques, “banned” shariah law, and labelled the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organisation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a “terrorist” organization. Texas is home to over 600,000 Muslims, one of the largest, wealthiest Muslim populations in the US, with Houston hosting the state’s largest community. A 2023 Houston Muslim study found that 86% hold college degrees, more than half earn over $100K annually, and 16% earn 250K or more. Despite this the community remains politically weak amid intensifying attacks. Existing political organising is often a shell, shaped more by elite capture priorities than grassroots needs. Texas also has the fifth-largest Muslim population in the US and has more mosques than three

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  HRW pulls report linking Israel’s denial of right of return to crime against humanity

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Two senior members of Human Rights Watch (HRW) have resigned following the organisation’s decision to block publication of a major report examining Israel’s denial of the right of return to Palestinian refugees. Omar Shakir, HRW’s Israel-Palestine Director, and Milena Ansari, a Palestinian assistant researcher, announced their resignations in protest of what they described as a breach of the organisation’s internal procedures and principles. Over 750,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homes in 1948 during the creation of the State of Israel, an event Palestinians refer to as the Nakba. The mass expulsions and flight left Palestinians displaced across the region, with many prevented from returning. Today, there are more than 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees, according to the UN

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  Ennahda rejects ‘political trials’ after appeal court increases Ghannouchi sentence to 20 years

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Tunisia’s Ennahda movement has denounced the “unjust trials with a blatant political dimension”, insisting on the innocence of its leader Rached Ghannouchi and other defendants following tougher prison sentences issued on appeal. Late on Monday, Tunisia’s Court of Appeal handed down sentences ranging from three to 35 years in the second phase of the so-called conspiracy against state security case, according to the Tunisian News Agency, citing a judicial source. The court increased Ghannouchi’s sentence from 14 to 20 years in prison. It also sentenced, in absentia, Ghannouchi’s son Muadh and his son-in-law, former foreign minister Rafik Abdessalem, alongside other Ennahda leaders and Nadia Akacha, a former adviser to President Kais Saied, to 35 years each. Additional prison terms were

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  War or no war? Duelling analyses offer starkly different visions of conflict’s timing and trajectory

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  In the hallways of Washington and the media centres monitoring the Middle Eastern conflict, two vastly disparate predictions have been made regarding a possible American strike on Iran. These predictions differ not only in degree but also in kind, revealing a profound divergence of opinion between seasoned analysts of the same data. This divergence presents a stark choice between two irreconcilable predictions that the people around the world must weigh in considering one of the most important decisions the Trump administration must make. One of these analysts, Professor John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago, suggests that if American military action does indeed take place, it will be a calculated restraint, ultimately proving to be a face-saving measure. This action

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  Egypt rejects any attempts to divide Sudan, foreign minister says

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Egypt has reiterated its rejection of any attempts to divide Sudan, as Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty held talks with his Sudanese counterpart Mohi El-Din Salem on efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to the crisis. According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, Abdel-Aty stressed Cairo’s “unwavering position” in support of Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions, while rejecting any steps that could undermine the country’s sovereignty, stability or cohesion. The Egyptian minister also condemned the horrific atrocities and violations in El Fasher and Kordofan, and called for the establishment of an effective humanitarian corridor to ensure the unimpeded delivery of aid. He said this should be accompanied by increased relief support and greater cooperation with the United Nations,

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  5 children among 8 killed in RSF drone strike on health centre in Sudan’s South Kordofan: Medics

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Eight civilians, including five children, were killed and 11 others injured in a drone strike by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a health centre in the city of Kadugli in South Kordofan, a Sudanese medical group said Tuesday, Anadolu agency reported. In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Network said three women were also among the victims in the attack that targeted Al-Shartai Health Centre in the Hajar Al-Nour neighbourhood of Kadugli. Significant damage was reported in the attack, the group said, adding that another drone strike hit the same city’s Kalba neighbourhood without causing casualties. The network said that attacks on health facilities and medical workers “constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and all conventions that

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  Why is the Rafah Crossing no longer a gateway?

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  What is happening at the Rafah Crossing is not a temporary problem. It is not a technical failure. Rafah has been deliberately changed by the Israeli army after it completely occupied Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is no longer a border crossing. It now works like a security checkpoint; the same kind Palestinians face every day in the occupied West Bank. This change is not random. It is political. A border allows people to move between places. A checkpoint controls people. Rafah no longer allows normal movement. It delays, questions, and blocks Palestinians. Gaza is no longer connected to the outside world through Rafah. People are filtered, searched, and often stopped. For Palestinians trying to return to

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  Hezbollah chief says group will confront Israel ‘with full force’ and rejects surrender

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the group would continue confronting Israel “with full force”, insisting that Hezbollah’s position is one of defence rather than surrender. Speaking during an event marking the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Education and Training Foundation, Qassem said Hezbollah and its armed wing, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, were facing an “existential aggression” aimed at eliminating the movement. “The enemy occupies our land,” Qassem said. “This homeland belongs to us… and we will not accept relinquishing an inch of it while a segment of this nation is attacked.” He argued that Western governments’ repeated references to Israel’s security were linked to broader ambitions. “When the West speaks of Israel’s security,

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  UNIFIL says Israeli drone dropped device near patrol in southern Lebanon

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has accused the Israeli army of endangering peacekeepers after a drone incident during a routine patrol near Kfarkela in southern Lebanon. In a statement posted on X, UNIFIL said its personnel observed two drones flying over the patrol “in a hostile manner”. Peacekeepers then noticed that one of the drones was carrying an unidentified object and entered an area that posed “a direct threat” to their safety. “According to standard operating procedures, the soldiers took defensive action against this threat,” UNIFIL said. The force said the drone subsequently dropped a stun grenade, which exploded around 50 metres from the patrol before the aircraft headed back towards Israel. No injuries were reported. UNIFIL said

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  Precarious invitations: Israel’s President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Things are getting rather ropey on the invitation of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to visit Australia on 8th February.  It came amidst the anguish following the Bondi Beach attacks of 14th December 2025 on attendees of a Hanukkah event by two gunmen, leaving 15 dead. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese obviously thought it a sensible measure at the time.  For months, his government has been snarled at by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for providing succour to antisemitism.  The wretched thesis: that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian State at September’s UN General Assembly meeting somehow stirred it.   Albanese had thought dealing with the gargoyle of antisemitism and engendering good will could be achieved by inviting Herzog.  “We need to build

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  Gaza petroleum authority says cooking gas supplies cover only 20% of needs

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Gaza’s General Petroleum Authority said the cooking gas crisis in the Strip is continuing despite the ceasefire agreement, citing a sharp decline in gas supplies entering Gaza and ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli blockade. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the authority said that from the start of the truce until 31st January, only 307 gas trucks entered the Gaza Strip, carrying a total of 6,458 tonnes. It said the amount does not exceed 20 per cent of Gaza’s actual needs, leaving the crisis unresolved and adding to residents’ hardship. The authority accused the Israeli occupation of pursuing a policy of “drip-feeding” and delaying the entry of goods and humanitarian aid. It said political understandings and the recent

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  After 71,000 deaths, Israel worries about smoking in Gaza

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  After more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 99 per cent of Gaza’s neighbourhoods destroyed, and hundreds of thousands displaced or starving, Israel has suddenly discovered a “serious threat” to the people of the Strip: smoking. Yes, smoking. According to Nahum Barnea, a columnist for Yedioth Ahronoth, the “coordinator of operations in the territories,” who decides what goods enter Gaza, has ruled that cigarettes are not humanitarian items because they are “harmful to health.” The writer sarcastically noted that this wave of “humanitarian concern” almost moved him to tears. In Gaza, where people die from bombing, hunger, cold, bleeding, or being trapped under rubble, Israel has now decided to add a “moral reason” to their deaths: why are you

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  Since dawn, 8 Palestinians including a child killed in Israeli strike on Gaza

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Eight Palestinians, including a young girl, were killed and others injured in an Israeli attack on Gaza early today. The strikes hit tents of displaced families, a home, and a gathering of civilians, continuing breaches of the ceasefire agreement in place since October. Medical sources told Anadolu Agency that the bodies of eight Palestinians, along with several injured, were brought to hospitals in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli attacks. Eyewitnesses said the shelling hit tents housing displaced families in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Artillery fire also struck a home in the Tuffah neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City and a street in the southern Zaytoun district. Since the ceasefire began, Israeli forces have killed 526 Palestinians and injured 1,447

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  Netanyahu sets strict conditions on Gaza reconstruction before talks with US envoy

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent clear messages to US President’s envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the Gaza Strip. At a highly sensitive time, and as the United States seeks to reopen communication channels with Iran, Netanyahu met Witkoff in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening. Senior security officials attended the meeting, including the head of Mossad, the defence minister, and the chief of staff. This showed that Israel views the US move as a core security issue rather than a routine diplomatic step. According to the newspaper, the meeting took place “just hours before Witkoff was expected to resume a new round of regional talks, focused on examining the possibility of renewing contacts with Tehran”. The

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  How Israel uses the prisoners’ allowances issue to distort the Palestinian narrative

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Over recent years, the issue of allowances paid to Palestinian prisoners has shifted from an internal social welfare policy aimed at supporting a segment of society directly affected by Israel’s detention system, into one of the most influential tools in the political and media conflict surrounding Palestine. Rather than being approached within its natural context as a consequence of a prolonged occupation, these allowances have been re-framed in Israeli and American discourse through the narrative of “terrorism financing.” In doing so, a social policy has been transformed into a political pressure instrument designed to undermine the Palestinian narrative as a whole. This trajectory was reinforced by a report published by the Washington Free Beacon in January 2026, which cited an

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  Israel canceled coordination for patient evacuations, says Palestinian Red Crescent

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The Israeli officials canceled the coordination for evacuating the third batch of patients and injured people from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah land crossing, leading to the postponement of their departure, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said on Wednesday. Raed Al-Nems, Red Crescent Society’s spokesman in Gaza, told Anadolu in a statement that the World Health Organization informed them of the cancellation without providing reasons. Al-Nems said the Palestinian Red Crescent’s teams were fully prepared to evacuate patients from Al-Amal Hospital, affiliated with the society in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, but the last-minute cancellation of coordination prevented the operation from being carried out. The society is awaiting the resumption of

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  UAE presidential adviser: UAE’s economic success behind rising online campaigns against it

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  Anwar Gargash, adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, has commented on criticism directed at his country, saying much of the anti-UAE rhetoric is little more than online noise driven by fake social media accounts. He made the remarks during a session titled “The Geopolitical Reset” on the opening day of the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai this week. Gargash outlined the UAE’s position on regional issues and global changes, and called for a clear distinction between “noise and reality” in “anti-UAE rhetoric”. “It’s important to separate the noise from reality,” Gargash said. Gargash said: “A large part of this discourse is linked to the UAE’s economic success and its policies of openness and diversity. If we

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  The death of Saif al-Islam was not the surprise, his survival was

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  There is little reason for observers to be shocked by the fate that finally caught up with him, killed in an operation that remains murky even now. Herodotus’s old saying, ‘Out of Libya, always something new’, was never a promise of wonder. Rather, it was a warning about a land where chaos renews itself endlessly. The ‘new’ emerging from Libya today is merely a repetition of the same tragedy. His death is not the surprise; the real surprise is that he survived at all after the killing of his father, Muammar Gaddafi, his brother Mutassim, and the flight of the rest of the family. Since 2011, Libya has witnessed the predictable outcome of a society that was deliberately dismantled and

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  Knesset approves transfer of responsibility for archaeological sites in West Bank to Israel

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  The Israeli Knesset’s Education, Culture and Sports Committee approved on Monday a draft amendment to the Israeli Antiquities Authority Law for its first reading. The proposed amendment aims to transfer direct responsibility to Israel for the care of antiquities, heritage, and archaeological sites in the West Bank. Under the proposal, a new body called the “West Bank Heritage Authority” would be established under the Israeli Ministry of Heritage. It would be responsible for protecting, restoring, developing, surveying, and rescuing archaeological sites, with an estimated annual budget of no less than 30 million shekels (about $9.7 million). The Israeli Ministry of Justice requested that the draft law be returned to the ministerial committee due to its international sensitivity. The discussions also

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  ‘No one should leave Gaza’: Returnees’ message from Rafah crossing sparks social media debate

  by MI on February 4, 2026

  A video clip of one of the 12 people who recently returned to the Gaza Strip has triggered wide interaction on social media, after a woman described her harsh journey through the Rafah crossing and the humiliating treatment and arbitrary procedures she faced at the hands of the Israeli occupation authorities. In an emotional message, the woman urged Gaza’s residents not to emigrate. She described the return journey through Israeli checkpoints as being “like death”, saying that staying in Gaza — despite the destruction — is better than forced displacement. She said: “No one should leave Gaza.” Commenting on the scene, writer Turki Al-Shalhoub said: “The people of Gaza’s attachment to their land is extraordinary.” He noted that after the

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  Israel releases 9 Palestinians from Gaza after months of unlawful detention

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Israel released nine more Palestinians, including a woman, from the Gaza Strip after months of unlawful detention on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The freed captives were transported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah for medical examinations. Speaking to reporters, ICRC spokesperson in Gaza Emani Nauk said the organization has been unable to access Palestinians held in Israeli prisons since October 2023, and called for information on the fate and whereabouts of all captives, as well as renewed access to detention facilities. Palestinians previously released from Israeli detention have shown signs of abuse, severe malnutrition and injuries consistent with torture, according to medical staff and human rights

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  Indonesia may exit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ if Palestine independence unmet: Report

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Indonesia may exit US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” if Palestine’s independence goals are not advanced, according to the state-run news agency Antara. President Prabowo Subianto, while responding to concerns on the issue during a meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, stated: “’If we join the BoP, we are not obliged to go along when they do not align with our views. Second, if no changes can be made, he (President Prabowo) is prepared to withdraw from the BoP.’ That is how I understood his remarks,” Indonesian Ulema Council Vice Chairman Cholil Nafis told reporters, quoting the president. Prabowo said that “if BoP policy later involves steps that are not in line with our position, we

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  Turkiye, Saudi Arabia to cooperate on Syria’s reconstruction: President Erdogan

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Turkiye will continue to support Syria’s stability and will work in cooperation with Saudi Arabia for Syrian reconstruction, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The leaders discussed regional and global issues, bilateral relations, energy, and defense during their meeting, according to a statement issued by Turkiye’s Communications Directorate. Ankara continues to work for Gaza’s reconstruction, Erdogan said, urging stepped-up efforts to end the humanitarian crisis. The two leaders also discussed in detail the latest situation in Yemen and developments in East Africa. Erdogan expressed determination to take relations between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to a “higher level” via steps to be taken in many

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  US shoots down Iranian drone approaching American aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday after it approached an American aircraft carrier, an official said, Anadolu reports. “USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea approximately 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship. “The Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said. Hawkins said forces are ensuring the safety of US personnel, ships and aircraft in the Middle East. “Continued Iranian harassment and threats in international waters and airspace will not be tolerated. Iran’s unnecessary aggression near US forces,

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  Gaza is not piece of land waiting to be grabbed, says Palestinian UN envoy

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said Tuesday that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territory and belongs to the Palestinian people, Anadolu reports. “Gaza is not a piece of land that is hanging in the air for anyone to grab. It belongs to its people. It belongs to the Palestinian people,” Mansour said at the opening session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Mansour welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and noted the cooperation of all parties involved, including the US, but emphasized that it must be lasting. Saying that the ceasefire must “not be fragile,” he said, “Israel should not continue to go and kill our people

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  ‘Unlawful’ Israeli E1 settlement plan would sever northern, southern West Bank, warns UN chief

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday warned that Israel’s “unlawful” plans to expand settlements in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank would sever its northern and southern parts and deal a serious blow to the two-state solution, Anadolu reports. “In the occupied West Bank, relentless illegal settlement expansion, demolitions, displacement, and evictions are accelerating,” Guterres said at the opening session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP). Over 37,000 Palestinians were displaced in the West Bank in 2025 alone, a year that also saw record levels of Israeli settler violence, Guterres said, adding: “The recently published tender by Israel for 3,401 housing units in the E1 area – alongside

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  Tunisia appeals court raises prison sentence of Ennahda leader Ghannouchi to 20 years

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  An appeals court in Tunisia has increased the prison sentence of Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the country’s Ennahda Movement and former parliament speaker, to 20 years on charges of “conspiring against state security,” local media said Tuesday. The state news agency TAP, citing a judicial source, said the court also handed down the same sentence to Kamal Al-Badawi, a former security official. A court of first instance had earlier sentenced both Ghannouchi and Badawi to 14 years in prison. The appeals court also sentenced Rayan Al-Hamzawi, mayor of Zahra in Ben Arous governorate in northeastern Tunisia, to three years in prison, down from 12 years, and sentenced both Mahrez Al-Zouari, a former intelligence chief, and Abdelkarim Al-Abidi, a former head

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  The Epstein Files: Blackmail, power, and geopolitical shadows

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  The infamous Epstein files continue to reverberate across the globe. They exposed a network that was never simply about one man’s depravity. Instead, they reveal a sprawling web of influence, compromise, and blackmail that ensnared royals, billionaires, diplomats, tech moguls, and Arab businesspeople. These ties transcend personal scandal, bordering on a geopolitical crisis; they raise the haunting question of whether Epstein’s operation served as a lever for Israeli strategic interests.  A system of untouchables When Jeffrey Epstein was first prosecuted, the Department of Justice faced sharp criticism for its leniency. Senator Ben Sasse condemned the infamous 2008 plea deal as “a disgusting failure of the system.” DOJ officials later admitted that Epstein’s case was about a system of enablers who

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  US envoy Witkoff arrives in Israel for talks on Iran

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  US envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Tuesday to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, Israeli Channel 12 reported. Netanyahu’s office told The Times of Israel news portal that the premier will meet Witkoff at 4.30 pm local time (1430 GMT). The US envoy’s talks in Israel are expected to focus on Iran and the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. Iran and the US are set to resume talks on Tehran’s nuclear program in Istanbul on Friday. READ: Israel predicts failure of US-Iran talks, fears ballistic missiles will be left off agenda

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  Syria, UN sign deal to rehabilitate 5 hospitals across various provinces

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Syria’s Health Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Program on Tuesday to rehabilitate five hospitals across the country, Anadolu reports. The agreement, funded by the German government, aims to restore infrastructure and operational capacity at several public hospitals and was signed at the Health Ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, the SANA news agency reported. The memorandum covers the rehabilitation, renovation and equipping of hospitals in Jisr al-Shughour in Idlib province, Halfaya in Hama, Taldu in Homs, the National Hospital in al-Bukamal in the Deir el-Zour countryside, and the National Hospital in Daraa, SANA said. The agreement comes as Syria’s health care system continues to struggle after years of deterioration caused by the devastating war launched by the

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  From Jabotinsky to Epstein: Zionism and the Cult of Cruelty | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Israel now admits Gaza’s death toll—but only after years of denial. Mouin Rabbani joins to explore what this shift means, and how media and political elites helped enable genocide. We look at US complicity, the BBC’s Gaza coverage collapse, and the ideology of Jewish supremacy inside Israel’s government. Plus: the Epstein files, vice as political currency, and Arab states scrambling to prevent war with Iran.   WATCH: ‘Trojan Horses’ of a New Imperial Order | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani 

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  Gaza civil defense halts recovery of Palestinian bodies due to fuel shortage

  by MI on February 3, 2026

  Gaza’s Civil Defense said Tuesday it has stopped recovering the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel’s two-year war due to fuel shortages caused by a choking Israeli blockade that has crippled its operations, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the agency said its vehicles have halted after fuel supplies fell below the minimum needed for humanitarian work, forcing crews to suspend body recovery operations. The agency also warned that it cannot respond to emergency distress calls during ongoing weather systems “as teams are unable to reach affected areas due to the fuel shortage.” The announcement came as Israel has failed to comply with the humanitarian protocol of the ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, which includes provisions for the entry of