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

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  US proposed 48-hour ceasefire with Tehran on April 2, reports Iranian media

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The US proposed a 48-hour ceasefire with Iran on April 2 through a third country, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Friday, citing an informed source. “The US, on April 2, proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through one of the friendly countries,” the source told Fars. The proposal came after “escalating tensions and challenges faced by US forces in the region,” the source added. According to the news agency, Iran did not respond in writing but instead replied “on the ground” by continuing heavy attacks. READ: 2nd US Air Force combat plane crashes in Persian Gulf region: Report The source also said that “US diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have intensified, particularly after a reported strike on a US military depot

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  2nd US Air Force combat plane crashes in Persian Gulf region: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A second US Air Force combat aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, local media reported. Citing two US officials, The New York Times reported that the lone pilot of the A-10 Warthog was safely rescued. The A-10 attack plane went down near the Strait of Hormuz at around the same time that an Air Force F-15E was shot down over Iran, the officials said, per the report. Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had told CNN that President Donald Trump had been briefed on a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, later identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle. READ: US fighter jet shot down by Iran: Report The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond

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  Israeli restrictions push Gaza medical supplies to critical shortage: Doctors Without Borders

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on the entry of medical supplies into Gaza have led to critical shortages, severely impacting health care services, according to a statement released on Friday by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Anadolu reports. Dr. Randa Abu El-Khair Masoud, a medical adviser with MSF, said the organization has been unable to bring any medical supplies into Gaza since Jan. 1, despite significant humanitarian needs in the enclave. “Every day, in our hospitals and clinics, we see the impacts of the restrictions on the entry of medical supplies into Gaza, Palestine. The needs in Gaza are massive, yet not enough aid is entering because Israeli authorities are blocking it,” Masoud said. She warned that nearly 50% of essential

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  1 killed in Israeli shell targeting rural area of southern Syria

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  One person was killed when an Israeli tank shell hit a vehicle in a village in southern Syria, in the Quneitra governorate, Syrian media reported. “Israeli occupation forces killed a young man through targeting a car with a tank shell in the village of Al-Za’rura,” Al-Ikhbariyah TV said on US social media company X, with no further details available as yet. Israeli forces have continued to target Syrian territory at an almost daily pace, carrying out ground incursions, particularly in rural areas of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints to search and question passersby, and damaging agricultural land. Israel has illegally occupied most of Syria’s Golan Heights since 1967 and, following the ouster of the

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  Top US military archbishop says Iran war fails Catholic church’s moral standard: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The Catholic archbishop responsible for all US military personnel declared that America’s war with Iran fails the church’s moral criteria for a just conflict, according to a new interview, Anadolu reports. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the archdiocese for the military services and oversees every Catholic chaplain in the US armed forces, made the remarks to CBS News in an interview set to air on April 5, Easter Sunday, one of the holiest days for Catholics and Western Christian denominations. In excerpts from the interviews, asked directly whether the conflict is justified, Broglio said, “Under just war theory, no,” arguing that the war targets a potential nuclear threat rather than an actual one. Arguing for the need for war, US

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  Russian, Egyptian foreign ministers support immediate ceasefire in Mideast

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Russia and Egypt support an immediate ceasefire and a return to political and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a joint news conference following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, Lavrov said the talks focused on the regional crisis following what he described as a US-Israeli joint military operation. He said the US should not simply demand that Iran unblock the Strait of Hormuz but instead end hostilities to restore functioning of the strait. Lavrov also said that “someone” appears intent on “undermining” negotiations on the Iranian issue. READ: Turkish president tells Putin Ankara opposes attacks on Iran, warns of Black Sea instability “The adoption of a resolution

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  Warning of ‘volatile’ security situation, US urges citizens to leave Lebanon

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The US Embassy in Beirut on Friday urged US citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights remain available, warning that the security situation remains “volatile and unpredictable” amid ongoing airstrikes, drone activity, and rocket fire across the country, Anadolu reports. In an advisory, the embassy said attacks have been reported in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa region, and parts of the capital Beirut. “Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon. Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East,” it said. It also urged Americans in southern Lebanon, border areas with Syria, refugee settlements, and Beirut’s southern suburbs to depart immediately. READ: Israeli attacks displace over 1M in Lebanon, 1 in 5 affected: UN refugee

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  France delivers 39 armored vehicles to Lebanese army

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  France has delivered 39 armored personnel carriers to the Lebanese Armed Forces, fulfilling a prior commitment made by French officials, the Defense Ministry said on Friday, Anadolu reports. The delivery “aims to guarantee Lebanon’s territorial integrity, the protection of civilians, regardless of their faith, and the preservation of state institutions,” French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo said during a handover ceremony at the port of Beirut on Tuesday.​​​​​ The armored vehicles, known as VABs, are designed to enhance troop mobility and enable operations in high-risk areas. Each vehicle can carry about 10 fully equipped troops and is built with welded steel plates to protect against small-arms fire and shrapnel. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in late March that France would

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  Turkish president tells Putin Ankara opposes attacks on Iran, warns of Black Sea instability

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara does not approve of attacks on Iran and also does not endorse Iran’s retaliatory actions against regional countries during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Anadolu reports. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. During the conversation, President Erdogan further warned that attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea undermine regional stability, stressing that the Iran conflict should not create a new flashpoint in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. President Erdogan also highlighted that the aggressive policies of the Israeli government under Prime Minister Netanyahu must be prevented and underscored that steps undermining the status of Jerusalem cannot be

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  Lebanon says Israeli attacks killed 23, injured 98 in past 24 hours

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed 23 people and wounded 98 others over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the National News Agency, the ministry added that the total death toll since March 2 has risen to 1,368, with 4,138 people injured. The toll includes 125 children and 91 women. Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities said that nearly 1,318 people have since been killed and 3,935 others wounded in the Israeli assault. READ: Israel warns of strikes on bridges in south Lebanon, claiming to deter Hezbollah activities

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  Trump ‘briefed’ on downing of US fighter jet over Iran: White House

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  President Donald Trump “has been briefed” on a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, White House said Friday, Anadolu reports. “President Trump has been briefed,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told CNN. Earlier, Iranian state media released photos and videos allegedly showing debris from the crash site, including what appears to be parts of the aircraft and one of the ejected seats. Initial assessments based on the imagery suggest the aircraft may have been an F-15 fighter jet. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Anadolu. If confirmed, it would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a US jet was downed by “enemy” fire. Media reports indicate that

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  US-Israeli attacks hit airport, university in Tehran: Iranian state TV

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  US-Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Iran’s capital Tehran, including Mehrabad International Airport and Shahid Beheshti University, Iranian state TV said Friday. According to the state outlet, the strikes caused damage to Shahid Beheshti University in Velenjak, northwestern Tehran, while Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran was also hit. No immediate information was available on possible casualties or the extent of the damage. On Telegram, the Iranian Red Crescent said that Israel targeted the plasma and laser institute at Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran. The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.​​​​​​​ Tehran has retaliated

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  Saudi, Pakistani top diplomats discuss de-escalation, emphasize dialogue on Mideast situation

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed the regional situation, emphasizing “the urgent need” for de-escalation and dialogue in the Middle East, Anadolu reports. They also discussed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative for peace in the Persian Gulf and Middle East during a phone call, according to a statement from Islamabad’s Foreign Ministry posted on US social media company X. On Tuesday, Beijing and Islamabad proposed a five-point peace plan for the Middle East, including an immediate cessation of hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, the security of non-military targets, the security of shipping lanes, and the primacy of the UN Charter. The two leaders also “reaffirmed the strong, fraternal” Pakistan–Saudi

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  Israel warns of strikes on bridges in south Lebanon, claiming to deter Hezbollah activities

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The Israeli military warned on Friday it would target bridges in southern Lebanon, with a claim to deter Hezbollah’s activities, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on US social media platform X. The army said it intends to target the Sohmor-Mashghara bridges to prevent “the movement of reinforcements and weapons,” urging civilians to move north of the Zahrani River and avoid traveling south for their safety, the source said. In a separate development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said disarming Hezbollah through military and political means remains Israel’s “ultimate goal,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Katz said homes in border villages used as Hezbollah positions would be demolished under a model similar to operations in Rafah and Khan Younis in Gaza,

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  Israel resumes Leviathan gas field operations after 32-day halt due to war

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israel has resumed operations at the Leviathan natural gas field in the eastern Mediterranean after a 32-day halt linked to the war with Iran, according to Israel’s Energy Ministry, Anadolu reports. The ministry decided to restart production at the Leviathan field, allowing exports to Egypt and Jordan to resume, Israeli economic newspaper Globes reported. Globes said the Tamar field remained the only operational gas field during the conflict, while it remains unclear whether the Karish field has also resumed operations. Israel shut down the Leviathan and Karish fields on Feb. 28, when the war with Iran began, amid concerns the facilities could be targeted in attacks, the report said. READ: Israel continues to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

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  French court lifts ban on Muslim gathering in Paris

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A French administrative court has suspended a government order banning the Annual Meeting of Muslims of France, allowing the event to proceed as planned from April 3 to 6 at the Le Bourget Exhibition Center, organizers said on Friday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the organization “Musulmans de France” welcomed the Paris Administrative Court’s decision, describing it as a restoration of fundamental rights and a confirmation that the initial ban was “serious, disproportionate, and legally unfounded.” The emergency judge ruled that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right that authorities are obliged to protect, the statement said, adding that restrictions can only be imposed as a last resort when no other measures are sufficient to maintain public order. Organizers emphasized

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  Brazilian Congressman seeks to bar Israeli military personnel from entering Brazil

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A Bahia state lawmaker has formally urged President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to bar Israeli military personnel from entering Brazil, following a series of controversial incidents involving Israeli tourists in Bahia. The measure argues that individuals who took part in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon could be held accountable for acts described in the document as genocide. The proposal, submitted by state representative Hilton Coelho of the Socialism and Liberty Party (Psol), calls on the federal government to adopt measures preventing individuals linked to alleged human rights violations from using Brazil as a tourist destination or refuge. The document characterises such acts as potential genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Coelho grounds the request in Brazil’s Federal

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  Israel continues to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israeli authorities continue to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest mosque in Islam, keeping the site closed since late February under emergency measures linked to the war with Iran, Anadolu reports. Authorities closed the site after the war began, citing Home Front Command directives banning large gatherings. Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most important holy sites. Witnesses told Anadolu that police prevented Palestinians from praying in the streets near the Old City walls, including Salah al-Din Street. Calls had circulated in Jerusalem urging worshippers to pray as close as possible to Al-Aqsa due to its continued closure. Palestinians have instead been praying in smaller mosques across the city.

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  US fighter jet shot down by Iran: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A US fighter jet has been shot down by Iran, Axios reported Friday. Citing Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, Axios said if confirmed, it would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a US jet was downed by “enemy” fire. Earlier, Iranian state media released photos and videos that allegedly show debris from the crash site, including what appears to be parts of the aircraft and one of the ejection seats. Initial assessments based on the imagery suggest the aircraft may have been an F-15 fighter jet. In Washington, the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Anadolu. Separately, citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal

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  Trump says US can open Strait of Hormuz, ‘take the oil and make a fortune’

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Friday said the US can open the Strait of Hormuz, as well as “take the oil and make a fortune,” noting that the move would be a “gusher” for the world, Anadolu reports. “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD???” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil supplies transit, has been disrupted since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran. US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on Washington’s plans for the waterway. The region has been on alert since

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  King’s College London to host PalMed Academy’s annual conference

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  The British capital is preparing to host a landmark scientific and humanitarian event as King’s College London opens its doors on April 24–25, 2026, for the Annual Scientific Conference of the PalMed Academy. This year’s summit convenes under the strategic theme: “Advancing Healthcare Delivery and Medical Education in Palestine.” The conference arrives amidst catastrophic conditions facing the Palestinian health and education sectors. Reports from 2026 highlight the continued acute collapse of medical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and the total disruption of education for thousands of medical and nursing students. This crisis places a historical responsibility on academic bodies and the international community to intervene and provide vital support. A roadmap to combat “healthcare attrition” The conference seeks to present

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  Burhan dismisses Sudanese army chief of staff, appoints al-Atta

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has dismissed Sudan’s Chief of Staff, Mohamed Osman al-Hussein, and appointed Yasser al-Atta as his successor, according to official statements issued Thursday. The Sudanese army confirmed that al-Hussein was relieved of his duties and retired effective April 2, noting that the decision was formalised through a presidential decree. Al-Hussein had held the position since July 2019, following his appointment by Burhan after the political transition that followed the ouster of former president Omar al-Bashir. In a separate announcement, the army said a new General Staff formation had been established under the leadership of al-Atta. It also confirmed the appointment of Abdel Khair Abdullah Nasser Darjam as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration. Al-Atta, 64, has been a

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  Romania considers cancelling Israeli drone deal over delays

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Romania is considering terminating a major defence contract with Israeli firm Elbit Systems for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles, citing repeated delivery delays. Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said the government is reviewing the $427.18 million agreement, signed in 2022, after the company requested multiple postponements to the delivery schedule. According to Miruta, deliveries were initially expected to begin in 2025, but Elbit Systems sought three delays citing force majeure. Romania accepted the first two postponements, while the company incurred penalties estimated at around €60 million. “I am currently considering the possibility of terminating this contract,” Miruta said, adding that some of the equipment risks becoming technologically outdated by the time it is delivered. Elbit Systems is a major

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  Muslim countries condemn Israeli law on executing Palestinian prisoners

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A group of Muslim countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia, has condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law authorizing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, warning that it poses serious risks to regional stability. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, and Pakistan described the legislation as a “dangerous escalation,” particularly due to what they characterised as its discriminatory application against Palestinians. The ministers warned that the law could fuel existing tensions and deepen instability in an already volatile regional environment. According to the version approved by the Israeli Knesset earlier this week, the law allows for the death penalty or life imprisonment for individuals convicted

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  Macron: War will not resolve Iran’s nuclear issue

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  French President Emmanuel Macron said that a war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran would not provide a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, urging a return to diplomacy. Speaking to reporters during a state visit to South Korea, Macron stressed that “a targeted military operation, even if it lasts only a few weeks, will not provide a permanent solution to the nuclear issue.” He warned that without a framework for diplomatic and technical negotiations, the situation could deteriorate again within months or years, emphasizing that only sustained negotiations and a comprehensive agreement can ensure long-term stability and monitoring. Macron added that proposals to “liberate” the Strait of Hormuz through military action are unrealistic, cautioning that

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  US academic warns war with Iran could be prolonged and complex

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  John Mearsheimer has warned that expectations of a swift end to the war with Iran or the collapse of the Iranian state are “illusions,” arguing that the conflict remains in its early and uncertain stages. The prominent international relations professor said that current assessments suggesting a quick resolution are premature and potentially misleading, given the nature of conflicts involving regional and global powers. Mearsheimer emphasized that Iran’s geographic scale and dispersed military infrastructure make it difficult to decisively weaken through rapid strikes, adding that even sustained military operations would be unlikely to fully dismantle its capabilities. He also argued that the United States and its allies may have overestimated their ability to achieve a quick victory, noting that Iran retains

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  Palestinian man with special needs killed by Israeli occupation fire in Gaza

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A Palestinian man with special needs was killed on Thursday after being shot by Israeli occupation forces in southern Gaza. Medical sources confirmed the death of Muhammad Musa Rizq al-Farra, who was killed in the al-Satar al-Sharqi area of Khan Younis after being shot by Israeli occupation fire. In a separate incident, Muhammad Nihad Abu al-Ata (22) was injured by shrapnel in the chest as a result of Israeli artillery shelling near the Shuja’iyya intersection, east of Gaza City. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 713 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire agreement of 11th October, in addition to approximately 1,943 injuries, while 756 bodies have been recovered during the same period. According to the ministry, since the

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  The carrier of creative chaos

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  On March 31, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush departed naval station Norfolk in Virginia, bound for the Middle East to join the other three carriers (USS Lincoln, Tripoli and New Orleans) as American and Israeli air strikes against Iran enter their second month.  The name alone forces us to reckon with two legacies bequeathed by the George W. Bush administration nearly a quarter century ago. The 41st president, George H.W. Bush, fought a war in the same region in 1991. He drove Iraq out of Kuwait and then stopped. His national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, explained the logic: ‘It was the first conflict after the Cold War, and we wanted to establish rules’.  As such, the coalition was

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  Double standard for Jerusalem: When Christians are heard and Muslims are silenced

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Israel’s treatment of Jerusalem’s holy sites in early 2026 exposed deep colonial and racist hierarchies in the city. In late February, Israeli authorities closed access to both Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They cited security concerns tied to the ongoing Israel–US war on Iran. For Palestinians and Muslims across the world, the closure of Al-Aqsa during most of Ramadan, including Eid and which is ongoing, is a profound spiritual blow. It was enforced with military severity, including the barring of the Imam of Al-Aqsa, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Abbasi, from entering the sacred Sanctuary just before Ramadan. The closure after two weeks provoked condemnation from the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia

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  Trump sons-backed company seeks to sell interceptor drones to Gulf states

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A drone manufacturing company backed by President Donald Trump’s two eldest sons is trying to sell drones to Gulf countries amid Iranian attacks, while these nations continue to rely on the US military led by their father. Florida-based company Powerus, which announced last month that Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. had joined its team, is using its sales campaign to potentially benefit from a conflict started by their father. Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said: “These countries are under enormous pressure to buy from the sons of the president so he will do what they want. This is going to be the first family of a president to make a lot of

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  Israel hit by missile attacks from 3 fronts, heavy damage in Petah Tikva near Tel Aviv

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Sirens sounded on Thursday evening in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, as well as the Dead Sea region, after three waves of missile launches from Iran and Yemen within less than two hours. Israeli Army Radio reported that “missile fragments” fell in areas around Tel Aviv following the Iranian strikes, but gave no immediate details on damage or casualties. In a related development, the Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, said it had carried out its fourth military attack against Israel since joining the escalating regional confrontation last Saturday. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced it had launched 55 attacks targeting Israeli settlements, forces, vehicles and military sites. Israeli media reported that six people, including two soldiers, were injured in the

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  Iraqi PM orders pursuit of those behind attacks on diplomatic missions in Iraq

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani on Thursday ordered the strongest possible measures to pursue those involved in targeting vital institutions, diplomatic missions and the kidnapping of foreign nationals. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s media office, reported by Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Sudani, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, visited the headquarters of the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency at the Interior Ministry in Baghdad. The statement said he received a comprehensive briefing on the agency’s procedures and its efforts to address current challenges, including attacks on key institutions, diplomatic missions and cases involving the abduction of foreign citizens. Al-Sudani stressed “the need to take the strongest measures to pursue those involved in these

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  US Democrat: Trump using foreign crises to distract from Epstein scandal

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Dr Mehdi Afifi, a member of the US Democratic Party, has accused US President Donald Trump of using external crises to divert attention from the Epstein scandal. Afifi described Trump’s recent speech on military escalation against Iran as a “desperate attempt” to justify a worsening situation, saying it offered nothing new apart from what he called a continued policy of “escaping forward” and making unrealistic promises of a decisive military victory. Speaking in a phone interview with Egypt’s Al Shams TV on Thursday evening, Afifi said Washington had witnessed large protests under the slogan “No Kings in America”, opposing Trump’s unilateral decision to pursue war without consulting legislative institutions. He added that the decision to escalate was not based on

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  Triple veto blocks Arab push to reopen Strait of Hormuz by force

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Russia, China and France have blocked a broad Arab initiative aimed at securing international backing for military action against Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported. According to a diplomat and senior United Nations official, Arab states sought a resolution “authorising the use of force” to ensure global freedom of navigation. However, the effort failed due to opposition from the three countries, which hold veto power. Russia, China and France said their stance was based on a “principled opposition to any language authorising force”. This position has been widely interpreted as effectively allowing Iran to continue holding the global economy hostage and restricting the flow of oil and goods. The development highlights deep divisions within the international

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  UN chief warns of wider Middle East war, urges de-escalation

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Thursday of the consequences of the war in the Middle East, saying it is causing widespread destruction and could expand into a full regional conflict. Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said “the world is on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe,” noting that its impact is already being felt in many countries, “in the daily lives of people struggling with rising food and energy costs.” He said “Every day this war continues, human suffering grows,” warning that any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would directly affect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

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  Iran publishes lists of regional bridges in possible ‘tit-for-tat’ retaliation after US-Israeli attack

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Iranian media published a list of major bridges across the region on Thursday, hinting at a “tit-for-tat” retaliation following a US-Israeli attack on a key bridge in the northern city of Karaj, Anadolu reports. The semi-official Fars News Agency said that several prominent bridges in regional countries could be possible targets after two strikes hit the B1 bridge early Thursday. The list includes Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Sea Bridge in Kuwait, King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Khalifa Bridge in the United Arab Emirates, as well as King Hussein Bridge, Damia Bridge, and Abdoun Bridge in Jordan. The US and Israel carried out two strikes early Thursday on the B1 bridge, a vital

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  US defense chief asks Army Chief of Staff Gen. George to step down: Report

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and immediately retire, CBS News reported Thursday, Anadolu reports. Citing sources familiar with the decision, the broadcaster said Hegseth wants someone in the role who would implement President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s vision for the Army. George previously served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration from 2021 to 2022. READ: Israeli soldiers’ families say their sons face ‘unreasonable’ conditions in southern Lebanon

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  Israeli soldiers’ families say their sons face ‘unreasonable’ conditions in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Families of Israeli soldiers complained of “unreasonable” conditions their sons face in southern Lebanon, claiming they are under direct fire amid a lack of resources and insufficient air cover, Israeli media reported Thursday, Anadolu reports. The Times of Israel said that families of Israeli soldiers claim that their children are “exposed to direct fire amid limited resources and insufficient air cover” during the military operation. According to the report, families of soldiers in the “Nahal” reconnaissance unit sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Israeli soldiers are facing heavy losses. Four soldiers were killed and others injured in clashes with Hezbollah. The letter, also addressed to Defense Minister Israel Katz and military leaders, criticized the focus of

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  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claim attack on Amazon cloud facility in Bahrain

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that it had targeted an Amazon cloud computing facility in Bahrain in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC claimed that Amazon is among companies involved in “espionage activities and terrorist operations” against Iran. It warned that continued assassinations of Iranian officials would lead to further attacks on other companies previously named in a list issued by the force. On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that Amazon’s cloud computing unit in Bahrain had been damaged in an Iranian attack. The IRGC on Wednesday threatened attacks on 18 US companies, including Google and Microsoft, alleging their involvement in attacks and assassinations inside Iran. Regional tensions

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  Israeli attacks displace over 1M in Lebanon, 1 in 5 affected: UN refugee agency

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon over the past month following Israeli attacks, with one in every five people in the country currently displaced, according to the UNHCR, Anadolu reports. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told Anadolu that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is “deepening day by day.” “We have seen it during the last one month that the Israeli evacuation orders, then the strikes and people have been on the move. Right now inside Lebanon we have more than a million people that have been displaced because of the escalating conflict inside the region and in Lebanon itself as well,” Baloch said. He stressed that one in five people inside Lebanon “currently is displaced and many

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  Notes on the Knesset’s approval of the death penalty for Palestinians

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  The Israeli parliament (the Knesset) has approved amendments to the penal code that have triggered a broad wave of criticism, as they directly target Palestinians by introducing the death penalty in a legal framework designed to facilitate both its imposition and execution. The law applies to Palestinians across all legal classifications: citizens within the Green Line, residents of Jerusalem subject to civil law, and inhabitants of the territories occupied in 1967 who fall under military law. This amendment must be understood as part of a longer continuum of policy pursued by an occupying government intent on entrenching permanent control over Palestinian land. It operates within a legal architecture that differentiates between Palestinians in the occupied territories and Israeli settlers, as

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  UN warns of ‘occupation’ risk in southern Lebanon as 200,000 flee to Syria amid Israeli attacks

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  The UN relief chief warned on Thursday of a possible “occupation” in southern Lebanon as he said 200,000 refugees and displaced people have fled from Lebanon to Syria in recent weeks amid Israeli attacks, Anadolu reports. “About 200,000 refugees or displaced people have crossed the border in the last three or four weeks,” Tom Fletcher told the UN Security Council, adding that the vast majority, 175,000 of those, are Syrians coming home, while about 25,000 others are mainly Lebanese and Palestinians. He described a worsening humanitarian crisis, saying “one in five people in Lebanon is displaced right now,” amid Israel’s devastating military action and Hezbollah’s rocket fires. Fletcher said he saw “enormous destruction” and “active, coercive displacement,” warning: “We may

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  Amazon adds 3.5% fuel-logistics surcharge for all sellers amid soaring fuel prices related to Mideast tensions

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Amazon will apply an additional 3.5% fuel and logistics charge to fulfillment fees for sellers starting April 17 to address rising operational costs, Anadolu reports. The e-commerce giant announced the move to its merchant partners in a notice on Thursday, stating the surcharge would apply to fulfillment by Amazon fees in the US and Canada. The measure also covers remote fulfillment from the US into Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Global oil prices surged sharply following the start of the conflict in Iran on February 28. In the US, national average retail gasoline prices increased by approximately 36% in the four weeks following the start of the war. The national average for a gallon of gasoline reached $4.1, up from $2.98

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  UN urges investment in Syria as 1.6M return, warns lack of services may deter returns

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  UN officials on Thursday called for urgent international investment in Syria as more than 1.6 million refugees returned to the country, warning that those who have the intention to return might “not return at all” without adequate services, Anadolu reports. “Last year, more than 1.6 million people returned to Syria to reconstruct their country, to come back to the country which they left, often in dramatic circumstances,” Alexander de Croo, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told reporters during a virtual briefing during his visit to Syria. He stressed that Syrians face increased needs in housing, government services, and jobs following a devastating war waged by the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad that lasted 14 years, from 2011

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  UN experts condemn Israel’s death penalty law against Palestinians, urge immediate repeal

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  UN experts on Thursday condemned a new Israeli law enabling the death penalty against Palestinians, warning it constitutes a discriminatory system that violates international human rights law, Anadolu reports. “Israel’s new law, effectively providing for the death penalty solely against Palestinians, constitutes a discriminatory regime of capital punishment and manifestly violates Israel’s obligations under international human rights law,” the experts said in a statement. “We condemn the Knesset’s adoption of this law and call for its immediate repeal,” they said. “This law marks a grave escalation in Israel’s discriminatory oppression of Palestinians.” The statement was signed by UN special rapporteurs on extrajudicial executions, the occupied Palestinian territory, counterterrorism and human rights, and violence against women and girls. They warned that

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  Lebanon says Israeli attacks killed 27, injured 105 in past 24 hours

  by Marwa A on April 2, 2026

  Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed 27 people and wounded 105 others over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. The ministry added that the total death toll since March 2 has risen to 1,345, with 4,040 people injured. Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities said that nearly 1,318 people have since been killed and 3,935 others wounded in the Israeli assault. Israeli attacks kill 50 more people in Lebanon in past 24 hours: Health Ministry

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  UAE rejects report claiming it is ready to join war on Iran to reopen Hormuz

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has rejected reports suggesting that it is willing to join the war against Iran in order to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying such claims are misleading and do not reflect its actual position. In a statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi said: “Recent reporting suggesting a shift in the UAE’s posture is misleading.” The ministry stressed that the UAE maintains a defensive posture focused on protecting its sovereignty, population and infrastructure, while reserving the right to self-defence against what it described as “ongoing unlawful and unprovoked attacks.” The statement came in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that the UAE “is willing to join the

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  Dominance without legitimacy in a changing world: The decline of American power

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in an Al Jazeera interview that messages have been exchanged with the United States during the ongoing conflict, but clarified that these do not constitute formal negotiations. Araghchi cited a deep lack of trust, rooted in Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, and noted that Iran has not had a single positive experience negotiating with the U.S. Messages continue to be routed through intermediaries. These communications are described as warnings and exchanges of position rather than genuine diplomacy. Iran has refused to engage with figures such as Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, viewing them as untrustworthy in light of the collapse of earlier agreements. Araghchi is unambiguous: Iran has not

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  A quest for justice through the wrong channels

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  In his last interview as UNRWA’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini stated that he asked for a UN investigation into Israel’s killing of almost 400 aid workers since the start of the genocide in October 2023.  Speaking to the press in Geneva, Lazzarini said that “a high level panel of experts” were required to investigate the killings of aid workers and other UN staff members, as well as Israel’s destruction of UN and UNRWA premises in Gaza.  “For two years we have witnessed atrocities such that one gets the feeling this war had no rules, that every possible red line has been crossed, and that there has never been the slightest consequence – diplomatic, political, economic, legal, nothing at all,” Lazzarini

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  Reservists with PTSD pushed back into service as Israeli army nears collapse

  by MI on April 2, 2026

  Israel’s deepening manpower crisis appears to be pushing the occupation army to drag even traumatised reservists back into service. According to a report in the Haaretz, some Israeli soldiers suffering from severe mental trauma were threatened with penalties, including arrest, if they failed to report for duty. The report points to an army under mounting pressure as Israel wages war on multiple fronts while struggling to sustain its reserve forces. Commanders demanded that reservists receiving treatment for war-related trauma report for duty, even when some had been admitted to the Israeli Defence Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department and were undergoing psychiatric care. It’s claimed that many of the soldiers had not yet received formal disability rulings, a process that can take years,