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

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  Spain calls EU Commission’s attendance at Board of Peace meeting ‘mistake’

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Friday described the European Commission’s presence at US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace inaugural meeting in Washington as a “mistake,” according to Swiss Info, citing the Spanish news agency EFE. ​​Albares’ remarks were made at an event in Barcelona, after Trump convened the meeting of his newly established group on Thursday, bringing together representatives from more than 20 countries to discuss the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and broader international stabilization efforts. Although the EU declined to join the initiative, it sent Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica to attend the portion of the meeting dedicated to Gaza. “It pained me to see a European Union commissioner who shouldn’t have been there,” said Albares.

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  Of braids and Moustaches: Weaponizing hair in post-Assad Syrian conflicts

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Legend has it that Jabr and Jabreen were two brothers from the tribe of Zabeed who lived near Tayma, in present-day Saudi Arabia. Jabr, the younger brother, had fathered many sons and thus claimed the right to chieftaincy over his elder brother Jabreen, who had only daughters. Lacking the male backing required to press his claim, Jabreen left for the Syrian desert and settled near Aleppo. There, the local tribal chief was enamored of Jabreen’s daughters and sought to take them all for himself. Seeing that her father was once again outmanned, one of Jabreen’s daughters cut off her braid and concealed it in the udder cover of the family’s she-camel before setting the animal loose. The camel returned, as

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  Germany renews call for its citizens to leave Iran

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Germany’s Embassy in Tehran renewed its call on Friday for German citizens to leave Iran amid growing risks of escalation in the region, Anadolu Agency reports. The embassy warned that travel to Iran is discouraged and that German citizens are urged to leave. “The security situation in Iran and the entire region is extremely volatile and very tense. Further escalation and military clashes cannot be ruled out. Further restrictions on air traffic, including flight cancellations and airspace closures, may occur at any time,” it said. The statement also warned that the German Embassy in Tehran is currently “only able to provide limited consular assistance on site.” The renewed call came after US President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that he

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  Hamas calls Israeli attack on Lebanon refugee camp ‘crime against civilians’

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Palestinian group Hamas on Friday rejected Israeli claims that a strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon targeted one of its command centers, calling the attack a “crime against civilians” and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Hamas condemned the attack as a “brutal aggression” by the Israeli army against the camp in the city of Sidon, saying the strike resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. “Targeting a camp that houses thousands of Palestinian refugees and is densely populated constitutes a dangerous escalation and a blatant disregard for international laws and norms,” the statement said. The movement denied Israeli allegations that the targeted site was a Hamas facility, calling them “baseless

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  Lawyers ask police to investigate Elbit Systems UK for alleged war crimes complicity

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  A London-based law firms urged the Metropolitan Police to investigate the potential complicity of Elbit Systems UK directors in atrocities in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), with the support of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), submitted a detailed complaint Thursday to the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. The complaint said they asked the division to open a criminal investigation into four current and former British directors of Elbit Systems UK for “possible complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.” The complaint is brought on behalf of a Palestinian national living in the UK whose close family members remain in Gaza. It asked the War Crimes Unit to investigate whether decisions

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  UN chief condemns Israeli killing of Palestinian-American citizen in West Bank

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  The UN chief condemned the killing of a 19-year-old dual Palestinian-American citizen in the occupied West Bank, his spokesman said Friday, Anadolu reports. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “a prompt, thorough and transparent” investigation into the circumstances of the incident and for those responsible to be held to account, Stephane Dujarric told a news conference. His remarks came a day after Nasrallah Abu Siyam was shot and beaten in an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Mukhmas in the occupied West Bank. “In the same attack, settlers shot and injured three other Palestinians. The secretary-general extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim,” he said. Guterres urged Israel “to take concrete steps to

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  A stunted start marks the inaugural Board for Peace in Gaza

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” inaugurated in early 2026 to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and potentially supplant UN roles, began with low expectations and limited attendance, as many U.S. allies opted out. While 26 countries joined the charter, only 19 attended the initial, vaguely detailed meeting, which was criticized as a “masterclass in branding” rather than an established diplomatic force. Many countries, including major U.S. allies, did not attend the initial meeting. Nearly half of the invited nations held off on signing the charter. Originally intended for Gaza rebuilding, the board expanded to potentially oversee the United Nations, with Trump as chair for life, wielding significant veto power. The board saw a $10 billion pledge from the U.S. for Gaza and,

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  Lancet study: Gaza death toll 50% higher than previously reported

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  The death toll in Gaza is 50 per cent higher than originally reported, according to a major new peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Global Health, which estimates that more than 75,000 Palestinians were killed in the first 15 months of Israel’s genocide. The study estimates 75,200 violent deaths between 7 October 2023 and 5 January 2025, compared with 49,090 recorded by Gaza’s Ministry of Health for the same period. That difference of around 26,000 deaths puts the Lancet figure at approximately 50 per cent above the official toll, with researchers concluding that the Ministry’s count fell 34.7 per cent short of their estimate. The findings come from the Gaza Mortality Survey, described by the authors as the first independent,

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  2 killed in Israeli drone strike on Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Two people were killed, and three others were injured in an Israeli drone strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Friday, in the latest violation of a 2024 ceasefire deal, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, Anadolu reports. Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that the strike hit the Hittin neighborhood inside the densely populated camp, located near the southern city of Sidon. The airstrike caused material damage to the targeted building and surrounding structures. The Palestinian Red Crescent in the Ain al-Hilweh camp said in a statement that two people were killed and three others injured in the attack. Ambulances immediately arrived at the scene and transported the injured to hospitals in Sidon, which

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  Selective freedom: Muslim women, headscarves, and the unfinished legacy of February 28

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  As February 28 approaches, it is important to remember that this process is not merely a closed chapter in Turkey’s past. The deep scars it left on the lives of Muslim women remain very much alive. Although February 28 is often described as a “postmodern coup,” its consequences were anything but abstract. Muslim women became one of the social groups who paid the heaviest price for this intervention. While the declared target of the coup was Muslim identity, the cost was most visibly exacted from women. The headscarf was stripped of its meaning as an expression of faith in the public sphere and transformed into a justification for discrimination. Women’s rights to education, employment, and political participation were systematically restricted.

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  Millions of Syrian children out of school as funding gaps threaten recovery: UNICEF envoy

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Syrian children continue to face poverty, displacement, and education disruption despite a fragile recovery following political changes, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador said Friday after a visit to the country, Anadolu reports. Muzoon Almellehan, in a press briefing in Geneva where she joined via link, described both hope and hardship, noting that communities are rebuilding, but millions of children remain vulnerable. At least 2.45 million children are still out of school, while 1.6 million more risk dropping out due to damaged infrastructure, poverty, and displacement, she said. More than 4 million Syrians remain internally displaced outside camps, with another 1.35 million living in camps. According to Almellehan, explosive remnants of war remain a major threat, with nearly 1,000 incidents recorded and

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  Trump’s war: A conflict of survival, not strategy

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  “Trump’s challenge isn’t just Tehran. It’s balancing Israel, the donor class, and his own movement—both of which are pulling him in different directions.” The quote, as published by the Financial Times, captures the crux of America’s impending conflict with Iran. It’s no longer limited to containing Iran’s ambitions, but may now be about Donald Trump’s political survival if the war backfires. The pressures converging on Trump There are three forces putting pressure on Donald Trump, all reinforcing each other in a vicious cycle that could prove catastrophic. The Israel lobby has been instrumental in shaping America’s approach to Iran all along. Netanyahu has been putting immense pressure on Trump to escalate against Iran, and the Israel lobby has been generously

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  Top Russian diplomat reaffirms support for negotiation process amid US-Iran tensions

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday reaffirmed support for the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran amid escalating regional tensions, Anadolu reports. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Lavrov conveyed Moscow’s support for negotiations aimed at finding “fair political and diplomatic solutions” that respect Tehran’s legitimate rights, in accordance with the principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Noting the phone call took place at Tehran’s initiative, the statement said Lavrov and Araghchi exchanged views on the current situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, while taking into account the results of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland. “Some issues of mutual interest on the bilateral agenda were also discussed,” the statement added. The

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  Documents detail towers and bunkers in planned Gaza complex

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning the construction of a large military base in the Gaza Strip to host a future international stabilisation force, according to contracting records reviewed by The Guardian. The proposed site would span more than 350 acres and accommodate up to 5,000 personnel. It is intended to serve as an operational hub for a multinational force under the framework of the Peace Council, the body established to oversee Gaza’s post-war administration. The council is chaired by Trump, with his son-in-law Jared Kushner said to be involved in its leadership. READ: Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza Plans reviewed by the newspaper reportedly include the phased construction of

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  UN raises alarm over risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and West Bank

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The United Nations has expressed concern over the risk of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, citing intensified military operations and the large-scale displacement of Palestinian civilians. In a report released on Thursday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that escalating attacks, widespread destruction of residential areas and restrictions on humanitarian aid “appear designed to create a permanent demographic change in Gaza”. The report stated that the systematic destruction of entire neighbourhoods, combined with forced displacement aimed at creating long-term removal of the population, raises serious concerns. READ: Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza “This, along with forced displacement that appears designed to create a

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  From Greenland to the Gulf: Is Washington replacing the rules with raw power?

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  By early 2026, US foreign policy appears less anchored in the language of rules and more openly framed in the language of leverage. The past year has seen escalating tensions in Venezuela, renewed territorial rhetoric over Greenland, mounting friction within NATO, and an increasingly securitized posture in the Middle East. These are not isolated episodes. Together, they suggest a shift in how Washington understands the preservation of its global position. The Venezuela crisis illustrates this transition most clearly. Following the sharp deterioration of relations in late 2025 and direct confrontation with Nicolás Maduro’s government, US policy has moved beyond traditional sanctions into overt pressure tactics that blur the line between economic coercion and geopolitical brinkmanship. The episode reinforced a broader

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  Prisoners’ group says Palestinian detainee with leukaemia in critical condition

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The Palestinian Prisoners Club has warned that Palestinian detainee Fidaa Assaf, 49, is in critical condition after her leukaemia reportedly worsened in Israeli custody. In a statement, the organisation said Assaf, from Qalqilya, has been held since February 2025 on charges of “incitement”. According to the group, she was diagnosed with leukaemia two months before her arrest and her condition has deteriorated steadily during her detention. The statement said recent medical examinations conducted in Israeli hospitals indicated that the illness had advanced to a more serious stage, requiring urgent and intensive treatment that, it claims, is not being adequately provided in prison. READ: Ben-Gvir accuses attorney general over surge in Arab community killings The Prisoners Club said that Assaf has been

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  Channel 14: British parliamentarians denied security meeting in Jerusalem

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declined a request from a visiting British delegation for a special briefing on the work of the Israeli police, according to Israel’s Channel 14. The delegation included members of the UK’s Liberal Democrats, the third-largest party in Britain and generally regarded as centre-left, along with members of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and senior advisers. The group arrived in Tel Aviv on an official visit during which they met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They were also scheduled to travel to Ramallah for meetings with senior Palestinian Authority officials. READ: UK police say will no longer make arrests for supporting Palestine Action after ruling During their visit, the delegation requested a police

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  Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The head of mission for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Palestinian territories has warned of serious health consequences if the organisation is forced to end its operations in Gaza. Philipe Ribeiro said MSF is one of the largest healthcare providers operating in Gaza and the West Bank, and that its withdrawal would leave a significant gap in already overstretched medical services. In a press statement on Thursday, Ribeiro said the organisation intends to continue working for as long as possible, but acknowledged that recent Israeli measures pose major obstacles to its operations. He noted that MSF has been unable to bring international staff into Gaza since the beginning of January. “Israeli authorities have already refused any entry into Gaza,

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  Report reveals Israeli-installed security system at Epstein-linked property

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  A report by the Washington-based investigative outlet DropSite News has claimed that a security system installed at a Manhattan apartment linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein was overseen by Israeli authorities. According to the report, which cites emails recently released by the United States Department of Justice, the security equipment was installed in early 2016 in a property at 301 East 66th Street in Manhattan. The building was reportedly used by several individuals connected to Epstein. The report states that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak frequently stayed at the property. It further explains that emails show Epstein personally approved the installation of the security system and authorised meetings between his staff and Israeli security officials. READ: Israel’s Netanyahu attacks

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  Israel tightens entry restrictions to al-Aqsa on 1st Friday of Ramadan

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Israel tightened restrictions Friday on Palestinian worshippers seeking to enter occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first Friday of Ramadan, enforcing strict measures and requiring prior security approval for entry. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered early in the morning at military checkpoints surrounding Jerusalem in an attempt to reach the mosque, but Israeli forces barred many from entering despite some holding previously issued permits, an Anadolu correspondent reported. The Israeli army deployed large numbers of troops at checkpoints leading into the city, with senior military officers present and a heavy security presence in place. “Thousands of West Bank residents are crowded at the Qalandiya checkpoint, and the occupation authorities are refusing to allow

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  Indonesia’s trade deal with US risks straining its Middle East partnerships

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  This week, Indonesia and the United States signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. Most of the negotiation debate focused on tariffs and market access. Far less attention went to Article 5.1 and its geopolitical impact. That clause requires Indonesia to reflect US trade restrictions on third countries tied to American national security concerns. In practice, Jakarta could face sustained pressure to align with US sanctions. This creates friction with Indonesia’s long held free and active doctrine, which prioritises independence and active engagement across blocs. Article 5.1 complicates that balance in concrete ways. It introduces the possibility that Indonesia’s trade posture toward the Middle East and North Africa could shift in response to decisions made in Washington rather than Jakarta. Start

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  Ramadan under the rubble: Gaza welcomes the holy month amid ruin and unhealed wounds

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Ramadan arrives in Gaza this year (2026) for the first time since the ceasefire that came into effect last October. Yet the word “ceasefire” feels painfully detached from reality. The bombs may have slowed, but the wounds remain open. The devastation is vast, the humanitarian catastrophe is over imagination, and daily life continues under the shadow of siege and recurring violations, bombs, and killing. For Palestinians in Gaza, Ramadan is not simply a month of fasting and prayer; it is a test of endurance, faith, and the stubborn will to survive. Across the Gaza Strip, entire neighborhoods remain flattened and severely damaged, rendering most of the buildings as uninhabitable. Concrete skeletons of homes stand as silent witnesses to a war

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  Israeli Health Ministry reviews hospital preparations amid possible conflict with Iran

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  An Israeli TV channel reported on Thursday that the Israeli Ministry of Health held an emergency meeting with hospital directors and health insurance funds to discuss preparations for a potential escalation with Iran. According to i24 News, senior officials from the ministry attended the meeting, where hospital directors were asked to present their readiness for a possible confrontation with Iran. The discussion focused on hospital preparedness, including protective measures, infrastructure, and medical equipment, in case the routine emergency system needs to shift to a full-scale emergency response. Guidelines shared during the meeting reportedly included plans to manage large numbers of casualties, operate from protected areas within hospitals, recall medical staff if needed, and reduce non-urgent medical activities. READ: Trump says Iran

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  Morocco jails 18 Senegalese fans for 3 months to 1 year over AFCON final violence

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, following their arrest in connection with disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in the country, according to Anadolu Agency. The fans were detained on 18 January after causing trouble during the final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, which was won by the Senegalese national team, the “Lions of Teranga.” The court convicted them of “acts of rioting and violence, particularly against security forces, damaging sporting equipment, storming the pitch, and throwing projectiles.” All 18 received prison sentences between three and twelve months. Earlier on Thursday, the Moroccan public prosecutor at the Rabat First Instance Court had

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  Sawiris admits €500 million loss made in a fit of anger

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has revealed that he lost around €500 million after making an investment decision in a moment of anger. Speaking on the programme Billion Journey on Egypt’s Al-Nahar TV, Sawiris said he increased his stake in a company in which he already owned 10 per cent. He decided to buy an additional 10 per cent without sufficient study after becoming upset with someone involved. The move coincided with a global market downturn, and he said he lost the entire amount. Reflecting on the experience, Sawiris said it taught him a harsh lesson: no financial decisions should be made while angry. He added that he had also faced other losses during his career due to overconfidence, stressing that

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  UK Foreign Office responds to Gargash’s denial of UAE arming Sudan’s RSF

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The UK Foreign Office has described the findings of a United Nations report on El Fasher as “truly shocking”, particularly its documentation of systematic starvation, torture, killings, rape and deliberate ethnic targeting at the height of the siege imposed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The response came after UAE Minister of State Anwar Gargash claimed that remarks made by the British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during the Munich Security Conference last Saturday had refuted allegations that the United Arab Emirates was supplying weapons to the RSF.  The foreign office instead called for an end to the flow of arms into Sudan. In a statement by Yvette Cooper, the office said: “We urgently need an end to arms flows. Reports

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  The final solution to Imran Khan

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  When a regime starts rationing a prisoner’s light, it is no longer governing — it is unravelling. If credible reports are accurate that Imran Khan’s eyesight has catastrophically deteriorated in custody, this is not bureaucratic failure, nor medical misfortune. It is escalation. It is the continuation — by more brutal means — of a four-year campaign of relentless state persecution against the most popular, electrifying, and historically singular political figure Pakistan has produced in its 78-year existence. The dimming of his vision is not incidental. It is terror by design. Custody is sovereign monopoly distilled. The state controls light, air, medicine, sleep, contact — the total architecture of human survival. Under such conditions, physical deterioration is not “neglect.” It is

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  Egypt says it is committed to training Palestinian police in Gaza

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Egypt is committed to continuing the training of Palestinian police personnel to maintain security in Gaza, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Thursday during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, DC, Anadolu reports. Madbouly said Egypt supports US President Donald Trump’s vision for “a new era of peace and coexistence” in the region in which Palestinians enjoy their right to self-determination and statehood in line with relevant international resolutions. Egypt appreciates Trump’s position rejecting the annexation of the West Bank and supports the mandate of the Board of Peace as a principal framework for governing the transitional period in Gaza, he added. Madbouly stressed the need to fully empower the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza

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  Al-Burhan: No truce in Sudan unless RSF withdraw from occupied areas

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said on Thursday evening that there would be no ceasefire unless the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdrew from what he described as areas they occupy and regrouped in designated locations. He made the remarks during a public event in Omdurman, west of the capital, Khartoum, according to the state-run Sudan News Agency (SUNA). Fighting between the army and the RSF has continued since April 2023 over a dispute about integrating the paramilitary force into the regular armed forces. The conflict has triggered famine in parts of the country, created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, according to international estimates.

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  Gaza’s resistance security claims it neutralised suspected collaborator cells

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  A security officer in the Rad’a Force, the field wing of the Resistance Security in the Gaza Strip, said on Thursday that specialised units had, over the past week, neutralised a number of members of what he described as collaborator gangs. The officer said investigations with those detained had revealed that individuals with extremist “takfiri” views had joined the groups as part of a plan aimed at destabilising the internal front and serving hostile agendas. He stressed the need for coordinated official and public efforts to confront what he termed the phenomenon of collaboration. READ: Gaza administration committee opens applications to form new police force The officer also called for cooperation with the security authorities and for reporting any suspicious activity,

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  Trump says Iran deal clarity coming ‘in 10 days,’ warns of further action

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday it would soon become clear whether a deal with Iran is possible, warning that Washington may be forced to escalate if negotiations fall short, Anadolu reports. “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not,” he said at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, adding that the situation would likely become clearer “over the next probably 10 days.” Trump said his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, built a solid working relationship with Iranian representatives and talks were progressing well. “Iran is a hotspot right now, and they’re meeting, and they have a good relationship with the representatives of Iran,” he said. “Good talks are being

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  Gaza administration committee opens applications to form new police force

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) announced Thursday that it has opened applications to establish a new Palestinian police force in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. In a statement published on its website, the committee invited “qualified and committed individuals” to submit applications to serve the community and strengthen public security. It said it aims to recruit Palestinian men and women with “high professional competence and a commitment to maintaining order and stability, supporting the rule of law and protecting society with discipline and national responsibility.” The committee described joining the force as “a national duty and an active contribution to rebuilding trust and security within Gaza’s society.” It said the recruitment process targets individuals who demonstrate

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  Qatar pledges $1B in support for Board of Peace

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  Qatar pledged $1 billion Thursday in support of the Board of Peace during the first meeting of the group in Washington, reaffirming its commitment to mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Anadolu reports. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Doha “reaffirms its commitment to the Board of Peace as it was committed to the very first day of the mediation efforts.” “Our responsibility remains to achieve a just and lasting resolution,” he said, adding that the board, under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, “will advance the full implementation of the 20-point plan without delay, ensuring fairness and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.” He said the plan seeks “to ensure

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  Uzbekistan to make a ‘meaningful contribution’ to Gaza reconstruction, says Uzbek president

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  Uzbekistan is ready to make a “meaningful contribution” to the construction of residential buildings, kindergartens, schools and hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said Thursday at the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Anadolu reports. Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the boar’s work “will help create a favorable environment for the economic and social recovery of the Gaza Strip.” “Uzbekistan supported the peacekeeping initiative to establish the Board of Peace and firmly stated its intention to play a practical role in its successful implementation,” said Mirziyoyev, adding that the meeting reflects international solidarity, peacemaking and a shared desire to improve the situation in the Middle East. “We must use this historic opportunity to build a new Gaza

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  Israeli army forces detain child in Syria’s Quneitra

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  The Israeli army detained a child west of Kodna village in Syria’s southern Quneitra province on Thursday, Anadolu reports. The state-run Alikhbariah TV reported that Israeli troops arrested the child in the western outskirts of the village and took him to an undisclosed location. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the reported detention. Damascus has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two sides. Tel Aviv announced unilaterally that it was canceling the agreement after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024. Recent Israeli actions have included ground incursions, artillery shelling—particularly in the countryside of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria—arrests of civilians, the establishment of checkpoints to search

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  Indonesian president pledges 8,000 ‘or more’ troops to Gaza peacekeeping force

  by Marwa A on February 19, 2026

  Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday pledged 8,000 “or more” troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Anadolu reports. Despite the obstacles and difficulties, “we are very optimistic that with the leadership of (US) President (Donald) Trump, this vision of real peace will be achieved,” he said. “There will be problems, but we will prevail.” “We will achieve our dream of peace in Palestine, a lasting and peaceful solution for the Palestinian problem, and in Gaza,” he added. The achievements of the ceasefire are “real.” Therefore, “we reaffirm our commitment to contribute a significant number of troops, up to 8000 or more, if necessary; we are prepared to contribute the

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 16 Feb

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 2 Feb

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  Director of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ declines award at Berlin event

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  The director of The Voice of Hind Rajab declined to accept an award at a Berlin event this week after an Israeli general was recognized at the same gathering, Anadolu reports. Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania chose not to receive the “Most Valuable Film” award at the “Cinema for Peace” gala event on Monday and left the trophy behind. In her remarks, she said she felt a sense of responsibility rather than gratitude, using the moment to make a statement about justice and accountability for Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza in 2024, while rescuers attempting to reach her were also fired upon. “Justice means accountability. Without accountability, there is no peace.

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  From coercion to negotiation – Why Washington now sits across from Tehran

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  For years, Washington addressed Tehran through pressure. Sanctions were tightened layer upon layer. Naval deployments in the Gulf were amplified. Political rhetoric framed Iran as a state that would eventually yield under economic suffocation. The assumption was that sustained coercion would fracture internal stability and compel compliance. That expectation has not materialised. The return to negotiations is not the product of generosity or strategic benevolence. It reflects the recognition that coercion, by itself, did not produce submission. The shift from maximum pressure to diplomatic engagement signals something more structural: the limits of imperial reflex in a world that is no longer unipolar. The Limits of Economic Warfare When the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action under

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  Israeli army detains at least 37 Palestinians in raids across occupied West Bank

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Israeli forces detained at least 37 Palestinians and injured one during a series of raids across the occupied West Bank on the second day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Thursday, Anadolu reports. In the southern city of Hebron, Israeli troops stormed the town of Beit Ula, searching homes and commercial shops, eyewitnesses said. During the raid, soldiers opened fire and injured a Palestinian man, though the severity of his condition was not immediately known. In the Jabal Jales area of Hebron, the army carried out a separate operation, detaining 20 Palestinians and transferring them for interrogation, according to local sources. Residents said Israeli forces converted a residential building into a temporary military post and conducted field interrogations

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  Only one-third of expected travelers crossed Rafah since reopening: Gaza media office

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Gaza’s government media office said Thursday that only 1,148 Palestinians have crossed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since its limited reopening earlier this month, a figure it said represents roughly one-third of those expected to travel, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the office said 640 people departed Gaza and 508 returned between Feb. 2 and Feb. 18, while 26 others were turned back during attempts to leave. The total falls far short of the 3,400 travelers who were anticipated to pass through the crossing during that period, reflecting what the office described as about 33% Israeli compliance with understandings related to the Oct. 10 Gaza ceasefire. The statement did not clarify how the overall expected number of travelers was

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  Where is the international community’s accountability for Israel’s latest annexation phase?

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  The international community does not want to be held accountable  to history or its role in Israel’s colonisation of Palestine. With each violation, the UN and world leaders issue statements as if Israel is for the first time acting in violation of international law.  “The moves could lead to settlement expansion by removing bureaucratic barriers and easing land purchases and building permits,” UN Under Secretary General Rosemary di Carlo stated in response to Israel’s land registration process of the occupied West Bank. The approved proposal, put forth by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz, will de-facto annex Area C of the occupied West Bank, making the Palestinian land property of Israel’s colonial enterprise.

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  Israeli army hits Gaza Strip with airstrikes, artillery shelling on 2nd day of Ramadan

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  The Israeli army launched intense airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling in the Gaza Strip on Thursday on the second day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, despite the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement, witnesses said. Israeli fighter jets carried out heavy strikes on eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City in the north, alongside artillery shelling in the surrounding areas, witnesses told Anadolu. The Israeli army also fired illumination flares east of the Shujaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. In the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, witnesses reported at least two Israeli airstrikes in eastern areas under Israeli military control. Artillery shelling also targeted the al-Mawasi area west of Rafah, the witnesses said. READ: Israeli army kills Palestinian in Gaza on

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  Tusk urges Polish citizens to leave Iran immediately amid conflict fears

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday issued an urgent appeal for citizens to leave Iran immediately and warned against all travel to the country, citing the risk of an imminent military escalation, Anadolu reports. “Please leave Iran immediately and under no circumstances travel to this country,” Tusk told reporters in the town of Zielonka near Warsaw. “I do not want to alarm anyone, but we all know what I am referring to. The possibility of a conflict is very real.” The prime minister warned that the window for evacuation could close rapidly. “In a few, a dozen, or several dozen hours, evacuation may no longer be possible,” he said, urging Poles to take the warning seriously. Poland’s government has

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  Not forgetting the victims: Club Epstein and crimes against humanity

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  With a sex trafficking, flesh peddling empire of favours, logistics and the good time to be had by the powerful, the gigantic scale of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network continues to disturb.  The least savoury digital library on the planet, available through the offices of the US Justice Department as the Epstein Library, is being combed through with its 3.5 million items comprising 180,000 images, 2000 videos, email and text correspondence, not to mention an assortment of miscellaneous material. The combing process has come to displace the sheer gravity of Epstein’s dehumanising enterprise.  Like a gold mine of ill-repute, slime and crime, researchers, journalists, political hacks and the purely voyeuristic are fossicking for material about the next public figure to be

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  Notes on the draft constitution of the State of Palestine

  by MI on February 19, 2026

  Nearly seven months after President Mahmoud Abbas formed the constitutional drafting committee, the president moved a few days ago to release the draft “Interim Constitution of the State of Palestine” to the public and to relevant institutions for review and comment over a 60-day period. The designated committee is expected to receive, compile, and examine these submissions, then produce an initial report within two months. This would be followed by a detailed assessment of the findings and a set of recommendations, paving the way for a final version of the constitutional draft before it is put to a popular referendum. The question, however, remains unresolved: does this step amount to a genuine initiative to establish a constitution for the State

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

  by MI on February 19, 2026

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

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  Iran closes large parts of its airspace ahead of missile drill

  by MI on February 19, 2026

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

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

  by MI on February 19, 2026

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