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

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  Campaign groups urge UK government to suspend all arms exports to Israel

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  A group of civil society organizations on Friday urged the British government to not unpause the current suspension of some 30 licenses, but to suspend all arms exports to Israel, Anadolu reports. A few days after Business Secretary Peter Kyle’s remarks, signaling that the government may unblock arms sales to Israel, campaign groups urged the government to not unpause arms export licenses to Israel, but rather to halt all arms exports. A joint statement by Campaign Against Arms Trade, Global Justice Now, Global Legal Action Network, International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, and War on Want, said they were “appalled” by the government’s movement toward unblocking arms licenses to Israel. “The Government’s position was already untenable, temporarily suspending approximately 30

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  UN peacekeepers report Israeli fire at UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Friday that Israeli tank fire struck one of its positions in southern Lebanon, hours after a drone dropped a hand grenade near UN peacekeepers during a patrol, in repeated violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Anadolu reports. The UNIFIL reported on the US social media company X that peacekeepers with the UNIFIL were conducting a scheduled patrol near Adeisse when local residents warned them of a potential danger inside a house. The patrol found “an explosive device connected to a detonating cord” and established a security cordon, UNIFIL added. As the peacekeepers prepared to inspect another nearby house, “a drone hovering overhead dropped a hand grenade at a distance of

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  New Yemeni government forces deploy in interim capital Aden

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Yemen’s government-aligned National Shield Forces deployed new troops on Friday in the interim capital, Aden, to reinforce security and stability there, Anadolu reports. Military units reached Aden “as part of missions to enhance security and stability within state institutions,” the force said in a post on the US social media company Facebook accompanied by a video. It added that the deployment falls under organized plans that include continued reinforcements. The move aims to support efforts by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and the government to strengthen security and preserve social peace, the statement said, without specifying the number of units deployed, their composition, or how long they would remain in Aden. “The move comes within broader plans to boost security and

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  When old myths about Iran and Israel are dusted off again

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The phrase long used by the Israeli Mossad to describe its relationship with Iran — ‘a friendly enemy is better than a hostile friend’ — sprang to mind as I read Junaid S. Ahmad’s recent Middle East Monitor article, ‘Real men go to Tehran — The Zion-Con fantasy of regime change in Iran’. This phrase was never just an intelligence quip; it encapsulated the truth of the functional relationship between Tel Aviv and Tehran for forty years, preceded by an even closer relationship between Israel and the Shah’s regime. This relationship did not begin with the Shah nor end with Khamenei; it has consistently operated on the principle that Iran is not Israel’s existential enemy, but a tool to be

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  Israeli forces kill Palestinian child, assault worshippers in occupied West Bank

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child on Friday during a raid on the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, and assaulted worshippers as they left prayers, Palestinian media reported. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israeli forces entered Al-Mughayyir from the al-Khalayel area and opened heavy live fire toward residents, killing a 13-year-old child. Israeli forces later attacked worshippers as they exited the western Al-Mughayyir mosque after Friday prayers, firing stun grenades and tear gas canisters at them, the agency added. READ: EU urges Israel to immediately halt West Bank settlement project, calls it ‘obstacle to peace’ The village has been subjected to ongoing attacks by illegal Israeli settlers, under the protection of Israeli

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  EU urges Israel to immediately halt West Bank settlement project, calls it ‘obstacle to peace’

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The EU on Friday called on Israel to immediately halt the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that recent steps to advance settlement expansion pose a threat to peace and regional stability, Anadolu reports. In a statement, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the publication of the tender deadline for 3,401 housing units under the E1 plan, along with progress on construction of the so-called “Sovereignty Road,” constitutes “a serious provocation.” The bloc also voiced concern over settlement plans in Atarot and Nahalat Shimon in East Jerusalem. El Anouni said Israel’s settlement policy represents “an obstacle to peace, carries the risk of further instability in the West Bank, displacement of thousands of Palestinians, fragmentation of the

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  Iran’s police chief says calm restored after week of unrest

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Iran’s police chief said calm returned across the country after days of unrest, describing Thursday night as “the calmest night since the unrest began,” and dismissing renewed calls for protests from outside Iran, Press TV reported. Brig. Gen. Ahmadreza Radan said “no gatherings were reported nationwide despite calls for riots Thursday night,” adding that “calm was restored after a week of unrest” overnight. “By God’s grace and with the conscious presence of the people, the last nail was driven into the coffin of terrorism,” Radan said. Authorities say “initial protests over economic conditions escalated into violent riots involving attacks on public property and security forces.” READ: Putin urges diplomatic push on Iran, Middle East in call with Israeli Prime Minister Iranian

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  AOHR UK urges UK Government to impose sanctions on Netanyahu for war crimes and acts of genocide

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has formally submitted a request to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, calling for the imposition of targeted sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in light of his direct responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts amounting to genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. A statement issued by the organisation on Thursday has emphasised that its request is supported by an extensive body of documented evidence demonstrating that Netanyahu, as Israel’s highest executive authority, has directed and overseen military and security policies resulting in the large-scale killing of Palestinian civilians, the deliberate use of

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  2 Lebanese killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Two Lebanese were killed on Friday in Israeli airstrikes that targeted the Tyre and Nabatieh districts in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Anadolu reports. The ministry said an Israeli strike earlier in the day targeted a small truck in the town of Mansouri, in the Tyre district, killing one person. A separate Israeli strike overnight targeted a car in the town of Mayfadoun, in the Nabatieh district, killing another person, the ministry added. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an ambulance, operated by the Islamic Risala Scout Association, transported a wounded person to a hospital after the strike that targeted the small truck in Mansouri. Separately, the agency said an Israeli drone was flying at a very low

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  ​The civilisational shield: Rebutting the architecture of chaos in Iran

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  ​In 2026, the global discourse on Iran remains trapped in a binary of “regime” versus “revolt,” a reductionist lens that ignores the profound civilisational and anti-imperialist currents defining the Persian state. Below is an analytical rebuttal of the “architecture of chaos” currently being deployed against Iran, written from a perspective that champions sovereignty over subversion. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, the Islamic Republic of Iran is once again the target of a coordinated campaign – a fusion of economic strangulation, psychological operations, and localised military provocations. To understand the current crisis is to understand that Iran is not merely a political actor; it is a civilisational state resisting the dying gasps of unipolar hegemony. Iran has witnessed multiple

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  Head of Gaza’s administration committee announces ‘official’ start of work to run enclave

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, said on Friday the body has “officially” begun work to manage the enclave, launching its activities from Cairo after “a broad national consensus and formal authorization from Palestinian leadership.” Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking to Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News, Shaath said the committee’s formation followed wide Palestinian agreement and a leadership mandate, with international and US backing aimed at helping Palestinians emerge from the current crisis. Shaath said his appointment to head the committee rests on “solid legal and political foundations,” citing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and a 20-point ceasefire plan put forward by US President Donald Trump. The committee is intended to serve as a vital

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  Europe’s border policy on trial: The ERCI case ends in acquittal after seven years

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  On 15 January 2026, the Misdemeanours Court of Mytilene, Lesvos, delivered a verdict of acquittal in the case of Seán Binder, alongside 23 other rescue volunteers, concluding a legal process that had been in progress for more than seven years. This case had become a symbol of the manner in which European border regimes exercise control over individuals through the utilisation of legal proceedings rather than achieving a conviction. Binder, an Irish national and former volunteer with Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI), was arrested on 21 August 2018 and held in pre-trial detention for a period in excess of 100 days. From 2018 to 2026, he was confronted with a series of charges under both Greek criminal law and national

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  Glimmers of hope for those resisting Islamophobia and racism in Australia

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  I have faced these few weeks with a heavy heart. Like many Australian Arab Muslims, I experienced the horror of the Bondi attack not simply as a single moment of fear, but as the latest shock to an already overwhelmed collective nervous system. So many of our responses have been shaped by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and exhaustion about the relentless suspicion we face here in Australia.   An attack on any innocent life is an attack on our shared humanity. This is something most of us have been naming for more than two years. And we have been crying out for others to join us in recognising this awful fact.   The violence of the Bondi attack did not arrive in a vacuum.

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  Putin urges diplomatic push on Iran, Middle East in call with Israeli Prime Minister

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for stepping up political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability in the Middle East, including around Iran, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Putin outlined his “fundamental stance in favor of stepping up political and diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring the region’s stability and security,” according to a Kremlin statement. Noting that Putin and Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East and the situation surrounding Iran, the statement said Moscow confirmed its readiness to continue undertaking mediation efforts and promote dialogue. “The Russian side confirmed its commitment to continuing making mediation efforts and promoting a constructive dialogue involving all concerned parties,” the statement said. It added that both

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  Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey seek regional defence pact amid fears of Israeli domination

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  As Israel expands its bombing campaign across the Middle East, three regional powers, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, are preparing to finalise a landmark defence agreement aimed at enhancing collective security in a region increasingly destabilised by Israeli aggression and Western-backed militarism. The trilateral agreement, which has been in development for nearly a year, signals a potential shift in the regional security landscape. “The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey trilateral agreement is something that is already in pipeline,” Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Raza Hayat Harraj, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. “The draft agreement is already available with us. The draft agreement is already with Saudi Arabia. The draft agreement is already available with Turkey. And all three countries are deliberating.

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  Iran has arrested over 3,000 people in ongoing nationwide protests: State TV

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  As many as 3,000 people have been detained for allegedly hurting unrest or provoking demonstrations across Iran, state TV reported on Friday. The report cited a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions, who claimed the details were involved in anti-government protests and were either affiliated with “terrorist groups” or defendant of aggravating events. Earlier, a separate tally by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based group unaffiliated with the Iranian government, said that the ongoing protests had led to the detention of over 19,000 people. In clashes that broke out during the protests, 2,677 people had lost their lives, the group added. Iranian authorities have so far not issued any statements on the total

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  Growing concerns over UAE plan to expand geothermal investment in Indonesia

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Last week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made clear it intends to deepen its involvement in Indonesia’s geothermal sector. Speaking at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, executives from Masdar, the UAE’s state-owned renewable energy company, described geothermal as a strategic priority and highlighted Indonesia’s position as the world’s second-largest geothermal producer. Masdar framed the move as a natural extension of its commitment to Indonesia’s clean energy transition. That conclusion deserves reconsideration. For the UAE, expanding investment in Indonesian geothermal energy is a strategic misstep. The technology is increasingly associated with social conflict, long development timelines and uncertain returns. Meanwhile, Masdar already has a more effective, scalable and politically durable pathway in Indonesia: floating solar power paired with battery energy storage. Geothermal

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  Israel, Arab allies urge Trump to delay any strike on Iran: Report

  by MI on January 16, 2026

   Israel and several Arab partners have urged US President Donald Trump to hold off on any military strike against Iran, warning that an attack could trigger a wider regional conflict, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing senior US and regional officials, Anadolu Agency reports. According to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Trump during a Wednesday phone call to postpone any planned action, as Iran continues to face nationwide protests. The same day, Trump said he had received information from “very important sources on the other side” indicating that Iranian authorities had paused executions and stopped killing prosecutors, though US officials cautioned that military options remain under review. Netanyahu also spoke earlier this week with US

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  Far-right Zionist group Betar to shut down New York operations following state probe into ‘campaign of violence’

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The far-right Zionist organisation Betar has dissolved its New York operations following a damning investigation by the state attorney general that exposed a “campaign of violence, harassment and intimidation” targeting Arab, Muslim and Jewish New Yorkers. Announced on Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the settlement follows a 2025 probe into Betar USA, the American affiliate of the global Betar movement. The investigation uncovered multiple instances of physical assault, incitement and hate-fuelled intimidation, all reportedly carried out in the name of defending Israel. “My office’s investigation uncovered an alarming and illegal pattern of bias-motivated harassment and violence designed to terrorize communities and shut down lawful protest,” said James. ” This behavior is unacceptable, and it is not who we

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  Former Arab League chief urges Cairo and Riyadh to act on regional risks

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Former Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa warned on Thursday that recent regional developments pose a strategic threat to Arab security, urging Egypt and Saudi Arabia to treat the situation with the utmost seriousness. Speaking at a symposium organised by the Boutros Boutros-Ghali Foundation for Peace, Moussa said the unfolding situation in the region should not be viewed as marginal, but rather as a direct and growing danger to Arab national security. He pointed in particular to Israel’s approach towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, calling it a highly dangerous development for the security of the Red Sea. Moussa recalled that Egypt had taken a strategic decision to close the strait during the October 1973 war, underlining its decisive role in shaping

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  Argentina designates Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organisations

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Argentina has officially designated the Lebanese, Egyptian and Jordanian branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations, according to a statement issued by the presidency. In a post published on the X platform and signed by Argentine President Javier Milei, the presidency said the decision followed coordination among several ministries and government agencies and was based on reports documenting what it described as the illegal activities of the listed entities. “The Presidency of the Republic announces that the government has designated the Lebanese, Egyptian and Jordanian branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations,” the statement said, without providing further details on the evidence cited. The move comes after a similar decision by the United States, whose administration under President

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  “Real men go to Tehran” — The Zion-Con fantasy of regime change in Iran

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  “Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran.” It is difficult to imagine a sentence that more perfectly distils the arrested adolescence of American neoconservatism. Equal parts locker-room bravado and imperial hallucination, the phrase belongs to the same intellectual ecosystem as Rambo sequels, Tom Clancy paperbacks, and the enduring belief that history naturally submits to men armed with air superiority and a television-ready talking point. The slogan has circulated for decades among Washington’s most aggressively incurious minds. Iraq was merely the appetizer. Tehran was always the entrée — the Everest of regime change, the final boss in a video game played by men who have never once paid the price of defeat. Iran is not different merely because

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  Israel continues bombing Gaza despite launch of second ceasefire phase

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Israeli forces continued bombing and demolishing buildings in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, despite the announcement of the second phase of the ceasefire process, as casualties from ongoing attacks continued to rise. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli army has violated the ceasefire for the 97th consecutive day. The ministry said that two Palestinians were killed and five others injured over the past 24 hours, with additional victims believed to be trapped under rubble or lying in streets inaccessible to rescue teams. The ministry reported that the total death toll since the start of the Israeli offensive on 7th October 2023, has reached 71,441, with 171,329 wounded. Since the ceasefire came into effect on October 11, at

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  Gaza clans warn Israel against harming Sheikh Hosni al-Mughni amid incitement campaign

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Gaza’s clans have warned Israel against harming Sheikh Hosni al-Mughni, the general coordinator of the Higher Council for Tribal Affairs in the Gaza Strip, amid a “systematic Israeli incitement campaign” targeting him. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the council said Israeli authorities had launched a “frenzied” campaign of incitement against Sheikh Hosni al-Mughni, also known as Abu Salman, across multiple platforms. The statement said the campaign included the dissemination of false accusations and public death threats, led by accounts and individuals linked to Israeli security agencies. According to the statement, the so-called “Avichai Network” and other accounts associated with Israel initiated the incitement campaign in response to Sheikh al-Mughni’s national positions. The council said the campaign had escalated

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  Israeli settlers burn Palestinian home near Jericho amid rising West Bank attacks

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home on Thursday in the Al-Murashahat area near Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, northwest of Jericho, in the eastern West Bank, completely destroying the property. The house belongs to the Mleihat (Kaabneh) family. The Al-Baydar Human Rights Organization said the attack caused fear and panic among family members and nearby residents, amid an escalation of repeated assaults targeting Bedouin communities in the area. The group said the attacks form part of a systematic policy of intimidation aimed at forcibly displacing residents from their land. Al-Baydar added that the arson was part of a broader pattern of settler violence against Palestinians and their property, and called for immediate protection for residents and accountability for those

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  Gaza records 2,600 abortions, 220 pregnancy-related deaths, 1,460 premature births

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  A recent human rights report has revealed that the Israeli war on Gaza is affecting not only the immediate humanitarian situation but also the future of the Palestinian population. Birth rates have fallen to unprecedented levels, maternal and new-born deaths have sharply increased, and the reproductive healthcare system has almost completely collapsed.  The British newspaper The Guardian cited human rights reports showing that birth rates in Gaza have dropped by 41 per cent, while abortion and premature births are on the rise. The reports describe this as a policy of “reproductive violence” aimed at preventing Palestinians from having children, which under international law could be considered an act of genocide. According to two reports by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)

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  The predicament of the Islamic Republic: Why 2026 is different

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  By January 2026, “cumulative erosion” will begin to characterize Iran’s Islamic Republic, defying the classical rhythms of reform and repression. Though the Rial’s collapse ignited the protest movement within Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, this nationwide mass revolt is characteristic of a crisis encompassing financial bankruptcy, ecological “Day Zero” projections, and a generational shift that has rendered its ideological scaffolding irrelevant. The generative power of “horizonless” The horizonless generation of Gen Z. leads the current wave of mobilization. Unlike the 2009 Green Wave, which aimed to enhance the Republican character of the state, or the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which aimed to uproot cultural pillars, the current 2026 mutiny has a brutal, matter-of-fact pragmatism. For a generation in which 90% of

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  Houthi leader says group preparing for “next round,” warns of strike on Israeli military presence in Somaliland

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said the group has entered a new phase of preparation for what he described as an “inevitable” round of conflict with the United States and Israel, either directly or through what he called “proxies.”  In a speech on Thursday, al-Houthi said the conflict with Israel is “inevitable”, stressing that the United States is a direct partner in it. He accused Washington of adopting policies based on “tyranny, arrogance, generating crises and investing in them to control the peoples of the region”. He added that Ansar Allah is currently operating under the banner of “preparing for the next round”, clearly pointing to a new phase of escalation.

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  Palestinian FM calls on Gaza deal sponsors to ensure Israel meets its commitments

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Palestinian Foreign Minister and Minister for Expatriates Dr Farsin Shaheen said the Palestinian Presidency has welcomed the move to enter the second phase of the Gaza agreement. In an interview with Cairo News Channel, Shaheen said the immediate priority is for the committee tasked with administering Gaza to begin its work on the ground and start relief and recovery operations. She added: “It is possible to start developing plans for reconstruction, but at the moment there are urgent needs that must be met to respond to what the Palestinian people want, after they have suffered greatly for more than two years.” Shaheen continued: “What is required today from everyone is to support this committee, and above all for the sponsor

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  Hebrew media: Israeli soldiers accused of stealing 250 goats from Syrian land

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  A private Hebrew-language broadcaster reported on Thursday that Israeli soldiers had stolen 250 goats from inside Syrian territory and moved them to farms in settlements in the occupied West Bank. Channel 7 described the incident on the Syrian border as “exceptional”. It said a group of Israeli soldiers took a herd of 250 goats from Syrian land and transported them by trucks to several farms in West Bank settlements. According to the report, the theft took place around two weeks ago. The soldiers allegedly called in transport trucks to move the herd. The incident came to light after a local farmer in Israel noticed dozens of goats walking along a main road at dawn and informed the authorities. The channel

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  US criticises South Africa over Iran’s participation in naval drills

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  The United States criticised South Africa on Thursday over allowing Iran in naval exercises off its coast, describing the move as “unacceptable” in light of ongoing protests in Iran. Ships from China, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates sailed to waters off Cape Town about a week ago to take part in the exercises as part of cooperation among BRICS countries. Local media reported that the South African government tried to exclude Iran from the China-led drills, which were held while protests continue in Iran. Human rights groups say these protests have resulted in the deaths of thousands. It remains unclear how much Iranian vessels were involved in the exercises. The South African navy said the drills were necessary

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  UN official says every Gaza resident surrounded by 30 tonnes of rubble

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  A senior UN official has said that each person in Gaza is now surrounded, on average, by 30 tonnes of rubble, highlighting the scale of destruction in the territory. Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN under-secretary-general and UNOPS (UN Office for Project Services) executive director, said on Thursday that “Gaza contains more than 60 million tonnes of debris, the capacity of nearly 3,000 container ships.”  “It is likely to take over 7 years to clear this rubble,” da Silva noted. He described the scale of destruction as “overwhelming.”  In a press statement issued after a visit to Gaza and the region, Moreira da Silva said the “humanitarian crisis is deepening.” “The people in Gaza “are exhausted, traumatized, and overwhelmed,” stressing that

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  Trump announces formation of ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  US President Donald Trump announced Thursday the formation of a “Board of Peace” for the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reports. “It is my Great Honor to announce that the Board of Peace has been formed. “The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. US envoy Steve Witkoff announced Wednesday that the second phase of a ceasefire agreement had begun as part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. In a separate post, Trump said the next phase of his plan “officially” began. “As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I

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  Venezuelan opposition figure Machado gives Trump Nobel Peace Prize

  by MI on January 16, 2026

  Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado said Thursday that she gave US President Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, defying the Nobel Committee’s emphasis that the award could not be transferred, Anadolu reports. “I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters at the Capitol after her meeting with Trump and later lawmakers. Machado said she gave Trump the prestigious award out of “recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” The Norwegian Nobel Institute said Friday that the peace prize could not be transferred after Machado suggested she might give her 2025 award to Trump. “The facts are clear and well-established. Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked,

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  UN chief slams Israeli forces’ ‘unlawful entry’ into UNRWA health center in East Jerusalem

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The UN chief on Thursday “strongly” condemned Israel’s actions in occupied East Jerusalem after what he described as an “unlawful entry” into a UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) facility and a move to shut down a key health center, Anadolu reports. “The Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) strongly condemns the Israeli authorities’ unlawful entry on Jan. 12 into a United Nations property in occupied East Jerusalem, the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and the order of its temporary closure,” his spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement. The statement noted that Guterres is “also deeply concerned that UNRWA has been informed that utility providers will soon cease supplying electricity and water services to multiple UNRWA facilities in occupied East Jerusalem.” Recalling Israel’s obligations

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  Turkiye warns citizens in Iran to remain cautious amid ongoing developments

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Turkiye on Thursday called on its citizens planning to travel to Iran to act with heightened caution, citing recent developments in the country, Anadolu reports. The Turkish Embassy in Tehran said on US social media platform X that authorities also advised Turkish nationals currently in the Middle Eastern country to remain alert about their personal safety. “It is recommended that our citizens pay close attention to the latest developments,” the statement said. The embassy emphasized the importance of following official announcements and guidance. “Citizens are encouraged to track possible updates through the official websites and social media accounts of our Ministry and diplomatic missions in Iran,” it added. READ: Spain says it rejects US intervention in Iran For emergencies, the embassy shared

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  Spain says it rejects US intervention in Iran

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday that a unilateral intervention by the US would not bring stability to Iran, and stressed that no solution for Venezuela can be imposed from outside, Anadolu reports. Speaking before the plenary session in the Spanish Congress, according to Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, Albares said: “Unilateral external action is not going to provide stability to Iran, which is what it needs at the moment.” He said the priority should be to avoid instability and called on Iranian authorities to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest, as well as to restore communication with the outside world. He urged everyone to “avoid situations of chaos.” Albares also rejected the use

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  World Food Program warns families in Sudan pushed to brink as resources dry up

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Families in Sudan are being pushed to the brink as “brutal conflict” and famine continue, with the World Food Program (WFP) warning that its life-saving operations are at risk due to severe funding shortages, Anadolu reports. As Sudan marks more than 1,000 days of conflict this month, WFP said in a statement, the world’s “largest hunger and displacement crisis shows no signs of abating,” while the agency struggles to keep emergency operations running. Since the resurgence of civil conflict in April 2023, the agency said that WFP has reached more than 10 million of the most vulnerable women, men and children with emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance. It added that the agency continues to deliver life-saving aid to an

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  Israeli attacks kill 8 Palestinians in Gaza in new ceasefire violations

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The Israeli army killed at least eight Palestinians, including a child, and wounded others on Thursday in airstrikes and gunfire that targeted multiple areas across the Gaza Strip, in the latest violation of last year’s ceasefire agreement, medical sources said. Israeli warplanes struck a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah with two missiles, killing five Palestinians, including a child, the sources told Anadolu. A large number of people were wounded in the strike and taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the sources said, warning the death toll could rise. The targeted area lies outside Israeli control under the ceasefire in effect since October 2025, according to an Anadolu correspondent. Israeli forces also killed two Palestinians in the same city

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  US appeals court says judge had no jurisdiction in release of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  A US federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that a judge had no jurisdiction to order the release of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, Anadolu Agency reports. The Philadelphia-based Third US Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, found that federal immigration law stripped the trial court of authority to consider Khalil’s challenge to his detention and ordered the case dismissed. The ruling revived the possibility that Khalil could again be detained as the Trump administration pursues his deportation. Khalil, a lawful US resident and a former Columbia University graduate student, was detained in March without a warrant by immigration officers in New York City and transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, where he was held for months. The

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  UN chief welcomes transition to phase 2 of Trump’s Gaza plan

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The UN’s top official on Thursday welcomed the US’ announcement of the transition to phase two of the Gaza ceasefire plan, urging “unimpeded” flow of humanitarian aid, Anadolu Agency reports. “In Gaza, I welcome the start of phase two of the ceasefire announced by the US, and reiterate that humanitarian aid must flow unimpeded, the ceasefire must be implemented in full,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the UN General Assembly, where he shared his priorities for 2026. Guterres stressed that “a way must be cleared to an irreversible path to a two-state solution in accordance with international law.” On Wednesday, US envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement had begun as part of President Donald

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  Israeli forces demolish commercial structure near Bethlehem

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Israeli forces demolished an under-construction commercial facility in the town of Cennata near Bethlehem in the West Bank on Thursday, according to information obtained by Anadolu. Witnesses said Israeli army units, accompanied by military vehicles and bulldozers, raided the area and began demolishing the structure, which included metal-sheet barracks used for shelter and sheep farming, citing a lack of building permits. Israeli authorities continue to demolish Palestinian-owned homes and facilities in the West Bank on the grounds of “unlicensed construction,” despite Palestinians facing severe difficulties in obtaining building permits, as violations in the territory have increased alongside the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Since Israel launched its war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian officials say Israeli measures

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  Israeli warplanes strike 4 residential buildings in Lebanon despite ceasefire

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Israeli warplanes struck four residential buildings Thursday evening in Lebanon, in a new violation of a ceasefire agreement in place since November 2024, Anadolu Agency reports. Multiple airstrikes targeted two buildings in the town of Sohmor in western Bekaa region, after warnings for residents to evacuate the area, witnesses said. Israeli warplanes also struck two homes in the town of Mashghara, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. Earlier Thursday, the Israeli army warned residents of Sohmor and Mashghara to evacuate several buildings near locations it intended to target, claiming the sites were being used by Hezbollah. In recent weeks, Israeli media reported that the army has completed preparations for a potential large-scale attack against Hezbollah positions if the Lebanese government

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  US sanctions Iranian officials, banking networks amid protests

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The US Treasury Department on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting senior Iranian security officials and financial networks, as protests spread across Iran, Anadolu reports. The sanctions, imposed by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), are aimed at what US officials described as the architects of Iran’s “violent” crackdown on demonstrators. “OFAC today is also taking action against the shadow banking networks that allow Iran’s elite to steal and launder revenue generated by the country’s natural resources,” it said in a statement. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said the US stands “firmly” behind the Iranian people in their call for “freedom and justice.” “At the direction of President Trump, the Treasury Department is sanctioning key Iranian leaders involved

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  Iraq rejects use of its territory or airspace to attack any country amid regional tensions

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Iraq said Thursday it rejects the use of its territory, airspace, or territorial waters to launch military actions against any country, amid rising regional tensions. “Iraq remains fully committed to preventing its land from becoming a platform to threaten the security and stability of neighboring states,” Sabah al-Numan, the official spokesman for the army commander-in-chief, said in remarks carried by the state news agency INA. He renewed calls on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and avoid escalation, stressing the need to work seriously to resolve disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means. Numan reiterated Iraq’s firm rejection of using its territory, airspace or waters as a launch pad for any military operations targeting any country. The statement comes amid

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  Israeli suspension of aid groups ‘renders life unbearable,’ violates international law: UN experts

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  UN experts on Thursday said that Israel’s suspension of dozens of associations operating in the occupied Palestinian territory constitutes a “flagrant violation” of international law, and “renders life unbearable”, Anadolu reports. “By blocking aid, Israel is worsening life-threatening conditions, and heightens potential criminal responsibility for its leaders,” the experts said in a statement. They said that banning life-saving organizations from operating in Gaza marks “a new phase in a policy that renders life unbearable for a population already devastated by genocide,” warning that it would create conditions forcing Palestinians into “chronic deprivation and threatening their survival as a group and further violating the Genocide Convention – it must be stopped.” The experts were referring to a regulation announced by Israel

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  EU welcomes transition to phase 2 of Trump’s Gaza plan, pledges continued support

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The EU on Thursday welcomed the US announcement of the transition to phase two of the Gaza plan, saying it stands ready to continue supporting peace efforts in the enclave, Anadolu reports. In a statement, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc welcomed the plan, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, particularly the nomination of a Palestinian National Committee for the administration of Gaza with the support of the Palestinian Authority. “The EU stands ready to continue to support peace in Gaza, through its humanitarian, security, diplomatic and cooperation tools,” El Anouni said. READ: FACTBOX – 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement begins, outlining political, security steps “We look forward to the implementation of the entirety

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  Palestinian president to meet Putin in Moscow next week

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow next week, according to Russia’s state news agency Tass on Thursday, Anadolu reports. “He (Abbas) will arrive on January 21 for two days,” the news agency quoted a Palestinian embassy official as saying. The officials said that the Palestinian president would also meet Putin during the visit. In October last year, Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal said Abbas was ready to visit Russia “at any time” and expressed confidence that the trip would take place soon. The Palestinian leader last visited Moscow in May 2025 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Russia’s Victory Day. Bilateral talks between the presidents of Russia and

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  FACTBOX – 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement begins, outlining political, security steps

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  The Gaza ceasefire agreement has entered a more complex second phase this week after nearly two years of an Israeli war that has reshaped the enclave’s humanitarian and political landscape, Anadolu reports. The new phase aims to move beyond a military pause toward long-term political and security arrangements, including disarmament, the creation of a transitional administration and the launch of reconstruction efforts. US envoy Steve Witkoff announced Wednesday night that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement had begun as part of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict. On US social media company X, Witkoff said the phase marked a transition “from a ceasefire to disarmament, technocratic governance and reconstruction.” He added that Washington expects Hamas

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  Turkiye opposes ‘any military intervention’ against Iran: Foreign minister

  by MI on January 15, 2026

  Turkiye is opposed to “any military intervention” against Iran, said the Turkish foreign minister on Thursday, urging Tehran to resolve its “own internal problems by itself”, Anadolu Agency reports. “When examined closely, there is no situation that would whet the appetite of some countries hostile to Iran abroad, in terms of hostility toward the regime. However, the economic difficulties created by existing policies, and the inability to alleviate them, do give rise to serious problems. We do not want to see any intervention here,” Hakan Fidan told journalists in Istanbul. He added, referring to recent statements by the US president: “When you look at the policies of (Donald) Trump, we have not seen a strong preference so far for the