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

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  British MPs push back on Trump’s ‘civilization’ threat against Iran, urge end to ‘complicity’

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  UK lawmakers on Tuesday pushed back on US President Donald Trump’s threat that he would end Iran’s civilization, calling on the British government to withdraw US access to UK air bases, Anadolu reports. Ed Davey, leader of Liberal Democrats, said Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a choice after Trump’s latest “shocking threats.” “Withdraw US access now to UK air bases, or risk letting British soil be used to commit war crimes,” he wrote on US social media company X. His remarks came after Trump earlier Tuesday threatened that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” as his deadline for reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran is coming to an end tonight. “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought

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  Russian, UAE top diplomats discuss US-Israeli-Iranian conflict

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict in a call with his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. “A confidential exchange of views was held regarding the ongoing unprecedented escalation of the military-political situation in the Persian Gulf region,” it said. The diplomats highlighted the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, which are causing civilian casualties and inflicting serious damage on vital civilian infrastructure, including in countries not participating in the armed confrontation. READ: Hebrew newspaper claims Russia gave Iran list of “vital targets” in Israel “A mutual commitment was reaffirmed to maintain close foreign policy coordination between Moscow and Abu Dhabi in order to facilitate a

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  Power cut off on Iran’s Kharg Island after heavy US strikes: Reports

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Power was cut off on Iran’s Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday following a wave of US strikes targeting more than 50 sites, according to US and Iranian media reports. Iranian outlets said the power outage came after heavy US attacks on the island. The Wall Street Journal said that US fighter jets bombed more than 50 military targets on the Iranian island. Iran’s Mehr News Agency earlier said that US and Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on the island, causing multiple explosions. No details were yet available about casualties or damage. READ: Trump says ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ as Iran deal deadline looms Last week, US President Donald Trump said that all military targets on Kharg

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  Pakistan ‘strongly’ condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli minister

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Pakistan on Tuesday condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the latest storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by a far-right Israeli minister, calling upon the international community to take “urgent and effective” measures to prevent such provocations, Anadolu reports. “This reprehensible act constitutes a direct assault on the sanctity and historical character of the holy site and is a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,” said a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. Islamabad “categorically” rejected all attempts by the Israeli occupying authorities to alter or undermine the established religious, historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque. On Monday, Israel’s far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday. Ben-Gvir entered the mosque compound through the

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  Egypt and the Gulf states: Sharp differences over the Iran war

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  When Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi used his well-known phrase “just a step away” years ago, referring to his country’s readiness to defend Arab national security, he did not expect to face a real test and a difficult dilemma that could cost him dearly. Tensions in Egyptian-Gulf relations, against the backdrop of the ongoing war against Iran and Iranian strikes targeting countries in the region, have escalated from discontent to suspicion, disagreement and possibly a reassessment in the near future. Assessments within ruling circles in Gulf capitals reflect negative views of Egypt’s position, amid what is described as “abandonment” and a lack of solidarity by a strategic ally that has received tens of billions of dollars, as well as significant

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  Trump says ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ as Iran deal deadline looms

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” as his deadline for reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran is coming to an end tonight. “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end,” he added. READ: Iran dismisses Trump

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  Newcastle set for UK and Europe’s first Palestinian memorial

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  A new memorial for Palestinian civilians could be added to Newcastle’s Peace Garden following a proposal supported by local councillors and community groups. The Peace Garden, located within the grounds of Newcastle’s Civic Centre, was established as a space for remembrance and reflection for communities affected by war, genocide and violence. The initiative was led by Councillor Habib Rahman, whose work with Newcastle City Council helped create the memorial area. Two memorials have already been installed in the garden. In 2024, a memorial stone was unveiled in remembrance of the genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda, supported by Newcastle’s Rwandan community. A second memorial was installed in 2025 to recognise the genocide against the Roma people. At the same

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  Tell me how this war will end

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  We need today to revive the question General David Petraeus posed after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, launched under fabricated pretexts: “Tell me how this ends.” But we ask it now in a completely different context, as we speak about Iran and a war that seems to be moving without a compass, driven by an excessive confidence in the ability of military force to produce political transformation. Is it conceivable that US President Donald Trump—with all his bravado—and the Pentagon, with its hardened rhetoric and overwhelming arsenal, do not understand Iran as they open a war against it? Or is this misunderstanding part of a recurring historical pattern in which the United States assumes that force alone can reshape the

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  Report: 4 Israeli soldiers accused of spying for Iran

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Four Israeli soldiers have been arrested in recent weeks over accusations of spying for Iran, Israeli news site Ynet reported on Monday. The soldiers are serving their compulsory military service. The report gave few details. Israeli police confirmed the arrests and said investigations are ongoing, but most information remains under a gag order. The arrests come amid the ongoing conflict that began on 28th February when Israel and the United States launched coordinated military strikes against Iran.  Iranian authorities have also arrested several individuals for spying on behalf of Israel. The latest group arrested included 20 people in the country’s north western region, all charged with collaborating with Israel. READ: Israel’s war on Iran and Lebanon costs $15bn: Hebrew newspaper

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  Iran dismisses Trump threats to destroy infrastructure as ‘delusional’

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Iran has rejected threats by US President Donald Trump against its infrastructure, describing them as “’delusional”. A military spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which assumes command during wartime, said Trump’s threats on Monday would not “compensate for America’s disgrace”. In a statement reported by official media, the spokesman said: “The rude and arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats of the delusional US president will not make up for America’s disgrace and defeat in the West Asia region.” Earlier on Monday, Trump said the United States could destroy all bridges and power stations in Iran within four hours if Tehran did not end its closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US president has repeatedly issued deadlines for Iran to

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  Race against time to save Gaza’s historic Omari Mosque

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Amid the devastation caused by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, a group of volunteers is racing against time to restore and protect the historic Great Omari Mosque and its ancient library, one of Palestine’s most significant cultural and religious landmarks. Working through rubble and dust in the narrow alleyways of the Old City, the team is undertaking a delicate mission to revive the mosque, which suffered extensive destruction during the war, while also safeguarding its historic manuscripts and architectural heritage. Located in the Al-Daraj neighbourhood, southeast of Palestine Square, the mosque stands near traditional markets such as Al-Qaysariya (Gold Market) and Al-Zawiya Market. Covering approximately 1,600 square meters, it can accommodate more than 3,000 worshippers, making it one

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  Ten Palestinians killed in Israeli bombing of civilian gathering in Gaza

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Ten Palestinians were killed and others wounded on Monday in an Israeli occupation bombing and gunfire attack targeting a gathering of civilians east of the Maghazi refugee camp. Medical sources reported that the bodies of ten Palestinians, along with a large number of wounded, were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, following the attack. No further details were immediately available regarding the circumstances of the strike. The attack comes as Israeli occupation forces continue to violate the ceasefire agreement on a daily basis through shelling and gunfire. According to available data, these violations have resulted in the killing of 723 Palestinians and the injury of 1,990 others since the ceasefire came into effect. The agreement followed a prolonged

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  Israel sends more troops to southern Lebanon to expand ground offensive

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  The Israeli army deployed an additional division in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, as Israel continues to expand its ongoing ground offensive in the Arab country, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the army said the 98th Division joined operations alongside the 91st, 36th, 146th and 162nd divisions “as part of expanding ground operations,” alongside ongoing artillery and airstrikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon. The military said the additional forces are working to “reinforce the front defensive line and remove threats to northern residents,” without specifying the extent of the incursion into Lebanese territory. According to the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli move aims to push Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani River and destroy sites and buildings in border villages Israel

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  Iran: War will continue until “enemy regrets” and deterrence is secured

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Iran has stated that it will continue fighting until what it described as the enemy reaches a point of regret, asserting that this is necessary to prevent any future attacks. Iranian Army spokesman Mohammad Akrami Nia said in a press statement on Monday that the objective of continuing the war is to ensure long-term deterrence, according to reports carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency. He claimed that the United States and Israel failed to achieve their objectives in the war against Iran, asserting that they were “effectively defeated.” READ: Trump defends targeting Iran’s infrastructure, calls Iranians “animals” Akrami Nia added that prolonging the conflict aims to push the adversary to a stage of “genuine regret,” describing this approach as grounded

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  Hebrew newspaper claims Russia gave Iran list of “vital targets” in Israel

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  An Israeli newspaper claimed on Monday that Russia provided Iran with a list of vital energy infrastructure targets inside Israel for precise missile strikes. The Jerusalem Post quoted an unnamed source close to Ukrainian intelligence as saying that Russian intelligence supplied Iran with a detailed list of 55 key energy infrastructure targets in Israel. There has been no official comment from Moscow so far. Since 24 February 2022, Russia has been carrying out a military offensive against neighbouring Ukraine, which it says will only end if Kyiv abandons plans to join Western military alliances — a demand Ukraine considers interference in its internal affairs. The newspaper added that the report, which highlights growing military and intelligence cooperation between Moscow and

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  Lebanese Health Ministry says 1,497 killed, over 4,600 wounded in Israeli ongoing aggression

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that the number of victims since the start of the Israeli aggression on March 2 has risen to 1,497, with 4,639 people wounded as of 6th April. In its daily report, the Health Emergency Operations Center said Israeli occupation forces continue to carry out intensive airstrikes and artillery attacks across multiple regions in Lebanon, resulting in further casualties and widespread destruction. According to the ministry, an Israeli airstrike targeting a civilian vehicle at the Kafr Rumman roundabout in the Nabatieh district killed four civilians, while another strike on the town of Haris in southern Lebanon resulted in killing two civilians. READ: Attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon ‘must cease immediately’: Spanish premier Israeli warplanes also

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  Burhan abolishes senior military posts in Sudan army reshuffle

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has issued a decree abolishing key senior military positions as part of a broader restructuring of Sudan’s armed forces. According to a statement from the Sudanese army, the new decree abolished appointments made under Decree 164 of 2023, including the roles of deputy commander-in-chief and assistants to the commander-in-chief. The statement clarified that those affected by the decision will remain members of the Armed Forces Command, without further details on their roles. The positions had been established in May 2023, when Burhan appointed Shams al-Din Kabbashi Ibrahim as deputy commander, alongside Yasser al-Atta and Ibrahim Jaber as assistants. All three figures are members of the Sovereignty Council representing the military since August

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  Investigation accuses Greek shipping firms of supplying Israel during Gaza war

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  A pro-Palestinian movement has accused several Greek shipping companies of facilitating the transport of energy products and military shipments to Israel during the war on Gaza, according to findings presented at a press conference. The investigation, released by the “No Port for Genocide” movement, alleges that vessels owned or managed by Greek firms played a systematic role in supplying vital resources, which the group says contributes to Israel genocide in Gaza. According to the report, based on satellite tracking and commercial data, at least 57 shipments of crude oil — totalling around 47 million barrels — were transported from Turkey to Israeli ports between May 2024 and December 2025, despite Turkey’s declared trade embargo on Israel. The investigation further claims

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  Trump defends targeting Iran’s infrastructure, calls Iranians “animals”

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Monday that targeting Iran’s infrastructure was justified, describing Iranians as “animals” in response to a question on whether such attacks could constitute a war crime. Asked how targeting Iranian infrastructure would not be considered a war crime, Trump replied: “Because they’re animals.” He added, addressing the journalist: “Do you know what a war crime is? A war crime is letting Iran have a nuclear weapon.” Trump also said he was dissatisfied with the Iranian government and warned it would “pay a heavy price”. He further claimed that the Iranian people become “upset” when they do not hear the sound of bombs, adding: “They want to hear the bombs because they want freedom.” READ: Netanyahu urges

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  WHO halts Gaza medical evacuations after contractor killed

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has announced the suspension of medical evacuations for patients from the Gaza Strip following the death of a person contracted to provide services to the Organization. In a post on social media platform X, he said that the contractor was killed on Monday “as a result of a security incident” in Gaza.  He added that two other WHO staff members were present at the scene but were not injured.  Tedros said that the incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities.    READ: Hamas condemns Rafah crossing closure, urges urgent international action “Following the incident, WHO has today suspended medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt. Medical evacuations

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  Hamas condemns Rafah crossing closure, urges urgent international action

  by MI on April 7, 2026

  Hamas has condemned the Israeli army’s closure of the Rafah crossing and the prevention of patients and wounded people from travelling abroad for treatment, describing it as a “new crime against humanity”. In a statement received by Quds Press on Monday evening, the group said the move was carried out under “flimsy pretexts” and reflected what it called a “fascist approach” targeting the Palestinian people, as part of a systematic policy that violates international humanitarian laws and conventions, in full view of the world. Hamas said the measure, along with what it described as daily violations of the ceasefire agreement, showed the desire of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to evade the deal. It held mediators responsible

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  Netanyahu urges Trump against Iran ceasefire: Report

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US President Donald Trump not to pursue a ceasefire with Iran at this stage, citing concerns over potential risks, according to a report published Monday by Axios. During a phone call on Sunday, Netanyahu expressed reservations about a possible truce with Iran, warning it could carry strategic risks, an Israeli official told Axios. Trump, however, told Netanyahu that a ceasefire with Iran could be reached if Tehran agrees to US demands. He reiterated that Washington’s requirements include Iran handing over all of its enriched uranium and committing not to resume uranium enrichment, the official said. READ: Over 7,100 injured in Israel since start of Iran war: Health Ministry Meanwhile, Netanyahu said Monday on US social

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  Over 7,100 injured in Israel since start of Iran war: Health Ministry

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Israel’s Health Ministry said Monday at least 7,142 people have been injured since the start of the war with Iran, including 107 injuries in the past 24 hours, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said 114 people remain hospitalized, including two in critical condition, and 14 with serious injuries. The ministry did not specify how many people were killed, but the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel said that at least 31 people have been killed since the start of the war on Feb. 28. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated

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  Syria declares Al-Hol camp ‘closed military zone’

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Syrian authorities on Monday evening declared Al-Hol camp and its surroundings in the northeastern Hasakah province a fully “closed military zone,” Anadolu reports. Syria Alikhbaria TV, citing the Hasakah Media Directorate, said internal security forces banned anyone from approaching or entering the area under any circumstances. The directorate warned that violations would result in strict measures, including immediate arrest and referral to the judiciary, potentially leading to severe prison sentences. In February, Fadi al-Qassem, a Syrian Foreign Ministry official responsible for Al-Hol camp, told Anadolu that the camp had been fully evacuated. Iraq’s National Security Advisory also confirmed that the camp had been completely dismantled after transferring more than 5,600 families, comprising around 22,000 people, to the Iraqi territory. Al-Hol camp,

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  Extremist Israeli minister storms Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque again amid ongoing closure

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday stormed East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which has been closed by Israeli authorities for 38 days, a Palestinian agency said, Anadolu reports. In a brief statement, the Islamic Endowments Directorate in Jerusalem said: “Ben-Gvir stormed the mosque compound through Mughrabi Gate towards Bab al-Silsila (Chain Gate).” Such incursions by Ben-Gvir are typically carried out without prior public announcement. Israeli ministers are only permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa compound with advance approval from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The extremist minister has continued these provocations despite repeated Arab, Islamic and international condemnations. Israeli authorities kept both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed for a 38th consecutive

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  Israel continues to undermine all efforts to end war: Turkish president

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the war that began on Feb. 28 in the Middle East continues to claim lives despite diplomatic efforts, accusing Israel of undermining initiatives aimed at ending the conflict, Anadolu reports. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, President Erdogan said: “Israeli government continues to undermine all efforts to end war.” He also said Israel “proves it feeds on tensions” by keeping Al-Aqsa Mosque closed, pursuing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, and escalating tensions in Lebanon and Syria. Erdogan further stressed that recent developments in the region underline the importance of Turkiye’s “Terror-free Turkiye” process, launched to strengthen internal unity and solidarity. “At a time when attempts are

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  Trump claims Iran could be eliminated in 1 night, adds that ‘might be tomorrow night’

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that American forces could “take out” the entire nation of Iran in just a single night, Anadolu reports. “The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump told reporters. He also said that his administration is searching “very hard” for a leaker who shared details on the first pilot rescued from Iran last week after his plane was downed. READ: Iran sends proposal on ending war, rejects temporary ceasefire: IRNA Trump said a second recovery mission for a missing US service member involved 155 aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighters, and 48 refueling tankers. He previously said that some 200 Special Forces personnel assisted in

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  12 Palestinians killed, several wounded in Israeli attacks across Gaza despite ceasefire

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  At least 12 Palestinians were killed and several others wounded by Israeli army fire in the Gaza Strip on Monday, in another violation of a ceasefire in effect since last October, medical sources said. The sources said one person was killed and others were injured when Israeli forces opened fire on civilian vehicles east of the town of al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Witnesses told Anadolu that Israeli forces positioned east of Salah al-Din Street opened fire on Palestinian vehicles in an area outside their agreed deployment and control zone under the ceasefire. Another Palestinian lost his life and a child was injured when an Israeli strike hit a gathering in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza

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  Iran sends proposal on ending war, rejects temporary ceasefire: IRNA

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Iran has sent a proposal outlining its position on ending the war, rejecting a temporary ceasefire and calling instead for a permanent resolution, according to the state news agency IRNA. Iran conveyed its response to a US proposal through Pakistan after two weeks of high-level deliberations. The response, consisting of 10 points, rejects the idea of a temporary ceasefire and emphasizes the need for a lasting end to the war in line with Iran’s conditions. The proposal includes demands such as an end to hostilities in the region, a framework to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and the lifting of sanctions. READ: US, Iran and mediators discussing possible 45-day ceasefire: Report The proposal came after recent developments

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  Iran raises suspicion of ‘uranium theft’ plot after clashes with US forces

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Recent US military operations inside Iran may have been meant as cover to seize the country’s enriched uranium, a spokesman said following a series of clashes linked to attempts to rescue downed American personnel, Anadolu reports. There were “many ambiguities” surrounding the operations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told a Monday press conference, adding that the location where a US pilot was reportedly present in southwestern Iran was far from the area where US forces tried to deploy or conduct operations, reportedly in Isfahan, central Iran. “This raises the possibility that the operation may have been a deceptive plan to steal enriched uranium, which cannot be ignored,” he said, comparing the operation to a failed 1980 US mission to rescue

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  The gallows of occupation: Law as execution in Israel’s apartheid state

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  The recent enactment of capital punishment legislation by the Knesset is not a mere domestic legal development. It is an act that demands examination under the most serious categories of international law. When a state creates a legal pathway to execute a specific, occupied population through a system structurally incapable of delivering justice, it does not simply violate rights—it enters the domain of prosecutable international crime. The law’s intent is thinly veiled, and its effect unmistakable. It establishes a regime in which Palestinians, tried in military courts under occupation, may be sentenced to death and executed within an accelerated timeframe that all but extinguishes the possibility of meaningful appeal or clemency. The same law, in form, extends to Israeli citizens,

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  WHO warns of catastrophic risks after strike on Bushehr nuclear plant

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of catastrophic consequences following the targeting of Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, amid escalating conflict in the region. In a statement posted on X, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation said he shares the concerns of the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. He stressed that any attack on a nuclear site could trigger a nuclear accident, warning that such an event would have long-term and far-reaching health consequences. “The recent attack on the Bushehr nuclear plant is a stark reminder,” Tedros said, adding that the risks are increasing with each passing day of the ongoing war. READ: ‘Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran’: Top

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  Palestinian Children’s Day: Tens of thousands orphaned in Gaza

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  On Palestinian Children’s Day, the reality for children in Gaza reflects a profound humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands growing up without parents amid ongoing war and devastation. Recent data indicates that the number of orphans in the Gaza Strip has reached approximately 64,616 children, most of whom have lost one or both parents during the latest Israeli aggression. The figure underscores the scale of the social catastrophe affecting an entire generation and is expected to rise as the consequences of the war continue to unfold. Before the war, the number of orphans in Gaza did not exceed 22,000, highlighting the unprecedented increase in a short period. READ: Palestinian man with special needs killed by Israeli occupation fire in Gaza Amid

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  A ground war with Iran risks another Vietnam for America

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Washington has a favourite word for moments like this: options. It sounds sober. Responsible, even. It suggests prudence, flexibility, a commander-in-chief keeping every door open. But in practice, “options” is often just the polite way this town avoids saying what it is really doing. It is preparing itself, step by step, to go further than it said it would. That is what makes the talk around Iran so unsettling. The administration keeps insisting that it does not need a ground war. Senior officials have said the United States can achieve its aims in Iran without ground troops, even as thousands more U.S. forces are being moved into the region to preserve “maximum optionality.” Read that sentence twice. If ground troops

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  Attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon ‘must cease immediately’: Spanish premier

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  The Spanish prime minister on Monday expressed solidarity with Lebanon during a phone call with his counterpart, stressing that attacks on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “must cease immediately,” Anadolu reports. “Lebanon has not chosen this war, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected,” Pedro Sanchez wrote on US social media company X following a phone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Sanchez said he expressed Spain’s support and solidarity with Lebanon, adding that Spanish troops in UNIFIL are carrying out “commendable work.” “Attacks against the United Nations peacekeeping mission are intolerable and must cease immediately,” he noted. UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was expanded under Security Council Resolution 1701 following

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  Greenpeace ship to join upcoming Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Greenpeace on Monday announced that it will join the upcoming humanitarian Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza – an effort to break the years-long blockade of the Palestinian enclave – contributing a vessel to provide technical and operational support, Anadolu reports. The environmental group said its ship, the Arctic Sunrise, which measures 50.5 meters (166 feet) and can carry up to 30 people, will take part in the mission. “Greenpeace’s history of defending the seas, confronting injustice and taking action in defence of life makes them a powerful addition to our 2026 spring mission,” said Susan Abdullah, member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Steering Committee, in a statement. “We sail together in the same direction, with a shared determination to help break

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  When the world moves faster for oil than for lives

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  There is a peculiar moral inversion unfolding in the waters of the Persian Gulf. As oil tankers idle and insurance markets shudder, more than forty countries have mobilised with urgency and precision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow maritime corridor through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas flows. Yet, in the same breath, there is a deafening hesitancy—almost a studied silence—when it comes to halting the war that triggered the crisis in the first place. This contradiction is not merely strategic. It is existential. It speaks to the fraying logic of global order, where the symptoms of conflict command more attention than its cause, and where economic pain galvanises action faster than human suffering.

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  Iran demands ‘end to imposed war,’ rejects idea of ceasefire

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Iran said Monday it is seeking an “end to the imposed war” rather than a ceasefire with the US, rejecting proposals for a temporary truce and insisting on “guarantees” to prevent renewed war, Anadolu Agency reports. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press briefing in Tehran that any pause in fighting would risk allowing Iran’s adversaries to regroup. “A deadline must not cause us to have even the slightest hesitation in defending our country,” he said. “A ceasefire means creating a short pause to allow the other side to rebuild its forces and commit crimes again. No rational person would accept such a course of action,” he added. Baqaei said Iran’s position is to end the conflict entirely, with

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  The “ultra-apartheid” convergence: Regional escalation and the engineered asphyxiation of Palestine

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  The contemporary transformation of the Gaza Strip—from a vibrant Mediterranean economic hub to a landscape of systemic structural erasure—represents a phenomenon far more complex than the collateral effects of a conventional military campaign. It serves as the material evidence of what Dan Steinbock (2025) characterises as “The Fall of Israel”: a systemic, multi-dimensional degradation of the state’s moral, political and economic frameworks.  As these internal structures undergo a period of intense corrosion under a messianic-autocratic shift, the Palestinian population is being subjected to a state of “engineered asphyxiation”—a process of systematic economic deprivation now exacerbated by the direct regional confrontation involving Iran and the strategic alignment of the US. Steinbock’s analysis suggests that the Zionist project is experiencing a profound

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  Israeli lawmaker petitions Supreme Court to overturn death penalty law for Palestinian prisoners

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Israeli opposition lawmaker Gilad Kariv said Monday he has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn a newly approved law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, Anadolu reports. Kariv, a member of the Democratic Party, said on the US social media company X that he submitted the petition in cooperation with the Zulat Institute and the group Rabbis for Human Rights. “This is a racist and extremist law. This is not legislation, but a populist and nationalist election campaign by a party that has failed miserably in all its governmental tasks,” he said, referring to the far-right Otzma Yehudit led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Kariv also accused the ruling Likud party, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin

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  Iran holds keys to war despite US threats: Ex-EU commissioner

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Monday that Iran holds the keys to war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on its will, despite ongoing threats from US President Donald Trump, Anadolu Agency reports. “Those who hold the keys are the Iranians, whether we like it or not,” Breton told French broadcaster BFM TV. Stressing that Tehran is in a position of strength, he noted that Iranians organized themselves and were not alone in the war with China supplying components and expertise. Breton said Iran “has entered an asymmetric war” with “the best army in the world,” but warned that US reserves are dwindling. “Since the start of hostilities, the equivalent of two years’ production of Patriot

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  Israeli military says 11 soldiers killed, 375 wounded since Iran war

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Eleven Israeli soldiers have been killed and 375 wounded since the start of the war on Iran on Feb. 28, military figures showed on Monday, as fighting continues on multiple fronts, Anadolu Agency reports. The Israeli military said on its website that 27 of the injured are in serious condition, while 56 others sustained moderate wounds. The military did not specify where the soldiers were wounded, but it has reported daily casualties since launching its campaign in Lebanon on March 2. The army also reported that 11 Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of military deaths since October 2023 to 936. READ: Israel’s war on Iran and Lebanon costs $15bn: Hebrew newspaper Israel’s Health Ministry said Monday

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  Israeli fire kills Palestinian, wounds others in southern Gaza despite ceasefire

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  A Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip on Monday, in another violation of a ceasefire in effect since last October, a medical source said, Anadolu Agency reports. The source said the casualties were reported when Israeli forces opened fire on civilian vehicles east of the town of al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Witnesses told Anadolu that Israeli forces positioned east of Salah al-Din Street opened fire on Palestinian vehicles in an area outside their agreed deployment and control zone under the ceasefire. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 723 Palestinians have been killed and 1,990 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire. The agreement was meant to end

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  Iran says its IRGC intelligence chief killed in US-Israeli attack

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Iran said Monday that the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization was killed in a US-Israeli attack, Anadolu Agency reports. State broadcaster IRIB, citing an IRGC statement, said Maj. Gen. Seyed Majid Khademi was “martyred” in the strike. Khademi had been appointed head of the IRGC’s intelligence arm in June 2025 following the killing of his predecessor, Gen. Mohammad Kazemi, in an Israeli strike. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties

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  The inevitable decline and fall of Zionism

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  There is a moment in the moral life of nations when the lies that sustained them can no longer hold. Israel is living through that moment. The images that came out of Gaza were not evidence of war’s brutality. They are the autopsy of the painstakingly constructed myth of Israel as a refuge for the persecuted, a democracy in the desert, and a moral beacon in a sea of barbarism. That myth, so elaborately maintained, so viciously defended, has now been burned alive in the same rubble it created. The journalist and writer Chris Hedges, one of the few voices in American media who dared speak plainly while others trembled, warned years ago that “we have given Israel carte blanche

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  Iran says Strait of Hormuz will never return to previous state

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  The naval command of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state, particularly for the United States and Israel. In a statement posted on its account on the X platform, the naval command said its forces are completing operational preparations to implement a plan approved by Iranian officials, aimed at establishing what it described as a new order in the Gulf, according to the Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik. Earlier, Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy head of the Iranian president’s office for communications and media, said that US President Donald Trump had “recklessly ignited a full-scale war in the region and continues to boast about it.” He added on his account on X on

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  Iran warns region will become “hell” if attacks on its infrastructure expand

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Iran has issued a stark warning that the region could descend into severe escalation if attacks on its infrastructure continue, according to statements by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Zolfaghari said that the region would become a “hell for enemies” if attacks against Iranian infrastructure expand, adding that expectations of defeating Iran have turned into a “quagmire” for the United States. The warning comes amid reports citing Israeli sources about preparations to target Iranian energy facilities. In response, Iranian media, including Tasnim News Agency, quoted sources close to decision-making circles as saying that two major power plants supplying electricity to Israel have been added to a list of potential targets. READ: Gargash: Iran strategy will strengthen US,

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  UNRWA: Services for Palestinian refugees cut by 20% amid funding crisis

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  The UNRWA has warned that political and economic pressures have led to a 20 percent reduction in services provided to Palestinian refugees, amid a deepening financial crisis. Jonathan Fowler, Acting Director of Communications at UNRWA, said in a press interview that the agency is facing mounting challenges that threaten its ability to continue operations. Fowler stated that UNRWA has been subjected to targeted smear campaigns aimed at undermining its role and credibility, alongside increasing financial constraints. READ: PLO calls on UNRWA to reverse dismissal of Gaza health workers He also warned of a broader erosion of international law, noting that violations are no longer met with attempts at justification, as was previously the case. “In the past, when international law was

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  Over 70 missing after migrant boat capsizes in Mediterranean

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  At least 70 people went missing on Saturday after a migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean, an Italian NGO said Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported. Mediterranea Saving Humans announced on US social media platform X that 32 survivors and two bodies were recovered from the shipwreck while over 70 went missing. “Yesterday afternoon, a wooden vessel carrying ~105 women, men, and children, which had set sail from Tajoura fleeing Libya, capsised in the SAR (search and rescue) zone under Libyan control. The shipwreck occurred 14 nautical miles northeast of the ENI-NOC oil platforms in Bouri,” it said, referring to the Bouri Offshore Field located 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the Libyan coast Survivors disembarked and the bodies recovered arrived early

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  Drone attack targets US Victoria base near Baghdad airport

  by MI on April 6, 2026

  Iraqi armed factions said on Sunday evening that they had targeted the Victoria military base at Baghdad International Airport using drones. The claim was reported by media channels linked to the “Islamic Resistance” factions in Iraq on the Telegram platform. Separately, local media cited Iraqi security sources as saying that two drone attacks targeted a logistics support camp west of Baghdad within less than an hour. Saraya Awliya al-Dam, one of the armed factions in Iraq, claimed responsibility for shelling in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. Meanwhile, Harakat al-Nujaba, another prominent faction, threatened US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening, vowing to target US interests, bases and energy facilities in the region. Earlier, Trump had warned he would “wipe out” Iran