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

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  Israeli army detains 10 Palestinians, including 5 children, in West Bank raids

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  The Israeli army detained 10 Palestinians, including five children, on Friday during raids across the occupied West Bank, according to local sources. Sources told Anadolu that Israeli soldiers arrested five children while they were collecting wild plants south of Hebron, following incitement by Israeli occupiers. The children were taken to an unknown location, with no immediate information available about their condition. In the central West Bank, Israeli soldiers published a photo showing several young men following their arrest in the village of Burqa, east of Ramallah, an Anadolu correspondent reported. The image showed five detainees, with no further details provided. Israeli forces also raided the town of Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, and the town of Abu Falah, northeast of

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  Lufthansa Group extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until June

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  Germany’s Lufthansa said it will not resume flights to and from Tel Aviv in June, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. “The group—which includes airlines Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, and Eurowings—said it may resume some flights to and from Ben-Gurion International Airport as early as June 1, depending on the security situation in the region,” the newspaper reported on Thursday. Dozens of international airlines have suspended flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv following the US-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28, with suspensions extended since then. France’s Air France previously delayed the resumption of flights between Paris and Tel Aviv until May 10, reflecting continued caution among European carriers. READ: Trump says ‘not satisfied’ with Iran’s proposal,

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  Iran announces new maritime rules amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced “new rules” over the country’s coastline in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the move comes at the directive of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The IRGC Navy said it will exercise control over “nearly 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) of Iran’s coastline” in these areas, making “this body of water a source of livelihood and strength for the noble people of Iran, and a source of security and prosperity for the region,” according to state-run Press TV on Friday evening. No further details have been revealed. Tensions have been running high regarding the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran restricted passage across the strategic waterway in a retaliatory move against the US-Israeli

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  The alliance breaker: How Trump is torching the West’s friendships

  by MI on May 2, 2026

  Something remarkable is happening in the corridors of Western power. America’s closest allies are no longer whispering their frustrations behind closed doors. They are shouting them from parliamentary podiums and press conferences — and Donald Trump is shouting back. The transatlantic alliance, built painstakingly over eight decades, is cracking in real time. The proximate cause is the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, launched on February 28, 2026, without consulting NATO partners, the United Nations, or even Washington’s most loyal friends. But the rupture runs deeper than any single conflict. It reflects a White House that appears either strategically indifferent to its allies or actively contemptuous of them. “The Americans Clearly Have No Strategy” No moment crystallized the breaking point more sharply

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  Trump says he is ‘not happy’ with Italy, Spain amid split on Iran

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  President Donald Trump voiced displeasure with Italy and Spain Friday as the rift between the NATO allies grows amid the stalled US-Israeli war on Iran, Anadolu reports. “I’m not happy with Italy, and I’m not happy with Spain. They feel it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Anybody that feels it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon is not very smart, and it’ll be a terrible thing in the future if they’re ever allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” the US president said as he departed the White House. The comments come one day after Trump said he “probably will” pull US forces out of Italy and Spain. Trump maintained that when the US “needed them,

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  Israeli army demolishes Christian monastery, nuns’ school in southern Lebanon

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The Israeli army demolished a monastery and a school run by the Sisters of the Holy Savior in the southern Lebanese town of Yaroun, the state National News Agency reported on Friday. The school “was considered one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region,” having educated thousands of students over the years from various towns in the Bint Jbeil district, said the agency. Its targeting represents “a major loss at both the educational and social levels,” it added. Israel has waged an offensive in Lebanon since March 2, killing more than 2,600 people and displacing over 1 million. A 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17 was later extended until May 17, but Israel continues to violate it

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  Lebanon death toll since March 2 Israeli offensive surpasses 2,600

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has reached 2,618, with 8,094 people injured, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Friday, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement, the ministry said 32 people were killed and 74 others were injured as a result of Israeli raids over the past 24 hours. Israel launched an offensive in Lebanon following Hezbollah’s retaliation linked to the Iran conflict, displacing more than 1 million people. A 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17 was later extended until May 17, but Israel continues to violate it daily through airstrikes and the demolition of homes. Israel also maintains what it describes as a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon, saying it is meant to prevent attacks

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  Palestine Book Awards mark 15 years as 2026 submissions close

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The Palestine Book Awards (PBA) has officially closed submissions for its 2026 cycle, marking another successful year with around 80 books entered. Now in its 15th year, the Awards continue to grow in stature, serving as a vital platform for literature that centres Palestinian history, identity and resistance. This year’s submissions come after a devastating period of war in the region, which impacted publishing, printing and distribution processes. Despite these challenges, authors and publishers have continued to produce and submit their work, ensuring that Palestinian voices and stories remain present and accessible. The books received reflect a strong commitment to documenting lived experiences, preserving memory, and contributing to an ongoing cultural and political discourse. Despite continued efforts to silence Palestinian

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  Senate panel Democrat urges diplomacy as Trump Iran war hits 60-day mark

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  A senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday urged the Trump administration to shift toward diplomacy with Iran as the conflict reached its 60th day, warning the war lacks a clear strategy or exit plan, Anadolu reports. “After sixty days of conflict, President Trump still does not have a strategy or way out for this poorly planned war,” Jeanne Shaheen said in a statement. “Americans want a lasting end to this conflict. They want lower prices at home. They want peace and prosperity. In short, they want what the President promised. It’s time the Administration pursue a serious diplomatic path forward,” she added. Referring to the threshold set by the War Powers Act, Shaheen said the administration

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  Iran submits new proposal to Pakistan to resume US talks on ending war

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Iran has submitted a new proposal to Pakistan to resume negotiations with the United States aimed at reaching an agreement to end the war, Iranian media reported on Friday, Anadolu Agency reports. According to the Iranian official news agency (IRNA), Iran has delivered its latest draft proposal for negotiations to Pakistan on Thursday evening. The report did not provide details on the content of the new proposal. The White House reportedly stopped short of providing details on the proposal, reiterating to the US daily New York Post that President Donald Trump has said any deal must prevent Iran from possessing nuclear arms. READ: Katz says Israel may resume war on Iran “soon” “We do not detail private diplomatic conversations … Negotiations

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  German vice chancellor criticizes Trump’s Iran strategy

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Joining a days-long transatlantic dispute, Germany’s vice chancellor on Friday criticized US President Donald Trump over his Iran strategy, while calling on him to end the war as soon as possible, Anadolu Agency reports. “I think he really believed this would be a matter of two or three days, and then everything would be fine. He now bears the responsibility for ensuring that this war in Iran ends quickly,” Lars Klingbeil said at a Labor Day event in the western town of Bergkamen. He also defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz against this week’s criticisms from the US president. “We really don’t need any advice from Donald Trump. He should take a look at the mess he’s created. He should ensure that

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  12 airlines resume flights to and from Syria

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Twelve airlines have resumed operations to and from Syria, the head of the country’s civil aviation authority said Friday, as officials seek to expand links with Europe, Anadolu Agency reports. Omar al-Hosari, head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, said in a statement that Syrian airports and airspace are seeing a gradual return of regional and international carriers “as part of the recovery of the civil aviation sector and efforts to strengthen air connectivity and overflight traffic.” The number of airlines operating to Damascus International Airport and Aleppo International Airport as of May 1 reached an even dozen, alongside a “notable improvement” in transit traffic through Syrian airspace, he added. Hosari said the figures reflect “improved operational performance and growing

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  Al-Aqsa security guards foil attempt by Israeli occupiers to storm mosque

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Security guards at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday foiled an attempt by Israeli occupiers to storm the compound and perform an animal sacrifice, Anadolu Agency reports. A widely circulated video on social media showed occupiers heading toward Al-Aqsa Mosque, jumping over an Israeli police barrier on the road leading to Bab Hutta, one of the mosque’s gates. The footage shows mosque security guards rushing to close Bab Hutta, thwarting the attempted incursion. The Palestinian Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement that the occupiers “were carrying a live sacrifice in an attempt to bring it into the mosque compound.” It added that the “sacrifice” refers to an animal offering that extremist Temple groups seek to introduce

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  Bahrain king orders more citizenship revocations over ‘support’ for Iran attacks

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Friday ordered authorities to revoke the citizenship of additional individuals accused of “supporting” Iranian attacks on the country, Anadolu Agency reports. The remarks, reported by the Bahrain News Agency, came days after the country announced on Monday that it had stripped the citizenship of 69 people, including families, over what it described as “sympathizing with and praising Iranian attacks.” The king said that what Bahrain faced from what he called a “sinful Iranian aggression” targeting its security, stability and the safety of its people exposed those who “sold their conscience to the enemy,” he said. He called on Iran to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Bahrain and other Gulf states.

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  France reiterates refusal to take part in Iran war

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday renewed France’s ongoing refusal to take part in the US-Israeli war on Iran, Anadolu Agency reports. “France has not entered the war since the beginning of this crisis. We have said so: since the objectives were not clearly defined and the operations were conducted outside the framework of international law, it was simply not conceivable for France to take part,” Barrot told broadcaster BFM TV. He reiterated the need to prevent hostilities from resuming within the framework of negotiations. “As everyone has seen since the start of this war, which we did not support and in which we did not take part, the risks of escalation are extremely high. They carry major consequences

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  Palestinian FA chief refuses handshake with Israeli counterpart at FIFA congress

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with an Israeli counterpart during a FIFA meeting, saying: “National dignity is not subject to protocol,” Anadolu reports. The incident occurred when FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited Rajoub to greet Israeli Football Association Vice President Bassem Sheikh Suleiman during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, on Thursday. Rajoub later shared a video on Facebook, which stated: “From the FIFA platform, we took a clear and principled position by refusing to shake hands with the representative of the Israeli association.” He said it was “an affirmation that national dignity is not subject to protocol considerations, and out of respect for the sanctity of our people’s blood, including our athletes.” In

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  The silent pipeline wars: Who is drawing the new gas map of the Middle East?

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  In today’s Middle East, competition over energy resources is no longer confined to oil and gas fields; it is increasingly centered on routes—and the power to design them. Gas pipelines, once viewed as purely technical infrastructure, have evolved into geopolitical instruments used to project influence, redefine alliances and shape the regional order. This shift signals the emergence of a new phase in energy diplomacy—one in which competition is largely silent, yet deeply consequential. Pipelines: From infrastructure to instruments of power Traditionally, pipelines were seen as neutral conduits for energy transport. Today, however, each pipeline functions as a “corridor of power.” Its route can determine which country becomes an energy hub and which remains marginal. In this context, routes are shaped

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  On Labor Day, workers in Gaza are living under difficult conditions and earning very little due to the war

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  WATCH: A youth protest on Gaza’s shore condemning the occupation’s piracy against the freedom flotilla

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  Israeli occupiers attack Palestinian man, burn vehicles in West Bank

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Israeli occupiers attacked a Palestinian man on Friday in the West Bank city of Hebron, local sources said. Occupiers from the illegal settlement of Susiya assaulted Ahmad Nasser Arabed al-Dajajneh, before burning his vehicle and an excavator, the sources told Anadolu. The incident occurred in the Wadi al-Rakhim neighborhood. The attack comes amid a rise in occupier assaults on Palestinian villages and communities in southern Hebron. The occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have seen an escalation in Israeli military operations, including raids, arrests, live fire and excessive use of force, alongside increasing occupier attacks on Palestinians and their property. About 750,000 Israeli occupiers live in 141 illegal settlements and 224 outposts in the West Bank, including around 250,000 in

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  Iranian foreign minister says US ‘lying’ about war cost, claims $100B burden

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday accused the United States of misrepresenting the cost of the war, saying official figures significantly understate the financial burden. In a post on the US social media platform X, Araghchi said the Pentagon was “lying” about the cost of the war, noting it has already reached $100 billion. “Netanyahu’s gamble has directly cost America $100 billion so far, four times what is claimed,” he wrote, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Araghchi said the indirect costs to US taxpayers were “Far higher. Monthly bill for each American household is $500 and rising fast.” READ: US spent $25B on Iran war as Pentagon seeks $1.5T budget He also criticized US policy toward Israel, writing:

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  Jerusalem Latin patriarchate cleric calls Israeli attack on nun ‘despicable and extremely serious’

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The vicar general of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem on Friday called an Israeli extremist’s assault on a French nun “extremely serious and despicable,” Anadolu reports. On Wednesday, a 36-year-old Israeli man was arrested after assaulting a nun in East Jerusalem, according to Israeli police, in an attack they called “racially motivated.” Bishop William Shomali told Anadolu he had watched video footage of the incident, describing it as “painful, alarming and extremely serious.” “The nun is physically frail. The attacker shoved her forcefully from behind, causing her to fall to the ground after her head struck a raised stone tile. He then returned and stepped on her. A young Israeli man of Russian origin intervened and pulled him away, though his

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  Trump slams CNN, New York Times over coverage of Iran war

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Thursday sharply criticized The New York Times and CNN over their coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran, describing CNN as “stupid” and claiming the newspaper’s reporting was “seditious,” Anadolu reports. Trump said he had “militarily decapitated” Iran, speaking to reporters at an Oval Office event where he signed an executive order aimed at expanding workers’ access to retirement savings, while also criticizing Democratic efforts to limit his war powers. “And every day, I read about how well they’re doing militarily,” he said. “They’ve got nothing left, they’re done. And yet I read in The New York Times, I see on stupid CNN — which I only watch because you have to watch a little bit

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  Egypt strips citizenship from 3 individuals

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has issued decisions revoking the Egyptian nationality of three individuals for different legal reasons, including a woman born in Israel. The decisions, published in the official gazette, were issued in accordance with the constitution and Law No. 26 of 1975 on Egyptian nationality. The first decision stripped Ahmed Samir Ahmed Al-Far of his citizenship after he was found to be residing abroad and joining a foreign organisation working to undermine the country’s social and economic system by force. READ: Israeli lawmaker from Netanyahu’s party incites against Egyptian army over Sinai drills The second decision revoked the citizenship of Manaya Medhat Mohamed El-Sayed Abdullah Keshk, who was born in Israel, for acquiring a foreign nationality without prior

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  A youth protest on Gaza’s shore condemning the occupation’s piracy against the freedom flotilla

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  WATCH: Widespread popular activities in support of prisoners in the occupation prisons on Palestinian Prisoner’s Day  

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  Iran says it will pursue new Strait of Hormuz model without US role

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran plans to introduce a new management model for the Strait of Hormuz that excludes any role for the United States. In a post on X marking “National Persian Gulf Day”, Ghalibaf said Iran aims to secure a future for itself and neighbouring states free from what he described as American presence and interference, without detailing how the proposed model would operate. He also referred to Iran’s historical expulsion of European powers from the Gulf in 1622, presenting it as a precedent for asserting control over regional waterways. READ: Katz says Israel may resume war on Iran “soon” The remarks come after the collapse of initial negotiations between Iran and the United States

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  Turkish FM says Israel’s policies pose growing global security threat

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan has warned that Israel’s expansionist policies have become a threat to global security, linking regional conflicts to wider instability affecting energy markets and migration flows. Speaking at a conference organised by the Vienna Academy of Diplomacy during a visit to Austria, Fidan said conflicts driven by external power dynamics have led to long-term instability, stressing the importance of territorial sovereignty in resolving crises. He said ongoing wars have contributed to volatility in global energy markets and raised the risk of large-scale migration towards Europe, warning that the consequences extend beyond the Middle East. READ: Guterres warns Hormuz restrictions could push 45 million more into famine Addressing tensions involving Iran, Fidan pointed to disruptions in the Strait

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  Guterres warns Hormuz restrictions could push 45 million more into famine

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz could place an additional 45 million people at risk of famine if they are not lifted by mid-year. Speaking to reporters at United Nations headquarters in New York City, Guterres urged all parties to reopen the strait immediately, warning that the situation is deteriorating despite a ceasefire. He said the ongoing confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its third month, with severe consequences for global stability. Guterres expressed concern over restrictions on navigation, describing the situation as “strangling the global economy” and warning that its impact would be long-lasting, even if access is restored. READ: Katz says Israel may resume war on Iran “soon”

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  UAE oil break exposes deepening Saudi rift as Gulf power shifts

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates’ decision to withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ has exposed long-standing tensions with Saudi Arabia and signalled a shift in the balance of power in the Gulf. According to Reuters, analysts say the move goes beyond a technical dispute over production quotas, reflecting deeper political and strategic disagreements between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Gulf sources cited in the report said the UAE views OPEC as structurally biased and is seeking greater independence in shaping its energy policy, using oil output decisions to assert autonomy from Saudi influence. READ: UAE to withdraw from OPEC, OPEC+ The development also points to a personal and strategic divergence between UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed

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  Katz says Israel may resume war on Iran “soon”

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Israel’s Defence Minister Yisrael Katz has said Israel could resume war on Iran “soon” to achieve its alleged “objectives”, amid stalled negotiations. Speaking at a ceremony marking the promotion of a new air force commander, Katz said Tehran had suffered “very harsh blows” over the past year that had set it back significantly. He added that challenges facing Israel are expected to intensify, while describing the current moment as presenting “historic opportunities” to reshape the regional landscape. Katz said US President Donald Trump, in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is leading efforts to achieve the war’s objectives, including ensuring that Iran does not pose what he described as a threat to Israel, the United States and “the free

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  Gaza media office reports 377 Israeli ceasefire violations in April

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The Government Media Office in Gaza said Israeli forces committed 377 violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip during April 2026, resulting in 111 people killed and 376 injured. In a statement issued on Thursday, the office said the violations represent a “clear and serious breach” of the agreement and have worsened the humanitarian situation, while also undermining efforts to sustain the truce and protect civilians. The statement added that humanitarian access remained severely restricted. Only 4,503 aid trucks entered Gaza during April, compared with 18,000 stipulated under the agreement—around 25 per cent of the expected volume. Fuel deliveries were also far below agreed levels, with 187 trucks entering the territory out of 1,500 planned, equivalent to about

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  Amnesty warns over Tunisian opposition leader’s health in prison

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over reports that the health of Tunisian Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi, 84, has deteriorated and that he has been urgently transferred to hospital. In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the organisation urged the Tunisian authorities to ensure he receives “immediate and adequate medical care”, in line with their obligations under international human rights law. Amnesty said the right to health is guaranteed for all detainees without exception, including access to appropriate treatment in a timely manner and under qualified medical supervision. It also raised concern over Ghannouchi’s continued detention for more than three years, saying the “ongoing prosecutions” against him raise “serious concerns” about possible political motives, amid what it described

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  Pentagon says Iran still has part of naval fleet despite Trump claims

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  The Pentagon’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, has acknowledged that the US military failed to destroy all vessels in Iran’s naval fleet. Caine said that despite claims of the Iranian navy’s total defeat, some Iranian fast attack boats are still operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking during a hearing before the US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, he said: “Iran still retains small, high-speed vessels.” Earlier, US President Donald Trump made a series of strong statements about the war on Iran, vowing to destroy what remains of its navy and asserting that Iranian military capabilities have been largely eliminated. Trump said: “Some small boats are what remain of Iran’s navy and we will destroy them

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  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally at Columbia University on anniversary of Hind’s Hall

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Columbia University in New York City on Thursday, marking the two-year anniversary of Hind’s Hall, Anadolu reports. Protesters honored Palestinian scholars killed in Gaza and called for long-standing demands to be addressed, including the release of detainees held in Gaza. The group later marched toward the City University of New York as part of the demonstration. READ: Over 180 activists detained in Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla in international waters, organizer says A group of antiwar demonstrators entered the historic Hamilton Hall building on the university’s central campus in April 2024, renaming the building “Hind’s Hall,” in reference to Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old girl who was brutally killed by Israeli forces. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at

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  Air defence systems heard over Tehran

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Air defence systems were heard operating over Tehran late on Thursday night, according to Iran’s Tasnim and Fars news agencies, with no immediate explanation. Tasnim, a semi-official news agency, reported that the sound of air defence systems being activated was heard in parts of Tehran, adding that it was not yet clear whether this was “related to a defence test or to counter possible reconnaissance drones.” The agency later said air defence systems had been activated against small aircraft and unmanned reconnaissance drones detected in the airspace. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed that war with Iran “could resume soon”, repeating recent remarks seen as part of efforts by Tel Aviv to push the United States towards

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  Instead of indirectly insulting Yemen, Prabowo should be building relations with it

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  At a high-profile industrial groundbreaking event in Central Java, President Prabowo Subianto responded sharply to critics who describe Indonesia as being in decline. Rejecting the phrase “Indonesia is dark,” he declared that such critics have “blurred vision,” insisted the country is “bright,” and then went further: if they are unhappy, they should simply leave—adding, pointedly, that they could “run away to Yemen.”  It was a moment meant to project confidence. Instead, it exposed a troubling lapse in judgment—one that reaches far beyond Indonesia’s domestic debate and directly into its relationship with the wider world. Let’s be clear: this was not just an attack on critics. It was an insult to Yemen. By invoking Yemen as a destination for those who

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  Spain urges EU to suspend Israel association agreement over Gaza aid flotilla interception

  by MI on May 1, 2026

  Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday called on the European Union to immediately suspend its association agreement with Israel, following the reported targeting of the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip. In a post on X, Sanchez said Israel had “Israel is once again violating international law by attacking a civilian flotilla in waters that do not belong to it.”     He added that his government is doing “everything necessary” to protect and assist Spanish citizens detained in the incident, but stressed that this is “not enough”.  He urged the EU to suspend the association agreement with Israel and to demand that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu respect the law of the sea.   The EU–Israel Association Agreement is the

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  US could attack Iran again during negotiations, Iranian president warns

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Thursday that the US could attack Tehran again during negotiations, saying that trust in Washington has been “completely destroyed,” Anadolu reports. In a phone call with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, Pezeshkian said dialogue and diplomacy have always figured atop Iran’s agenda. “Efforts to resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy with Iran’s responsibility have always been on the agenda,” Pezeshkian said in his comments carried by the state-run Press TV. “But during the negotiations, the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel) attacked Iran twice, and there is a possibility of such actions being repeated – which has led to Iran’s complete distrust of the United States.” The US and Israel launched joint attacks on

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  Trump says Iran should be allowed to play in US-based World Cup games

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  US President Donald Trump voiced support Thursday, however tepid, for allowing Iran to play in US-based World Cup games during this summer’s football competition, Anadolu reports. “You know what? Let them play,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office. “(FIFA President) Gianni’s (Infantino) fantastic. He’s a friend of mine, and he talked about it. I said, ‘You do whatever you want. You can have them. You don’t have to have them.’ Probably have a good team.” In announcing that Iran’s national team would participate in US-based games, Gianni argued that the decision was rooted in the responsibility to “bring people together,” saying that football remains a unique force that “unites the world” amid global divisions.

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  Disabled Palestinian child assaulted by Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  Israeli forces assaulted a disabled child and his brother during a raid in occupied East Jerusalem, local sources said Thursday, Anadolu reports A video clip circulated on social media showed Israeli soldiers chasing a child with disabilities through the streets of the Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of East Jerusalem. The child appeared frightened and disoriented before being cornered and physically assaulted. In a blatant violation of all international conventions, Mahdi Al-Arabi, a child with special needs from the Shu’afat camp, was detained and assaulted. pic.twitter.com/xfbqZTbouj — Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) April 30, 2026 “Israeli soldiers continued to chase the child despite his clear medical condition,” the sources told Anadolu. The sources said the child, who was identified as Mahdi Abu

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  New US shipment of 6,500 tons of military aid arrives in Israel

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  Israel said Thursday it received a new shipment of 6,500 tons of ammunition and military equipment from the US in 24 hours, Anadolu reports. “Two cargo ships carrying thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), and additional military equipment were offloaded at the ports in Ashdod and Haifa,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. The daily Maariv said the shipments are part of a “central effort to enhance Israel’s readiness for developments in the war.” According to the paper, more than 115,600 pieces of military equipment have arrived in Israel via 403 airlifts and 10 maritime shipments since the start of the war with Iran in February. Israel has been engaged in ongoing

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  The US–Iran impasse: Who stands to lose more?

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  By the end of this month, US–Iran negotiations had reached a near stalemate, following rounds of talks in Islamabad and Muscat that failed to produce any meaningful breakthrough. At the same time, the conflict has been steadily morphing into something closer to a “cold war,” driven less by direct confrontation and more by sanctions and economic pressure. Trump’s decision to pursue a ceasefire, and then extend it, has effectively shifted the burden of the conflict; what was once carried primarily by Israel on the military front has increasingly been transferred to the economic arena, where Washington now bears the real weight of the war. Since then, Washington has doubled down on this approach, leaning heavily on a policy of “maximum

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  Israel conducts farthest-ever strike in long history of attacks on Gaza humanitarian aid flotillas

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  Israeli naval forces intercepted ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla late Wednesday carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip more than 500 nautical miles away or 926 km, making this interception the furthest away in a long history of maritime assaults aimed at breaking Israel’s illegal blockade, Anadolu reports. The Israeli navy intercepted the vessels in international waters near the Greek island of Crete by surrounding the convoy, jamming communications. As of April 30, 22 vessels have been seized in the 58-strong flotilla, with several of them managing to escape and enter Greek waters following the incident. Since 2009, Israel has illegally intercepted and attacked all humanitarian aid flotillas attempting to break its 19-year siege on Gaza. Even though

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  UN says Israel blocks durable shelter materials from entering Gaza

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  The UN on Thursday said aid agencies are still unable to bring in materials needed to build durable shelters in Gaza, as Israel’s restrictions continue amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave, Anadolu reports. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there has been “no progress” in efforts to allow the entry of more durable shelter supplies. “We’re able to bring tarpaulins, blankets, sheets—whatever. We’re not able to bring anything that will let us build durable shelter,” he told reporters. Asked about Israel’s position, Dujarric said: “They’re saying ‘No’ on this and other items, notably material needed to repair generators to clear rubble. We need more material on that.” He said UN teams and partners on Thursday visited four displacement sites in

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  Flotilla defiance, Zionist terror, and the cowardice of Muslim regimes

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  There are moments when power stops pretending to be lawful and simply performs its obscenity in public. Israel’s assault on the Gaza-bound flotilla is one such moment: a state so accustomed to impunity that it now treats the Mediterranean as its private checkpoint, international waters as occupied territory, and unarmed civilians as contraband. The flotilla’s “crime” was not military. It carried no army, no missiles, no threat to Israel’s heavily armed paranoia. Its cargo was aid, witness, and moral embarrassment. That is precisely why it had to be attacked. Flour is dangerous when starvation is policy. Medicine is subversive when siege is strategy. A civilian boat becomes a menace when it exposes an empire of barbed wire, bombardment, and bureaucratic

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  Greek main opposition questions government’s role in Israel’s interception of Gaza aid flotilla

  by Marwa A on April 30, 2026

  Greece’s main opposition party on Thursday questioned the government’s role in Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla, Anadolu reports. Lawmaker Dimitris Mantzos, the head of the PASOK party’s foreign affairs committee, said the Wednesday incident “constitutes a serious new violation of the international law of the sea and freedom of navigation.” Urging the government to take a clear position, Mantsoz asked whether the government and relevant authorities, including the coast guard, were aware of Israel’s plans before the interception took place. He also asked whether the location of the incident – off the Greek island of Crete – was within Greek jurisdiction for search and rescue, under international law. Moreover, Mantsoz asked the government what actions it

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  Israeli defence firm Rafael eyes takeover of VW’s Osnabruck factory, German lawmaker says

  by MI on April 30, 2026

  Israeli defence company Rafael is in talks to take over Volkswagen’s Osnabruck plant as the automaker phases out car production in the northwestern city after 2027, a German lawmaker said Thursday, Anadolu reports. Bastian Ernst, a conservative lawmaker from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU) with prior experience in the defence industry, confirmed the discussions to the German news agency (dpa). “There are talks between Rafael and Volkswagen,” he said, noting that the site could produce components for Rafael’s Iron Dome air defence system, including heavy trucks, launchers, and other parts. “This is a win-win situation. We would have Israeli expertise in Germany, and the Israeli state-owned company would have a production facility that is not threatened by war,” he

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  When a ceasefire becomes an offensive system

  by MI on April 30, 2026

  Ceasefires are usually treated as the negative space of war: the moment when fire stops, diplomats return and the strategic temperature begins to fall. That reading is dangerously incomplete. In the present Iran-US-Israel confrontation, the ceasefire is not merely an interruption of violence. It is becoming a coercive architecture in its own right: a system that suspends open combat while keeping pressure, surveillance, blockade logic and nuclear bargaining simultaneously alive. The more radical conclusion is this: a ceasefire can intensify the logic of war precisely because it removes the battlefield without removing the coercion. The question, then, is no longer whether Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv are moving toward peace or war in the old binary sense. The sharper question

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  Over 180 activists detained in Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla in international waters, organizer says

  by MI on April 30, 2026

  The Israeli army attacked a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and detained more than 180 activists in international waters, 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) off the Palestinian enclave, the head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, which organized the voyage, said Thursday. “The Global Sumud and Freedom Flotilla was subjected to a fully-fledged act of piracy by the army of the Zionist entity in the open sea, in international waters and at a distance of 500 nautical miles from the occupied Palestinian territories and from the Gaza Strip,” Youssef Ajisa told Anadolu. He accused Israel of staging the raid at night “to cover up the media aspect of this brutal and barbaric act.” “More than 180 activists were

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  Israel bankrolls war crimes in occupied Syrian Golan with $334m settlement expansion plan

  by MI on April 30, 2026

  Israel has approved a $334 million plan to expand illegal settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, in a move that Human Rights Watch (HRW) says amounts to the financing of war crimes under international law. The plan, adopted by Israel’s cabinet on 17 April 2026, aims to significantly increase the number of Israeli settlers in the territory by developing the existing settlement of Katzrin into what officials describe as the Golan’s “first city”.  “Israel’s cabinet has put public money behind a war crime in Syria at the same time as it is turbocharging settlement expansion in the West Bank alongside continued impunity for violence against Palestinians there,” said Hiba Zayadin, senior Syria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “A permanent

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  Iran warns US of ‘prolonged, painful blows’ amid reports of potential strike plans

  by MI on April 30, 2026

  A commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force warned the United States on Thursday against potential military action amid reports Washington is considering new strikes against Tehran, Anadolu reports. The warning followed a report by US news website Axios that US President Donald Trump is expected to receive a briefing from US Central Command (CENTCOM) on options for a “short and intense” series of strikes aimed at breaking the current stalemate. In response, Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said Tehran would respond to any such operations “even if short and rapid” with “prolonged and painful blows.” “We have seen the fate of your bases in the region; we will also see your vessels,” he