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

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  Israeli Attorney General warns of changes to oversight and judicial institutions

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned on Monday that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing measures that could significantly weaken law enforcement and oversight institutions. Speaking at a conference organized by the Israel Bar Association, Baharav-Miara criticised legislation being advanced by the governing coalition, according to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. She said that Israel is witnessing what she described as a “race to undermine democratic institutions” as the current term of the Knesset approaches its scheduled end. According to Baharav-Miara, “This is no longer about isolated or gradual steps, but an accelerated process that could lead to a profound change in the nature of the democratic system and law enforcement institutions.” The attorney general referred

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  Solidarity rally held in Gaza in support of Palestinian prisoners

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Dozens of Palestinians gathered on Monday outside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City to express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons and to protest conditions inside detention facilities. According to Anadolu Agency, the rally was organized by the Prisoners’ Committee of the National and Islamic Forces and was attended by former prisoners, representatives of Palestinian factions, activists, and relatives of detainees. Participants carried photographs of prisoners and banners calling on the international community to intervene and address conditions inside Israeli prisons. Demonstrators also raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans calling for the release of prisoners. Participants stressed that the prisoners’ issue remains a central concern despite the ongoing war in the

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  Egypt warns of wider regional escalation amid Israeli escalations in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Egypt intensified its diplomatic criticism of Israel for a second consecutive day, issuing a statement condemning settler visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque and expressing concern over developments in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Egypt condemned what it described as “repeated and provocative incursions” by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection, as well as practices that it said violate the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem. The ministry also criticised ongoing Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing settler incursions, arrests, and attacks on Palestinians and their property. Egypt said these actions constitute violations of international law and

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  Iranian military headquarters warns of retaliation if Beirut’s southern suburbs are attacked

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a warning directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that any large-scale Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut would trigger a response targeting northern Israel. According to the statement, Netanyahu’s regional policies and any evacuation orders issued for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs would be met with measures that would “bring the battle” into northern Israeli cities and settlements. The statement also called on residents of northern Israel to leave the area. The warning came amid reports that Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had instructed the Israeli military to prepare intensive strikes against what Israeli officials describe as key Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to the reports,

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  France bars official Israeli participation in Eurosatory defence exhibition

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  France has decided to prohibit official Israeli participation in the upcoming Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, a move that has drawn criticism from Israel. According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the decision prevents the establishment of an official Israeli national pavilion and excludes Israeli government representatives from participating in exhibition events. The ministry stated that Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to exhibit certain air-defence technologies. However, the display of offensive weapons and offensive military systems will remain prohibited. In response, the Israeli Ministry of Defence described the French decision as “shameful and regrettable.” The ministry said the measure was motivated by political and commercial considerations and argued that it imposed restrictions on Israel that are not

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  French politician calls for deployment of French aircraft carrier and criticises Israel’s actions in Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon strongly criticised Israel and called for a more assertive French response to developments in Lebanon. In a post on X, Mélenchon wrote that Israel was “invading and annexing all of southern Lebanon” and referred to Israeli soldiers as “genocidal barbarians.” Referring to Beaufort Castle occupied by Israel, he stated: “Netanyahu has raised his flag over Beaufort Castle. This French name should remind us that we are linked to Lebanon by a thousand years of history. We owe Lebanon support, affection and solidarity.” Mélenchon argued that the French aircraft carrier should be deployed in the Mediterranean rather than the Strait of Hormuz. According to his post, such a deployment would serve as a political signal to

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  Palestine’s supreme judge: Israeli bill to restrict Muslim call to prayer an attack on freedom of worship

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The Supreme Judge of Palestine and Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash said on Monday that an Israeli bill aimed at legalising restrictions on the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) amounts to a “declaration of religious war against Islamic holy sites and rituals” and a direct attack on freedom of worship. His remarks came in a statement responding to the approval on Sunday of a draft bill by Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation. The bill was submitted by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Al-Habbash said Israeli attempts to restrict the call to prayer in Jerusalem and among Palestinian communities inside Israel were “a direct assault on Muslims, the Islamic

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  Iran’s Quds Force chief: Israeli actions may lead to Bab al-Mandab being treated like Hormuz 

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Iran’s official media on Monday quoted Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as saying that Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza would push the Axis of Resistance — a term used to refer to Iran and its allies — to make the situation for maritime traffic in the Bab al-Mandab Strait similar to that in the Strait of Hormuz. Qaani said that “the evil of the Zionists (Israel) in Lebanon and Gaza, with open US support, will strengthen the determination of the Axis of Resistance to expand support from both fronts, take steps to activate other fronts, and make the status of shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait similar

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  UN: Israeli air strike hits UN school in Gaza

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The United Nations said on Monday that an Israeli air strike hit a UN school building sheltering displaced families in the Gaza Strip. Speaking at his daily press briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. Dujarric said: “yesterday, an air strike hit the rooftop of a UN school building in Nuseirat, in Gaza, which is used to shelter displaced families, resulting in damage.” He added: “Fortunately, we have received no reports of injuries resulting from this attack.” Dujarric also shared recent reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on developments in the occupied West Bank. In this context, he said: “a Palestinian trying to cross the Israeli Barrier

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  Iran seeks ceasefire across Lebanon, Ghalibaf tells Berri

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri during a phone call that Tehran is determined to secure a ceasefire across all of Lebanon, including the south. During the call, Ghalibaf said: “If the crimes continue, we will stop the negotiations.” He added: “The bond between Iran and Lebanon is inseparable, and our lives and your lives are one.” Ghalibaf said that if an agreement is reached to end the war between Iran and the United States, it would include a halt to attacks on all fronts, particularly Lebanon. He stressed that “if the crimes continue, we will not only stop the negotiations, but we will also stand against the Zionist entity.” For his part, Berri

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  Israeli opposition attacks Netanyahu after he backs down on Beirut suburb strike

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Israeli opposition figures and current and former officials launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening after he announced he would not proceed with an attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Former Israeli defence minister and leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, criticised Netanyahu, saying: “This is not a prime minister, he is a puppet.” Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also strongly criticised Netanyahu after he backed down from attacking the southern suburbs under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Lapid said Israel had become “a state under full guardianship”. He accused the government of overseeing what he described as the biggest security crisis in Israel’s history, pointing to the rising number of casualties from

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  Trump rebukes Netanyahu over Lebanon escalation, says it threatens Iran talks: report

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday over Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon, and reportedly pressured Israel not to carry out a planned attack on Beirut, according to three sources cited by Axios. According to the report, Trump was deeply angered by Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Lebanon, believing the escalation could jeopardise US efforts to reach an agreement with Iran and undermine the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Axios cited US officials as saying that Trump described Netanyahu as “crazy” during the call and accused him of ingratitude for the support provided by the United States. One US official said Trump warned Netanyahu that

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  Despite Trump’s ceasefire talk, Netanyahu says Israeli forces will continue offensive in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 1, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that army troops will continue ongoing offensive in southern Lebanon, despite US President Donald Trump’s talk of a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah, Anadolu reports. “I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terror targets in Beirut,” he said in comments carried by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. “Our position remains unchanged. At the same time, the army will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon,” he added. Trump said early Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had reached an understanding to cease attacks against each other. Israeli media earlier said that Netanyahu and Trump spoke over

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  Al-Aqsa: The moment of peril is here. Will the Muslim world act?

  by Marwa A on June 1, 2026

  An exclusive investigation by Middle East Eye last week revealed that both US and Israel were coordinating to remove Jordan’s custodianship over Islam’s third holiest site. This is not a diplomatic manoeuvre. It is the culmination of a systematic campaign to erase the Islamic presence in Occupied Jerusalem and a direct call upon Muslims worldwide to awaken from a dangerous and complicit slumber. When the announcement arrives, it will wear the language of pluralism as a mask. It will invoke “multi-faith coexistence”, “equal access”, and “shared heritage”. Yet, beneath this veneer lies the reality; it is the final act of Israeli colonisation. Jerusalem’s Islamic identity will be effaced, its name and meaning repurposed to serve the Israeli colonial order. Middle

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  Israeli court approves appointment of Roman Gofman as next Mossad chief

  by Marwa A on June 1, 2026

  Israel’s Supreme Court approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad intelligence agency, according to Hebrew media reports Monday, Anadolu reports. The court rejected two petitions challenging Gofman’s appointment in a majority decision by Justices Ofer Grosskopf and Alex Stein. Justice Daphne Barak-Erez dissented, saying additional examination was needed regarding issues she considered unresolved. According to Israeli media reports, the petitions were linked to allegations concerning Gofman’s conduct in the so-called Ori Elmakayes affair. In the majority opinion, Grosskopf said the evidence before the court, including classified material, did not indicate ethical misconduct that would disqualify Gofman from serving as Mossad chief. “The existing evidence shows that the Elmakayes affair does not place

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  US Congress moves to fuse Israel’s war machine into American military system

  by Marwa A on June 1, 2026

  The US Congress is quietly advancing a measure that would entrench Israel inside the American military-industrial complex, raising concerns that Washington is moving to lock itself into Tel Aviv’s future wars at a time when Israel is becoming a global pariah. The House version of the 2027 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a provision titled the “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative”. Known as Section 224, it would require the US secretary of defence to designate an official responsible for coordinating defence technology cooperation between the US and Israel. The provision covers bilateral research, development, testing, evaluation, integration and industrial cooperation. Read: What military support does the US provide Israel? Responsible Statecraft reported that the clause would go far

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  German firm Bosch closes artificial intelligence, research and development center in Israel

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  German technology and engineering firm Bosch has decided to close its two research offices in Israel, ending operations that began in 2018, Anadolu reports. The move marks the first closure of a Bosch facility abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic and the first known withdrawal by a major German company from Israel’s research ecosystem, according to a recent report by German business daily Handelsblatt. The decision was not announced through an official company statement and comes as Bosch plans to cut 20,000 jobs in Germany. Matthias Jekosch, a corporate communications official at Bosch, told Anadolu that the decision was made in December and employees were informed in January. Jekosch said the closure was driven by economic considerations, noting that artificial intelligence (AI) expertise

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  UN experts warn of rising settler violence, displacement risk in occupied Palestinian territory

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  UN experts on Monday warned of a sharp rise in Israeli settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, saying the attacks pose an existential threat to Palestinian communities and risk accelerating forced displacement, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the experts said settler attacks, allegedly carried out with the support or acquiescence of Israeli authorities, have become a “daily terror” for Palestinians and are creating conditions that force people from their homes. “The escalating violence, carried out with full impunity, serves as an instrument of coercion in the hands of the occupying power, facilitating ethnic cleansing,” they said. The experts said settler brutality had reached “unprecedented levels” in 2026, with at least 13 Palestinians killed and nearly 500 injured in the first five

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  UK accused of policing speech for Israel after banning Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  The UK government has banned two prominent US political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, from entering Britain in what critics say is the latest example of London policing speech on Israel’s behalf. Uygur, founder of The Young Turks, and Piker, one of the most-watched political streamers in the US, said their travel authorisations were cancelled ahead of planned appearances in London and at Oxford. Both men say the decision was not based on any threat to Britain, but on their outspoken criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. READ: Exposed – the influence of the pro-Israeli lobby in British politics and media Announcing the ban, Uygur accused the British government of acting to protect Israel from scrutiny. “I tried to

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  The End of American Forward Presence in the Persian Gulf

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Something fundamental has shifted in the Persian Gulf, and the analysts who have spent careers watching American power projection are now saying what was once unsayable: the era of U.S. forward military basing in the Middle East is effectively over. Whether Washington chooses confrontation or withdrawal, the strategic outcome appears to be the same: the slow, irreversible erosion of American influence in a region it has dominated since the 1970s. This diagnosis has crystallized around the current standoff with Iran. For scholars like John Mearsheimer, the University of Chicago’s preeminent offensive realist, the crisis confirms a structural reality that American strategic culture has long refused to accept. “The United States is in the unfortunate position,” Mearsheimer has argued, “of being

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  Negotiations with Israel ‘need time,’ Lebanese president says

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that the US-mediated negotiations with Israel “need time” and the current conflict will not be solved overnight, Anadolu reports. “Negotiation is safer than war. We have seen — and continue to see — the devastation of war and its consequences,” Aoun said in a meeting with business representatives, as cited by a presidency statement. “However, negotiations will not solve the problem overnight; they are a process that needs time, and we have no other choice,” he added. Aoun said negotiations “don’t mean surrender but rather are a means of ending wars with the least possible damage.” The Lebanese president reiterated his country’s commitment to the negotiations, saying the talks are “moving forward” despite possible delays that

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  Ceasefire with US covers Lebanon: Iran

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Iran said Monday that a ceasefire with the US covers “all fronts, including Lebanon,” holding the US and Israel responsible for “the consequences of any violation.” “For immediate attention: The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on the US social media company X. “The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” he warned. His remarks came after Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei warned early Monday that Tehran will not hesitate to help Lebanon resist Israel’s “illegal aggression” on the country. READ: US and Iran remain divided as

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  Turkiye condemns Israeli extremist group’s raid on Al Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Turkiye on Monday condemned Sunday’s raid carried out by Israeli extremist groups on Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli security forces, as well as their provocative actions there, including the unfurling of an Israeli flag and the singing of the national anthem “in the strongest terms,” Anadolu reports. The Foreign Ministry in a statement warned that the actions, which seek to disregard the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, constitute a clear violation of international law and risk further deepening instability in the region. “In the face of these dangerous provocations and violations by occupying Israel against Muslim and Christian holy sites, we reiterate our call for the international community to increase pressure on Israel,” the statement said.

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  Iran says it will not hesitate to help Lebanon resist Israel’s ‘illegal aggression’

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Iran warned Monday it will not hesitate to help Lebanon resist Israel’s “illegal aggression” on the country. “We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that the ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any ceasefire and any final agreement” to end the war with the US, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference cited by the state news agency IRNA. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army on Monday to carry out airstrikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut in renewed escalation despite an ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. “Tehran is not currently holding negotiations with Washington on the details of its nuclear program,” Baqaei said. “At this stage, our focus is on ending the war.” READ: Iran says

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  Iranian attacks damaged 20 US military sites since war began, satellite imagery shows

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Iranian strikes have damaged 20 US military sites since the start of the US-Israeli war against Tehran in February, a BBC analysis of satellite images and videos showed Monday. The targeted facilities span Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman, found the analysis by BBC Verify using satellite imagery from multiple international providers, along with archived images from Planet, a major provider, to assess damage from Iranian attacks. While the White House has repeatedly said Iran’s military capability has been largely destroyed, analysts argue that damage observed at US facilities suggests that Iran’s counterstrikes were both more precise and more extensive than American officials have publicly acknowledged. Among the significant losses were three advanced

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  Why the Iran conflict demands a fresh strategy in the Arab world

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  The latest clashes involving the US, Israel, and Iran go beyond just another round of Middle East fighting. They shine a harsh light on how shaky the region’s security setup really is — and force Arab leaders to question long-held beliefs they’ve leaned on for years. For a long time, many Arab states bet heavily on one idea: stay close to Washington, buy lots of Western weapons, and quietly work with Israel. That was supposed to bring lasting calm. After the Abraham Accords, this mix got sold as a bold new path to peace. But honestly, it felt more like a coalition built to box in Iran than true reconciliation. Now this war is showing the cracks in that plan.

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  Iran says Israel’s actions in Lebanon delaying US deal

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Iran said Monday that ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon are hindering efforts to reach an agreement between Tehran and Washington. “The main factor in the failure to reach an agreement in the region is the Zionist regime and the attacks on Lebanon, an attempt to prevent the improvement of the situation in the region,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference, according to state broadcaster IRIB. Baqaei also blamed the US, arguing that Washington bears responsibility because of its support for Israel. “The US is also responsible,” he said, claiming that “every action” taken by Israel is “the responsibility of America, which supports it.” READ: Netanyahu orders attacks on Beirut’s Dahiyeh despite Lebanon ceasefire He stressed that diplomacy

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  Iran’s IRGC says it struck US air base after reported attack on Sirik Island

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early Monday that it struck a US air base allegedly used to launch an attack on a telecommunications tower on Sirik Island in southern Hormozgan province, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency. In a statement cited by Mehr, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force targeted and destroyed the base from which US forces had launched the operation against the communications facility. The IRGC said the strike was carried out hours after the reported US attack and claimed that all predetermined targets were successfully hit. The force also warned that any further attacks would trigger a response “different in scale and nature,” adding that responsibility for any escalation would rest with the United States.

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  Netanyahu orders attacks on Beirut’s Dahiyeh despite Lebanon ceasefire

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ordered the army to carry out strikes in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, claiming the attacks were a response to Hezbollah’s “repeated violations” of the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon, Anadolu reports. Netanyahu claimed he and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army to “strike terrorist targets” in the area. The order came despite a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended through early July. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed more than 3,400 people across the country. READ: Lebanese parliament speaker says he guarantees Hezbollah’s commitment to ceasefire if Israel ends war

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  IOM: 2,245 people displaced from South Kordofan in Sudan

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday that 2,245 people were displaced from Sudan’s South Kordofan State over the past three days due to worsening security conditions. In a statement, the organisation said its displacement monitoring teams estimated that 2,245 people had fled from the towns of Kadugli and Dilling, as well as villages around Habila in South Kordofan, between 28th and 30th May. The displaced people moved to the states of North Kordofan, White Nile and Khartoum, the IOM added. The organisation said the situation remains “tense and volatile” and that it will continue to monitor developments closely. According to the IOM’s latest figures, published on 11th February, more than 132,000 people have been displaced from the

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  Hamas accuses Mladenov of inciting against Gaza, urges adherence to war-ending plan

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Hamas has accused Nikolay Mladenov, head of the so-called Board of Peace in Gaza, of fuelling the escalating situation in the enclave and urged him to stop what it described as incitement against Gaza and the movement, and to support efforts to end the war without introducing further complications. In a recorded statement, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the movement is holding intensive contacts and in-depth meetings with various relevant parties in an effort to contain the worsening situation and halt what he described as the “dangerous aggression” against Gaza’s residents. Qassem said Hamas is working on all fronts to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, particularly with regard to requiring Israel to fulfil its obligations under the first

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  Petition seeks EU protection for Francesca Albanese, ICC judges and human rights defenders

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese called for support for a petition urging the European Union to protect human rights defenders and international justice officials who have been targeted by US sanctions. In a post on X, Albanese said that she, several judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Palestinian human rights defenders require public support in response to US measures against them. She encouraged supporters to sign and share the petition. The petition, launched by Courage International, explains that the United States and Israel have targeted Albanese, eight ICC judges, three ICC officials and Palestinian human rights organizations because of their work documenting and investigating violations of

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  Egypt calls for full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Lebanon and called for the immediate and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Abdelatty made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Abdelatty stressed that any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity or territorial integrity constitutes a breach of international law and of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The Egyptian minister also reiterated Cairo’s full solidarity with Lebanon in confronting current security and political challenges. According to ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of strengthening Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces, so they can exercise authority throughout

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  Israel’s pressure is testing America’s Iran diplomacy

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  A deal with Iran is never allowed to be just a deal with Iran. That is the first rule of Washington politics. The moment a diplomatic opening appears, another conversation begins behind it: what will Israel accept, what will the lobby tolerate, and how far can any American president go before the word “appeasement” is thrown across the room? That is where US policy stands today. A 60-day understanding to extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and start a harder nuclear track has moved close to the point of decision. Trump has gathered his national security team in the Situation Room to weigh the agreement. By Saturday, his defence secretary was already warning that the United States was

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  Israeli committee approves bill imposing new restrictions on mosque loudspeakers

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  The Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill on Sunday that would introduce new restrictions on the use of loudspeakers for the Islamic call to prayer (Adhan) in mosques. According to the proposal, mosques would be required to obtain prior authorization before installing or operating loudspeaker systems. The bill would also grant expanded enforcement powers to Israeli police. The legislation was submitted by head of the Knesset’s National Security Committee, Zvika Fogel and supported by extremist minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party. Under the proposal, permits would be assessed based on factors such as sound levels, noise-reduction measures, the location of the mosque, proximity to residential areas and the impact on nearby residents. READ: Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa

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  Residents flee Beirut’s Dahiyeh area after Netanyahu orders strikes

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Residents began fleeing Beirut’s southern Dahiye area after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to carry out airstrikes on the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs, Anadolu reports. Heavy traffic formed at major exit points in Dahiye as people left the area following the announcement. Netanyahu on Monday ordered the army to carry out strikes in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, claiming the attacks were a response to Hezbollah’s “repeated violations” of the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Netanyahu claimed he and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army to “strike terrorist targets” in the area. The order came despite a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended through early July. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks

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  US and Iran remain divided as negotiations continue

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  On the 93rd day of the United States and Israel’s war against Iran, reports indicate that negotiations remain active but significant disagreements persist, particularly over the nuclear issue and the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports cited from The New York Times, US President Donald Trump submitted a revised proposal to Tehran containing stricter provisions than earlier drafts. The reported amendments are said to focus on sensitive issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and the future handling of enriched nuclear material. Meanwhile, Axios reported that Trump is seeking stronger guarantees and tighter restrictions in any final agreement. Despite the tougher negotiating position, Trump stated publicly that Washington may be close to reaching what he called a “very good” agreement with Iran.

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  Palestinian detainees commission reveals permanent disabilities caused by Israeli torture and medical neglect

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Director General of the Palestinian Authority’s Commission of Detainees’ Affairs in the Gaza Strip, Hassan Quneita stated that numerous Palestinian prisoners have suffered permanent disabilities during detention in Israeli prisons as a result of torture and inadequate medical care. In a press statement, Quneita said that many affected prisoners had pre-existing chronic illnesses, including diabetes, and did not receive the treatment they required while in custody. According to his account, the deterioration of medical conditions in some cases led to amputations, severe complications, or permanent disabilities. He said that cases have been documented among both former detainees who have been released and prisoners who remain in detention. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ Affairs monitors conditions affecting Palestinian prisoners. Human rights

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  Settler council advances plan for 18 settlements in the northern West Bank

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Israeli media reports indicate that the Samaria Regional Council has prepared a large-scale settlement initiative known as the “Connecting Plan”, aimed at establishing or re-establishing 18 settlements in the northern occupied West Bank. According to the settler-affiliated website Emez, the plan includes the return of settlement activity to four settlements evacuated during the 2005 Israeli disengagement plan; Homesh, Sanur, Ganim and Kadim.  The report states that the broader project would involve the establishment, expansion, or reconstruction of 18 settlements in total, including 14 additional settlements beyond the four evacuated in 2005. According to the website, some components of the plan have already received approval from the Israeli government, while other parts remain subject to future political and planning decisions. The

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  Oil prices rise more than 2% as Israeli military escalation in Lebanon intensifies

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Oil prices rose by more than 2 per cent in early trading on Monday after Israel announced a deeper military advance into Lebanon as part of what it described as its battle against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire that has been in place for more than six weeks. US crude futures gained $2.37, or 2.71 per cent, to $89.73 a barrel by 1017 GMT, according to Reuters. Brent crude futures also rose by $2.07, or 2.27 per cent, to $93.19 a barrel. Both Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate had fallen on Friday, by 1.8 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively, amid expectations that the United States and Iran had reached a ceasefire agreement. READ: Israel

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  Lebanese parliament speaker says he guarantees Hezbollah’s commitment to ceasefire if Israel ends war

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said he could guarantee that Hezbollah would fully comply with a ceasefire if Israel halted its land, sea and air military operations and stopped demolishing homes and bulldozing land in Lebanon. In an interview with the Beirut-based newspaper Al-Modon, Berri said he would take responsibility for ensuring Hezbollah’s full commitment to a ceasefire, but stressed that this was conditional on Israel ending the war and all military operations it is carrying out in Lebanon.  Berri expressed doubt that Israel would honour any commitments or agreements, saying the main challenge was ensuring that it implemented any understanding reached between the parties. He added that if a ceasefire were achieved, indirect negotiations could begin under the sponsorship

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  Israel seeks Trump administration approval for wider air strikes in Beirut

  by MI on June 1, 2026

  Israel has asked the United States to allow it to expand its military operations in Lebanon to include large-scale air strikes on Beirut, rather than limiting its actions to targeted assassinations, according to Israeli Channel 12. The broadcaster reported on Sunday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a second security meeting on the same day to discuss the possibility of shifting from occupying and seizing territory in Lebanon to launching an air campaign in Beirut. According to the report, any decision on the matter depends on discussions with the US administration, adding that the issue has gained momentum in recent days. Two days earlier, Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sought to persuade senior

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  Could Iran’s new air defence system be a game changer?

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  The doctrine of absolute air dominance, long regarded as an unassailable pillar of Western military strategy, is facing an unexpected test over the skies of the Persian Gulf. For decades, American air superiority has been viewed as an almost impenetrable shield, allowing Washington to shape conflicts on its own terms. Yet a series of dramatic events during the first half of 2026 around the Strait of Hormuz has forced strategists in the Pentagon to reconsider some of the core assumptions underpinning modern warfare. When a frontline U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was reportedly shot down over southwestern Iran in April 2026, followed by the loss of multiple MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drones worth tens of millions of dollars, Tehran delivered

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  Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Palestinian warning of ‘Judaisation’

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  Israeli occupiers on Sunday stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem under police protection, amid Palestinian warnings of “Judaisation” plans, Anadolu reports. Omar Rajoub, director of the Media Department at the Jerusalem Governorate, told Anadolu that “raising the Israeli flag inside the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, along with performing provocative rituals, is part of a systematic and deliberate official Israeli policy led by the extremist occupation government.” “These practices aim to impose new realities by force in occupied East Jerusalem and undermine the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he added. He warned that “occupiers’ actions inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of an ongoing colonial plan targeting the spatial and temporal division of the mosque,

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  Trump names US Ambassador to Türkiye Barrack as special presidential envoy to Syria, Iraq

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Türkiye, would also serve as special presidential envoy to both Syria and Iraq, US President Donald Trump said Sunday, Anadolu reports. Trump said Washington deepens its strategic engagement with Syria and Iraq. “Our relationship with them continues to grow,” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “Tom will remain Ambassador to Türkiye, and operate with the full backing of the United States Department of State,” Trump said, praising Barrack’s performance and expressing appreciation for his “continued willingness” to serve. Barrack, a longtime Trump ally, was confirmed as ambassador to Türkiye in 2025. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday Barrack will maintain a central diplomatic role managing policy for Syria and

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  Syria has sacrificed the soul of the revolution by arresting Bilal Abdul Kareem

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  The Syrian revolution was fought to tear down a police state, not to replace it with a replica under a different banner. Today, Assad’s dungeons of Damascus may have been replaced by the security apparatus of Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham – HTS), but the arrest of New York journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem proves that the transitional administration is replicating the very tyranny from which Syrians died in their thousands to escape. The social media firestorm that preceded Bilal’s arrest centered on his interview with an Egyptian sheikh regarding the citizenship rights of foreign fighters. The truth is that Sheikh Abu al-Yaqzan al-Masri, whose real name is Muhammad Naji, is a man of little importance

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  33 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza during Eid holiday, Health Ministry says

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  One Palestinian was killed and eight others were injured by Israeli army fire in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha to 33 people, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday, Anadolu reports. The ministry added in a statement that more than 130 people were injured in Israeli attacks since Wednesday, the first day of the four-day occasion. The attacks came despite a US-mediated ceasefire that has been in place in Gaza since Oct. 10, 2025. A medical source earlier told Anadolu that a Palestinian man breathed his last early Sunday from severe injuries he sustained in an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Saturday. Meanwhile, the director of Al-Aqsa

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  Israeli airstrike wounds 13 healthcare workers in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  Thirteen healthcare workers were injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the vicinity of Hiram Hospital in Lebanon’s southern city of Tyre, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The bombardment also caused “severe damage after the hospital sustained damage in earlier Israeli attacks,” the ministry said in a statement. It called on the international community to “put an end to the escalating Israeli attacks, which are expanding without regard for international humanitarian law, UN resolutions, and international norms.” The attacks came as the Israeli army escalated its assaults across Lebanon amid daily violations of a fragile ceasefire agreement in place since mid-April. Since March 2, the Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,371 people, injured 10,129 others, and

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  Instead of expanding gas, the UAE should help Indonesia build offshore wind

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  Within months, Mubadala Energy is expected to make a final investment decision on its Tangkulo development in Indonesia’s South Andaman block, where recent discoveries have revealed more than 2 trillion cubic feet of gas-in-place. Additional finds in the same basin could hold more than 6 trillion cubic feet. The project is being hailed as another milestone in Indonesia’s push to become a major regional gas supplier. But the bigger story is not the gas beneath the Andaman Sea. It is the strategic choice facing the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is now one of the world’s most influential energy investors. Through companies like Mubadala Energy and Masdar, Abu Dhabi is simultaneously financing two very different futures: one built on new

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  Israeli army announces ‘large-scale’ offensive in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on May 31, 2026

  The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it had launched a “large-scale” offensive in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Salouqi (Saluki) area of southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. The offensive began “several days ago, with large ground forces,” military spokesman spokeswoman Ella Waweya said on US social media company X. Waweya claimed the move was aimed at “destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants.” The Israeli army has “crossed the Litani River and expanded their attacks against Hezbollah north of the river,” she claimed, adding that “operations are expanding into additional areas.” Waweya said Israeli forces are operating “in the vicinity of (the city of) Nabatieh,” which she called “one of Hezbollah’s principal strongholds in southern Lebanon,” and that they are “ready