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

• 
  Iran says navy fired warning shots toward US destroyers in Sea of Oman

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The Israeli army on Friday warned residents of nine towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of targeting the areas, despite efforts to solidify a ceasefire, Anadolu reports. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a warning to residents of Arnaya, also known as Arnaba, Anqoun in the Sidon district, and Kfar Fila in Nabatieh, ordering them to move at least 1,000 meters, or about 3,280 feet, away to open areas. The army later expanded the evacuation orders to include Sarafand, Tafahta, Babliyeh, Qa’qaiyet al-Snawbar, Marwaniyeh and Saksakiyeh in Sidon. Adraee urged residents to leave their homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River. Israel has carried out an intensified deadly escalation in Lebanon in recent days, claiming that

• 
  Azerbaijan rejects CNN report alleging territory used for operations against Iran

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Azerbaijan on Friday rejected a CNN report alleging that its territory was used for military and intelligence operations against Iran and that Israeli forces were deployed in the country during the recent conflict, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry described the allegations as “entirely baseless” and called on CNN to retract the report. The ministry said it had repeatedly denied similar claims and had communicated its position to CNN before publication. It criticized the report for relying on anonymous sources without presenting credible evidence and said it ignored Azerbaijan’s official response, thereby violating the principles of objectivity and professional journalism. “As has been stated on numerous occasions, allegations that Azerbaijan’s territory has been used by any third country

• 
  Chilean court reopens case against soldier accused of Gaza war crimes

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  A recent judicial ruling in Chile has revived scrutiny of a criminal complaint against an Israeli-Ukrainian soldier accused of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip, reviving a legal debate over the application of universal jurisdiction in the country. The Santiago Court of Appeals overturned a prior ruling by the Eighth Guarantee Court, which had refused to examine the complaint against Rom Kovtun. The appellate court ruled that the question of jurisdiction cannot be decided without hearing all parties involved.  A public hearing is scheduled for 12th June, where the complainant, the defence, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office will present arguments on whether Chilean courts have the authority to investigate alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed abroad.

• 
  Nearly 5,000 Belgian academics and students urge universities to cut Israel ties

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Nearly 5,000 staff, students and honorary degree recipients from Belgian universities have called on the country’s higher education institutions to end all collaborations with Israeli institutions and companies implicated in violations of international law. The open letter, titled “No honour in complicity: an open letter to our universities,” was published by Belgian Universities for Palestine and addressed to university rectors. It calls for Belgian universities to terminate existing partnerships, impose a moratorium on new collaborations, press Belgian and European authorities to comply with international law and provide structural support for Palestinian higher education. According to the signatories’ page, the campaign had gathered more than 4,700 signatures by 2 June, including more than 1,100 professors, 1,800 researchers, 1,500 students and 450

• 
  Israel, US launch talks to draft new security cooperation framework

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Israel and the US have launched negotiations to draft a new security cooperation framework to replace the current memorandum of understanding (MoU) on US military aid, which is set to expire in 2028, Anadolu Agency reports. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed Friday that there are “formal talks on a new security cooperation framework to replace the existing MOU.” “Counselor of the Department of State Daniel Holler and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will lead the US team,” the ministry said. “The two sides held an inaugural formal meeting this week. Further sessions are planned in both countries in the coming weeks,” the ministry said. The agreement under discussion aims to strengthen the Israeli military’s qualitative military edge, the ministry said.

• 
  UAE invites citizens and residents to pledge allegiance to president

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates has launched a nationwide campaign inviting citizens and residents to sign an online pledge of loyalty and allegiance to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The “Pledge and Commitment” initiative was launched by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s minister of tolerance and coexistence, and later opened to the public through a dedicated website. According to UAE media, the campaign began at an event in Abu Dhabi attended by more than 4,800 people, including citizens, residents, students, investors, academics, business leaders and community representatives. The pledge asks participants to declare: “Hand in hand, we, the citizens and residents of this blessed land, pledge our loyalty and allegiance to our wise leader, His Highness

• 
  Iran’s supreme leader approves pardon for over 2,000 convicts

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday approved a request from the judiciary chief to pardon, reduce, or commute the sentences of more than 2,000 prisoners, Anadolu reports. The pardon came ahead of Eid al-Ghadir, one of the most significant religious holidays observed by Shia Muslims, according to a statement published on the supreme leader’s official website. Earlier, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei sought clemency for the prisoners. According to semi-official ISNA, inmates convicted of security-related offenses, espionage, actions against Iran’s internal or external security, and crimes threatening public security are not eligible for pardon. READ: Iranian FM: US bases are a source of instability in the region

• 
  Report: Mossad supplied Kurdish forces with weapons seized from Hamas and Hezbollah

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad supplied Kurdish militias with weapons seized from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of a broader effort aimed at increasing pressure on Iran, according to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The newspaper reported that the programme formed part of a wider plan intended to weaken the Iranian regime. According to the report, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was also involved in the initiative, although US President Donald Trump later halted the plan following pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Kurdish groups received financial assistance, vehicles and a range of military equipment, including light weapons, anti-tank missiles, hand grenades and mortars. The report said

• 
  Israeli media: Drone crashes in western Galilee minutes after Netanyahu leaves

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with several senior security officials, was in the Western Galilee shortly before a drone crashed in the same location. Channel 15 reported that sirens sounded in areas near the town of Shlomi while Netanyahu was there, prompting security personnel to quickly move toward the prime minister to take necessary protective measures. Images circulating online showed the aftermath of explosions in the Western Galilee region after Netanyahu left the site, raising questions about the timing of the incident and its proximity to the high-ranking Israeli official’s visit. In a related context, Netanyahu, during a discussion with mayors in northern Israel, claimed his government will invest the necessary resources to ensure the rehabilitation,

• 
  Israeli strike hits home in Zawaida, Gaza

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  An Israeli strike hit a house in the town of Zawaida in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah governorate on Thursday, reducing the building to rubble, Anadolu reports. The attack targeted a home belonging to the Rayyan family, according to local sources. Footage captured the moment of the strike, followed by scenes of extensive destruction at the site. Israel’s genocide in Gaza since October 2023 has killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians and injured more than 173,000, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian figures. Despite a ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, the Israeli army has killed 936 Palestinians and injured 2,903 in near-daily attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. READ: Rights group says 360 Palestinian children are being held in

• 
  If Lebanon has no future, neither does the region

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Nearly half a century after Israeli tanks first crossed into southern Lebanon, a troubling question hangs over the region: how many times can the same military strategy fail before it is recognised as a political dead end? From Operation Litani in 1978 to the invasion of 1982, from the 2006 war to the current 2026 incursion, Israel has repeatedly entered Lebanon under the banner of security. The justification has remained remarkably consistent: neutralise cross-border threats, establish a buffer zone, protect northern Israeli communities, and restore deterrence. Yet the historical record tells a different story. Each campaign has inflicted immense destruction, generated mass displacement, reshaped Lebanon’s political landscape, and ultimately ended with Israeli withdrawal rather than strategic resolution. The cycle continues

• 
  Tunisia receives 48 US-made Humvees to strengthen border security

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Tunisia has received 48 Humvee military vehicles from the United States as part of ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries, the Tunisian Ministry of Defence said on Thursday. The vehicles were delivered on Wednesday at El Aouina Air Base near the capital, Tunis, during a ceremony attended by US Ambassador Bill Bazzi and senior Tunisian and American military and civilian officials. In a statement, the ministry said the vehicles would enhance the operational capabilities of the Tunisian armed forces, particularly in border security operations and efforts to combat terrorism, smuggling and organised crime. “These vehicles will strengthen the operational capabilities of the national army and support its readiness, particularly in the areas of protecting land borders, combating terrorism, smuggling

• 
  Egypt Rejects Guardian Report on Sudanese Refugees, Says It Ignored Cairo’s Efforts

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Egypt has formally rejected a report published by the British newspaper The Guardian on the situation of Sudanese refugees in the country, arguing that it presented an incomplete picture and failed to acknowledge Egypt’s role in hosting people displaced by the war in Sudan. The response came in a letter sent by Alaa Youssef, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, to the newspaper following publication of an article titled Poverty, racism and forced disappearances: why Sudanese war refugees are leaving Egypt for Europe.  In the letter, Youssef challenged what he described as the report’s conclusions and argued that it overlooked key aspects of Egypt’s response since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023. According to Youssef, Egypt

• 
  Trump and Netanyahu: The odd couple

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  “He’ll do whatever I want him to do,” Donald Trump declared recently about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement may be one of the most revealing statements Trump has ever made—not for what it says about Netanyahu, but for what it reveals about Trump’s psychology. It was intended as a display of strength. Instead, it exposed the opposite. Trump has built a political persona around hyperbole, self-aggrandizement, and declarations of superiority to cover up for an oversized inferiority complex, he only knows its extent. When he insists that Netanyahu is acting at his command, he is projecting an authority he does not possess. The louder the boast, the more apparent the insecurity beneath it. If there is one lesson

• 
  Report: Israel expands security cooperation with Somaliland

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Israel has expanded its security cooperation with the breakaway region of Somaliland, including the training and equipping of security personnel, according to Israeli and British media reports. Israeli state radio reported that security ties between Israel and Somaliland have strengthened steadily in recent years. The report said Israeli authorities are involved in training and supporting security forces in the region. According to The Telegraph, 50 members of Somaliland’s special forces recently returned home after completing military training programmes in Israel. The newspaper said security cooperation has become a central component of the growing relationship between the two sides, citing Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and its proximity to the Red Sea shipping lanes and the Yemeni coast.

• 
  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with John W. Miller: The Naval Armada Waiting Offshore, Now What?

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Ali Akbar Dareini: How Long This no-War-no-Peace Will Last?

• 
  Rights group says 360 Palestinian children are being held in Israeli prisons

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The Palestinian Center for the Defence of Prisoners said on Thursday that 360 Palestinian children are currently being held in Israeli prisons, including minors serving sentences and others being held without trial. In a statement, the independent organisation said that 160 children are serving prison terms, while 90 are being held under administrative detention, a procedure that allows detention without formal charges or trial. According to the center, child detainees face a range of challenges inside prisons, including overcrowding, limited access to medical care, and the spread of infectious diseases. “Child prisoners not only face deprivation of liberty, but also endure daily overcrowding, medical neglect, and the spread of infectious diseases, most notably scabies, in addition to punishments, solitary confinement,

• 
  From nuclear threshold to nuclear deterrence: Is Iran crossing the line?

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran over recent months has reshaped several dimensions of the conflict. Alongside the economic pressure Iran exerted by disrupting activity in the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear file remains equally consequential. Weeks ago, Iranian media outlets close to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with statements attributed to military sources, suggested that Tehran still possesses advanced weapons it has yet to deploy. Those signals raise a broader question about the nature and limits of Iranian deterrence, and whether the nuclear issue has become part of that undeclared deterrence strategy. The debate today is no longer centered on whether Iran possesses the technical capacity to develop nuclear weapons. Rather, it focuses on whether Tehran has made the political

• 
  Iranian FM: US bases are a source of instability in the region

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran had achieved strategic gains in recent months, stressing that the region’s security structure should be built by its own countries without foreign interference. In an interview with Al Mayadeen TV, Araghchi said the presence of US military bases had become “a source of instability” in the region. He also discussed domestic and international developments linked to the recent war, saying the Iranian leadership remained present on the ground and enjoyed broad domestic support. Araghchi said Iran’s previous leadership had emphasised staying close to the people and sharing any risks faced by the country. On military readiness, he said there had been clear signs that a confrontation could break out before earlier international talks. He

• 
  Iran was ready to turn any Israeli advance on Beirut’s southern suburbs into “hell”, Rezaei says

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iranian Supreme Leader military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iranian forces had been waiting for any Israeli advance towards Beirut’s southern suburbs to turn northern Israel into “hell”. Rezaei, speaking about Iran’s military preparations during the recent war with the United States and Israel, made the remarks at a time of rising tensions on the Lebanese front. “All we had to do was wait for the enemy to move towards the southern suburbs. All our missiles were ready, and we would have turned the 40-day war in the north of the occupied territories into hell for Israel many times over,” Rezaei said. His comments suggest that Iran had prepared extensive military plans to respond to any Israeli advance into Beirut’s southern

• 
  Iran seeks to collect service fees, not tolls for crossing Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iran said it will seek to impose service fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in return for ensuring maritime security, rather than charging transit tolls.  Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Iran’s Mehr news agency on Thursday that Tehran “is not seeking to collect tolls, transit tariffs, or transit permit fees.”  Instead, he said Iran would seek compensation for services provided in cooperation with Oman, including navigational assistance, search and rescue operations, security and safety services, and environmental clean-up efforts in the event of pollution incidents. Gharibabadi said the strategic waterway lies entirely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, adding that the two countries hold sovereignty over the strait under international law and the

• 
  Violence and Crime Among the Palestinian Community in Israel: The Shattering of the Indigenous

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Through concise but extremely detailed chapters in their book Violence and Crime Among the Palestinian Community in Israel: The Shattering of the Indigenous, Nohad ’Ali and Asad Ghanem break down the politics, science and sociology of a rising violence and crime rate among Palestinians in Israel. Setting the scene immediately for the repercussions of colonialism on the indigenous population, ’Ali and Ghanem take note of “a decline in the frames of reference” that are important for organisation and control in society. “This lack of ‘references’ results from the complex predicament of the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel, which has worsened significantly in the last two decades.” The authors identify three main reasons for this decline. One is due to Israel’s ethnic

• 
  Iran sets conditions for accepting Trump plan to end war

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran does not consider any proposal with the United States to be final unless Iran’s comments and interests are taken into account. He said Iran insists that 50 per cent of its frozen assets be made available immediately upon signing a memorandum of understanding with the United States. Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that “there will be no calm in the region unless the Zionists withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories”. The IRGC added that US intervention in the name of promoting peace has resulted only in further crimes and genocide in Lebanon. READ: Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium

• 
  Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Thursday evening that there was no reason to remove enriched uranium from Iran.  “It is entombed,” Trump said, adding that he did not favour the idea of the US military carrying out such an operation.  Trump also said that he did not want to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Reuters.  But he added that if Washington and Tehran reached a deal, it was possible that the two would meet and added: “If it happened … I’d be respectful”.  Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said: “We thought about it, and I didn’t want to be in a position where we had to go in there. “It’s not

• 
  Houthi leader says group coordinates with resistance movements over developments in Lebanon, Palestine

  by MI on June 5, 2026

  Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement (the Houthis), said his group is in full coordination with resistance movements regarding developments in Lebanon and Palestine. Speaking on Thursday, al-Houthi said the group remains committed to what he described as a Quranic position towards the threats facing the Muslim nation under what he called the project of “Greater Israel and the reshaping of the Middle East”. He said the group’s position is clear regarding what he described as “the crimes, tyranny and aggression of the Zionist entity against our Islamic nation in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran, its aggression against our Yemeni people, and its violations in Syria”. Al-Houthi also urged regional powers and actors to be wary of what

• 
  Most people in 36 countries hold unfavorable views of Israel: Poll

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  A majority of people in 36 countries hold unfavorable views of Israel and lack confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a new survey Thursday by the Pew Research Center. The survey, conducted Feb. 8 – May 13, 2026, found that a global median of 67% of adults view Israel unfavorably, while 25% hold a favorable view. Views were particularly negative in Muslim-majority countries that were surveyed, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkiye, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The majority in most surveyed countries said they have little or no confidence in Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs, it said. Kenya and the Philippines were the only countries where more than half of the public

• 
  US secretary of state, Kuwait foreign minister discuss regional security amid ‘reprehensible’ Iranian attacks

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held closed-door talks Thursday with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss the strategic partnership between the two nations following recent military escalations, according to the State Department, Anadolu reports. “The Secretary reiterated the commitment of the United States to Kuwait’s security, to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” said spokesperson Tommy Pigott. Rubio condemned the “outrageous and unacceptable” Iranian strikes that recently hit the Kuwait International Airport and other parts of the country, expressing condolences for the casualties. The meeting follows an announcement Wednesday by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it targeted a US base in

• 
  UN says Gaza aid response weakening as funding appeal remains below 15%

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  The UN said Thursday that funding shortfalls are forcing humanitarian partners in the Gaza Strip to reduce or suspend critical services, warning that aid operations are becoming increasingly difficult as needs remain immense, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned at a news conference that “funding shortfalls are forcing humanitarian partners in Gaza to scale down or suspend critical services.” He said that nearly halfway through the year, “the $4.1 billion requirement identified in the annual appeal for Gaza and the West Bank remains less than 15% funded.” “As a result, humanitarian partners’ ability to plan, pre-position relief and respond effectively is weakening at a time when most of Gaza’s

• 
  Iranian foreign minister, Hamas leader in Gaza discuss latest Palestinian, regional developments

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call Thursday with Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and they discussed Palestine and the latest regional developments. Araghchi explained the latest measures taken by Iran to stop the war in the region, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement. He stressed “Iran’s principled policy of supporting the legitimate resistance of the peoples of the region, particularly in Palestine and Lebanon, against the occupation and assaults of the Zionist entity,” meaning Israel. For his part, al-Hayya praised the stance of the Iranian negotiating delegation for stressing a simultaneous cessation of war across all regional fronts, expressing gratitude for Iran’s steady support

• 
  UN peacekeeper killed, 2 others wounded in shelling in southern Lebanon

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  A peacekeeper serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed and two others were wounded after mortar shells struck their position in southern Lebanon, the mission said Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained critical injuries “when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, southeastern Lebanon” late Wednesday night. The injured peacekeeper was evacuated by air to a hospital in Beirut, where he later died from his wounds. The mission said two other peacekeepers were also injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at a medical facility inside a UNIFIL base. The peacekeeping force said it has launched an investigation “to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident.” “UNIFIL

• 
  University of Vienna Student Assembly votes for academic boycott of Israeli universities

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  At the University of Vienna, an independently organized student assembly voted by a large majority in favor of an academic boycott of Israeli educational institutions, according to the activist group, University of Vienna for Palestine, which announced the result on Instagram, Anadolu reports. Previously, over 1,000 students at the university had signed a petition to convene a student assembly “from below,” which organizers described as the first of its kind in Austria. The students’ resolution is explicitly directed against the strategic partnership between the University of Vienna and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which has been in place since 2015. The first core motion adopted by the assembly was titled “Academic Boycott Instead of Complicity in Genocide.” The initiators accuse

• 
  France to convene Israeli, Palestinian civil society leaders in Paris to support 2-state solution

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  France will bring together Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives in Paris next week to reaffirm support for a two-state solution and advance efforts toward the recognition and establishment of a Palestinian state, the French foreign minister said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Speaking via video message to a gathering of Israeli and Palestinian civil society actors in Tel Aviv, Jean-Noel Barrot described the upcoming meeting, scheduled for June 12, as “a very important rendezvous for peace.” “It will bring together representatives of Israeli and Palestinian civil society to reaffirm our collective commitment to implementing the two-state solution,” he said. The event will take place one year after the launch of the Paris Appeal and one year after France and around

• 
  Saudi crown prince reiterates support for Bahrain following Iranian attacks

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday condemned Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for the Gulf kingdom, Anadolu Agency reports. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the crown prince made the remarks during a phone call with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. During the call, Prince Mohammed expressed Saudi Arabia’s “condemnation and denunciation of the attacks that targeted Bahraini territory.” He also reiterated the kingdom’s “full solidarity” with Bahrain and “support for any measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability.” READ: Iran claims US patriot missile, not Iranian strike, destroyed Kuwait airport terminal The US and Iran engaged in fresh attacks earlier this week, after the US

• 
  Hezbollah rejects Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Thursday rejected the outcomes of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement marking the death anniversary of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, Qassem said the outcomes of the negotiations “are completely rejected by broad segments of the Lebanese people.” He said the US-backed ceasefire understandings reflected American and Israeli visions for Lebanon’s future and sought to subject the country to what he called the “Greater Israel project.” A joint Lebanese-US-Israeli statement announced early Thursday that Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed during talks in Washington to implement a ceasefire based on a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of

• 
  Ex-Israeli premier warns Netanyahu could try to ‘steal’ next elections

  by MI on June 4, 2026

  Former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert warned Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies could attempt to manipulate the next general elections, accusing them of using intimidation and coercion in the Knesset vote that elected a new state comptroller, Anadolu reports. His warning came a day after the Knesset’s election of Michael Rabello, the Netanyahu family’s lawyer, as Israel’s new state comptroller. Rabello, backed by the governing coalition, narrowly defeated opposition-backed retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron, amid warnings of potential conflicts of interest. The opposition has alleged that the vote was marred by irregularities, including warnings for lawmakers against supporting the opposition candidate. “What happened yesterday is a preview of what will happen in the next Knesset elections,”

• 
  Megawatt diplomacy: Water as the missing link in the new architecture of Middle East energy security

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  From oil geopolitics to the water-energy nexus For more than a century, energy security in the Middle East has been defined by oil and gas. Strategic waterways, export routes, production capacities and geopolitical rivalries have shaped the region’s role in the global energy system. Yet while policymakers continue to debate energy transitions, decarbonisation and the future of hydrocarbon markets, a more fundamental challenge is emerging beneath the surface: water. The Middle East is simultaneously one of the world’s most energy-rich regions and one of its most water-scarce. This reality is not merely an environmental concern; it is increasingly becoming a strategic one. As the region seeks to maintain its energy leadership while adapting to climate change and economic transformation, water

• 
  Kushner floats cash-for-normalisation with Israel to expand ‘Abraham Accords’

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Jared Kushner has suggested that countries which normalise relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords could be rewarded with investment money and political backing. Speaking in a video interview, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and so-called “Special Envoy for Peace” said he and his partners were looking at opportunities to invest in countries which have joined, or may join, the Abraham Accords. The comments appear to frame normalisation with Israel not as a principled diplomatic breakthrough, but as a gateway to private capital, political favour and economic inducements. Kushner said he had been helping US envoy Steve Witkoff “promote the Abraham Accords” and “find new opportunities.” He added that one of his partners, Asher, is of Moroccan and

• 
  Repetitive folly: Israel’s futile war in Lebanon deepens

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Call it a repeating script, a rusty template, or simply a creaky model to emulate time and again.  The structural and homicidal destruction of Gaza undertaken by Israeli forces is now finding full expression in southern Lebanon, a cause of concern even for those in Washington.  The war’s increasing savagery is a reminder of how hollow the exhortations by the Netanyahu government seem following the official cessation of hostilities against Hezbollah in November 2024. Israel’s pre-emptive war on Iran, commencing on February 28 with the full and criminal connivance of the United States, took place alongside an incursion into southern Lebanon that has become a burgeoning invasion ostensibly to create a chunky buffer against Hezbollah’s attacks.  Presumably, the wishful thinking

• 
  The US creates convenient loopholes for Israel

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Seizing 70 percent of Gaza is not part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday at the House Appropriations subcommittee meeting. “We have a plan. That plan does not envision such a thing. Netanyahu made that statement, but it is not part of the plan,” Rubio said. Point 16 does state that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. However, it also includes a loophole for Israel to exploit. The Israeli military is supposed to hand over occupied territory to the International Stabilisation Force “according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are completely withdrawn from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until

• 
  Ghannouchi’s defence condemns life sentence in ‘secret apparatus’ case

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  The defence team of Rached Ghannouchi, head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement, described his life sentence in the case known as the “secret apparatus” case as “shocking and unjust,” following a Tunisian court ruling against several leaders of Ennahda Movement. In a statement issued after Tuesday’s verdict, the defence team said Ghannouchi, the former speaker of parliament, has now been sentenced to life imprisonment in addition to a cumulative 106 years in prison in other cases. The lawyers stated that these cases are linked to Ghannouchi’s political positions, opinions, and exercise of freedom of expression. The defence team said it would continue pursuing all available legal avenues to defend its client and challenge the ruling. The lawyers argued that the case

• 
  Islamic Jihad accuses Israel of continued violations of Gaza ceasefire

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  The Palestinian Islamic Jihad accused Israel on Wednesday of continuing to violate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip through ongoing military attacks and the targeting of civilians. In a statement, the movement said Israeli bombardment carried out during the day killed and wounded a number of Palestinians in different parts of Gaza. The group said the attacks form part of Israel’s continuing crimes against Palestinians and occur alongside the ongoing humanitarian blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Islamic Jihad also criticised Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank, saying settlement expansion remains part of a broader annexation strategy. According to the movement, Israeli planning authorities recently approved the construction of 2,162 new settlement units in several settlements across the

• 
  Gaza: Palestinians bid farewell to nine killed in dawn airstrike

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  IMAGES: Funeral held for seven killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza

• 
  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says opponents must adapt to ‘new rules’ in Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said opponents of the Islamic Republic have been forced to accept what it described as new realities imposed by Iran’s armed forces, particularly regarding the management and control of the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement marking the anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the June 1963 uprising, the Revolutionary Guard said Iran’s military and political position had altered the balance of power in the region. “The enemy is forced to accept the new rules imposed on the ground by the Iranian people and armed forces, particularly in the smart management and control of the Strait of Hormuz.” The statement described public mobilisation as a key element of Iran’s strategy. “The presence of the

• 
  Turkish, Sudanese ministers discuss labour and social security cooperation

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Turkish Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan met his Sudanese counterpart, Mutasim Ahmed Saleh Adam, on Wednesday to discuss strengthening cooperation in labour affairs, professional development and social security, Anadolu agency reported. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. According to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the two ministers reviewed ways to expand cooperation between their countries in labour and employment issues and explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in social protection and social security systems. The talks formed part of a series of bilateral meetings being held by Işıkhan during the conference, as Turkey seeks to broaden cooperation and exchange expertise with participating countries. The

• 
  “My plan”: Netanyahu letter reveals Israel’s bid to replace US aid with military fusion

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  A letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exposed the driving force behind the push to restructure US-Israel military relations. In Netanyahu’s own words, it is “my plan”. The letter, shared widely on social media, reveals that the transition away from American military aid to Israel is not a US-led reform, but an Israeli initiative delivered to Congress for legislative packaging. Its purpose is not to reduce American entanglement with Israel, but to replace visible financial assistance with a far deeper and less accountable form of military integration. Dated 1 June, 2026 and addressed to Israeli lobby funded Congressman Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, the letter was released alongside a press statement announcing a House resolution introduced by Stutzman on

• 
  Israeli businessman claims Trump threatened Netanyahu through his wife over Lebanon plans

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  An Israeli businessman has claimed that US President Donald Trump threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family in an effort to prevent a planned Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to reports in Israeli media. The claims were made by Israeli businessman Roni Mani and reported by the Hebrew-language news website Walla. Mani said he had received information from what he described as a senior White House source regarding contacts between Trump and Sara Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister’s wife. According to Mani, Trump contacted Sara Netanyahu and urged her to persuade her husband to abandon plans for military action in Beirut’s southern suburbs. “My exclusive information, through my sources in the White House, confirms that Trump contacted

• 
  Report: Israeli police recruiting far- right religious Jewish police officers for service at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Israeli police have launched a recruitment initiative targeting far- right, religious Jews, including individuals involved in storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report said Daniel Lerch, deputy commander of the police unit responsible for the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, circulated recruitment appeals through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, including groups that reportedly contain settler activists and members of the far right. In a recruitment message cited by Haaretz, Lerch wrote: “We have launched a project to recruit religious police officers for the Temple Mount. Anyone who wants to participate in enforcing sovereignty is welcome to contact me.” According to the newspaper, several activists who support Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa

• 
  Qatar Chooses Geography Over Ideology in Its Iran Diplomacy

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Over the years, tiny Qatar has emerged as a pivotal regional mediator, deploying balanced approaches to critical crises stretching from the Gulf to the Horn of Africa with a high degree of success. More recently, Doha has had to navigate increasingly volatile conflicts closer to home, most notably the fallout from the current U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. By positioning itself as an indispensable diplomatic conduit, Doha has transformed its inherent geographic vulnerability into a strategic asset, proving that in a region often defined by rigid ideological blocs, pragmatic functional diplomacy remains the only viable path toward stability. This approach acknowledges the unyielding reality of geography: Iran is a permanent fixture of the regional landscape. Consequently, Doha’s policy is built on

• 
  Former Tunisia intel chief accuses Saied’s government of spying on opponents, fabricating cases

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Former Tunisian intelligence chief Kamel Guizani has accused relatives of President Kais Saied and senior officials in Tunisia’s government of spying on opposition leaders and fabricating court cases to imprison them. Speaking on Al Jazeera’s Maghareb Podcast, Guizani alleged that members of Saied’s family and the president’s security chief were involved in surveillance operations and the unlawful use of state institutions. He said the case was the real reason behind the prosecution of judge Bashir Akremi and the dismissal of dozens of judges. Guizani also accused former Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine of overseeing the fabrication of security-related cases, in cooperation with the Justice Ministry, to target political and human rights opponents and strengthen the ruling system. He said that “some

• 
  Araghchi: Contacts with Washington continue despite stalled talks, rising tensions

  by Marwa A on June 4, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said contacts between Iran and the United States are continuing despite new attacks and growing speculation over the future of negotiations between the two countries. In an interview with Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen news agency, published by Iranian media on Wednesday, Araghchi said communication with the United States had not been cut off. He added that progress in the negotiations would not be possible until the end of the war involving Iran and Lebanon. In recent days, Iranian media outlets, citing sources familiar with the talks, reported that negotiations between the two sides had collapsed. However, US President Donald Trump denied the reports, writing earlier this week on his Truth Social platform: “Talks are continuing at a