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

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  A silent annexation swallows the West Bank while attention turns to Iran, why?

  by MI on February 11, 2026

  At a time when Israel and the United States are preparing to launch strikes on Iran (which may be wide strikes), we notice that Israel is taking very dangerous steps in the West Bank. The problem is that the West Bank does not receive enough media coverage, and many people do not care about what is happening there. This “distraction” and “blackout” give Israel a greater chance to move without pressure or monitoring. Trump had spoken about an initiative for Gaza that does not include the “annexation of the West Bank,” but what is happening in practice is an American–Israeli agreement to annex the West Bank on the ground without using the word “annexation.” But how? By expanding settlements, making

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  Hamas urges guarantor states to press Israel to halt ceasefire violations

  by MI on February 11, 2026

  Hamas has called on countries acting as guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire to compel Israel to stop what it described as repeated violations of the agreement. Hazem Qassem, spokesman for Hamas, said Israel had stepped up its breaches of the ceasefire by intensifying strikes on civilian homes under what he called false pretexts. “The occupation is escalating its violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by bombing civilian houses under false claims, disregarding the efforts of all mediators and guarantor states seeking to maintain calm in the Strip. This requires a firm position from these parties to oblige the occupation to stop its violations,” Qassem said. The Gaza Strip has recently seen a new wave of Israeli military escalation, including demolitions

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  Netanyahu may seek Trump’s backing for Gaza relocation plan: Hebrew newspaper

  by MI on February 11, 2026

  Israel Hayom newspaper has reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss with US President Donald Trump the possibility of mass migration from Gaza, following Hamas’s refusal to disarm. The newspaper said the talks, which may take place today, would come amid efforts to prevent a return to war.  The report noted that President Trump first raised the idea a year ago, shortly after returning to the White House. Arab states strongly opposed the proposal at the time, which led to it being effectively set aside. A commitment to allow Gaza residents to live in dignity within the territory was also a key part of the Arab-backed Trump’s 20-point plan.  However, the newspaper said that, given the difficulties

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  National Commission: The occupation’s annexation plan ends the Oslo Accords

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  The National Commission for Palestinian Popular Action on Tuesday issued a press statement condemning the Israeli occupation’s plan to annex the West Bank including Jerusalem. The statement said the Commission “rejects the aggressive, expansionist, and dangerous resolutions approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet and announced by Ministers Smotrich and Katz.”  The Commission is comprised of a number of Palestinian organisations namely: The Palestinian National Congress, The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, The Palestinian Federation of Latin America, and the Palestinian Popular Conference – 14 Million. The body’s membership includes several prominent independent Palestinian figures notably: Hassan Khreisheh, Oraib Al-Rantawi, Mustafa Barghouti, and Wadah Khanfar. The statement read: “these measures are not merely isolated administrative steps, but rather an integrated strategic

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  Netanyahu revokes citizenship of 2 Palestinians in Israel, orders deportation to Gaza

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday signed an order revoking the Israeli citizenship of two Palestinians, with Israel’s public broadcaster saying they will be deported to the Gaza Strip in a first-of-its-kind move, Anadolu reports. Writing on US social media company X, Netanyahu said: “This morning he signed the revocation of citizenship and deportation orders for two Israeli terrorists.” Netanyahu, who himself is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza, claimed that the two “carried out stabbing and shooting attacks against Israeli civilians.” “Many more like them are on the way,” he warned, threatening additional measures against Palestinians in the territories occupied by Israel in 1948. READ: Nearly 400 Palestinians crossed Rafah in a week, Gaza

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  Saudi Cabinet says Turkish president’s visit showed strength of bilateral ties

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet said Tuesday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to the kingdom last week demonstrated the strength of relations between the two countries, Anadolu reports. The Cabinet, meeting in the capital Riyadh chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, was briefed on talks held between Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Cabinet said the visit highlighted the solid nature of bilateral ties and reflected the will to strengthen cooperation across various fields, saying this was concretely demonstrated through agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during the visit. The Cabinet also authorized the energy minister to hold talks and sign framework and cooperation agreements with Türkiye and Jordan

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  UN reports continued Israeli shelling, airstrikes in Gaza, warns civilians at risk

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  The UN on Tuesday reported continued Israeli airstrikes, shelling and gunfire across the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, warning that attacks on residential areas are putting civilians at serious risk, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted “more reports of airstrikes, bombing, shelling, navy fire and shooting in the last 24 hours” in Gaza, during a news conference. He said the attacks included strikes in residential areas, which “put civilians in danger and adds to the immense hardship they’ve endured over the last 28 months.” Dujarric stressed that “civilians are protected under international humanitarian law, wherever and wherever they are, whether they cross military demarcation lines or just

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  Trump weighs sending 2nd aircraft carrier to Middle East amid talks with Iran

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is considering the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, intensifying pressure on Tehran amid diplomatic talks, Anadolu reports. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” Trump told Axios, confirming that he is “thinking” about an additional deployment. A US official corroborated that internal discussions regarding a second strike group are underway, which would join the USS Abraham Lincoln currently stationed in the area. Trump framed the choice for Iran as a binary one, asserting, “Either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” referring to the US strikes last June,

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  Egyptian parliament approves cabinet reshuffle

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Egypt’s parliament on Tuesday approved a cabinet reshuffle proposed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, covering 17 ministerial portfolios and creating a new post of deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Anadolu reports. During a parliamentary session, Speaker Hisham Badawy said the president had submitted a letter requesting changes in several ministries. According to an Anadolu correspondent, Badawy presented the reshuffle list to lawmakers, who voted to approve it. The changes also included the return of the Ministry of Information for the first time since April 2021. Under the reshuffle, Hussein Mohamed Ahmed Issa was appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar was named minister of health and population, Kamel Al-Wazir minister of transport, Manal Awad minister of

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  France ‘strongly condemns’ Israeli measures to expand control over West Bank

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  France condemned on Tuesday the recent Israeli measures aimed at expanding control over the occupied West Bank as “a serious blow to the two-state solution,” Anadolu reports. “France strongly condemns the recent decisions by Israel’s security cabinet aimed at extending Israel’s control over the West Bank, including Areas A and B. These decisions are contrary to international law and represent a dangerous challenge to the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Protocol,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It noted that these measures contribute to advancing the “logic of annexation of the West Bank” and constitute “a serious blow to the two-state solution.” READ: Japan urges Israel to ‘fully freeze’ illegal settlements in occupied West Bank “At a time when international

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  Japan urges Israel to ‘fully freeze’ illegal settlements in occupied West Bank

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Japan on Tuesday urged Israel to “fully freeze” illegal settlement activities after Tel Aviv on Sunday approved measures aimed at altering the legal and civil framework in the occupied West Bank to strengthen Israeli control, Anadolu reports. Tokyo “is deeply concerned” that the government of Israel amended a series of measures, including real estate transactions, in the West Bank and implied acceleration of development of settlements, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura said in a statement. Japan reiterates its “deep regret over the continuing unilateral acts, including settlement activities, by the government of Israel despite repeated calls by the international community, including Japan, and once again strongly urges the government of Israel to redress the decision and fully freeze its

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  Nearly 400 Palestinians crossed Rafah in a week, Gaza authorities say

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Local authorities in Gaza said Tuesday that only 397 travelers crossed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in one week since Israel partially reopened the terminal under strict restrictions, Anadolu reports. “Only 397 Palestinians crossed the terminal in both directions from Feb. 2 to 9, out of an expected 1,600 travellers, reflecting roughly 25% Israeli compliance with agreed arrangements,” the Gaza government media office said in a statement. Israel reopened the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on Feb. 2 in a highly limited manner after occupying it since May 2024. Of those who crossed during the week, 225 travelers departed Gaza, 172 arrived, and 26 were turned back, the media office said. The office did not specify the basis

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  Netanyahu says he will present ‘Israel’s vision’ on Iran talks to Trump during US visit

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he will present Israel’s vision for negotiations with Iran during an expected meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters before departing Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv en route to Washington, Netanyahu described Israel’s relationship with the US as “exceptional and unprecedented in our history.” Outlining the agenda, Netanyahu said his talks with Trump will cover Gaza and regional issues, but will focus primarily on negotiations between Washington and Tehran. “I will present to the president our vision for the principles of the negotiations,” Netanyahu said. He claimed Israel’s approach reflects “important principles not only for Israel, but for everyone seeking peace and security in the Middle

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  Germany’s top court to rule this week on controversial arms exports to Israel

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Germany’s top court will rule Thursday on whether a Palestinian civilian from Gaza can legally challenge arms exports to Israel—a decision that could set a precedent for other cases, according to rights groups, Anadolu reports. The Federal Constitutional Court will decide on a constitutional complaint filed by a Gaza resident who lost his wife and child in Israeli military strikes. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and Palestinian partner organizations are backing the legal challenge. “The decision will clarify whether people from Gaza, whose fundamental rights are threatened by German arms exports, will have access to German courts and whether courts will in future be required to examine seriously whether German exports endanger civilians,” said Dr. Alexander Schwarz from

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  Israeli army detains 25 Palestinians in West Bank raids

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  The Israeli army detained 25 Palestinians on Tuesday in military raids across the occupied West Bank, according to local sources, Anadolu reports. The sources told Anadolu that the detentions took place mainly in the northern and southern West Bank and targeted multiple cities and towns, accompanied by raids on Palestinian homes and searches of their contents. In the northern West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians in the city of Nablus and the towns of Beit Dajan, Deir al-Hatab and Qusra after raiding and searching their homes. Israeli forces also detained seven Palestinians from the village of Azzun, east of Qalqilya, during an early morning raid. In the city of Jenin, an undercover Israeli unit detained a Palestinian man after storming his

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  Swiss lawyers accuse their country and foreign minister of ‘aiding and abetting genocide in Gaza’

  by MI on February 10, 2026

  Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is being accused of complicity in alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip and of failing to adequately respond to the genocide in Gaza, Anadolu reports. Irene Wettstein Martin, one of 25 lawyers who filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Cassis, told Anadolu that Switzerland has been included on a UN-prepared list of countries implicated in the genocide. She said the lawyers condemn Switzerland’s continued export of military equipment and so-called dual-use goods to Israel. “For example, in 2024, military equipment exports were worth approximately 16.7 million Swiss francs. In 2025, this reached 25 million. So, it has been steadily increasing,” she said, adding that Switzerland is engaged in commercial

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  Bad Beginnings: The End of New START

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  How awful could it get?  The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expired on February 5, terminating an era of arms control and imposed limits on lunatically contrived nuclear weapons programs of the United States and Russia.  The New START Treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011 and initially imposed a timeline of seven years for the parties to meet the central limits on strategic offensive arms.  Those limits would then be maintained for the duration of the Treaty. Till its expiry, the countries maintained limits on the following nuclear arms and systems: 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and deployed heavy bombers capable of using nuclear armaments; 1,550 nuclear warheads on all

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  The architecture of deceptions in the West Bank

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  History does not always collapse with the sound of gunfire. Sometimes it dissolves through paperwork, zoning maps, cabinet votes and regulatory notices that barely make the evening news. The latest Israeli security cabinet decisions on the West Bank belong to that quieter, more consequential category. They do not declare annexation. They do something more durable: they normalise it. By lifting long-standing restrictions on land purchases, dissolving permit systems, extending Israeli civil enforcement into Palestinian-administered areas, and assuming unilateral authority over key religious sites, Israel has not merely revised policy. It has effectively dismantled the territorial logic underpinning the Oslo framework that governed the West Bank for three decades. The result is not an interim arrangement, nor a security measure, but

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  Gulf states urge firm international action to halt Israeli violations in West Bank

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on Monday urged the international community to take firm action to stop violations and unlawful measures announced by Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank. In a statement issued on Monday, GCC Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Al Budaiwi strongly condemned the unlawful decisions and measures announced by Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank. He said these measures include attempts to impose unilateral realities that go against international law and relevant international resolutions. Al Budaiwi stressed that the illegal and unilateral steps taken by Israeli occupation forces to impose sovereignty are a clear violation of international law, international resolutions and existing agreements. He called on the international community to meet its legal responsibilities,

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  Saudi Arabia urges Rapid Support Forces to immediately stop violations in Sudan

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Saudi Arabia has urged Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately stop their violations and to uphold their ethical and humanitarian duty by ensuring that aid reaches those in need. The statement was made during a session at the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva on Monday, where Saudi Arabia’s permanent mission took part in an interactive briefing on the human rights situation in Al-Fasher and surrounding areas, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said in his briefing that the “atrocities” in Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in western Sudan, are fully the responsibility of the Rapid Support Forces and their allies and backers. Saudi Arabia, through its

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  Israel media: Thousands of Indonesian troops preparing to enter Gaza

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Preparations are underway to receive thousands of Indonesian soldiers who will join the international stabilisation force in the Gaza Strip. According to Israel’s Kan TV, no arrival date has been set yet, but the Indonesian force is expected to be the first foreign troops to enter Gaza. The Indonesian troops are expected to be stationed in the southern part of Gaza, between Rafah and Khan Yunis. The channel reported that the area is ready, although building housing for the soldiers will take several weeks. Estimates suggest the number of Indonesian troops could reach several thousand. Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to visit Washington on 19 February to attend the Peace Council meeting chaired

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  Turkish FM says no immediate threat of US-Iran war as Turkey works to prevent escalation

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said there is currently no sign of an imminent war between the United States and Iran, stressing that Turkey is making efforts to prevent any escalation in the region. Speaking in televised remarks on Monday evening during an interview on Turkey’s CNN channel, Fidan said “The regime does not change with an airstrike or anything else. It’s a pipe dream.” “At least for now, there does not appear to be an imminent threat of war,” he added. On the possibility of reaching an agreement between Washington and Tehran, Fidan said there is limited room for progress. “Let’s assume there is a possibility; the door has been opened slightly,” the FM added. He explained that both

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  The new Axis of Resistance: Sino-Russian technological buoyancy in Iran

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  In the current state of tension between the Jewish state and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the situation has come to a critical juncture. What was once a series of regional skirmishes has now escalated to a sophisticated, three-way defense of Iran against the Israeli threat. This has come about through the Chinese and Russian “force multipliers” that can neutralize the West’s most potent tactical advantages: stealth and accuracy. The end of invisible incursions The most significant development has been the deployment of China’s YLC-8B 3D long-range surveillance radar. This is not just a cosmetic move; rather, it is a fundamental threat to the Israeli and American air forces’ tactical doctrines. This system operates at the UHF frequency and uses

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  Israeli pesticide spraying damages 80 dunams of wheat in Quneitra, officials say

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Syrian officials have accused the Israeli army of damaging agricultural land in the countryside of Quneitra after repeated spraying of unidentified pesticides over border areas. Jamal Ali, Director of Agriculture in Quneitra, told the Syrian newspaper Al-Watan that around 80 dunams of wheat in the town of Kodna, in the central countryside of the governorate, were destroyed after exposure to chemicals allegedly sprayed by Israeli aircraft. Ali said the wheat crop had died completely, describing it as a significant agricultural loss that would adversely affect the livelihoods of farmers who rely primarily on agriculture and livestock grazing. He added that field inspections of the affected areas revealed extensive environmental and agricultural damage, including the total destruction of grasses and wild

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  UN says 53 migrants dead or missing after boat sinks off Libya

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 53 people are dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 migrants capsized off the Libyan coast. Two women survived. In a statement, the Geneva-based agency said the vessel overturned north of Zuwara, Libya, on Friday, marking the latest tragedy involving migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe. The IOM said only two Nigerian women were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation conducted by Libyan authorities. One survivor reported losing her husband, while the other said her two infant children had perished in the disaster. The organisation said its teams provided emergency medical assistance to the survivors upon disembarkation. According to the women’s testimonies, the boat departed from Zawiya,

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  Russian foreign minister casts doubt on prospects for regional stability

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he does not expect stability to return to the Middle East in the foreseeable future, citing ongoing violence and unresolved political questions. Speaking at the Middle East conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club on Monday, Lavrov said: “Unfortunately, at this stage, I don’t think this region will calm down any time soon, despite the huge number of initiatives we are all aware of.” He pointed to continued violence and a lack of clarity surrounding key elements of the Trump plan, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the disarmament of Hamas, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of executive leadership for Gaza within a framework involving

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  Political detainees held by Palestinian Authority launch open-ended hunger strike

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Political detainees from Jenin refugee camp held by the Palestinian Authority in al-Junaid prison in Nablus have begun an open-ended hunger strike in protest at their continued detention and to demand their release. The Committee of Families of Political Prisoners said in a statement on Monday that the strike was launched in response to violations of prisoners’ rights, including torture and solitary confinement, and the Palestinian Authority’s failure to address their demands. The committee said it holds the responsible authorities fully accountable for the detainees’ lives and safety, warning of potentially serious health consequences arising from the hunger strike. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and urged human rights organisations and media outlets to

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  Thousands protest in Australia against visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Thousands of people took to the streets in several Australian cities on Monday to protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with clashes reported between demonstrators and police. Herzog began a four-day official visit at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, described as an expression of solidarity with the Jewish community following the 14 December attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, which left 15 people dead. The visit has sparked controversy, with activists accusing Herzog of complicity in the war in the Gaza Strip. Protests were held simultaneously in several cities and towns, including Sydney, where thousands gathered in the central business district to listen to speeches and chant pro-Palestinian slogans. One demonstrator, Jackson Elliott, 30,

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  Turkey jails two people accused of working for Israel’s Mossad

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  A Turkish court on Monday ordered the detention of two people accused of working for Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad. The suspects were named as d Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoglu. After legal procedures were completed before a criminal peace judge at Istanbul’s courthouse, the court decided to remand both men in custody. The court charged them with obtaining state secrets for the purpose of political or military espionage. Turkey’s intelligence service arrested Derya and Kerimoglu on Thursday. Security sources said the arrests took place in Istanbul, where the two had been under surveillance for some time. The sources added that the suspects were found to have passed information to Mossad, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. FBI document: Epstein trained

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  Egypt and Turkey: A summit of arrangements and strategic gains

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo last Wednesday was not an ordinary one; rather, it marked a pivotal moment in Turkish-Egyptian relations, signalling the formation of a strategic alliance between the two countries. The warm reception extended to the Turkish president by his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, carries significant implications, pointing to emerging security and military understandings, as well as political and economic cooperation agreements between Cairo and Ankara. Cairo appears open to broader cooperation with the Turkish side, which has succeeded in easing political tensions between the two countries and in accelerating the pace of rapprochement, to compensate for the strategic losses incurred by both sides. Sensitive Timing The success of President Erdoğan’s third visit to

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  UN says all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal

  by Marwa A on February 10, 2026

  UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent steps to enforce stricter control measures in the occupied West Bank. The concern relates to “the reported decision by the Israeli security cabinet to authorise a series of administrative and enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said at a news conference. In a statement, Guterres warned that this approach undermines the chances of reaching a two-state solution. He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated regime and infrastructure, have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including relevant UN resolutions. The UN chief stressed that “Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence

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  Israeli forces kill 9 Palestinians in Gaza in new ceasefire violation

  by Marwa A on February 9, 2026

  Israeli forces killed nine Palestinians in fresh attacks in various parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, amid daily violations of a ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, medical sources said, Anadolu reports. In the latest developments, a medical source told Anadolu that the death toll from an Israeli strike targeting a residential apartment on Al-Nasr Street, west of Gaza City, has risen to three. Al-Nasr Street lies outside areas of Israeli military deployment under the ceasefire agreement. Earlier, a Palestinian fisherman was injured by Israeli fire off the coast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The sources told Anadolu that a 54-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire in the vicinity of Abu Tammam School in

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  Power grabs, demolitions, illegal settlements: What lies behind Israeli decisions on occupied West Bank?

  by Marwa A on February 9, 2026

  An analytical paper issued by the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now has explained the details and objectives behind recent decisions by Israel’s Security Cabinet on the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. In its paper released late Sunday, the Israeli movement said the decisions include “a series of measures that will allow Israelis to purchase land in the territories almost without limitation and without government oversight.” These measures “will give a small number of settlers the power to determine political facts on the ground without government intervention, and will open the door to an industry of forged real-estate transactions,” it added. Peace Now noted that the Security Cabinet also decided to strip the Palestinian Authority of its powers in Areas A

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  Red Cross President: ‘What we have seen in Gaza exceeds all legal, ethical, moral and humanitarian norms’

  by Marwa A on February 9, 2026

  The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, has warned that the destruction in Gaza represents a collapse of all international standards. “What we have seen in Gaza exceeds all legal, ethical, moral and humanitarian norms,” she stated in an interview with Dutch newspaper NRC, this week. Spoljaric Egger said that Gaza illustrates the rapid deterioration of international humanitarian law. “Gaza may have provided the most tangible evidence of the erosion of international law,” she explained. “I visited Gaza twice within twelve months. The hostilities never stopped. There was not a minute when you didn’t hear gunfire. When your body did not feel the shelling.” Spoljaric Egger recalled that on her return visit, she

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  EU condemns Israeli decision to expand control in West Bank

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  The EU condemned on Monday the recent Israeli approval of measures aimed at strengthening control in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. “European Union condemns recent decisions by Israel’s Security Cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. “This move is another step in the wrong direction, while the whole international community is making an effort to implement phase two of the comprehensive plan for Gaza,” spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told the European Commission’s midday press briefing. He noted that the decision would endanger the sensitive status quo of religious sites. “We recall that annexation is illegal under international law, therefore any concrete step taking toward that end would be considered a breach of international law,” El Anouni noted. He

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  Iran’s nuclear chief signals ‘possible dilution’ of 60% enriched uranium if sanctions lifted

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  The head of Iran’s nuclear agency, Mohammad Eslami, on Monday signaled a “possible dilution” of 60 percent enriched uranium in the case of removing all sanctions on the country, Anadolu reports. “This matter depends on whether all sanctions are lifted in return or not,” Eslami told reporters in Tehran. He, however, dismissed reports about transferring enriched uranium out of the country, saying the issue is being pushed by “pressure groups” against Iran. The nuclear chief emphasized that the transfer of enriched uranium “has not been on the agenda at all” and has not been discussed in the ongoing negotiations with the US. Iran and the US resumed their indirect nuclear diplomacy on Monday in Muscat under Omani mediation, nearly eight months

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  Islamic Revolution: 47 years of history, achievement, and permanent siege

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Forty-seven years after 1979, the Islamic Revolution of Iran remains one of the most explosive and most defamed events in contemporary history. It was not merely the overthrow of a corrupt monarchy. It was the rupture of a people with an imperialist system that treated Iran as a strategic colony. For this reason, the Islamic Revolution does not belong to the past. It continues today, waged through sanctions, sabotage, psychological warfare, and permanent attempts at “regime change”. To understand this continuity, it is necessary to go back to 1953. The Anglo-American coup against President Mohammad Mossadegh destroyed a democratic and nationalist experiment in order to reinstall the Shah Pahlavi as guardian of Western interests in the Persian Gulf. Iran was

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  Gaza committee awaits ‘Board of Peace’ meeting to confirm relief, reconstruction funding pledges

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  The head of a Palestinian committee tasked with running the Gaza Strip said Monday that the panel is awaiting a meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” next week to confirm pledges about funding relief and reconstruction efforts in the enclave, Anadolu reports. “We are working on an appropriate plan for relief and the entry of health and educational supplies into the Gaza Strip,” Ali Shaath, head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), told Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News channel after visiting the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. “We have held meetings with the European Union, the United Nations, and Arab countries to discuss support for Gaza, and we have received pledges about the funding

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  Iran’s president calls new US talks ‘good opportunity’ for ‘fair, logical’ nuclear deal

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday described the new round of negotiations with the United States as a “very good opportunity” to reach a “fair, logical, and mutually satisfactory” deal on Tehran’s nuclear issue, Anadolu reports. Tehran is “seeking to guarantee” its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), including on the issues of “enrichment and the lifting of unjust sanctions,” Pezeshkian said at an event in the capital marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Iran and the US resumed their nuclear negotiations in Oman on Friday after an eight-month suspension. The Iranian president, who assumed office two years ago promising to revive nuclear diplomacy with the US, emphasized that the most viable way to address regional and global

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  Vanished in ICE custody: Palestinian hospitalised, family fears for Leqaa Kordia’s Life

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  The family and legal team of Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian resident of Paterson, New Jersey, are demanding urgent answers regarding her health and whereabouts following a medical emergency that led to her hospitalisation after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As of Sunday evening, her location remains unconfirmed, and her condition unknown. Kordia reportedly suffered a serious medical episode on 6 February at the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas. A former detainee who witnessed the incident stated that she had fallen, hit her head and experienced a seizure.  The legal team representing Kordia has not been informed of her condition or the hospital she was taken to, even after contacting at least 16 medical facilities across the

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  Israeli strike in southern Lebanon kills 3 people, including a child

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Three people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Monday, marking a new violation of a ceasefire deal in effect since late 2024, Lebanese media reported. The attack targeted a vehicle in the center of Yanooh town in the Tyre district, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) said. Israeli violations of the November 2024 ceasefire have killed and wounded hundreds of Lebanese, while Israel continues to occupy five Lebanese hilltops seized during the latest war, in addition to other Lebanese areas it has held for decades. Israel began military operations against Lebanon in October 2023 and escalated them into a full-scale war in September 2024, killing more than 4,000 people and wounding about 17,000

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  Pax Judaica and the unravelling of the international world order

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Israel’s aggressive settlement expansion and blatant disregard for international law have contributed towards the fragmentation of the international rules-based order. In the midst of this upheaval, Tel Aviv has cemented itself as the dominant power in the Middle East, creating what commentators term “Pax Judaica”. This regional order is dominated by Israeli perceptions of security threats which it must eliminate for the preservation of the Jewish state. Israel’s limited strategic capacity is compensated by leveraging its political lobbies, intelligence networks and ideological support of the Zionist movement embedded deep within Washington. This allows the Israeli defence forces unmitigated access to technology, financial support and military cooperation with the West. Consequently, the Middle East reflects an asymmetrical security architecture where the

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  Iran foreign minister takes hard line after US nuclear talks

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran’s strength derives from its ability to “say no to the superpowers”, signalling a firm stance following recent nuclear negotiations with the United States. Addressing diplomats at a summit in Tehran, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position that it must retain the capability to enrich uranium — a central point of dispute with US President Donald Trump. His remarks came days after talks were held in Oman between Iranian and American officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the discussions as “a step forward”, but Araghchi’s comments suggested that significant obstacles remain. “I believe the secret to the strength of the Islamic Republic of Iran is its ability to stand up to bullying, hegemony

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  Kuwait adds eight Lebanese hospitals to terrorism list, report says

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Kuwait has added eight Lebanese hospitals to its terrorism list, according to a report by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai. The paper said the committee responsible for implementing UN Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction had taken the decision. According to the report, the committee may list any individual or entity on its own initiative or at the request of a competent foreign or domestic authority, provided there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in committing, attempting, participating in or facilitating a terrorist act. The committee has requested the implementation of the listing decision in accordance with its executive regulations. As a result, the hospitals are now subject to counter-terrorism measures in Kuwait.

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  Egypt reiterates support for Somalia’s unity amid regional tensions

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued strong warnings regarding developments in Somalia and the security of the Red Sea, following Israel’s reported recognition of a breakaway Somali region and renewed regional competition over access to strategic waterways. Sisi met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo on Sunday, where the two leaders discussed developments in Somalia, with a focus on preventing partition and safeguarding Red Sea security. At a joint press conference, Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm stance” in support of Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, rejecting “any measures that undermine this unity, including the recognition of the independence of any part of its territory”. He described recognition of secessionist entities as a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter and

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  WHO says Sudan health system ‘under attack’ after strikes in South Kordofan

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Sudan’s health system is “under attack”, reporting that three health facilities in South Kordofan were targeted within a single week. Since October 2025, the three Kordofan states — North, West and South — have seen intense fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X that “the health system in Sudan is under attack once again”. Sharing a WHO statement dated 6 February, he noted that three health facilities in South Kordofan — an area already affected by acute malnutrition — had been struck over the course of a week. According to the organisation, an attack on 3 February

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  No one welcomes the occupation of Iran, but the fall of the regime is another matter

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Anyone in this region who has experienced occupation firsthand cannot welcome the occupation of Iran. The memory of Iraq alone is enough to make talk of foreign tanks crossing the border a recurring nightmare. The occupation of Iraq and the destruction of its state were not a passing incident in the region’s history, but an open wound in the contemporary world’s memory, and a political and moral scandal in the record of the powers that claimed to have come to liberate the Iraqis, only to unleash chaos. This should have taught the region’s governments, especially the Arab governments that contributed to the 2003 aggression through silence, facilitation or collusion, an unforgettable lesson.   The people were not involved; there were no

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  Hamas says Israel detains 10 Palestinian MPs in harsh conditions

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Hamas has said that Israeli authorities continue to detain 10 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council under what it described as harsh conditions, with some having spent decades in prison. In a statement issued on Sunday, the movement’s Prisoners’ Media Office said that among the longest-serving detainees are Ahmad Sa’adat and Marwan Barghouti, both prominent Palestinian political figures. The office said that since the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Israeli authorities have arrested more than 65 MPs, with some detained more than 10 times and held for extended periods, particularly under administrative detention. It added that several lawmakers have received lengthy sentences, including life imprisonment, and that 10 MPs remain in custody. READ: Israeli forces detain journalists, foreign activists in southern West

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  Senior Hamas official, Khaled Mashaal, signals political repositioning without abandoning resistance principles

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  Senior Hamas figure Khaled Mashaal has the “right to resistance” while calling for a comprehensive Arab-Islamic strategy and a unified Palestinian vision for the post-war phase in Gaza. Speaking at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha on Sunday, Mashaal warned of what he characterised as a structural threat posed by Israel not only to Palestine but to the wider region and the Islamic world. He urged the development of a broader regional approach and called for a national Palestinian framework to address the period following what he referred to as “Operation Decisive Storm”, including the reconstruction of Gaza and the reorganisation of Palestinian internal affairs. Observers said the speech reflected an attempt at political repositioning, not by retreating from

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  Families of detainees demand ICRC to take urgent action

  by MI on February 9, 2026

  WATCH: The occupation floods the Gaza market with luxury goods while preventing the entry of basic building and construction materials