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

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  Lebanon, Israel conclude 7th round of talks in Rome: Lebanese official

  by Marwa A on August 6, 2026

  The third and final day of the seventh round of US-brokered direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concluded in Rome on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official told Anadolu, Anadolu reports. The official said the talks began about an hour late for what he described as “US-related reasons.” They were conducted through three parallel meetings covering military, political, legal and border issues, as well as the issue of prisoners. The military meeting focused on technical matters, including consultations on military terminology and wording, the official said. Discussions on prisoners proceeded along two tracks: international law governing prisoners and the exchange of prisoner lists, according to the official. He said the issue remained difficult for Lebanon because it did not have lists

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  Governing the Lebanese confessional state without the prime minister

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The Washington framework agreement is discussed as a product of executive consensus. President Aoun signed. Prime Minister Salam endorsed. The cabinet approved. The institutional surface presents a unified Lebanese state negotiating with Israel under American sponsorship. The institutional reality is different. The framework was negotiated without the prime minister. Salam was not in Washington. He was not in Rome. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was not present at either venue. The Lebanese civilian government was excluded from the negotiations entirely. Salam’s later endorsement was not consent. It was capitulation to a fait accompli. Understanding this requires understanding the structural position of the Lebanese prime minister within the confessional system. The presidency, reserved for a Maronite Christian, commands the armed forces.

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  Israel fired 113 projectiles into southern Lebanon Wednesday, highest since June 21: UN peacekeepers

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The Israeli army fired 113 projectiles into southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the highest daily total recorded since June 21, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Thursday, Anadolu reports. “While violence remains significantly lower than in previous months, the overall situation remains fragile,” UNIFIL said on the US social media company X. “Peacekeepers continue monitoring and reporting developments to the Security Council, maintaining their operational tempo, and engaging with the parties to help reduce tensions,” it added. READ: 5 Lebanese soldiers injured in Israeli attack in south, military says UNIFIL said commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, along with dialogue and coordination, remains essential to de-escalation and the restoration of stability in southern Lebanon. The statement came amid US-brokered

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  Modi, Netanyahu discuss regional developments in phone call

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East during a call, according to a statement Thursday, Anadolu reports. Modi’s office said he received a call from Netanyahu and the two exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East. New Delhi also said the leaders “reviewed sustained progress in India-Israel special strategic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries.” “The two leaders agreed to remain in touch,” it said. READ: Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen, all 14 crew rescued The talks between the two leaders came amid tensions around the Strait of

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  Gold hits 7-week high on weak US payrolls data, Hormuz deal hopes

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Gold prices climbed to their highest level since late June on Thursday, supported by weaker-than-expected US private payrolls data, a softer dollar and hopes for an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. Spot gold rose as high as around $4,300 per ounce before paring some gains to trade around $4,260, extending its advance for a fourth consecutive session. The precious metal gained after payroll processing firm ADP reported a sharp slowdown in private-sector hiring in July, with most job creation concentrated in the healthcare sector. The weaker labor market data reduced expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in September, supporting non-yielding assets such as gold. READ: Aramco reports higher revenue as US-Iran war boosts

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  The Nature of the Ottoman City: Water and Urban Space in Sofia, 1380s–1910s

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The history of a city is political. When examining the heritage of a place, it is often the case that present-day politics projects itself onto the past. Perhaps no other example of this is truer than the Ottoman past in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1913, the local council of the Bulgarian city of Sofia voted to demolish the last remaining Ottoman bathhouse, as Stefan Peychev writes, the destruction of the bathhouse represented more than the removal of a hygiene facility. ‘The bath was also one of the last architectural relics of a 500-year-long period that had seen Sofia’s rise as the capital of the Ottoman Empire’s European possessions in the mid-fifteenth century and its eventual decline to provincial obscurity

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  US begins withdrawing refueling aircraft from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The US military has begun withdrawing some aerial refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to ease pressure on airport operations during the peak travel season, Israeli media reported Thursday. The move came after Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev pressed security officials to relocate the aircraft to ensure the airport could operate smoothly during one of its busiest periods, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. There was no immediate comment from Israeli or US authorities on the report. The presence of US aerial refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport has previously sparked debate in Israel over its impact on civilian air traffic. READ: Israeli settlers torch Palestinian homes, injure six in coordinated West Bank attack The aircraft have been stationed at

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  Israeli attacks threaten Syria’s stability, undermine Gaza peace efforts: Turkish foreign minister

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Israeli attacks in Syria are among the greatest threats to the country’s stability, and accused Tel Aviv of escalating violence across the region, Anadolu reports. “Israel’s attacks targeting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are among the greatest threats to the country’s stability,” Fidan said, speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara with Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani after talks. Fidan said Damascus contributed to preserving stability in the region throughout the US-Israeli war with Iran, and that protecting Syria’s security and stability is a shared responsibility of all countries in the region. He said the international community should respond more strongly to Israel’s occupation policy and exert the necessary pressure

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  Gaza is exploited either way, through silence or stale statements

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  While Gaza mourns, the international community continues to turn a blind eye. On Tuesday this week, 112 members from the Abu Sharia and al-Hasayna families were put to rest in a mass funeral in the Sabra neighbourhood. The remains were recently recovered from the rubble of homes destroyed in 2023 during Israel’s genocide. According to the Gaza Civil Defence, the bodies of around 8,000 Palestinians are still beneath the rubble, but the conditions make it impossible for complete recovery of those killed by airstrikes.  “Some bodies have disappeared. Some have been scattered into very small pieces, making identification extremely difficult,” Mahmoud Basal, the spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence stated.  Lara Abu Sharia, whose family members were among those recovered from

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  Israeli settlers torch Palestinian homes, injure six in coordinated West Bank attack

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  At least six Palestinians, including four children, were injured when a large group of Israeli settlers carried out a coordinated overnight attack on the village of Tuba in the occupied West Bank’s South Hebron Hills. The attackers arrived in vehicles, stormed Palestinian homes, assaulted residents and set fire to buildings, trees and bales of hay, Haaretz reported. They also destroyed solar panels and damaged at least six structures before retreating towards the nearby Havat Ma’on settler outpost, residents said. Those injured included a mother, three girls aged between five and eight, a ten-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man.  Describing the ordeal, Radwan Abu Jundi, a Tuba resident, said his family hid inside their home as settlers threw stones at the

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  Can Trump reshape the situation in Gaza?

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  A few days after Donald Trump expressed his satisfaction with the recent agreement on Gaza, Israel made it clear that the deal fell short of its ambitions. The agreement had become possible after Hamas announced, for the first time, its willingness to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian committee established under the Board of Peace created by Trump. Rather than responding to the optimism expressed by all parties, Israel reacted with further military escalation, destruction, and the killing of civilians. This is not the first time Israel has placed Washington in an awkward position. This article raises a central question: can Washington compel Israel to implement the current agreement on Gaza? The agreement is significant because it moves the

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  Palestine, football and Europe’s selective conscience

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Europe did not rediscover its soul when Palestinian blood was spilled. It did not find its moral courage when homes, hospitals, universities, archives and entire neighbourhoods were destroyed, or when families were displaced from one supposed safe zone to another, only to discover that safety itself had become a fiction. Europe watched, expressed concern, called for restraint and repeated its commitment to international law. It performed morality while refusing to exercise power. Long before Gaza was devastated, Europe had already been warned that the system imposed upon Palestinians was not merely an unfortunate occupation awaiting a diplomatic solution. Palestinian, Israeli and international human-rights organisations including BADIL, B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International had increasingly described it by its proper

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  Jewish terrorists have become ‘sovereign’ in West Bank, Ynet analyst says

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Jewish extremists and terrorists have effectively become “the sovereign” in the occupied West Bank, while the Israeli army protects their illegal activities and serves the political interests of the far-right government, a veteran Israeli military analyst has warned. Writing for Israel’s Ynet news site, Ron Ben-Yishai said that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), police and Shin Bet internal security agency are no longer capable of enforcing the law against violent settlers. “The IDF has lost control of the extremists among the settlers and has become a security company for their whims and illegal actions,” Ben-Yishai concluded. He described the situation in which the army protects “Jewish extremists and terrorists” as intolerable.  The extraordinary assessment followed an investigation into a deadly

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  Israeli army demolishes shops, tightens restrictions near Qalandia refugee camp amid ongoing raids

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The Israeli army on Thursday began demolishing commercial shops near the Qalandia Palestinian refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem, while tightening military restrictions in the area, Anadolu reports. The developments come amid the army’s ongoing attacks in the camp for a second consecutive day. Since early morning, the Israeli army has announced through loudspeakers a curfew in the town of Kafr Aqab, and closed all intersections and roads leading to Jerusalem, including Al-Ma’had Street, amid a heavy military deployment and tightened security measures, according to statements by Jerusalem Governorate. The Israeli army did not immediately comment on the demolitions or the military measures in the area. The demolitions come as the Israeli army continues its second day of operations in

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  Shipping groups urge UN to oppose tolls in Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Eight major international shipping associations have urged the UN to oppose the introduction of compulsory tolls or service charges for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint open letter addressed to UN chief Antonio Guterres and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, the groups warned that such fees would undermine freedom of navigation and damage the global economy. The letter was sent Monday and published Wednesday by the International Chamber of Shipping. “Introducing compulsory charges for transit, or service fees that are a toll in all but name, through the Strait of Hormuz would represent a significant departure from established international practice,” the letter said. The associations warned that allowing such charges could create a precedent

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  AIPAC signals fresh spending against El-Sayed after humiliating $32m Michigan defeat

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is considering spending tens of millions of dollars to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan after its record-breaking attempt to defeat pro-Palestine candidate Dr Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary ended in failure. AIPAC’s second attempt to defeat El-Sayed is seen as a growing desperation within the pro-Israel lobby as opposition to Israel becomes increasingly mainstream among American voters.  AIPAC’s main super political action committee, the United Democracy Project (UDP), spent approximately $32 million promoting pro-Israel congresswoman Haley Stevens and attacking El-Sayed. Despite the unprecedented expenditure, El-Sayed secured the Democratic nomination and will face Rogers in November. According to the New York Times, several AIPAC donors and allies are urging the

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  Helium diplomacy: The invisible bottleneck in the AI economy

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  A warning from Ras Laffan The Middle East is usually described as the engine room of the hydrocarbon economy. But it also sits quietly inside the infrastructure of the digital age. When conflict disrupted natural-gas processing in Qatar in March 2026, international attention focused on liquefied natural gas. Another, less visible supply chain was also shaken: helium. Qatar is not a marginal supplier. US Geological Survey data reported by Reuters show that it produced about 63 million cubic metres of helium in 2025 out of roughly 190 million cubic metres globally—close to one-third of world output. As Qatari production stopped, helium spot prices rose sharply and industries far beyond the energy sector began assessing their exposure. This was not a

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  2 Israeli soldiers killed in explosive device blast in southern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others injured as an explosive device detonated in southern Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Thursday, amid Tel Aviv’s ongoing incursions in Lebanon despite a ceasefire, Anadolu reports. The incident took place in the town of Majdal Zoun, Tyre district, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. In a press release, the Israeli army also confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed on Wednesday. Beirut and Tel Aviv are currently holding a seventh round of US-brokered talks in Rome. The three-day talks meant to discuss the ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, among other topics, are expected to conclude on Thursday. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israel’s attacks in Lebanon since March 2 have killed at least

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  ‘Canada’s support for ICC is unequivocal,’ Premier Carney says amid US pressure on court

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday reaffirmed his country’s support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying Ottawa would continue backing the institution despite US efforts to pressure allies to withdraw their membership and funding, Anadolu reports. Asked whether his government was doing enough to defend the ICC and why he had not spoken publicly about a Canadian judge facing US sanctions, Carney said Canada’s support for the court remained firm. “Canada is a proud member of the International Criminal Court. We support it with funding. We support it with personnel. We support it with our values. We support it with our actions, and we will continue to do so,” he said at a news conference in Toronto. Carney said

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  Israel plans to build 2,300 illegal settlement units in East Jerusalem, organization warns

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Israeli authorities are planning to build 2,300 new housing units to expand the illegal Gilo settlement built on Palestinian land in southwestern East Jerusalem, an Israeli non-profit organization focused on affairs in Jerusalem said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The project represents another step toward further isolating East Jerusalem from Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the Ir Amim organization warned. The plan calls for construction on Palestinian land confiscated under Israel’s Absentees’ Property Law, it said. At least 28 dunams (6.9 acres) of land included in the plan were confiscated from their Palestinian owners and classified as “state land” before being allocated for settlement expansion, the group highlighted. The area of ​​confiscated land could increase, as dozens of dunams within the plan

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  America First’s real test is Washington, not Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The Iran crisis has become more than another confrontation in the Middle East. For America First, it is a test of a political promise: Can the United States break from the cycle of endless wars, reserve its power for clear national interests, and resist turning every foreign crisis into another open-ended American commitment? That question goes to the heart of what America First was supposed to change. For its supporters, America First has never meant abandoning American power or retreating from the world. It means asking harder questions about how that power is used and for what purpose. Must every regional threat become a test of American credibility? Must every crisis lead to a larger military commitment? Or is American

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  Pro-Palestinian candidates score wins in US Democratic primaries

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The results of US primary elections point to the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, which has placed the Palestinian issue at the centre of its political message. Supporters of the movement say more than 250 progressives now hold elected positions across the United States. They also say that 35 progressive candidates defeated establishment Democratic candidates for Congress in this year’s primary elections, describing the results as a major shift within the party. The United States is currently holding primary elections ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, with Democratic and Republican voters selecting their parties’ candidates for Congress. READ: American Jews favour Mamdani over Netanyahu as 30% say Israel committed genocide Among the most notable results from Tuesday’s

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  24 Palestinian workers released by Israel return to Gaza via Kerem Shalom crossing

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Twenty-four Palestinian workers detained by Israeli forces returned to the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing on Wednesday, following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. About 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, including 92 women and 370 children, are currently held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions, with dozens reported to have died as a result of starvation, torture and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights organizations. In 2002, Israel’s Knesset passed the “Unlawful Combatant Law,” which allows Palestinians to be held for indefinite periods without indictment or sufficient evidence being presented to a court, according to Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. Since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza on Oct.

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  Detained Gaza hospital director Abu Safiya suffers serious health deterioration following reports of torture and abuse

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office said detained doctor Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is facing extremely difficult health and humanitarian conditions in Israel’s Rakevet Prison after enduring severe and repeated abuse that left him with multiple injuries, including fractures to his rib cage. In a statement, the office said Abu Safiya was subjected on 27 July to what it described as the most violent prison raid since his arrest, calling it “the hardest day of his life in prison.” It said detainees were beaten with batons, subjected to electric shocks, exposed to tear gas and rubber bullets, and attacked by police dogs. The statement said Abu Safiya suffers from chronic heart disease and high blood pressure, as

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  US to use military, economic, diplomatic tools to end Iran war: Vance

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  The US will use military, economic and diplomatic tools to bring the Iran conflict to a resolution, Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News Wednesday. Asked about the setbacks in negotiations with Iran, Vance cited two factors: “Number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people. Number two, they have a fractured system.” “There are people within their system that want the war to be over and there are also people in their system that are crazy radicals who want the war to continue,” he said. “Our job is to navigate through that and get the best outcome for the American people and for the President of the United States as well.” Vance expressed hope for a

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  Darkness: How corruption, mismanagement, and heat ignited Libya’s protests

  by Marwa A on August 6, 2026

  When temperatures crossed 43°C across western Libya in July, with some places like Al-Azizia, just south of Tripoli, recording near 50°C, it was not merely the air that reached a boiling point—it was the collective patience of a population pushed beyond its limits. What began as desperate protests against devastating electricity outages, lasting up to 14 hours a day at summer peak, rapidly transformed into a full-scale political rebellion against Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and his Government of National Unity (GNU). Attempting to deflect mounting public anger, Prime Minister Dbeibeh took to the stage during a cabinet meeting on 18th July to publicly lash out at the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL). He openly accused the state utility’s

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  Israeli Researcher Calls for Treating Qatar as ‘Hostile State’

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  An Israeli researcher has described Qatar as a hostile state and called for Israel to adopt a comprehensive strategy to deal with it. In an article published by the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), Israeli researcher Ariel Admoni urged Israel to treat Qatar as a “hostile state”, citing what he described as Doha’s media influence across various sectors. Admoni also recommended coordinated political, economic, legal and media measures, including the establishment of a specialised centre to study Qatari influence. He called for efforts to target Qatar-linked specific businesses and institutions in the United States and Europe, rather than pursuing military escalation or direct propaganda campaigns. “A sophisticated, well-coordinated campaign could restrain and weaken a dangerous state that acts

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  Mohamed Salah arrives in Trabzon amid a massive public reception

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Egyptian star Mohamed Salah arrived in the Turkish city of Trabzon on a private jet on Wednesday evening to a huge welcome from fans after Trabzonspor announced it had begun negotiations to sign him. Thousands of Trabzonspor supporters gathered at the airport carrying flares and chanting to welcome the Egyptian forward. Addressing the crowd at the airport, Salah said he was overwhelmed by the reception. “I just want to say I’m very happy to be here. Honestly, I find it difficult to describe how surprised and happy I am because there are 25,000 people here. I don’t remember ever receiving a welcome like this before,” he said. READ: Palestine Football Association says FIFA failed to enforce rules against Israel Salah said

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  Iran says it backs Palestinian leadership decisions on Gaza’s future

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday during a phone call with Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’ political bureau, that Tehran supports every step, initiative and decision taken by the Palestinian leadership during negotiations on Gaza’s future. He added: “The hearts of the Iranian people and its officials are with the Palestinian people. Tehran will continue to support the Palestinian people and stand by them.” Earlier on Wednesday, Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau and its negotiating delegation, said the group was still awaiting an official response from Nikolay Mladenov, Gaza’s representative on the Board of Peace, regarding the implementation of the second phase of the roadmap under the latest Cairo agreement reached with the mediators. In a

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  Turkey says any attack on al-Aqsa mosque is an assault on Turkish values

  by Mehdi Editor on August 6, 2026

  Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey regards Al-Aqsa Mosque as one of its own sacred sites, stressing that “any violation directed against it is regarded as a violation of the values of our nation.”  Fidan made the remarks on Wednesday during a press conference in the Jordanian capital, Amman, where he took part in the ministerial meeting on Jerusalem. He described the meeting as “historic”, saying it addressed several regional issues, including developments in the Gulf, the implications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Palestinian issue. Fidan said Turkey’s focus had not diverted from the Palestinian issue, Al-Aqsa Mosque, or the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. He said these issues

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  Israel’s Netanyahu hints at unilateral military action against Iran amid regional de-escalation efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday hinted that Israel could take unilateral military action against Iran as diplomatic efforts continued to secure an agreement aimed at ending the conflict between Tehran and Washington, Anadolu reports. “We heard today the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, declare that Iran intends to continue developing a nuclear weapon,” Netanyahu said. “As Israel’s prime minister, I am determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he added. Describing the US as “Israel’s greatest ally,” the Israeli premier said, however, that he was “determined to do whatever is necessary to ensure” Israel’s security. On Tuesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said mediation efforts between the US and Iran had

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  US military says it redirected 48 vessels while enforcing Iran blockade

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that American forces continued to enforce a US blockade against Iran, reporting that dozens of commercial vessels had been redirected as part of ongoing maritime operations, Anadolu reports. “A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet is refueled during a patrol over regional waters in the Middle East while the U.S. continues enforcement of the blockade against Iran,” CENTCOM said on the US social media company X. “As of Aug. 5, CENTCOM forces have redirected 48 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2,” it added. Iran said Wednesday that a joint statement with Oman on a proposed navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz was in the final stages of drafting, provided no external party

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  Egypt’s flag carrier resumes flights to Sudan after suspension since May 2025

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  EgyptAir resumed flights to Sudan on Wednesday, with its first flight landing at Port Sudan International Airport after operations had been suspended since May 2025, Anadolu reports. Sudan Airports Company said in a statement that Port Sudan International Airport had received EgyptAir’s first flight, marking the resumption of the direct route between Cairo and Port Sudan. The return of direct flights would strengthen air connectivity between Sudan and Egypt, support operations at Port Sudan International Airport and expand travel options for passengers, the company added. With EgyptAir’s return, the number of international airlines operating at Port Sudan International Airport has increased to five, it said. READ: 350 more Sudanese return home from Egypt under voluntary repatriation program The other international carriers

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  Canada, UAE conclude ‘successful’ negotiations on comprehensive economic partnership

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan celebrated the “successful conclusion” of negotiations for a Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during a phone call Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The agreement is the “fastest such agreement ever negotiated in the two countries’ histories,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. It said the deal reflects the “focus, resolution, and commitment” both countries bring to their bilateral relationship. The UAE is Canada’s largest export market in the Middle East, while two-way trade between the countries is growing 10% annually, according to the statement. READ: US, UAE to establish military artificial intelligence task force The agreement will “lower tariffs, create new opportunities for

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  Arab, Muslim foreign ministers meet in Jordan to forge joint stance on Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Arab and Muslim foreign ministers convened in Jordan on Wednesday to formulate a joint position on Jerusalem amid what Amman described as escalating illegal Israeli measures targeting the city’s identity and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, Anadolu reports. According to Jordan’s state news agency Petra, the meeting brought together members of the Arab ministerial committee tasked with confronting Israeli policies and measures in Jerusalem, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia. The ministers discussed developments in Jerusalem and its holy sites as they sought to adopt a unified position against Israel’s policies and actions. – Jordan Opening the meeting, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned that “Jerusalem is facing an escalating danger”

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  Iran, Oman reached ‘preliminary understandings’ on Hormuz transit, says Iranian official

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on nearly all issues on future Strait of Hormuz arrangements, adding that a final understanding is “on the verge of being finalized.” Their understanding includes the location of entry and exit routes for maritime traffic, Kazem Gharibabadi said in remarks carried by Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA. He added, however, that “this understanding does not mean the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz.” It represents “rather a new and different model from the past 60-year practice,” he said. “In order to enter a second phase, Iran needs to assess whether the US is truly prepared to return to its commitments or not,” he said. Iran’s

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  German activists vow to intensify campaign against Volkswagen’s potential deal with Israeli defense firm

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  As Volkswagen explores converting one of its German factories from civilian vehicle production to manufacturing components for an Israeli missile defense system, local peace activists are stepping up efforts to stop the move, Anadolu reports. The campaign comes amid reports that Volkswagen is in discussions with Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about repurposing its Osnabruck plant after passenger car production ends in 2027. The site could manufacture components for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, including launchers, transport vehicles and power generators, according to the Financial Times. Volkswagen has not confirmed any agreement and says no decision has been made on the plant’s future. Even without a confirmed agreement, Osnabruck Peace Initiative (OFRI) said it plans to intensify its grassroots campaign

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  Saudi-led consortium finalizes $55B acquisition of gaming giant EA

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  A Saudi-led investment group finalized the $55 billion acquisition of American video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), according to official statements and industry reports released on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. The deal, which takes the publisher of major franchises such as EA Sports FC, the Sims, and Mass Effect private, marks the largest leveraged buyout in corporate history and the second-largest acquisition in gaming history, behind Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Under the terms of the transaction, the acquiring consortium, led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) alongside Affinity Partners, provided $36 billion in equity and secured $20 billion in debt financing from JPMorgan to complete the acquisition. The investor group, which includes Affinity Partners, the private equity firm founded

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  The meaning of Tell: Why the West Bank may be nearing a breaking point

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  The events in Tell, southwest of Nablus, were not an isolated act of violence. They were a warning. For years, Israel has treated Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank as open spaces for military raids, settler invasions, land theft and collective punishment. The expectation was that Palestinians would endure the violence, bury their dead and return to the same unbearable routine. In Tell, however, that carefully maintained equation was briefly disrupted. The confrontation began when armed Israeli settlers entered the area near the village, attempting to attack Palestinian homes. Villagers confronted them. Israeli soldiers and armed settlement personnel then intervened, transforming the settler attack into a broader military assault. During the confrontation, a Palestinian man seized an Israeli weapon

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  Egypt presses Israel to reopen Rafah crossing for goods: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Egypt is pressing for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to allow goods into the enclave, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “By contrast, Israel insists on limiting the entry of goods to the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is under its control,” the broadcaster said. Israel’s security establishment and political leadership have informed the US and Nikolay Mladenov, the high representative of the Peace Council, of their unified position “not to allow the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip except through the Kerem Shalom crossing,” the broadcaster said, citing an unnamed Israeli source. On Feb. 2, Israel reopened the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which it has occupied since May 2024, on a limited basis

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  UK’s Burnham faces pro-Palestinian backlash over chief of staff appointment

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Less than a month into office, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing backlash over several Cabinet appointments, with pro-Palestinian activists urging his government to impose sanctions on Israel. Among the appointments that have drawn criticism is James Purnell, whom Burnham selected as his new chief of staff. His role as chair of the Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) group from 2002 to 2004 has sparked anger. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Councillor Jonathan Purcell, a deputy leader of Greens in Tower Hamlet Council, said it’s “absolutely clear” where Burnham’s priorities lie. “James Purnell is the former Labor Friends of Israel chair. If that isn’t a demonstration of where he stands on this issue, then I don’t know what

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  Iranian president reaffirms support for Palestine, backs Hamas-led negotiation decisions

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the Palestinian cause on Wednesday, saying Iran would back decisions taken by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in negotiations, according to the Iranian presidency, Anadolu reports. During a phone call with Khalil al-Hayya, the newly appointed head of Hamas’ political bureau, Pezeshkian congratulated him and expressed hope that he would succeed in serving the Palestinian people, the presidency said in a statement. Pezeshkian said Iran would continue supporting the Palestinian people “to the greatest extent possible” and praised al-Hayya’s role in coordinating Palestinian factions. He added that Tehran supports “every measure, initiative and decision” taken by Palestinian leaders during negotiations. Despite recent Israeli and US attacks on Iran, the Palestinian issue has remained a

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  Yemen’s Houthis claim ballistic missile strike on Saudi oil tanker in Red Sea

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group claimed Wednesday that it struck the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with several ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu, Anadolu reports. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement on X that the missiles hit the tanker “accurately.” Saree said the attack was part of what the group calls its maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and its “blockade for blockade” strategy. The attack brought to eight the number of Saudi oil tankers targeted by the group since the blockade began July 22, he said. READ: Yemen’s Houthis deny drone attack on gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta Port Saree also claimed that 29 Saudi oil tankers had either been prevented from passing through the

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  ‘US interference’ delaying Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  US interference and threats by President Donald Trump are the main reasons for delays in reaching an agreement with Oman on new navigation arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, an informed Iranian source said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “The main reason for the delay in the agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is US interference and Trump’s threats,” the source told Iran’s Sepah News. “As long as there is US interference and the threat of a military attack on Iran, the agreement will be delayed,” the source said, adding that “Iran will not reach any agreement under the shadow of threats.” The remarks came a day after a senior Iranian official told Press TV that Tehran and Muscat had entered “a

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  UK charity regulator opens inquiry into funding of illegal Israeli settlements

  by Marwa A on August 5, 2026

  The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into charities registered in England and Wales over concerns that charitable funds have been directed to illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. The regulator will examine how much money charities have transferred to organisations or projects operating in the settlements, how recipients used the funds and whether the spending advanced the charities’ declared purposes. It will also consider whether charitable assets or beneficiaries face risks and whether it should take regulatory action. The inquiry will initially focus on eight unnamed charities selected according to factors including the location of their partners and how recently the alleged activity occurred. Read: UK Charity Commission urged to act against Zionist trust ‘fundraising’ for IDF The

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  US has used ‘virtually all’ key long-range missiles in Iran war – report

  by Marwa A on August 5, 2026

  The US Army has used “virtually all” of its stockpile of two key long-range precision missile systems during Washington’s five-month war against Iran, raising serious questions about the country’s readiness for another major conflict, Reuters has reported. Citing three people familiar with internal military data, the report said the US has exhausted most of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), surface-to-surface weapons that allow forces to strike targets accurately from a considerable distance. Two of the sources described the remaining stockpile of the weapons as virtually depleted, although they declined to disclose the number of missiles still available. The disclosure highlighted the scale at which the US has consumed some of its most advanced and

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  Israeli forces raid refugee camp, town north of occupied Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on August 5, 2026

  Israeli forces raided the Qalandiya refugee camp and the town of Kafr Aqab, north of occupied Jerusalem, early Wednesday and imposed strict restrictions, including preventing dawn prayers at mosques in the camp, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. In a series of statements received by Anadolu Agency, the governorate said Israeli forces launched a large-scale raid on Qalandiya and Kafr Aqab. The forces imposed a curfew on the streets of Kafr Aqab and heavily deployed military vehicles in the area, it added. Israeli forces prevented dawn prayers at all mosques in Qalandiya and sent text messages to several residents announcing the start of a large-scale military campaign in the camp, the governorate said. The forces also arrested the father of Laith

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  Ali Al-Zaidi may be the failure Iraq needs

  by Marwa A on August 5, 2026

  We should at least entertain the theoretical possibility that Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, is not a fully formed Iranian proxy in the mold of Nouri al-Maliki or Adel Abdul Mahdi. Imagine the following scenario: al-Zaidi speaks the loud language of reform, but governs with cold pragmatism. His promises to “disarm the militias” and “eradicate corruption” give him moral cover to enact cosmetic adjustments that leave the core machinery of plunder untouched—the very swamp in which his government lives. Parliament, unable to bear the cost of toppling yet another prime minister, cooperates. His media campaigns—from a Washington visit packed with a box of carefully arranged illusions, to an upcoming pilgrimage to Tehran packed with a box of loyalty—are cheap

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  There are no “good” Pakistanis left: The geopolitics of obedience

  by Marwa A on August 5, 2026

  For most of Pakistan’s history, the security state has divided the country into two convenient species: the obedient and the dangerous. The terminology changes with geography, ethnicity and political need. “Good” Taliban and “bad” Taliban. “Good” Baloch and “bad” Baloch. Patriotic Pashtuns and foreign-sponsored Pashtuns. Heroic Kashmiris and suspicious Kashmiris. More recently, acceptable supporters of Imran Khan and unacceptable ones — the former frightened into apology, the latter insufficiently broken to surrender. “Good” has never meant peaceful, democratic or law-abiding. It means useful. A good Pakistani mistakes submission for patriotism and silence for unity. A bad Pakistani asks the questions the state cannot survive: Who rules? By what right? For whose benefit? The present military order now faces a grave

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  Trump’s Iran war exposes Washington’s strategic drift

  by Marwa A on August 5, 2026

  The confrontation with Iran has put one of Donald Trump’s central political promises under real strain. Trump built his political brand on a straightforward idea: America would stop pouring resources into endless wars and start putting its own interests first. “America First” meant restraint, making allies carry more of the load, and staying out of conflicts that offered no clear payoff for the United States. Instead of showing that discipline, Washington has looked increasingly reactive, locked into a policy without a clear political endpoint. The criticism is no longer coming only from Democrats. A growing number of conservative commentators, realist scholars, and voices inside the MAGA movement argue that the administration has entered a conflict without a credible way out.