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

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  Iran launches retaliatory missile strike on Israel

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  Israel’s military said its air defense systems intercepted several missiles over Jerusalem on Saturday, following reports of a retaliatory strike from Iran, Anadolu reports. Air-raid sirens sounded across the city as the missiles were detected and destroyed mid-air, with smoke visible in the sky after the interceptions. Earlier Saturday, Israel launched the “preemptive” attack under the name ‘Lion’s Roar,’ declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country. US President Donald Trump also confirmed “major combat operations” in Iran aimed at defending the American people by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” READ: Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran to ‘protect Americans’

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  Netanyahu says joint Israel-US operation to reshape Iran’s future

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel and the US have begun a joint operation against Iran to eliminate what he described as an “existential threat” posed by the Iranian regime, Anadolu reports. In a video message, Netanyahu said the “murderous terror regime” in Tehran must not be armed with nuclear weapons capable of threatening “all of humanity.” “Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” he said. Netanyahu called on what he described as all parts of the Iranian people, including Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch and Ahwazi, to throw off “the yoke of tyranny” and establish a “free and peace-loving Iran.” He said the

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  Lebanese PM warns against dragging country into Iran-Israel escalation

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday warned against dragging Lebanon into regional escalation following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, Anadolu reports. In a post on the social media platform X, Salam urged all Lebanese to act with “wisdom and patriotism,” placing “Lebanon and its people above any consideration.” He stressed that Lebanon “will not accept that anyone drags the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity.” Israel launched the attack early Saturday under the name ‘Lion’s Roar,’ declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country. US President Donald Trump also confirmed “major combat operations” in Iran aimed at defending the American people by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” WATCH: Trump

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  Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran to ‘protect Americans’

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  As explosions rocked Tehran and Israel announced “preemptive” strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump also confirmed launching “major combat operations” in the Islamic republic, Anadolu reports. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent… pic.twitter.com/aYjJTeDsqR — Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) February 28, 2026 As explosions rocked Tehran and Israel announced “preemptive” strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump also confirmed launching “major combat operations” in the Islamic republic, Anadolu reports. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social account. The president vowed to destroy Iran’s missiles, raze its missile industry to the ground and annihilate the navy, reiterating

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  Israeli strikes kill, wound Revolutionary Guard personnel as Iran vows response

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  Initial Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday killed and wounded numerous Revolutionary Guard personnel, including key operational staff, ISNA news agency reported, citing a source, Anadolu reports. Further explosions followed the strikes in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan, the Mehr news agency said, indicating the attacks extended beyond the capital. Senior Iranian officials were also targeted in the Israeli attack on Tehran, according to Israeli media reports. Israeli Channel 12 said Israel is preparing in the initial phase for four days of intense joint attacks on Iran, citing a security official. In response, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, said in a post on US social media company X: “We warned you! Now you

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  From Munich to Tehran: Echoes of appeasement and lessons of power drift                                               

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  The uneasy negotiations between the United States and Iran are unfolding under the shadow of a long historical truth: great-power systems rarely collapse in a single dramatic moment. They erode. They drift. They unravel—through hesitation, miscalculation, and the quiet accumulation of small crises that go unanswered until answering them becomes catastrophic. The European descent into war in the 1930s remains the starkest example of how incremental provocations, when met with divided or delayed responses, can push nations toward a confrontation none of them originally sought. As the historian A.J.P. Taylor observed, WWII was a war that no one willed, planned, or wanted. Yet it came anyway, because those with the power to stop it chose ambiguity over clarity at every

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  BREAKING: Israel launches ‘preemptive’ strike on Iran as explosions rock Tehran

  by Marwa A on February 28, 2026

  Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, with thick smoke seen rising over parts of the city, as the Israeli defense minister said Israel launched a “preemptive” strike against Iran, Anadolu reports. Sirens also sounded across Israel, which declared a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country that includes a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors. Israel’s Channel 12 said the US and Israel launched the attack jointly. The strikes come amid diplomatic efforts between US and Iranian officials for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, who mediated the talks, met US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. “I am grateful for their engagement and look forward to

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  Israel issues precautionary directives to hospitals amid rising regional tensions: Media

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The Israeli government has issued directives to hospitals to prepare for the possible reduction of patient numbers in various departments as a precautionary measure, media reports said Friday, Anadolu reports. Hospital administrations were instructed to prepare lists of patients who could be discharged to their homes if necessary, according to Channel 12/ The channel said the step “is not linked to an immediate security event,” but is based on guidance previously issued under emergency preparedness plans. The directive falls within broader preparations for various scenarios, without any official announcement of a change in the current alert level, it added. The move comes as regional tensions intensify amid concerns that the US could launch a military strike against Iran if no

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  OIC holds emergency meeting over Israel’s West Bank annexation plans

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency meeting Thursday at the level of foreign ministers to discuss Israel’s recent approval of a plan to claim large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property,” which critics say amounts to de facto annexation, and its ongoing violations in Palestinian territories, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the OIC said the Executive Committee meeting was held at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as part of high-level diplomatic engagements carried out in response to Israel’s annexation initiatives. The meeting brought together numerous foreign ministers from member states along with ambassadors and diplomatic delegations. Participants discussed steps toward establishing a unified stance and coordinated measures in response to Israeli violations.

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  UK withdraws embassy staff from Iran, Tel Aviv amid security concerns

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The UK has temporarily withdrawn its diplomatic staff from Iran and Tel Aviv due to the security situation, while continuing to advise its citizens against all travel to the region, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said Friday, Anadolu reports. British officials, in a statement on Friday, announced that their staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Iran and reaffirmed the embassy in Tehran will continue operating remotely following the move, which comes amid heightened regional tensions. They also announced later in the day that they temporarily moved some of their staff and their dependents from Tel Aviv to another location within Israel, stressing that their embassy continues to operate as normal. The FCDO also “advises against all travel to

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  More than 50% of aid movements to Gaza impeded, denied by Israel: UN

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The UN said Friday that more than half of humanitarian aid movements to the Gaza Strip were blocked or denied by Israeli authorities in February, worsening shortages for civilians, Anadolu reports. “Food rations have been cut by half in February, largely because there are not enough supplies in Gaza. Around two-thirds of the aid trucks coming through the Egypt corridor were sent back this month,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference. Dujarric reported that “inside Gaza, coordinated humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities also continue.” “Out of ten missions planned yesterday, four were facilitated – including the collection of fuel, tents and baby kits from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing,” he said, noting that “Five missions were impeded, and a request to assess a water, sanitation and hygiene facility in

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  Why Trump’s war on Iran will fail

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The United States has turned the talks with Iran upside down. What is happening now does not look like serious negotiations. It looks more like a way to buy time and prepare for a more dangerous phase. That is why two questions matter: Why Trump’s war on Iran will not succeed, and why would it be a dangerous choice for Washington? The answer is simple. The demands Washington is putting on the table are designed to be rejected, and because any military action, if it occurs, will reveal the limits of force, the logic of exhaustion, and the absence of a clear or achievable goal. All the talk about a deal, gaps, and loopholes continues to go around in circles.

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  UK teacher ‘targeted and intimidated’ over pro-Palestine campaign

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  A secondary school teacher says she was left “in a state of shock and distress” after a smear campaign by pro-Israel groups and a formal investigation by her employer over her participation in a pro-Palestine campaign. Sajia Iqbal, 43, took part in a National Day of Action organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) on 5 April 2025, as part of a Redbridge PSC initiative linked to the peaceful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The protest took place at a Sainsbury’s store in Ilford, where a group of around “eight to ten activists” collected Israeli goods from the shelves and placed them in a trolley alongside a Palestinian flag. They handed a letter to the store manager calling on

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  US State Department denies reports of evacuation order for Iraq, Kuwait

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  The US State Department on Friday pushed back against media reports claiming it had authorised the immediate evacuation of non-essential personnel from Iraq and Kuwait, calling the information inaccurate, Anadolu reports. “This is not true,” spokesman Tommy Pigott said on US social media company X. Earlier, the department authorized non-emergency US government personnel and family members of US government personnel to leave Israel due to “safety risks.” “In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank,” it said. READ: Subjecting Geography to Power Does Not Make History a Coward

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  Subjecting geography to power does not make history a coward

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  What is unfolding today between Iraq and Kuwait reopens a wound that never fully healed. Once again, geography is being subjected to political force—less about technical borders than about unsettled memory. More than three decades after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the relationship between the two states remains shaped not only by maps and UN resolutions, but by competing narratives of victimhood, justice, and humiliation. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces entered Kuwait in what quickly became a defining rupture in modern Arab politics. The invasion is often reduced to a simple moral verdict: Saddam Hussein was wrong. That judgment is historically sound, but analytically incomplete. The war and its aftermath produced a chain of consequences that extended far beyond the

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  Despite tight Israeli restrictions, about 100,000 Palestinians pray at Al-Aqsa for 2nd Friday of Ramadan

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Approximately 100,000 Palestinians offered weekly Friday prayers in congregation at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for the second time during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, despite Israeli restrictions, according to an official. Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, director general of the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, told Anadolu that roughly 100,000 Muslims attended prayers at the Al-Aqsa compound. An Anadolu correspondent reported a heavy deployment of Israeli police at the entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City, in surrounding areas and alleyways, and at the outer gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Muslim faithful began arriving at the mosque before dawn despite the security presence. Israeli authorities barred tens of thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank from reaching Jerusalem for prayers and

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  More than 7,600 migrants died or went missing in 2025, UN agency says

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  At least 7,667 migrants died or went missing on migration routes worldwide in 2025, underscoring the global scale of the crisis facing people on the move, the UN migration agency said in its latest report. “The continued loss of life on migration routes is a global failure we cannot accept as normal,” International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope said in the report released on Thursday. “These deaths are not inevitable.” Although lower than the nearly 9,200 recorded in 2024, the decline reflects fewer attempts on dangerous routes, particularly in the Americas, as well as gaps in data due to restricted access and funding constraints, the agency said. READ: More than 606 migrants dead or missing in Mediterranean since

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  Landmark Winston Churchill statue in London defaced with ‘Zionist war criminal’ red graffiti

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in Westminster was defaced overnight with the words “Zionist war criminal”, Anadolu reports. A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of “racially aggravated criminal damage” and remains in custody. Other phrases, including “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine,” were sprayed in red paint on the bronze sculpture. Further graffiti read “Never again is Now” and “Globalise the Intifada.” The Dutch group Free the Filton 24 claimed responsibility for the action on Friday morning. It posted a video on its Instagram account, appearing to show a man dressed in red coveralls, with “I support Palestine Action” written on the back, painting the statue. Free the Filton 24 defines itself as a group of “family

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  ‘Britain’s Index of Repression’ documents 964 incidents of anti-Palestinian crackdown

  by Marwa A on February 27, 2026

  A new report by the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC) has documented 964 verified incidents of anti-Palestinian repression across Britain between January 2019 and August 2025, identifying what it describes as a cross-sector pattern of institutional crackdowns on Palestine solidarity. The findings form part of Britain’s Index of Repression, a searchable national database developed in collaboration with Forensic Architecture and launched today at the Frontline Club in London. Documented incidents listed in the database include arrests, workplace dismissals, suspensions and event cancellations. The Index, originally launched in Germany in 2025, is now publicly available for Britain and is described as the first accessible database of its kind in the country. The data indicates a marked escalation in incidents after October

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  Israel tightens access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for 2nd Friday of Ramadan

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  The Israeli army deployed large forces across the occupied West Bank on Friday, particularly at checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, tightening restrictions on Palestinians seeking to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Anadolu reports. Thousands of Palestinians gathered before dawn at the Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem in an attempt to reach the holy city for prayers. Strict Israeli measures prevented dozens from entering, with soldiers citing failure to meet pre-set conditions, according to worshippers who said they were “turned back despite arriving early.” Israeli restrictions Israel approved a plan at the start of Ramadan limiting entry to 10,000 Palestinian worshippers for Friday prayers throughout the holy month, based on security recommendations. Under

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  US Embassy in Israel authorizes departure of non-essential personnel amid US-Iran tensions

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  The US Embassy in Israel on Friday updated its travel advisory, authorizing the departure of non-emergency personnel and their family members amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, Anadolu reports. “On February 27, 2026, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of U.S. government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks,” the advisory said. In addition to the updated advisory, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sent an email to staff stating that it is vital to leave the country immediately if they wish to do so, according to The New York Times. READ: Vance rules out prolonged war in region if US strikes Iran The notice said that it could “further restrict or

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  Bangladesh condemns Israeli land moves in occupied Palestinian territory

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Bangladesh on Friday unequivocally condemned recent Israeli legislation on land purchases in the occupied West Bank, saying it amounts to an attempt to unlawfully annex Palestinian territory, Anadolu reports. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made the remarks during his address to an open-ended executive committee meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the foreign ministers’ level, according to a statement from the foreign ministry. “The Israeli decision to ease land purchase and open land registries in the West Bank to public scrutiny exposes Palestinian landowners to multiple forms of intimidation and harassment,” he said, adding that the action is designed to alter the legal and demographic character of Palestinian lands, including Al-Quds al-Sharif, the Arabic name for Jerusalem. The OIC convened

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  Atlas of Palestine: Land Theft by the Jewish National Fund

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Salman Abu-Sitta has spent a good seven decades investigating and then preserving the knowledge of what Palestine was prior to the 1948 Nakba.  His initial forensics were cartographic only, starting with the records of the London-based Palestine Exploration Fund, which was established back in 1865.  He still contributes to this ongoing project, based in Greenwich and gives talks at the British Museum.  But early on, Salman alerted others that the early mapping was a half-metre off! Going beyond strictly focusing on maps, he included demographics and, prior to the Jewish State’s colonial capture of Palestine, he’s learned the identities of Palestinian families who lived in seemingly any dunam, a quarter-acre. Abu-Sitta, a Gulf-based engineer by profession, has offered all his

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  Saudi Arabia opens central kitchen in Gaza to produce 24,000 meals daily

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Saudi Arabia has launched a central kitchen in the Gaza Strip that will produce more than 24,000 hot meals every day. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, also known as KSrelief, opened the kitchen as part of a Saudi public campaign to support the Palestinian people in Gaza, in cooperation with the Saudi Centre for Culture and Heritage. The project aims to produce 24,000 meals daily starting from Ramadan, with a total of 3.6 million meals planned. These will be provided to displaced and affected families in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and Al-Qarara in the south. READ: Activists plan 200-vessel “Freedom Flotilla” to Gaza in bid to break siege The project

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  French court jails, deports Iranian woman for praising “Al-Aqsa Flood”

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  A French court on Thursday sentenced Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari to four years in prison, including one year to be served, on charges of “glorifying terrorism” through social media posts. The court also banned her from French territory and ordered her deportation. Esfandiari, 39, a student who has lived in Lyon since 2018, left the courtroom after her release, having spent eight months in pre-trial detention.  Her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, said he would appeal the ruling, describing it as “harsh”. Speaking after the hearing, Boudi said issuing a ruling that may have been influenced by diplomatic considerations could amount to a legal error. He confirmed that an appeal would be filed in the hope of securing a decision based strictly

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  Araghchi: Significant progress achieved in Geneva talks with US

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday there has been “good progress” in talks with the United States in Geneva. Speaking at a press conference following the third round of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, hosted by Oman, Araghchi said the sides had reached “understanding” on some issues, while differences remain on others. The event was covered by Iran’s state television. Araghchi added: “This round of negotiations addressed highly important issues, and today I can say we witnessed one of the most significant and longest negotiation sessions. The meeting lasted about four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.” READ: Vance rules out prolonged war in region if US strikes Iran “Overall, we made good progress

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  Israeli law bars Palestinian university graduates from education sector jobs

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  The Israeli Knesset has passed new legislation prohibiting the employment of graduates from Palestinian Authority-affiliated universities in teaching, administrative and educational supervision roles, a move critics describe as discriminatory and politically motivated. The law targets Palestinian citizens of Israel and bars any academic who obtained a degree — or even completed a single academic year — at universities in the occupied West Bank from working within Israel’s education sector. In response, the Adalah Legal Center, in cooperation with Arab members of the Knesset, has filed a petition before the Israeli Supreme Court seeking to overturn the legislation. The petition argues that the measure deprives thousands of graduates of their right to employment and professional integration on the basis of where

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  Moroccan opposition leader criticises foreign minister over Gaza “Peace Council” role

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Abdelilah Benkirane, Secretary-General of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD), has criticised Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita over remarks concerning Morocco’s reported leadership of a programme to combat hate speech in Gaza under the framework of the US-backed “Peace Council”. In a video published on his official Facebook page, Benkirane questioned the context and implications of statements attributed to the foreign minister, warning that they could be interpreted in ways that harm Morocco’s image and its longstanding position on the Palestinian issue. Benkirane stressed that Bourita was speaking not in a personal capacity but as a representative of the Moroccan state, arguing that this required greater caution and precision when addressing sensitive political matters. The PJD leader said that calls to

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  Activists plan 200-vessel “Freedom Flotilla” to Gaza in bid to break siege

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Pro-Palestinian activists and civil society organisations have announced plans to launch a large maritime campaign towards the Gaza Strip next month, combining the “Freedom Flotilla” and the “Steadfastness Convoy” in an effort to break the ongoing siege. Organisers said the initiative will involve approximately 200 vessels scheduled to set sail on 12 April from several Mediterranean ports, including locations in Spain, Italy and Tunisia. The campaign is being coordinated with the participation of around 200 civil society organisations worldwide. Bülent Yıldırım, head of the Turkish Human Rights and Freedom Foundation (İHH), told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that donations are being collected across Europe, Asia, Africa, Turkey and the Gulf region to fund the purchase of the vessels. He argued that the scale

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  Hamas accuses Israel of ignoring mediators amid continued bombardment of Gaza

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Hamas has accused Israel of disregarding international mediation efforts following continued bombardment across the Gaza Strip, saying the attacks undermine attempts to stabilise the situation. Hazem Qassem, spokesperson for Hamas, said ongoing Palestinian casualties resulting from Israeli strikes demonstrate the occupation’s “blatant disregard” for mediators’ efforts and for the role of the Peace Council. In a press statement issued on Thursday, Qassem said the Israeli occupation continues the war of extermination and destruction against the Palestinian people, arguing that only the methods — not the policy itself — have changed. He added that discussions by guarantor states about a ceasefire lack tangible implementation on the ground. According to figures cited by Hamas, Israeli forces have killed 650 Palestinians since the

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  Egypt reaffirms support for Sudanese army and unity in joint statement

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Egypt has reaffirmed its full support for the Sudanese army and reiterated what it described as political “red lines” concerning Sudan’s unity and stability, following talks between the two countries’ prime ministers in Cairo. In a joint statement issued after meetings between Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and his Sudanese counterpart Kamel Idris, Egypt stressed its commitment to preserving Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions. The statement said Cairo continues to support the legitimate institutions of the Sudanese state, including the Transitional Sovereignty Council led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese government headed by Idris, and the Sudanese Armed Forces, describing them as essential pillars for safeguarding the country’s cohesion and restoring security and stability. READ: 28 killed,

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  Melania Trump to chair UN Security Council meeting

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  The White House said on Thursday that First Lady Melania Trump will chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council next week, when Washington assumes the body’s rotating presidency. The Office of the First Lady said Mrs Trump will preside over the session scheduled for Monday under the title “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict.”  She is expected to stress the importance of education as a tool to promote tolerance and global peace. A United Nations spokesperson said this “would be the first time a spouse of any serving world leader has chaired a meeting of the 15-member Security Council.” The council, the UN’s main executive body, has 15 members, including five permanent members such as the United States.

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  Jordan’s Islamic Action Front rejects call to drop ‘Islamic’ from name

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  Jordan’s Islamic Action Front Party has refused a request by the Independent Election Commission to change its name. In a statement, the party said the commission’s demand lacked a clear legal basis. It stressed that it would continue its national role and remain committed to the constitution and the law. The party said its name had been officially approved since its establishment in 1992. It added that the name and its statutes were reapproved in 2023 after it regularised its status in accordance with the law in force, with no legal violations recorded against it. The statement said Article 5 of the Political Parties Law relates to the conditions for establishing parties and does not apply to parties that were

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  The price of truth: Tucker Carlson, Piers Morgan, and the Gaza reckoning

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  There are moments when the edifice of propaganda collapses, when the images of emaciated children, pulverised neighbourhoods, and mass graves pierce the armour of denial. For Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan, two men once counted among Israel’s most ardent defenders, Gaza became that moment. Their transformations—Carlson from a “rabid Zionist” to a relentless critic of Israel, Morgan from a staunch defender of its military campaign to a voice of outrage—are not anomalies. They are the inevitable consequence of witnessing a genocide in real time. Carlson’s metamorphosis was as startling as it was consequential. For years, he echoed the talking points of the Israeli lobby, portraying Israel as America’s indispensable ally. But in a viral interview with US Ambassador to Israel

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  Vance rules out prolonged war in region if US strikes Iran

  by MI on February 27, 2026

  US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that a potential US strike on Iran, an option being considered by President Donald Trump, was unlikely to lead to a prolonged war in the region, according to an interview with The Washington Post. “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen,” Vance said, rejecting criticism that Washington could become drawn into another military conflict in the volatile region if Trump orders air strikes. Vance, a former US Marine who served in the Iraq War, said: “I think we all prefer the diplomatic option,” and added, “But it really depends on what the

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  Over 300 Palestinian structures demolished by Israel in West Bank this year: Rights group

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  Israel demolished 312 Palestinian residential and agricultural structures during the first six weeks of 2026, a Palestinian rights group said Thursday, Anadolu reports. The start of 2026 has seen a “notable escalation” in Israeli demolitions and illegal settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, the Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights said in a statement. The center, citing figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA), said Israeli authorities had razed 312 structures from the beginning of the year through Feb. 18, affecting about 21,000 Palestinians. Most of the demolitions took place in Area C, which makes up about 60% of the West Bank and remains under full Israeli control. “Between Feb. 16

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  6 additional US refueling aircraft heading to Israel amid tensions with Iran: Media

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  Six additional US aerial refueling aircraft are expected to head to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv as part of a broad US military buildup in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, the Times of Israel reported Thursday, Anadolu reports. Citing unnamed analysts tracking open-source flight data, the newspaper said: “Five American KC-46 refueling planes will depart from Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, and a sixth tanker will depart from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. All are scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport.” The report added that several US refueling and cargo aircraft were spotted at the same airport earlier this week, along with the arrival of 11 F-22 stealth fighter jets

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  The ‘brinkmanship’ strategy with Iran: A calculated approach

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  Over the past month, events in the region have escalated and expanded significantly, as Israel and the United States attempt to establish new control and balances after two and a half years of continuous wars and unrest. After calming the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen, attention has turned to reaping the benefits, and Iran has become the target. It remains a significant opposing force to Washington and Israel’s regional policies, without having been decisively defeated. The United States and Israel are threatening to launch a new war against it if it does not agree to their demands. These demands revolve around halting Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile development, and its support for armed regional groups. Over the past month, the protagonists and

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  40+ international scholars and public figures issue urgent humanitarian appeal over detention and medical care of Imran Khan

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  A broad group of international scholars, artists, elected officials, jurists, journalists, faith leaders, and human-rights advocates has issued a humanitarian appeal expressing concern over the reported medical condition and treatment in custody of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The signatories warn that credible reports indicate serious deterioration in his health, including significant ocular damage allegedly linked to delays in medical treatment while detained. The appeal calls for immediate independent medical access, transparency regarding his condition, and adherence to domestic legal protections and internationally recognized standards governing the treatment of detainees. The statement emphasizes that the appeal is humanitarian in nature and not directed toward political outcomes. Rather, it underscores that international legal norms and basic human-rights principles require

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  Syrian teen killed in Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  A Syrian teen was killed and 29 others injured Thursday in Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon despite a ceasefire deal that has been in place since November 2024, Lebanese state media reported, Anadolu reports. The National News Agency (NNA) said a 17-year-old boy was killed in the strike that targeted the Beit Mshik farms area near Kfar Dan in western Baalbek. The fatality came as Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes targeting the western Baalbek area, with fighter jets flying at low altitude above the region. The Israeli army said the strikes targeted infrastructure belonging to the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s “Radwan Force” in the Baalbek area. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone carried out a strike with a guided

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  Israeli influence over German defense grows

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  The German Navy received the BlueWhale large autonomous underwater vehicle, jointly developed by Israeli and German companies, according to a recent report, Anadolu reports. The submarine, made by TKMS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was delivered to the German Navy at a ceremony held at the Eckernforde naval base in the country’s northern region, according to a statement by TKMS on Wednesday. The BlueWhale submarine, deployed under Germany’s Kurs Marine 2035+ vision, is designed to act as a force multiplier by extending the sensor range of manned platforms for miles during long and uninterrupted autonomous missions. The submarine went through testing in the Baltic Sea, one of the world’s most complex maritime environments, to prove its capabilities. The craft, outfitted

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  Poll shows new generation of Israeli voters more right-wing

  by Marwa A on February 26, 2026

  A new poll has revealed a significant rightward shift among Israel’s youngest voters, reinforcing concerns that the country’s political trajectory is becoming increasingly hardline. According to a survey conducted by the Midgam research institute for Israel’s N12 news site, 75 per cent of first-time voters identify as right-wing. Among veteran voters, the figure stands at 68 per cent — a seven-point gap that analysts say could have long-term political consequences in a country where electoral margins are often razor-thin. The findings challenge a long-held assumption among Israel’s liberal establishment that younger generations would gravitate towards the political centre or Left. Instead, the data suggests that the newest cohort entering the electorate is more nationalist, more religiously traditional and more sceptical

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 23 Feb

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 16 Feb

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  Obliterating Palestinian identity

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  Earlier this month, Palestinian footballers, clubs and rights groups submitted a 120-page file to the International Criminal Court accusing FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin of “aiding and abetting war crimes … and crimes against humanity.” The complaint cites both organisation’s inclusion of Israeli clubs based in settlements and the legitimisation of settlement expansion which is also linked to the forced transfer of Palestinians. The document states that Infantino and Čeferin are acting with full knowledge of how Israel’s practices amount to war crimes and also of having cooperated with Israel and the US in granting continued participation of Israel’s settlement clubs.  FIFA’s next step was to announce its collaboration with the Board of Peace “to actively

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  Israel opposition leader backs ‘biblical borders’ and Jewish control over Middle East

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid has doubled down on controversial comments by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who recently said “it would be fine” if Israel took control over much of the Middle East. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Lapid said he supports the idea of expansive Israeli territorial control, framing his position in Zionist and biblical terms.  “I support anything that will allow the Jews a large, broad, strong land and a safe haven for us – our children and our children’s children. I support that,” Lapid is reported saying.  “Zionism is based on the Bible. Our mandate over the land of Israel is biblical, [and] the biblical borders of the land of Israel are clear… Therefore, the

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  Top Democrats accused of trying to block vote on Iran war powers resolution

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  Senior Democrats in the House are reportedly working behind the scenes to delay or sideline a vote on a bipartisan Iran war powers resolution that would force every member of Congress to go on the record over a potential US war with Iran. According to a report by Capital & Empire, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Democrats have sought to prevent a vote on the resolution introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie. The measure would require explicit congressional authorisation before any US military action against Iran, amid concerns that President Donald Trump is preparing for another regime change war in the Middle East. A senior Democratic congressional staffer told Capital & Empire that it is “pretty clear” Democratic

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  International airlines suspend flights to Tel Aviv amid regional tensions

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  Civil aviation is facing increasing disruption as international airlines rapidly adjust or suspend flights to Tel Aviv. This comes amid rising regional tensions and fears that military conflict in the Middle East could escalate, directly affecting travel bookings and air traffic. Several governments have also raised travel warnings for their citizens, citing the possibility of airspace closures or sudden flight disruptions if security conditions worsen unexpectedly. In a practical move, Dutch carrier KLM has announced it will suspend its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv flights from Sunday, citing heightened security concerns.  “At this time, it is not commercially and operationally feasible for KLM to operate flights to Tel Aviv,” a KLM spokesperson said.  The airline confirmed that affected passengers will receive personal notifications

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  Syria: Over 30 Israeli vehicles enter Quneitra

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  More than 30 Israeli military vehicles entered Syria’s Quneitra province in the south-west on Wednesday evening, marking another breach of the country’s sovereignty. Syria’s state-run Al-Ikhbariya channel reported that the Israeli force advanced into the eastern Tal al-Ahmar area near the village of Ain Ziwan in southern Quneitra.  The report added that the vehicles fired flares into the sky, but it did not clarify whether the forces later withdrew or remain in the area. The Syrian government has not commented on the incursion, and Israel has not explained its reasons. This comes hours after a similar Israeli operation in Quneitra involving three vehicles, during which, according to the state channel, soldiers detained a shepherd and seized some of his livestock.

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  Hamas official hails Azzam al-Ahmad’s remarks as positive step towards unity

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  A senior Hamas figure, Bassem Naim, described recent remarks by Azzam al-Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), as a positive step that should be followed by practical measures to strengthen Palestinian unity. Al-Ahmad rejected labelling Hamas as a terrorist organisation and affirmed that it is an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric. Naim said the current phase is “the most dangerous since the Nakba,” referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948, and stressed that confronting Israeli plans in Gaza and the West Bank requires ending internal division and agreeing on a comprehensive national programme. He also called for “common ground that reinforces the Palestinian position.”  Earlier, al-Ahmad confirmed he opposed classifying

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  Why does Iran persist on nuclear enrichment?

  by MI on February 26, 2026

  While the third round of Iran-US talks is scheduled to be held today, 26th February, with the mediation of Oman at the country’s residence in Geneva, serious concerns have been raised about the prospect of this round of talks and the outbreak of a likely destructive war in the region. One of the main sticking points in the current US–Iran nuclear negotiations remain Washington’s insistence that Iran relinquish any uranium enrichment capability on its soil — a demand Tehran steadfastly rejects. A major US objective, highlighted by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, is that any future nuclear agreement should have no sunset clauses and remain indefinite, effectively conditioning Tehran’s behaviour “for the rest of your lives,” raising Iran’s concerns