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

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  Iranian official: War cost us $200bn, increased citizens’ hardship

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  A member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council has acknowledged that the recent war caused major economic losses for Iran, saying it pushed the economy back by an estimated $200 billion at a time when the country is already facing living-cost pressures and high inflation affecting the middle class. According to Iran International, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, said the recent war resulted in heavy economic losses and delayed Iran’s economic development by around $200 billion. In remarks carried by Jamearan, Bahonar said Iran was already facing difficult economic conditions before the war began, noting that inflation over the past eight years had reached around 1,000 per cent. READ: Iran warns it is ready for war if

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  Hamas hopes international forces’ arrival will curb Israeli violations

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  The Hamas movement said on Tuesday that it hopes the start of the arrival of international forces will mark the beginning of implementing their assigned tasks, mainly separating Palestinians from the Israeli occupation army and working to stop its violations in the Gaza Strip. The remarks were made in a statement by Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, following the announcement by the Board of Peace regarding the arrival of the first tactical vehicles at a logistics support area known as Endurance. Endurance is a logistics zone established in southern Israel near the Kerem Abu Salem crossing and is not located inside the Gaza Strip. It serves as a transit and support hub for the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) that is expected

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  Netanyahu admits failure to dismantle Hamas civil rule, says ‘voluntary migration’ still an option

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that Israel has not yet achieved its goal of ending Hamas’ civilian rule in the Gaza Strip, but said it would eventually do so. His remarks came as reports indicate that the Israeli military is expanding its control over Gaza. Netanyahu previously said he had instructed the army to increase its control to 70 per cent of the territory, up from the current 60 per cent, a move that conflicts with the ceasefire agreement brokered by the administration of US President Donald Trump in October 2025. Speaking about the proposed “voluntary migration” plan for Gaza’s residents, Netanyahu said the proposal remains under consideration. Israeli media have reported that officials have decided to replace

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  National forces join Gaza wounded in sit-in outside Red Cross, demanding travel and medical care

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  WATCH: Gaza generator fuel crisis deepens under tightened Israeli blockade

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  Former Arab League chief responds to Gulf criticism, praises Iran’s ‘smart resilience’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has responded to criticism from some Gulf officials and commentators, saying his remarks praising Iran’s “smart resilience” were about its confrontation with the United States, not support for attacks on Gulf states.  Speaking on the Maw’ed Ma’a Lamis podcast hosted by Egyptian presenter Lamis El Hadidi, Moussa rejected claims that all Gulf countries were angry with him because he had not clearly condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states. He said: “It is not true that all Gulf countries share this view. There may have been some offensive comments on social media, but the main criticism came from figures such as journalist Abdulrahman Al-Rashed and senior diplomatic adviser to the UAE President Anwar Gargash. Their

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  Ceasefire, the Memorandum of Understanding, and intermittent exchanges of fire: Can Iran and the US negotiate a permanent peace treaty?

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  The post-February 2026 war period marks a new phase in US–Iran relationship, a relationship of strange diplomatic impasse characterized by no war, nor peace, but a rotating cycle of ceasefire announcements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and intermittent exchanges of fire across the Strait of Hormuz. This situation indicates structural problems that both sides are unprepared to address. The absence of a permanent peace treaty, as expected from negotiations, is the logical outcome of incompatible strategic objectives, domestic political constraints, and a shared preference for managed instability. Recent reporting underscores this structural paradox. The US–Iran MoU, signed on 17th June 2026, is explicitly framed not as a peace treaty, but as a temporary framework to “pause hostilities and open negotiations.” Yet

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  Egypt reaches preliminary IMF deal for $1.64 billion in new funding

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Egypt has reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that could unlock about $1.64 billion in new financing, subject to approval by the Fund’s Executive Board, the government announced on Tuesday. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a statement that the government and an IMF mission had reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh review of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, as well as the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). No date was given for the Executive Board’s decision. The EFF is one of the IMF’s main lending programmes, designed to support countries facing long-term structural balance of payments problems in return for economic reforms aimed at promoting stability and sustainable

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  Iran warns it is ready for war if US fails to honour agreement

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran will not resume talks with the United States until the memorandum of understanding is implemented, warning it is ready for war if Washington fails to honour the agreement. Ghalibaf said the memorandum is centred on two key points: the declaration of a ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade. He added that Iran is continuing dialogue through Pakistan and Qatar until Article 13 of the memorandum is activated, stressing that Tehran remains committed to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. READ: Qatar says frozen Iranian funds remain withheld as US-Iran Talks Continue “Iran will not enter new negotiations with Washington until the memorandum’s provisions are implemented,” Ghalibaf said. “If the United

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  Sudanese army reports territorial gains in fighting with RSF

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Sudan’s Armed Forces said they made a series of battlefield advances during the second half of June, reporting the destruction and capture of military equipment and the recapture of several areas from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces said its troops, together with allied forces, conducted military operations across multiple fronts between 15th June and 30th June. According to the army, the operations resulted in the destruction of 224 military vehicles, the capture of 36 combat vehicles, the downing of a strategic drone, the destruction of two tanks, five military trucks, four fuel trucks, and the destruction of two ammunition depots and two fuel depots. The army

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  Qatar says frozen Iranian funds remain withheld as US-Iran Talks Continue

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Qatar has confirmed that no frozen Iranian funds have been transferred to Tehran, stressing that any future release of the assets will depend on progress in negotiations between Iran and the United States. In a statement on Monday, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said US officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Doha for meetings with mediators to discuss developments in the ongoing negotiations. The ministry added that technical discussions between Washington and Tehran have continued without interruption, with mediators working to facilitate the talks. Qatar also rejected reports that the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets had already been transferred. “The issue of the frozen funds is linked to the progress of negotiations between Washington and

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  Erdogan: Israel’s hands are ‘stained with the blood of innocents’

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticised Israel, accusing its leadership of committing atrocities in Gaza and dismissing what he described as Israeli accusations against Turkey. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Erdogan said Ankara would not respond to what he called Israeli “fabrications” targeting Turkey. “We pay no attention whatsoever to the fabrications concerning our country by the criminal network whose hands are stained with the blood of 75,000 innocent Palestinians in Gaza, most of them children and women,” Erdogan said. He contrasted Israel’s actions with what he described as Turkey’s historical record. “In our glorious history spanning thousands of years, there is only justice, mercy and extending a helping hand to all the oppressed, regardless of

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  The international community is not opposing Netanyahu’s threat

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  “Another principle of the government, of the broad national government that I intend to lead, is that there is no room for two states. Between the sea and the Jordan River there is no room for two states,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently asserted. Inverting the Palestinian slogan to emphasise the elimination of the Palestinian people through colonisation is of no concern to the international community, even though Netanyahu is no longer talking about ideology but a process that culminated in genocide.  Netanyahu is basing his statement on what he described as a change in Israeli public opinion after 7 October 2023. However, the refusal to even consider or participate in the two-state diplomacy is not a recent change

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  Netanyahu claims Israel killed 9,000 Hezbollah members, says group has lost 92% of missile arsenal

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel has killed 9,000 Hezbollah members and destroyed 92 percent of the group’s missile capabilities, as he reaffirmed that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until what he described as the threat from Hezbollah is eliminated. Netanyahu made the remarks during a visit with Defence Minister Yisrael Katz to what Israeli officials describe as a “security zone” controlled by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. In a statement released by his office, Netanyahu said Israel is implementing what he described as a new security doctrine along its northern border. “Our most significant achievement in Lebanon is the establishment of a buffer zone,” Netanyahu said. “This represents a major shift in the

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  Israeli strikes continue in southern Lebanon as debate grows over framework agreement

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  Israeli forces carried out fresh airstrikes and artillery attacks in southern Lebanon on Monday, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding a recently announced framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), Israeli warplanes struck the area between the towns of Qantara and Deir Siryan in the Marjeyoun district. The agency also reported heavy Israeli artillery shelling on the outskirts of Deir Siryan toward the Litani River, as well as bombardment targeting the town of Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district. The latest strikes come as political debate intensifies in Lebanon over the US-backed framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv. Critics of the agreement have expressed concern that it could legitimise Israel’s military presence in

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  Guterres warns UNRWA faces funding crisis and operational restrictions

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees is facing severe financial difficulties and operational restrictions that threaten its ability to continue providing essential services across the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider region. Addressing the UN General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Tuesday, Guterres said the agency faces a funding shortfall of $100 million despite implementing extensive cost-cutting measures. “Despite painful austerity measures and cost-cutting, a shortfall of US$100 million is preventing the agency from fulfilling its current obligations,” Guterres said. He noted that UNRWA’s mandate, recently renewed by the General Assembly for another six months with broad support

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  Zero‑sum exhaustion: The new shape of global conflict

  by Mehdi Editor on July 1, 2026

  The major geopolitical confrontations of our time have entered a phase that can only be described as zero‑sum exhaustion—a stage in which no actor wins, no actor loses decisively, and no actor possesses the capacity to impose a clear endgame. Modern wars have become long-distance marathons in which the objective is not victory but the avoidance of defeat. This makes them more draining, more ambiguous, and more politically corrosive than any previous form of conflict. Regional and global powers involved in today’s crises can no longer dictate final outcomes. Armies advance, militias proliferate, economies bleed, yet the strategic balance remains unchanged: there are no victors. This structural shift has pushed the world into a new model of “permanent low‑intensity warfare”—conflicts

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  2 Palestinians killed, 19 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Two Palestinians, including a child, were killed and 19 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, in the latest violation of the ceasefire agreement in force since Oct. 10, 2025, medical sources said, Anadolu reports. The sources said an Israeli drone struck an electric bike on Asdaa Street in Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing two and injuring 17 others. In northern Gaza, a Palestinian was seriously injured after an Israeli drone strike hit the rooftop of a house near Abu Sharkh roundabout in the Al-Faluja area, west of Jabalia refugee camp, the sources said. Another Palestinian was seriously wounded in a separate drone strike targeting a house in the Sheikh Radwan

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  Turkish president says Israeli slanders attempt to cover up Gaza genocide

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Slanders against Turkiye are Israel’s attempts to cover up its “barbarity in Gaza,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Anadolu reports. Addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan said “we pay no heed to the slanders directed at our country by the murder network that has the blood of 75,000 innocent people in Gaza, mostly children and women, on its hands.” Turkiye’s history, he said, includes the virtue of giving refuge to those fleeing Nazi persecution and “those who slander Turkiye to cover up their barbarity in Gaza know it best.” Erdogan also expressed support for Venezuela, which was hit by twin earthquakes on June 24, saying Turkiye stands with the “friendly and brotherly” Venezuelan people

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  Israel faced ‘unprecedented, sustained’ bombardment during Iran war, official says

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israel faced “unprecedented and sustained” bombardment during the war with Iran, a defense ministry official said on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The remarks were made by Moshe Patel, director of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization, following the completion of a comprehensive series of tests of the Iron Dome system, according to a statement by the Israeli Defense Ministry, which did not specify where or when the tests were conducted. The ministry said the Missile Defense Organization, in cooperation with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, completed a broad testing campaign for the Iron Dome “to address a wide range of advanced threats, incorporating lessons learned from recent military operations.” “Throughout the war… we faced an unprecedented reality of sustained bombardment, which required exceptional operational

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  Israel’s Ben-Gvir storms Palestinian town in occupied East Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Palestinian town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, on Tuesday under heavy security protection, according to local authorities, Anadolu reports. The incursion took place “amid strict security measures and a heavy deployment of Israeli occupation forces across the area,” Jerusalem Governorate said on Facebook, alongside a video showing the extremist minister entering Silwan under heavy security escort. Silwan, a Palestinian town in occupied East Jerusalem, has long been a flashpoint due to illegal settlement expansion, home demolitions, and frequent Israeli raids. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community. Palestinians regard

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  Iran says ‘no need’ for outside help in Hormuz mine clearance

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Iran said on Tuesday that there is no need for outside interference to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it “will only make the situation more complicated.” “Iran knows its responsibilities better than any other party and has the ability to fulfill them, and there is no need for the intervention of others,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters, according to the state-run news agency IRN. By signing a recent memorandum of understanding with the Washington, Tehran “will make arrangements to the best of its ability to provide safe passage for merchant ships, free of charge, for a period of 60 days only from the Gulf region to the Sea of ​​Oman and vice versa,” Baqaei stated.

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  Board of Peace says first ‘tactical vehicles’ arrive at multinational force base in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  The Board of Peace announced on Tuesday the arrival of the first “tactical vehicles” at the base of the International Security Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip, as logistical preparations continue for the deployment of a multinational force in the enclave, Anadolu reports. “Tactical vehicles arrive at Logistics Support Area: Endurance,” it said on the US social media company X. The announcement was accompanied by photographs documenting the arrival of the vehicles. A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Tuesday for talks with Egyptian officials and mediators on implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The Board of Peace was established in January on the initiative of US President Donald Trump as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Gaza.

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  Seven coffins and the silence of the Shams

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  The Syrian revolution was fought in order to tear down a predatory police state, not to replace it with a replica under a different banner. However, the horrific, blood-soaked dungeons of the Assad era have simply been rebranded under the sleek, corporate security apparatus of the new President, suited and booted Ahmed Al-Sharaa. As dawn broke today, Tuesday, 30 June 2026, my brave friend, the fearless New York journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem, will have spent an agonising 190 days trapped in total darkness, having been stolen away from his family. His crime? He dared to ask the uncomfortable questions that the slick new autocracy desperately wants buried. Bilal is the living, breathing proof that this supposedly transitional administration has resurrected

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  UNRWA chief calls for urgent funding, reform as agency faces $100 million deficit

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  UNRWA head Christian Saunders on Tuesday called for urgent financial and political backing from UN member states, warning that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees cannot sustain its operations without new funding, Anadolu reports. Speaking at the General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee’s announcement of voluntary contributions to UNRWA, Saunders said the agency remains indispensable to millions of Palestinian refugees but faces mounting political, operational and financial challenges. “To safeguard our mandate to protect and assist Palestine Refugees, and to uphold our commitment to giving them the best possible chance at fulfilling and meaningful lives, the agency must evolve. The agency must reform,” Saunders said. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, UNRWA continues to provide humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare

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  Iran urges nuclear watchdog chief to stop ‘political statements,’ focus on his duties

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Iran on Tuesday warned the UN nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, to stop issuing “political statements” and instead focus on his responsibilities. Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue “in the same manner as it has over the past few months,” according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. He said Iran, as a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and under its comprehensive safeguards agreement, will maintain cooperation with the agency regarding the country’s undamaged nuclear facilities. The spokesman accused the IAEA of failing to fulfill its responsibilities regarding access to damaged nuclear sites, saying the agency had not properly carried

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  Iraqi prime minister says ‘no evidence’ attacks on Gulf states originated from Iraq

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said there is “no evidence” that attacks against Gulf countries originated from Iraqi territory, while reaffirming that Baghdad will not allow its land to be used to target neighboring states. In an interview with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper published Monday evening, Zaidi discussed a host of issues, including restricting weapons to state control, combating corruption, economic reforms and Iraq’s foreign relations. He said all security force commanders had been instructed to prevent any attempt to use Iraqi territory to launch attacks against neighboring countries. “We will not accept dictates from outside our borders, neither from the East nor the West. Iraq’s decision belongs to its people,” he said. Zaidi stressed that Iraq seeks to

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  Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund net profit more than doubles to $17.3B in 2025

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) saw its net profit more than double in 2025, supported by higher revenue and a sharp increase in operating profit, semi-official Al Arabiya reported on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund posted a net profit of 65.1 billion Saudi riyals ($17.33 billion) last year, compared with 25.8 billion riyals ($6.87 billion) the previous year. Revenue rose 9% to $119.8 billion, up from $109.99 billion a year earlier. Operating profit also more than doubled, reaching $20.7 billion, compared with $8.09 billion previously. PIF’s total assets increased 5% to $1.21 trillion, from $1.15 trillion. Its cash and cash equivalents exceeded $93.2 billion, according to the report. PIF is Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund and

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  Palestine slams Israeli plan to establish 100 illegal settlement sites in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Palestine on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s illegal settlement plan targeting about 100 locations inside the so-called Area A in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. “The move represents an additional development in Israeli colonial thinking and a blatant violation of international law and signed agreements,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry described the plan as “a systematic war crime” aimed at imposing new facts by force on occupied Palestinian land, undermining security and stability, and destroying the foundations of the two-state solution. “Israel has no sovereignty over any part of the occupied Palestinian territory,” it said. “The occupation and settlement activity in all forms have no legitimacy and constitute a crime under international law, international consensus and UN

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  US Treasury chief says only China buying Iranian oil as others wary of sanctions risk

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that China remains the only buyer of Iranian oil, while other countries are staying cautious due to the risk that Washington could reimpose sanctions, Anadolu reports. Speaking to Fox News, Bessent said most potential buyers were reluctant to purchase Iranian crude amid uncertainty over whether it could again be subject to US sanctions. “The Iranians thus far have not been able to sell their oil, because the buyers are a little wary of, will it be re-sanctioned,” Bessent said. He added that no country other than China, which had already been buying Iranian oil while it was under sanctions, had purchased Iranian crude, leaving it “still trading at a discount.” Bessent said the limited

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  Palestinian journalist says prison starvation, medical neglect led to brain hemorrhage after release from Israeli prison

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Palestinian journalist Mujahid Bani Mufleh is still undergoing intensive treatment six months after his release from Israeli prison, where he says he lost nearly 20 kilograms due to starvation and medical neglect before suffering a severe brain hemorrhage days after being freed, Anadolu reports. Bani Mufleh is currently being treated at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. After falling into a coma, he underwent multiple surgeries, including a procedure in which part of his skull was removed. He now requires assistance with movement, swallowing and speech. The journalist said prison conditions, including starvation and lack of medical care, severely worsened his health, particularly as he suffers from diabetes. Speaking to Anadolu from his hospital

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  Israeli forces raid, shut down UNRWA-run training center north of Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli forces on Tuesday raided the UN agency for Palestinian refugees’ (UNRWA) Qalandia Training Center north of occupied East Jerusalem and shut down its entrances, according to Palestinian authorities, Anadolu reports. The Jerusalem Governorate said in a statement that Israeli forces stormed the UNRWA-run institute in the Airport Road area north of Jerusalem. It said troops closed the institute’s main entrance and the area’s main road, fired large quantities of tear gas, and remained deployed inside the facility and its surroundings. No further details were immediately available. The raid came after the Jerusalem Governorate warned on June 11 of an Israeli plan targeting the removal of UNRWA’s vocational training institute in Qalandia. READ: Israeli army closes charity headquarters in occupied West

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  Hamas delegation in Cairo to meet Egyptian officials, mediators on implementation of Gaza deal

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  A delegation of Hamas is set to have talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials and mediators on implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the group said on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. “The delegation’s agenda prioritizes stopping escalating Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip and the daily killing and assassination crimes,” said Taher al-Nunu, political adviser to the head of Hamas. “Hamas would also seek guarantees that Israel allows the entry of Gaza’s full needs, including materials required to repair hospitals, bakeries and infrastructure, and implements the remaining terms of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement,” he added. The Cairo talks would continue discussions on a roadmap prepared by Nikolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace high representative for Gaza, in cooperation with mediators for the

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  Commercial ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises more than 50% over past week

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose more than 50% from the previous week amid ongoing negotiations following a temporary deal between the US and Iran, Anadolu reports. Negotiations between the two countries remain fragile despite the deal reached on June 14, which took effect on June 18. Before the war broke out at the end of February, an average of 130 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz each day. Following a virtual standstill after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, maritime traffic through the strategic waterway has begun to recover following the US-Iran deal. Despite the recent increase, traffic through the strait remains around 70% below pre-war levels. Industry representatives remain cautious about

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  Iran says officials to meet Qatari mediators in Doha on US deal implementation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Iranian negotiators will meet Qatari mediators in Doha on Wednesday to discuss implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, Tehran said Tuesday, ruling out direct talks with the US, Anadolu reports. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Doha discussions will focus on implementing clauses of the memorandum, according to the country’s official broadcaster IRIB. “What will be done in Doha tomorrow (Wednesday) is a discussion about the implementation of clauses of the memorandum of understanding, including the release of Iran’s frozen assets, which is with the Qatari side,” Baghaei said. He stressed that Tehran has no plans to meet the American side in the coming days. “Basically, we have no plans to

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  Israeli opposition slams Netanyahu over silence after ultra-Orthodox leaders brand army ‘teacher of gravest sins’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli opposition leaders on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “complete silence” following inflammatory remarks made during an ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) protest, including claims that “the army teaches the gravest sins” and that “Israel is impure,” Anadolu reports. The criticism comes amid escalating tensions over the conscription of Haredi Jews into the Israeli military, which is facing manpower shortages while fighting on multiple fronts for more than 1,000 days. Hundreds of Haredi protesters gathered Monday night in Bnei Brak to demonstrate against the detention of ultra-Orthodox men who refused compulsory military service. During the rally, Rabbi Aryeh Yezdi criticized Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and urged religious seminary students not to comply with military draft orders. READ: Israeli minister proposes

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  Lebanese president, army chief discuss troops’ role after framework agreement with Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday discussed the army’s upcoming responsibilities with Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal following the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel aimed at ending the war, Anadolu reports. A Lebanese presidency statement said Aoun received Haykal and was briefed on the outcomes of the army commander’s recent visits to Türkiye and the UK, which focused on military cooperation. They also reviewed the country’s security situation and discussed the army’s upcoming missions in light of the results of the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations and the framework agreement to end the war in Lebanon, the presidency said. On Friday, Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-brokered framework agreement providing for “a phased” Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory, beginning

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  Israeli army closes charity headquarters in occupied West Bank city of Nablus

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  The Israeli army closed the headquarters of the Attadamun Charitable Society in the northern occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday, claiming it “supports terrorism,” local sources said. Israeli forces stormed Nablus at dawn with military vehicles and trucks, raided the charity’s headquarters and confiscated its contents, including office equipment and aid designated for poor families, local sources told Anadolu. The forces closed the entrance to the building and posted a military order stating that the association was being shut down on the grounds of “supporting terrorism,” the sources said. Speaking to Anadolu after inspecting the charity’s headquarters, Nablus Gov. Ghassan Daghlas said “the [Israeli] occupation will fail in its policy of targeting charitable institutions that provide services to

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  Several arrested after Moroccan fans’ World Cup celebrations in Dutch cities

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Several people were arrested after celebrations by Moroccan supporters overnight Monday after the national team’s World Cup victory over the Netherlands led to disturbances in several Dutch cities on Tuesday, according to Dutch outlet NU.nl. Hundreds of supporters gathered in The Hague’s Schilderswijk district after Morocco advanced to the round of 16 following a penalty shootout victory over the Dutch team. The celebrations initially included fireworks, Moroccan flags, motorists sounding their horns, and people dancing in the streets. Dutch police said officers were later targeted with fireworks and stones, prompting the deployment of a water cannon to disperse a group gathered on Vaillantlaan, a main road in the district. READ: Netherlands commemorates Palestinian children, journalists killed in Israeli attacks Police said

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  Israeli rabbi urges army to stay in Lebanon, claims Lebanese territory belongs to Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli Rabbi Eliyahu Zini has called on the Israeli military to maintain its presence in Lebanon, claiming that the country is part of Israel’s historical inheritance and opposing any withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Zini made the remarks during a parliamentary committee session on Monday, according to video footage circulated on social media and reports by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “I spoke with several ministers last night. I asked them: Are you normal? On what basis are you giving up our ancestors’ heritage? All of Lebanon belongs to us,” Zini said. According to Haaretz, Zini is the uncle of Shin Bet chief David Zini. READ: Egypt: Full Israeli withdrawal is key to stability in Lebanon His comments come amid an ongoing debate

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  Qatari, Iranian defense officials discuss regional security developments

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani received a phone call from Iran’s acting Defense Minister Majid Ebn Reza on Monday evening, amid rising regional tensions, Anatoly agency reported. According to a statement from Qatar’s Defense Ministry, the two officials reviewed the latest security developments in the region and discussed areas of joint coordination in light of the current circumstances. The call comes as Gulf states remain on alert following recent military escalations involving Iran, the US and Israel, alongside growing concerns over maritime security in the region. READ: Iran says $6B of its funds in Qatar ‘should be released’ under US deal

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  Israeli soldier found dead as military investigates death amid concerns over rising suicides

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  The body of an Israeli soldier was found in central Israel last week, with military police investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, according to Israeli media reports. The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday that the soldier’s body was discovered on Friday but did not identify him or disclose the circumstances of his death. According to the report, the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has opened an investigation, and its findings will be transferred to the military prosecutor upon completion. The soldier’s family has been notified. The incident comes amid growing concern over the number of suicides among Israeli soldiers, a subject that has received increased attention in Israeli media. In May, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that an

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  Katz: US-Iran linkage prevented Hezbollah’s collapse, Israel will not withdraw before its disarmament

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said the linkage between the Lebanese front and US-Iran understandings prevented what he claimed would have been Hezbollah’s collapse, adding that Israel has since adopted a new strategy centred on maintaining its military presence in southern Lebanon. Speaking during a briefing with military correspondents on Monday, Katz said Israel was forced to alter its military approach after Washington linked developments in Lebanon to negotiations with Iran. “When President Donald Trump linked Iran and Lebanon, we stopped bombing buildings in Beirut,” Katz said, according to Israeli Army Radio. He argued that connecting the two fronts served US interests and reflected the constraints of Israel’s strategic partnership with Washington. “If there hadn’t been a link between the

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  Turkey condemns Israeli strikes in southern Syria, urges international action

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Turkey has condemned Israeli military operations in southern Syria, describing them as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and calling on the international community to act to halt the attacks. In a statement issued on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticised Israeli strikes targeting the governorates of Quneitra and Daraa. “We strongly condemn Israel’s attacks on Quneitra and Daraa, which violate Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the ministry said. The statement added that the attacks endangered civilians and their property and described them as a clear violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. READ: Israeli forces open fire on civilians in southern Syrian village Ankara called on the international community to take responsibility for ending the attacks, warning that their

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  US official held meetings with Hamas as Washington presents Gaza demands to Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  A senior official in US President Donald Trump’s administration held meetings in recent months with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya as part of talks on the proposed disarmament of Gaza, according to an Israeli media report published on Monday. The report came as another report said Washington has delivered a document of demands to Israel regarding arrangements for the Gaza Strip. The document includes steps related to infrastructure, governance, border crossings, and reconstruction, amid US pressure to prevent a resumption of the war. According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11, the US official was Aryeh Lightstone, an adviser to US envoy Steve Witkoff and a member of Trump’s Board of Peace. The broadcaster said the meetings took place during discussions

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  Gaza security force says it foiled major drug smuggling attempt linked to Israel-affiliated gangs

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Security agencies in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the Radaa force affiliated with the Resistance Security, said they had foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of drugs through a route allegedly linked to gangs collaborating with the Israeli occupation. In a statement received by Quds Press on Monday, the force said the drugs had been seized and those allegedly involved had been detained pending legal action. The statement said the alleged smuggling attempt was part of what it described as Israeli efforts to use collaborators and other networks to undermine the security of Palestinian society by bringing the scourge of drugs into the Gaza Strip. The force added that the security agencies would continue pursuing anyone seeking

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  Israeli minister proposes Gaza relocation plan involving Mossad

  by Mehdi Editor on June 30, 2026

  Israeli Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel said on Monday that she had submitted a government plan for the “relocation” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, with support from Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 7, Gamliel, a member of Israel’s security cabinet, said she had prepared a “political initiative” titled “voluntary migration from the Gaza Strip” and presented it to the government. “I prepared this plan and presented it to the cabinet. It is close to being implemented, and the Mossad has now joined the process to manage this effort in the best possible way,” she said. Gamliel said the proposal was part of a broader strategy and pledged to expand Israel’s

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  Fresh Israeli strikes kill 8 in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on June 29, 2026

  A new wave of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Monday killed eight people, including a woman and her young daughter, and injured dozens amid ongoing violations by Tel Aviv of a ceasefire in effect since last October, medical sources said, Anadolu reports. The sources told Anadolu that a woman and her daughter were killed when an Israeli strike hit tents housing displaced families in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The attack caused extensive damage to the tents and the displaced residents’ belongings, eyewitnesses said. Shortly before that, an Israeli drone struck a beach tent in Al-Mawasi, killing two Palestinians and injuring 27 others. Medical sources said the wounded, whose injuries ranged from minor to moderate,

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  ‘Time for condemning is over’: Palestine’s UN envoy demands end to Israeli annexation of Palestinian land

  by Marwa A on June 29, 2026

  Palestine’s UN envoy Riyad Mansour called for an end to Israel’s illegal annexation of Palestinian land, saying “annexation is an act of war” that “kills all peace efforts” and “cannot be bargained with,” Anadolu reports. “Israel has decided to entrench its occupation rather than bring it to an end; whether in the Gaza Strip, where it has unlawfully seized control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, or in the West Bank, where it has effectively annexed over 60% of the West Bank and all of East Jerusalem,” Mansour said at the UN Security Council. He said Israel’s actions are “not only illegal” but also “contrary to President (Donald) Trump’s plan and resolution 2803, which explicitly states there should be no

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  America’s Gulf bases are turning allies into targets

  by Marwa A on June 29, 2026

  There is a hard truth Gulf capitals do not like to say aloud: hosting an American base does not only buy protection. It also rents out geography. It turns ports, airfields and small countries into possible addresses in a war they may not have chosen and cannot easily control. That truth became impossible to hide after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait in response to US strikes. The details will be argued over, as they always are in war. Officials will speak of interceptions, limited damage and military readiness. Washington will insist that its regional posture deters danger. Gulf governments will try to reassure their publics. But the political meaning is already clear. When the United

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  The Keys to my House: A Gaza Diary

  by Marwa A on June 29, 2026

  Sami al-Ajrami’s account of the first six months of Israel’s genocide in Gaza starts with a tenacious link to home and homeland. A week after Hamas infiltrated Israel, al-Ajrami decides to leave his home in Gaza, taking his two nineteen-year-old daughters with him. “This isn’t a rented apartment in some random condominium,” al-Ajrami writes in the first page of The Keys to my House: A Gaza Diary. “The house was built literally stone by stone by my family.” Originally from Beer Sheva, al-Ajrami’s grandfather arrived in Gaza in 1953. For al-Ajrami, Gaza is his permanent home, yet immediately the reader is told of how fragile the concept of home is in Gaza. Forced displacement remains a reality because of Israeli