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

• 
  OIC slams US ambassador’s remarks on Israeli Mideast expansion as threat to regional stability

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday condemned remarks by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, warning that his comments about Israeli expansion in the Middle East threaten regional security and stability, Anadolu reports. Mike Huckabee argued that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying on a podcast released Friday: “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all.” Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and voiced support for the idea of “divine providence” giving control of the region to Israel. After Huckabee claimed Israel had a divine right to vast portions

• 
  Child among 3 Palestinians injured by illegal Israeli settlers’ assaults in West Bank

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Three Palestinians, including a child, were wounded Saturday by illegal Israeli settlers in two separate attacks in the occupied West Bank, local officials and medics said. In the village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, village council head Amin Abu Alia told Anadolu that illegal settlers opened fire on residents, wounding two Palestinians. “The situation is bad. Gunfire is ongoing on the southern side of the village. There are two injuries—a child and a young man who was shot in the back and is in critical condition,” Abu Alia said. In a separate incident in the southern West Bank, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said a Palestinian man was injured after being beaten by illegal settlers in the Masafer Yatta area,

• 
  Jordan, Venezuela agree on roadmap for economic cooperation

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Jordan and Venezuela have agreed to develop a roadmap identifying available and promising areas of economic cooperation, while also reviewing regional and international issues of mutual interest, Anadolu reports. The agreement came during separate meetings between Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, as well as Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, during an undeclared working visit by Safadi to the capital, Caracas. According to a statement issued Saturday by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, Rodríguez received Safadi on Friday, during which he conveyed King Abdullah II’s keenness to further develop relations between the two countries. Rodríguez, in turn, affirmed Venezuela’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties across various fields, the statement said. The discussions also addressed opportunities to enhance

• 
  Illegal Israeli settler attacks force displacement of 11 Palestinian families east of Ramallah

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Eleven Palestinian families on Saturday began dismantling their homes in a Bedouin community east of the city of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank due to continued attacks by illegal Israeli settlers and the Israeli army, Anadolu reports. Mustafa Kaabneh, a resident of the Khalayel Bedouin encampment south of the village of al-Mughayyir, told Anadolu that 11 families in the community started dismantling their makeshift homes of tin sheets and tents early Saturday in preparation to relocate to another area, amid continuous attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers. He said the families, comprising 55 people including children, the elderly, and women, have begun moving to an area near Jericho as a result of the assaults and restrictions imposed

• 
  Over 1,000 UK councilors pledge support for Palestine ahead of May local elections

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  More than 1,000 councilors across England have pledged their support for Palestinian rights ahead of the crucial local elections in May, as campaigners aim to make Palestine a central electoral issue, Anadolu reports. The Councillor Pledge for Palestine, launched by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in December and backed by the Vote Palestine 2026 coalition, commits elected representatives to act to uphold Palestinian rights and ensure their councils are not complicit in Israel’s violations of international law. Measures include divesting council pension funds from companies implicated in these violations. Thirty-one councils have already passed motions or issued statements supporting pension fund divestment, a position backed by 46% of voters and opposed by just 14%, according to data by PSC. “The

• 
  Syrian authorities take control of Qamishli airport under deal with SDF

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority said Saturday that it has taken over the management of Qamishli International Airport in northeastern Syria, under an agreement between the government and the terrorist organization YPG/SDF, Anadolu reports. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the authority assumed control of the airport as part of the implementation of the broader agreement signed between Damascus and the SDF. The authority said several department directors conducted a field visit to the airport, reviewing its technical and administrative status and discussing mechanisms to resume operations in line with international safety and efficiency standards. Authority chief Omar al-Hosari described the step as “important within the path of unifying airport management under the umbrella of the state and

• 
  Young man fatally stabbed outside mosque in central England during Muslim holy month of Ramadan

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  UK police have launched a murder investigation after a young man was stabbed to death outside a mosque in England’s West Midlands during celebrations of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Anadolu reports. Officers were called over reports of disorder outside a place of worship on Oldbury Road in Smethwick, near Birmingham, on Friday evening. The young man, 18, was found in critical condition and died at the scene. Two other young men, ages 19 and 22, were also injured in the incident and were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Detectives said that though the fatal stabbing occurred during Ramadan it is not currently being treated as religiously or racially aggravated. A spokesperson for

• 
  Hundreds protest in Stockholm to denounce Israel’s latest measures aimed at annexing West Bank

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Hundreds of people protested in Sweden’s capital of Stockholm on Saturday, condemning Israel’s latest administrative measures aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. Despite the cold weather, people gathered at Odenplan Square in central Stockholm in response to calls from several civil society organizations before marching on the roads to protest Israel’s plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. Protesters voiced opposition to the proposed annexation and called for action over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Last Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as “state property” for the first time since Israel occupied the territory in 1967. According to Israeli Channel 7, the measure includes opening previously

• 
  Iran’s IRGC Navy tests Sayyad-3G air defense missile in Strait of Hormuz drill

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has tested the Sayyad-3G air defense missile for the first time during the “Smart Control” drills in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. According to an Anadolu correspondent, the IRGC Navy on Saturday released footage showing the launch of the naval version of the land-based Sayyad-3 air defense system, known as the Sayyad-3G, from the vessel Shahid Sayyad Shirazi. The Sayyad-3G missile features vertical launch capability and has a reported range of 150 kilometers (93 miles). Iranian authorities said the system enables the establishment of a regional air defense umbrella for military vessels of the Shahid Soleimani class. Iran first tested the long-range, land-based Sayyad-3 air defense missile on Dec. 28, 2016. The

• 
  Jordan condemns US ambassador’s remarks on Israel controlling Middle East

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Jordan on Saturday condemned remarks by US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee suggesting acceptance of Israel’s control over the entire Middle East, in addition to the occupied West Bank, calling the comments “absurd and provocative”, Anadolu reports. Mike Huckabee argued that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying on a podcast released Friday: “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all.” Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and voiced support for the idea of “divine providence” giving control of the region to Israel. After Huckabee claimed Israel had a divine right

• 
  Punishing language: Queensland’s Antisemitism Bill

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  In a feat of enterprising delusion and sinister suppression, Australia’s second largest state has decided to deal with what it regards as an antisemitic problem.  After last December’s attacks on Sydney’s Bondi Beach by two gunmen on attendees of a Hanukkah event that left 15 people dead, it has become modish to insist that a blight has gripped the continent.  On 8 February, the State government of Premier David Crisafulli announced it was “delivering strong, decisive action to combat antisemitism [and] address terrorist-motivated offending to make Queensland safer.” As with other parts of the country, antisemitism has been singled out as the exceptional hatred, so unique as to require singular laws and singular treatment.  (Others, such as Islamophobia, do not

• 
  Palestine denounces US envoy’s remarks on Israeli rule over Middle East

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Saturday said comments by the US ambassador to Israel suggesting acceptance of Israeli control over the entire Middle East amount to “an explicit call to violate the sovereignty of states,” Anadolu reports. Speaking to journalist Tucker Carlson, Huckabee this week argued that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying: “It would be fine if they took it all.” In a statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the remarks, saying they “contradict religious and historical facts and international law,” and also contradict statements by US President Donald Trump rejecting annexation of the occupied West Bank. The ministry said the “provocative” comments represent “an explicit call to violate

• 
  Former US army veteran opposes Ohio bill targeting Israel criticism as antisemitism

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  A proposed bill in US state of Ohio is drawing controversy, including from an army veteran, for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which critics say could criminalize some protests and criticisms of Israel, Anadolu reports. Josephine Guilbeau, a 17-year US Army veteran and former intelligence officer, strongly opposed the legislation during her testimony before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee. She said: “Under this bill, anyone, even Jews speaking against Zionist actions, could be criminalized.” Guilbeau warned that passage of the bill would endanger freedoms in the US, adding: “No law you enact can silence believers. No law can erase the word ‘God’ from our hearts.” READ: ‘It would be fine if they took it all”: US envoy

• 
  LeBron, Gaza, and the cost of “nothing but great things”

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  It takes a special kind of sentence to stain a legacy. LeBron James found one: “I’ve heard nothing but great things” about Israel — uttered while Gaza burns, while civilian bodies are counted in the tens of thousands, while entire neighbourhoods have been erased and families are digging loved ones from rubble. “Nothing but great things.” That is not ignorance. That is moral anaesthesia. For more than a decade, LeBron insisted that silence is complicity. He scolded America when it deserved scolding. He condemned Trump. He wore Black Lives Matter on his chest. He made it clear that he was not just a basketball player but a citizen with a conscience. He rejected “shut up and dribble.” He told the

• 
  Turkish Red Crescent aid continues to flow into Gaza after reopening of Rafah crossing

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  The 21st Goodness Ship loaded with humanitarian aid from the Turkish Red Crescent destined for Gaza reached El Arish in northeastern Egypt on Saturday after departing from Mersin, Turkiye, Anadolu reports. Turkish aid continues to flow into Gaza following the partial reopening of the Rafah border crossing earlier this month after nearly two years of closure, enabling increased humanitarian deliveries amid the ongoing ceasefire. The latest ship carries some 3,300 tons of humanitarian aid, including 175,000 food parcels along with food items, personal care products, clothing, shelter materials, water, and other essential living supplies. READ: Turkish president says Israel is blocking Gaza aid with ‘fabricated excuses’ Upon arrival at El Arish, the aid materials were received and will be transferred to Gaza

• 
  Peace in name only: Why Trump’s Board of Peace does not help Gaza?

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  While children in Gaza search for warmth inside tents and broken buildings, Washington hosts meetings under the title of a new “Board of Peace” launched by President Donald Trump. The name sounds important. But the questions are even bigger. In Gaza, children do not hear conference speeches. They are not protected by slogans about peace hanging on the walls of luxury halls. Under the rubble, mothers know that words do not stop missiles. Statements of condemnation do not rebuild homes. Speeches do not wipe away the tears of a child who has lost his family. They speak about peace. But peace does not come with bombing. It is not born from ruins. It cannot be written in ink while reality

• 
  Yemeni political bloc warns unlawful escalation in Aden threatens chances for political resolution

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  A Yemeni political bloc warned that any escalation outside the framework of the law in the interim capital Aden in the south of the country threatens prospects for the political solutions needed to end the crisis, according to Yemen’s official Saba News Agency. The statement was issued by the national bloc of political parties and signed by 22 parties and political components, the news agency reported late Friday. The bloc expressed regret over the “rioting incidents” that took place in Aden on Thursday evening, which led to injuries and caused panic among citizens and children in nearby civilian facilities. It stressed that “the right to peaceful expression is constitutionally guaranteed,” emphasizing that any escalation outside the law does not serve

• 
  Death toll from Israeli strike on eastern Lebanon rises to 10, over 30 injured

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  The death toll from an Israeli airstrike that hit a building in the town of Riyaq in Baalbek district, eastern Lebanon, rose to 10, with more than 30 people injured, in a preliminary count, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency NNA. NNA reported on Friday evening that 10 people were killed, and more than 30 injuries were recorded in a non-final toll following an Israeli strike on a building in Riyaq, adding that search and rescue operations were still ongoing beneath the rubble. Meanwhile, the Lebanese group Hezbollah announced the death of one of its leaders, Hussein Mohammad Yaghi, following the Israeli strikes on Riyaq. Earlier on Friday evening, Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on several areas

• 
  Trump open to ‘token’ Iran enrichment deal as military options stay on table: Report

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  US President Donald Trump is prepared to consider an Iranian proposal allowing “token” nuclear enrichment provided it leaves no possible path to a nuclear weapon, US media reported Friday, citing senior US officials, Anadolu reports. The news comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is finalizing a proposal expected to be shared with Washington within days. He said the plan would include political commitments and technical measures to ensure the program is exclusively civilian. According to a report by website Axios, Washington’s official position remains “zero enrichment” on Iranian soil. However, a senior official said the administration would review a proposal that includes small, symbolic, or “token” enrichment if Iran offers detailed guarantees. “President Trump will be ready

• 
  Iranian foreign minister demands evidence from Trump regarding 32,000 alleged deaths during protests

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday dismissed US claims that 32,000 civilians were killed during protests in Iran, saying Tehran has already released official figures and calling for evidence to substantiate higher estimates, Anadolu reports. “You know, the people of Iran are a lot different than the leaders of Iran, and it’s very, very, very sad situation,” US President Donald Trump said Friday, adding that 32,000 people were killed there over a “relatively short period of time.” In remarks through US social media company X, Araghchi said Tehran had already fulfilled its “pledge of full transparency” by publishing an official list documenting 3,117 victims of what he described as “recent terrorist operations,” including around 200 security personnel. He added

• 
  Saudi crown prince sent complaint letter to UAE security adviser over Yemen, Sudan: Report

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sent a lengthy letter to a senior Emirati official outlining Riyadh’s grievances over the UAE’s role in Sudan and Yemen, according to a report published on Friday by the news outlet Middle East Eye. Citing multiple US and Western officials, the outlet reported that the Saudi crown prince recently wrote to Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE’s national security adviser, raising concerns about Abu Dhabi’s policies in the two conflict zones, and seeking mediation. The letter, sent several weeks ago, included a detailed list of Saudi complaints regarding Emirati activities in Sudan’s ongoing civil war and in neighboring Yemen. It also proposed mediation through the crown prince’s brother and defense minister, Khalid bin

• 
  New game explores links between Ireland and Palestine

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Resistance through gaming and fun is the aim of two young women from the Middle East who launched a new card game last week which links the shared histories of Ireland and Palestine under colonisation. The aim of the ‘Roots and Resistance’ game is to teach players about the history, heritage, and culture of two countries with a shared history of being colonised and occupied. It took the two young women, Hiba Awaysa from Palestine and Maria Kesherian from Lebanon, just five months to develop the game after meeting up at a large national demonstration in solidarity with the people of Palestine in Dublin last year. Both Hiba and Maria live in Galway, on Ireland’s west coast, and both of

• 
  ‘It would be fine if they took it all’: US envoy says about Israeli biblical claims

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee argued that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying, “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all,” on a podcast released Friday. Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and voiced support for the concept After Huckabee claimed Israel had a divine right to vast portions of the Middle East, Carlson asked him to clarify “what land are you talking about?” Interpretations of the biblical phrase “river of Egypt” vary, with some scholars identifying it as a riverbed in the Sinai Peninsula and others as the Nile.

• 
  US evacuates hundreds of troops from Qatar, Bahrain amid Iran tensions: Report

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Hundreds of US troops have been pulled out of the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, The New York Times reported Friday, citing anonymous Pentagon sources. The report also said forces have been evacuated from Bahrain, where the US Navy’s 5th Fleet is based. American forces remain stationed at bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The withdrawal is being interpreted as a precautionary measure amid rising tensions about a possible US. attack on Iran, with Tehran expected to respond by striking American forces in the region. The US military’s Central Command, which covers Iran and much of the surrounding region, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a letter Thursday

• 
  Spain calls EU Commission’s attendance at Board of Peace meeting ‘mistake’

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Friday described the European Commission’s presence at US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace inaugural meeting in Washington as a “mistake,” according to Swiss Info, citing the Spanish news agency EFE. ​​Albares’ remarks were made at an event in Barcelona, after Trump convened the meeting of his newly established group on Thursday, bringing together representatives from more than 20 countries to discuss the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and broader international stabilization efforts. Although the EU declined to join the initiative, it sent Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica to attend the portion of the meeting dedicated to Gaza. “It pained me to see a European Union commissioner who shouldn’t have been there,” said Albares.

• 
  Of braids and Moustaches: Weaponizing hair in post-Assad Syrian conflicts

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Legend has it that Jabr and Jabreen were two brothers from the tribe of Zabeed who lived near Tayma, in present-day Saudi Arabia. Jabr, the younger brother, had fathered many sons and thus claimed the right to chieftaincy over his elder brother Jabreen, who had only daughters. Lacking the male backing required to press his claim, Jabreen left for the Syrian desert and settled near Aleppo. There, the local tribal chief was enamored of Jabreen’s daughters and sought to take them all for himself. Seeing that her father was once again outmanned, one of Jabreen’s daughters cut off her braid and concealed it in the udder cover of the family’s she-camel before setting the animal loose. The camel returned, as

• 
  Germany renews call for its citizens to leave Iran

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Germany’s Embassy in Tehran renewed its call on Friday for German citizens to leave Iran amid growing risks of escalation in the region, Anadolu Agency reports. The embassy warned that travel to Iran is discouraged and that German citizens are urged to leave. “The security situation in Iran and the entire region is extremely volatile and very tense. Further escalation and military clashes cannot be ruled out. Further restrictions on air traffic, including flight cancellations and airspace closures, may occur at any time,” it said. The statement also warned that the German Embassy in Tehran is currently “only able to provide limited consular assistance on site.” The renewed call came after US President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that he

• 
  Hamas calls Israeli attack on Lebanon refugee camp ‘crime against civilians’

  by MI on February 21, 2026

  Palestinian group Hamas on Friday rejected Israeli claims that a strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon targeted one of its command centers, calling the attack a “crime against civilians” and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Hamas condemned the attack as a “brutal aggression” by the Israeli army against the camp in the city of Sidon, saying the strike resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. “Targeting a camp that houses thousands of Palestinian refugees and is densely populated constitutes a dangerous escalation and a blatant disregard for international laws and norms,” the statement said. The movement denied Israeli allegations that the targeted site was a Hamas facility, calling them “baseless

• 
  Lawyers ask police to investigate Elbit Systems UK for alleged war crimes complicity

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  A London-based law firms urged the Metropolitan Police to investigate the potential complicity of Elbit Systems UK directors in atrocities in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), with the support of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), submitted a detailed complaint Thursday to the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. The complaint said they asked the division to open a criminal investigation into four current and former British directors of Elbit Systems UK for “possible complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.” The complaint is brought on behalf of a Palestinian national living in the UK whose close family members remain in Gaza. It asked the War Crimes Unit to investigate whether decisions

• 
  UN chief condemns Israeli killing of Palestinian-American citizen in West Bank

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  The UN chief condemned the killing of a 19-year-old dual Palestinian-American citizen in the occupied West Bank, his spokesman said Friday, Anadolu reports. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “a prompt, thorough and transparent” investigation into the circumstances of the incident and for those responsible to be held to account, Stephane Dujarric told a news conference. His remarks came a day after Nasrallah Abu Siyam was shot and beaten in an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Mukhmas in the occupied West Bank. “In the same attack, settlers shot and injured three other Palestinians. The secretary-general extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim,” he said. Guterres urged Israel “to take concrete steps to

• 
  A stunted start marks the inaugural Board for Peace in Gaza

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” inaugurated in early 2026 to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and potentially supplant UN roles, began with low expectations and limited attendance, as many U.S. allies opted out. While 26 countries joined the charter, only 19 attended the initial, vaguely detailed meeting, which was criticized as a “masterclass in branding” rather than an established diplomatic force. Many countries, including major U.S. allies, did not attend the initial meeting. Nearly half of the invited nations held off on signing the charter. Originally intended for Gaza rebuilding, the board expanded to potentially oversee the United Nations, with Trump as chair for life, wielding significant veto power. The board saw a $10 billion pledge from the U.S. for Gaza and,

• 
  Lancet study: Gaza death toll 50% higher than previously reported

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  The death toll in Gaza is 50 per cent higher than originally reported, according to a major new peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Global Health, which estimates that more than 75,000 Palestinians were killed in the first 15 months of Israel’s genocide. The study estimates 75,200 violent deaths between 7 October 2023 and 5 January 2025, compared with 49,090 recorded by Gaza’s Ministry of Health for the same period. That difference of around 26,000 deaths puts the Lancet figure at approximately 50 per cent above the official toll, with researchers concluding that the Ministry’s count fell 34.7 per cent short of their estimate. The findings come from the Gaza Mortality Survey, described by the authors as the first independent,

• 
  2 killed in Israeli drone strike on Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Two people were killed, and three others were injured in an Israeli drone strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Friday, in the latest violation of a 2024 ceasefire deal, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, Anadolu reports. Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that the strike hit the Hittin neighborhood inside the densely populated camp, located near the southern city of Sidon. The airstrike caused material damage to the targeted building and surrounding structures. The Palestinian Red Crescent in the Ain al-Hilweh camp said in a statement that two people were killed and three others injured in the attack. Ambulances immediately arrived at the scene and transported the injured to hospitals in Sidon, which

• 
  Selective freedom: Muslim women, headscarves, and the unfinished legacy of February 28

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  As February 28 approaches, it is important to remember that this process is not merely a closed chapter in Turkey’s past. The deep scars it left on the lives of Muslim women remain very much alive. Although February 28 is often described as a “postmodern coup,” its consequences were anything but abstract. Muslim women became one of the social groups who paid the heaviest price for this intervention. While the declared target of the coup was Muslim identity, the cost was most visibly exacted from women. The headscarf was stripped of its meaning as an expression of faith in the public sphere and transformed into a justification for discrimination. Women’s rights to education, employment, and political participation were systematically restricted.

• 
  Millions of Syrian children out of school as funding gaps threaten recovery: UNICEF envoy

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  Syrian children continue to face poverty, displacement, and education disruption despite a fragile recovery following political changes, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador said Friday after a visit to the country, Anadolu reports. Muzoon Almellehan, in a press briefing in Geneva where she joined via link, described both hope and hardship, noting that communities are rebuilding, but millions of children remain vulnerable. At least 2.45 million children are still out of school, while 1.6 million more risk dropping out due to damaged infrastructure, poverty, and displacement, she said. More than 4 million Syrians remain internally displaced outside camps, with another 1.35 million living in camps. According to Almellehan, explosive remnants of war remain a major threat, with nearly 1,000 incidents recorded and

• 
  Trump’s war: A conflict of survival, not strategy

  by Marwa A on February 20, 2026

  “Trump’s challenge isn’t just Tehran. It’s balancing Israel, the donor class, and his own movement—both of which are pulling him in different directions.” The quote, as published by the Financial Times, captures the crux of America’s impending conflict with Iran. It’s no longer limited to containing Iran’s ambitions, but may now be about Donald Trump’s political survival if the war backfires. The pressures converging on Trump There are three forces putting pressure on Donald Trump, all reinforcing each other in a vicious cycle that could prove catastrophic. The Israel lobby has been instrumental in shaping America’s approach to Iran all along. Netanyahu has been putting immense pressure on Trump to escalate against Iran, and the Israel lobby has been generously

• 
  Top Russian diplomat reaffirms support for negotiation process amid US-Iran tensions

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday reaffirmed support for the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran amid escalating regional tensions, Anadolu reports. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Lavrov conveyed Moscow’s support for negotiations aimed at finding “fair political and diplomatic solutions” that respect Tehran’s legitimate rights, in accordance with the principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Noting the phone call took place at Tehran’s initiative, the statement said Lavrov and Araghchi exchanged views on the current situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, while taking into account the results of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland. “Some issues of mutual interest on the bilateral agenda were also discussed,” the statement added. The

• 
  Documents detail towers and bunkers in planned Gaza complex

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning the construction of a large military base in the Gaza Strip to host a future international stabilisation force, according to contracting records reviewed by The Guardian. The proposed site would span more than 350 acres and accommodate up to 5,000 personnel. It is intended to serve as an operational hub for a multinational force under the framework of the Peace Council, the body established to oversee Gaza’s post-war administration. The council is chaired by Trump, with his son-in-law Jared Kushner said to be involved in its leadership. READ: Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza Plans reviewed by the newspaper reportedly include the phased construction of

• 
  UN raises alarm over risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and West Bank

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The United Nations has expressed concern over the risk of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, citing intensified military operations and the large-scale displacement of Palestinian civilians. In a report released on Thursday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that escalating attacks, widespread destruction of residential areas and restrictions on humanitarian aid “appear designed to create a permanent demographic change in Gaza”. The report stated that the systematic destruction of entire neighbourhoods, combined with forced displacement aimed at creating long-term removal of the population, raises serious concerns. READ: Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza “This, along with forced displacement that appears designed to create a

• 
  From Greenland to the Gulf: Is Washington replacing the rules with raw power?

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  By early 2026, US foreign policy appears less anchored in the language of rules and more openly framed in the language of leverage. The past year has seen escalating tensions in Venezuela, renewed territorial rhetoric over Greenland, mounting friction within NATO, and an increasingly securitized posture in the Middle East. These are not isolated episodes. Together, they suggest a shift in how Washington understands the preservation of its global position. The Venezuela crisis illustrates this transition most clearly. Following the sharp deterioration of relations in late 2025 and direct confrontation with Nicolás Maduro’s government, US policy has moved beyond traditional sanctions into overt pressure tactics that blur the line between economic coercion and geopolitical brinkmanship. The episode reinforced a broader

• 
  Prisoners’ group says Palestinian detainee with leukaemia in critical condition

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The Palestinian Prisoners Club has warned that Palestinian detainee Fidaa Assaf, 49, is in critical condition after her leukaemia reportedly worsened in Israeli custody. In a statement, the organisation said Assaf, from Qalqilya, has been held since February 2025 on charges of “incitement”. According to the group, she was diagnosed with leukaemia two months before her arrest and her condition has deteriorated steadily during her detention. The statement said recent medical examinations conducted in Israeli hospitals indicated that the illness had advanced to a more serious stage, requiring urgent and intensive treatment that, it claims, is not being adequately provided in prison. READ: Ben-Gvir accuses attorney general over surge in Arab community killings The Prisoners Club said that Assaf has been

• 
  Channel 14: British parliamentarians denied security meeting in Jerusalem

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declined a request from a visiting British delegation for a special briefing on the work of the Israeli police, according to Israel’s Channel 14. The delegation included members of the UK’s Liberal Democrats, the third-largest party in Britain and generally regarded as centre-left, along with members of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and senior advisers. The group arrived in Tel Aviv on an official visit during which they met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They were also scheduled to travel to Ramallah for meetings with senior Palestinian Authority officials. READ: UK police say will no longer make arrests for supporting Palestine Action after ruling During their visit, the delegation requested a police

• 
  Doctors Without Borders warns of health crisis if forced to leave Gaza

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  The head of mission for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the Palestinian territories has warned of serious health consequences if the organisation is forced to end its operations in Gaza. Philipe Ribeiro said MSF is one of the largest healthcare providers operating in Gaza and the West Bank, and that its withdrawal would leave a significant gap in already overstretched medical services. In a press statement on Thursday, Ribeiro said the organisation intends to continue working for as long as possible, but acknowledged that recent Israeli measures pose major obstacles to its operations. He noted that MSF has been unable to bring international staff into Gaza since the beginning of January. “Israeli authorities have already refused any entry into Gaza,

• 
  Report reveals Israeli-installed security system at Epstein-linked property

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  A report by the Washington-based investigative outlet DropSite News has claimed that a security system installed at a Manhattan apartment linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein was overseen by Israeli authorities. According to the report, which cites emails recently released by the United States Department of Justice, the security equipment was installed in early 2016 in a property at 301 East 66th Street in Manhattan. The building was reportedly used by several individuals connected to Epstein. The report states that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak frequently stayed at the property. It further explains that emails show Epstein personally approved the installation of the security system and authorised meetings between his staff and Israeli security officials. READ: Israel’s Netanyahu attacks

• 
  Israel tightens entry restrictions to al-Aqsa on 1st Friday of Ramadan

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Israel tightened restrictions Friday on Palestinian worshippers seeking to enter occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first Friday of Ramadan, enforcing strict measures and requiring prior security approval for entry. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered early in the morning at military checkpoints surrounding Jerusalem in an attempt to reach the mosque, but Israeli forces barred many from entering despite some holding previously issued permits, an Anadolu correspondent reported. The Israeli army deployed large numbers of troops at checkpoints leading into the city, with senior military officers present and a heavy security presence in place. “Thousands of West Bank residents are crowded at the Qalandiya checkpoint, and the occupation authorities are refusing to allow

• 
  Indonesia’s trade deal with US risks straining its Middle East partnerships

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  This week, Indonesia and the United States signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. Most of the negotiation debate focused on tariffs and market access. Far less attention went to Article 5.1 and its geopolitical impact. That clause requires Indonesia to reflect US trade restrictions on third countries tied to American national security concerns. In practice, Jakarta could face sustained pressure to align with US sanctions. This creates friction with Indonesia’s long held free and active doctrine, which prioritises independence and active engagement across blocs. Article 5.1 complicates that balance in concrete ways. It introduces the possibility that Indonesia’s trade posture toward the Middle East and North Africa could shift in response to decisions made in Washington rather than Jakarta. Start

• 
  Ramadan under the rubble: Gaza welcomes the holy month amid ruin and unhealed wounds

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Ramadan arrives in Gaza this year (2026) for the first time since the ceasefire that came into effect last October. Yet the word “ceasefire” feels painfully detached from reality. The bombs may have slowed, but the wounds remain open. The devastation is vast, the humanitarian catastrophe is over imagination, and daily life continues under the shadow of siege and recurring violations, bombs, and killing. For Palestinians in Gaza, Ramadan is not simply a month of fasting and prayer; it is a test of endurance, faith, and the stubborn will to survive. Across the Gaza Strip, entire neighborhoods remain flattened and severely damaged, rendering most of the buildings as uninhabitable. Concrete skeletons of homes stand as silent witnesses to a war

• 
  Israeli Health Ministry reviews hospital preparations amid possible conflict with Iran

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  An Israeli TV channel reported on Thursday that the Israeli Ministry of Health held an emergency meeting with hospital directors and health insurance funds to discuss preparations for a potential escalation with Iran. According to i24 News, senior officials from the ministry attended the meeting, where hospital directors were asked to present their readiness for a possible confrontation with Iran. The discussion focused on hospital preparedness, including protective measures, infrastructure, and medical equipment, in case the routine emergency system needs to shift to a full-scale emergency response. Guidelines shared during the meeting reportedly included plans to manage large numbers of casualties, operate from protected areas within hospitals, recall medical staff if needed, and reduce non-urgent medical activities. READ: Trump says Iran

• 
  Morocco jails 18 Senegalese fans for 3 months to 1 year over AFCON final violence

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, following their arrest in connection with disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in the country, according to Anadolu Agency. The fans were detained on 18 January after causing trouble during the final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, which was won by the Senegalese national team, the “Lions of Teranga.” The court convicted them of “acts of rioting and violence, particularly against security forces, damaging sporting equipment, storming the pitch, and throwing projectiles.” All 18 received prison sentences between three and twelve months. Earlier on Thursday, the Moroccan public prosecutor at the Rabat First Instance Court had

• 
  Sawiris admits €500 million loss made in a fit of anger

  by MI on February 20, 2026

  Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has revealed that he lost around €500 million after making an investment decision in a moment of anger. Speaking on the programme Billion Journey on Egypt’s Al-Nahar TV, Sawiris said he increased his stake in a company in which he already owned 10 per cent. He decided to buy an additional 10 per cent without sufficient study after becoming upset with someone involved. The move coincided with a global market downturn, and he said he lost the entire amount. Reflecting on the experience, Sawiris said it taught him a harsh lesson: no financial decisions should be made while angry. He added that he had also faced other losses during his career due to overconfidence, stressing that