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

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  Iran leaders reject Trump claims of internal divisions

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that there is an internal infighting within Iran’s leadership. Pezeshkian said: “There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” “With the iron unity of the nation and the state, and full obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the criminal aggressor regret its actions.”   He added: “One God, one nation, one leader, and one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life.”  Ghalibaf reposted the same message on his account on X. Trump had earlier claimed there was a “crazy” internal conflict in Iran between rival factions within the leadership. Writing on his Truth Social

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  Israel tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Israel and the United States are preparing to resume the war with Iran, despite ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to arrange a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan this week. Kan reported that Iran is refusing to make concessions on its nuclear programme. Following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Israel is waiting for the green light from US President Donald Trump to restart the fighting. Israel has sent a message to Washington saying: “We are interested in resuming the campaign against Iran.” Over the past 24 hours, the United States has reinforced its presence in the region by sending an additional squadron of F/A-18 fighter jets to the Middle East, deploying more refuelling aircraft, and moving defence systems and interceptor

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  Lebanon urges UN action over Israel targeting of journalists

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Lebanon has called on the United Nations to take urgent action to halt Israel’s targeting of journalists, following the reported deaths of 28 media workers since October 2023. In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Caroline Ziadeh, raised concerns over what she characterised as repeated attacks on journalists operating in Lebanon. According to a statement, Ziadeh said the Lebanese Ministry of Information had documented a series of incidents involving Israeli strikes targeting media personnel since early 2023. Among those named were journalist and radio presenter Ghada Dayekh of Sawt Al Farah radio, and Suzanne Khalil, who worked with Al Nour radio and Al Manar TV. Ziadeh said

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  Egypt and Pakistan conclude joint military drills on ‘unconventional threats’

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  The Egyptian armed forces have announced the conclusion of a joint military exercise with Pakistan focused on counterterrorism and what were described as “unconventional threats”, as defence ties between the two countries deepen. In a statement released on Thursday, the Egyptian military said the exercise, dubbed “Thunder 2”, was conducted over several days at special forces training facilities in Pakistan. The drills involved Egyptian paratrooper units alongside Pakistani special forces. The training forms part of broader military cooperation efforts between Egypt and Pakistan, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and boosting combat readiness through joint exercises with allied and partner nations. According to the statement, the programme combined theoretical and field-based components designed to standardise operational concepts, facilitate the exchange of

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  Israeli minister says army awaiting US approval for potential strike on Iran

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a fresh warning to Tehran, stating that the Israeli military is awaiting a “green light” from the United States to carry out a large-scale operation against Iran. In remarks widely seen as an escalation in rhetoric, Katz said the objective of any potential strike would be to severely degrade Iran’s capabilities, using language that suggested far-reaching military consequences. The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel signalling that its forces remain on high alert. Katz said the military was fully prepared for both defensive and offensive scenarios in the event of renewed confrontation with Iran. He added that all options remain under consideration, pending final coordination with Washington, Israel’s principal ally. Katz’s

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  Iran announces tolls for Hormuz transit as nuclear talks remain stalled

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified on the 16th day of a fragile ceasefire, as Tehran announced plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations over its nuclear programme remain deadlocked. Washington renewed its demand that Tehran surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, with the White House insisting Iran is obligated to comply despite the continuation of the ceasefire and existing economic sanctions. The White House said US President Donald Trump had put forward what he described as a “generous offer”, urging Tehran to deliver a unified response. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran “always welcomes dialogue and agreement”, but warned that ongoing sanctions and threats remain the principal obstacle to

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  Lebanon won’t ink deal without Israel full withdrawal, PM says

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon “will not sign any agreement that does not include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces,” rejecting any arrangement that maintains a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. In remarks to The Washington Post, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated: “We cannot coexist with what is called a buffer zone, where displaced persons are not allowed to return to their cities and villages.” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the administration of US President, Donald Trump to pressure Israel to reduce its demands and end its occupation. He added: “We have taken bold decisions and made progress in confiscating weapons, banning Hezbollah’s military operations, and ensuring the state’s monopoly on weapons. This is

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  Starving the militias: Washington’s smartest move against Iran’s proxies

  by MI on April 24, 2026

  Tehran’s regional hegemony was not forged through the deployment of its own conventional divisions, but through the cultivation of a sprawling network of proxies and paramilitary franchises, funded, trained, and commanded by Iran to wage its battles. In Iraq, these groups have lobbed missiles at Israel, sent drones across borders, and terrorised civilians. For years, the international community responded with kinetic strikes that often only served to martyr militia leaders and fuel recruitment. Now, however, Washington has found the pressure point that hurts most: their wallets. The Trump administration is withholding Iraq’s oil revenues, creating a financial strain aimed directly at the Iranian-backed militias that depend on those funds to pay fighters, buy weapons, and maintain influence. No dramatic military

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  The mandate to speak: Before the world goes dark

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  In 2017, twenty-seven psychiatrists and mental health professionals broke their profession’s long standing ‘Goldwater rule’  against diagnosing public figures from afar.  They published a book titled  The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, and in it, they wrote a sentence that should have stopped the world cold:  ‘Trump is now the most powerful head of state in the world, and one of the most impulsive , arrogant, ignorant, disorganised, chaotic, nihilistic , self-contradictory , self-important and self-serving.  He has his finger on the triggers of a thousand or more of the most powerful thermonuclear weapons in the world.  That means he could kill more people in a few seconds than any dictator in past history has been able to kill during 

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  Air defenses activated in Tehran: Iranian media

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  Air defense systems were heard operating in parts of Tehran on Thursday evening, according to Iranian media. State news agency IRNA said that the sound of air defenses was heard in both western and eastern areas of the capital. No further details were immediately available. Iranian media outlets, however, said later that the activation of the air defenses in Tehran was part of a test. Meanwhile, an Israeli military source denied any involvement. “Israel is not attacking Iran,” the source told Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. READ: Iran says it collected 1st revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting Hormuz

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  Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem files complaint over Israeli occupiers’ encroachments on church-owned lands in West Bank

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  The Endowment Department of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Thursday it filed an official complaint with Israeli authorities regarding encroachments by occupiers on church-owned land in Tayasir area in the West Bank governorate of Tubas, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the department said the complaint details attacks against local residents and land of the Latin Patriarchate across several locations. In response to the complaint, Israeli authorities began a series of measures, including “pursuing those responsible and seizing heavy machinery used for land destruction and damage at the site,” the statement said. During a meeting held Wednesday with representatives of the Israeli military authorities and the Civil Administration, the department described actions by Israeli occupiers as “a clear violation of

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  Red liquid thrown at Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi during Germany visit

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  Reza Pahlavi, the controversial exiled son of Iran’s last shah, was splattered with red paint during a visit to Germany on Thursday when an activist confronted him over his stance on the Iran war, Anadolu reports. After he left the Federal Press Conference in central Berlin and walked toward a waiting car with security, the activist approached and threw the liquid, which hit the back of his neck and shoulders, video from the scene showed. Police restrained the suspect and took the person into custody. Pahlavi then got into his vehicle and left the area. Earlier in the day, Pahlavi reiterated support for US and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling the military campaign a “humanitarian intervention” necessary to overthrow the

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  US turned back 33 vessels since start of naval blockade of Iran: CENTCOM

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  US forces have directed 33 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday, Anadolu reports. The number marks an increase from the 31 vessels reported earlier in the day and follows Sunday’s interception of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA and boarding Thursday of M/T Majestic X in the Indian Ocean. The blockade was launched April 13, following weeks of disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the US-Israeli war on Iran began Feb. 28, rattling global energy markets and raising fears of prolonged economic damage. A ceasefire mediated by Pakistan is in place

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  3 killed as Israeli airstrike targets car in southern Lebanon ahead of US-hosted talks

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  An Israeli airstrike targeted a car in southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing three people, hours before US-hosted talks between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The ministry said the fatalities were reported in the strike that hit the vehicle along a road linking Nabatieh and Shoukine. The attack comes as Washington prepares to host a second round of ambassador-level talks later on Thursday in an effort to reach a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel. The first round on April 14, the first talks in 43 years, resulted in a temporary ceasefire and an agreement to begin direct negotiations at a later stage. Lebanon is seeking to extend a US-announced 10-day ceasefire, which expires Sunday, that

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  Italy in favor of restrictions on imports from Israeli occupiers in West Bank, says top official

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  The Italian foreign minister on Thursday expressed support for restrictions on imports from Israeli occupiers in the West Bank, Anadolu reports. “Things in the West Bank are not going well, they must change, and we have said this clearly,” Antonio Tajani said during a questions session in the Senate, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Tajani added: “The settlement policy must end, as must the violence of extremist settlers.” He went on to say that together with some European partners, Italy is also positively evaluating the possibility of restrictions on imports of goods produced in the occupied West Bank, “a measure that targets the sources of funding for extremist settler networks.” READ: Palestinian child killed by Israeli army fire in West

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  Iran says it collected 1st revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting Hormuz

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  Iran has collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global energy supplies, Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei said Thursday. “First revenues from transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz have been deposited into the Central Bank account,” he said in comments carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. Lawmaker Alireza Salimi also told Tasnim that Iran has begun collecting fees from vessels passing through the strait, citing what he described as “reliable sources.” The amount charged varies depending on the type and volume of cargo and the level of risk posed by each vessel, the agency said, adding that Iran determines the rates and

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  Lebanon will not compromise on its rights during US-hosted talks with Israel: Maronite patriarch

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  Lebanon will not compromise on its rights during US-hosted negotiations with Israel, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi said Thursday, Anadolu reports. Al-Rahi met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ahead of a second round of talks Thursday in Washington between Lebanon and Israel, the presidency said in a statement. Al-Rahi said Aoun rejects any negotiations that would undermine Lebanon’s rights, stressing that the president “represents all Lebanese and does not speak from a sectarian standpoint.” The patriarch said discussions with Aoun also focused on the need to “establish humanitarian corridors for residents of southern Lebanon to ensure access to food and medical aid, as well as safe passage for treatment,” describing it as a “right guaranteed under international law.” He emphasized

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  Trump orders Navy to shoot any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any small vessel caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz as a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran continues, Anadolu reports. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat … that is putting mines in the waters,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding that there is “to be no hesitation” in executing the order. He claimed that the entirety of Iran’s naval fleet, consisting of 159 ships, lies “at the bottom of the sea” and any boat laying mines would be “small boats.” The president also commanded an immediate tripling of minesweeping activities to clear

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  27 journalists killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, press union says

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  At least 27 journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2, along with many others wounded, the Lebanese Press Syndicate Editors said Thursday. In a statement, the syndicate condemned Israel’s targeting of a group of journalists in the southern town of Tayri on Wednesday, in which reporter Amal Khalil was killed and her colleague Zeinab Faraj was wounded. The syndicate said Khalil had previously received death threats from the Israeli army. “With her killing, the number of journalists and media workers killed has risen to 27, in addition to a large number of injured,” the statement said. The syndicate called on the Federation of Arab Journalists to work with international and Arab press unions to support

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  Palestinian child killed by Israeli army fire in West Bank raid

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  A Palestinian child was killed Thursday by Israeli army fire during a raid in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, according to Palestinian media. The official Palestine TV reported that the child was killed by Israeli gunfire, without giving details about the circumstances of his death. The child was identified as Yousef Sameh Ashtayyeh, from the town of Tell, southwest of Nablus, local sources told Anadolu. Israeli forces stormed Nablus early Thursday and raided a building in the Rafidia neighborhood and conducted field interrogations with residents. READ: Palestinian deaths in Gaza, West Bank get less empathy than destroyed statue of Jesus: Haaretz The sources added that Israeli forces opened fire while withdrawing from the city toward the Beit

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  UN peacekeeping chief warns of ‘increasingly dangerous environment’ for peacekeepers

  by MI on April 23, 2026

  The UN peacekeeping chief warned Thursday of an “increasingly dangerous environment” for peacekeepers, citing recent deadly incidents and growing risks on the ground, Anadolu reports. Jean-Pierre Lacroix said five peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had been killed in recent weeks, underscoring the escalating threats facing UN personnel. He said peacekeepers continue to operate in volatile conditions while working to protect civilians and maintain stability in conflict zones. Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Lacroix said the presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory constitutes “a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.” He stressed that a lasting solution cannot be achieved through military means alone and must instead come through a political agreement implemented by Lebanese

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  Is the EU willing to deconstruct colonialism and its role in maintaining it?

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Sanctions, deemed effective by the EU when applied so swiftly to Russia and Iran, do not have the same effect when it comes to Israel, according to EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. Asked about the EU’s double standards when it comes to Israel so swiftly applied by the EU to Russia and Iran, Kallas retorted, “A suspension of the association agreement, will it stop the expansion [by Israeli settlers] on the West Bank? You know this is probably also not true.” On its own, no. Sanctions will not stop the Israel from its colonial expansion. But suspending Israel from the EU-Israel Association Agreement is not supposed to stop settlement expansion. What it should do is stop the agreement on

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  A Strategic Risk and Legal Ambiguity: A Managed Confrontation in Hormuz

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  U.S. President Donald Trump was forced to extend the ceasefire, originally set to expire on April 22, after Washington and Tehran failed to agree on a second round of talks. The first round in Islamabad had already fallen short of narrowing the gap between the two sides. The extension came despite Tehran making good on its warning not to attend further negotiations. Its decision followed Washington’s refusal to meet key Iranian demands: lifting the blockade on its ports and releasing the Iranian vessel Tosca. Those measures had been imposed during the ceasefire itself, steps Iran framed as a violation of the truce and a blow to the negotiation track. Compounding matters were Trump’s chinging and contradictory public remarks. At times,

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  US extends sanctions waivers on Iran, Russia

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent announced a 30-day extension of sanctions waivers on Iranian and Russian oil exports transported by sea, in a move described as a reversal of his earlier position. Speaking during a Senate hearing, Bessent said the decision came in response to urgent requests from financial leaders in around 10 countries, which he described as the most vulnerable to energy shortages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing war in the region. He noted that discussions held during meetings at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank influenced the decision, aiming to prevent a global energy crisis. The extension represents a sharp policy shift, as Scott Bessent had previously stated that no

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  Iran executes former official accused of collaborating with Mossad

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Iran has executed a former official accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence and leaking sensitive information, according to official and human rights sources. The Iranian judiciary’s Mizan News Agency reported that the man, Mehdi Farid, was convicted of spying for the Israeli Mossad and abusing his position in a civil defence unit within a “sensitive organisation” to gather and transmit information. The agency said the death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court and carried out after the completion of legal procedures. According to the Norway-based human rights organisation Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, Mehdi Farid had previously served as head of the administration department of the Defence Committee and was executed secretly at an undisclosed location on Wednesday morning.

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  A ceasefire without meaning and a strait without horizon: How the war betrayed Iranian hopes

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

   The recent statement by U.S. President Donald Trump about Iran’s financial losses from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is less a policy position and more a late attempt to justify a political, military, and moral failure. Instead of addressing what the world was actually waiting for — the fate of the theocratic and repressive system in Tehran — Trump retreats into the language of numbers: Iran is losing $500 million a day, soldiers are unpaid, liquidity is drying up. This accounting vocabulary usually appears when decision‑makers are unable to present a real political achievement. It is not the language of a leader waging a war to topple a regime, but the language of a businessman trying to reassure

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  UAE warns US it could sell oil in Chinese yuan if war disrupts dollar flow

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The UAE has reportedly warned the US that it may have to sell some of its oil in Chinese yuan if the war with Iran causes a shortage of US dollars in the Gulf, a move that could have implications for the petrodollar system. Gulf states usually sell oil in US dollars. If a major oil producer such as the UAE starts using Chinese yuan instead, even for some sales, it would be viewed as a significant development in global energy markets and international finance. Read: UAE discusses US financial backstop as Iran war threatens deeper economic crisis Iranian attacks on the Gulf state, in response to the US and Israeli bombing of the Islamic Republic, have disrupted energy flows

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  Palestinian citizens of Israel mark 78th anniversary of Nakba

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Palestinian citizens of Israel commemorated the 78th anniversary of the Nakba (Palestinian catastrophe) under the slogan “Their Independence Day is Our Nakba,” amid restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on public events. The commemoration included marches and activities in several depopulated villages, alongside widespread calls for participation. However, the Israeli authorities banned the central unity march, organised annually since 1998 by the Association for the Defence of the Rights of the Displaced. Former head of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, Muhammad Barakeh said in a press statement that “the current situation is not related to exceptional security circumstances, but rather reflects a historical reality that has persisted since the establishment of Israel at the expense of the

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  Confusion, delusion, and how Israel drives the Iran War

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the temporary ceasefire is the culmination of an American policy defined by strategic incoherence. At the center stands Donald Trump, whose shifting positions, confused war objectives, and conflicting actions have not only failed to ease regional tensions but have actively deepened them. Nowhere is this clearer than in Trump’s threats to blow up the whole country, including its bridges and power plants. At the same time, he touted a military “big day,” presenting potential war crimes as diplomatic tool, aggression as diplomacy, and destruction as leverage. Trump inflated, almost delusional, promises ahead of potential talks come across less as statesmanship and more as a calculated sales pitch to the American public. His

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  Reinventing the Gulf towards strategic neutrality

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The joint United States and Israeli military attacks and Iran’s subsequent retaliation have exposed a structural vulnerability at the heart of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Despite their concerted efforts to strengthen ties with Washington – particularly with President Trump – Gulf states found themselves peripheral to decision making, yet central to the consequences. 83% of Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes during the war were sent towards GCC states, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) receiving the most attacks of any country, including Israel. Gulf states were largely able to defend themselves, often using American systems. Yet the US military bases, which provided the rationale for these attacks, ultimately proved a strategic liability rather than an asset. Paradoxically, this

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  US deploys Ukrainian “SkyMap” system to counter Iranian drones in Saudi Arabia

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The United States has begun deploying Ukrainian technology to counter Iranian drones at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, in a move reflecting gaps in its air defence systems, according to a Reuters report. Sources said US forces have installed the Ukrainian command-and-control platform “SkyMap”, which has been used in Ukraine’s war against Russia, particularly to track and intercept Iranian Shahed drones. The report indicated that Ukrainian military experts have arrived at the base to train US personnel on operating the system. The decision comes despite earlier remarks by Donald Trump, who on 6th March rejected an offer of assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying at the time: “We don’t need their help defending against drones.” However, developments

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  Lebanon: Over 62,000 housing units destroyed or damaged by Israeli attacks

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  More than 62,000 housing units have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Israeli attacks on Lebanon during six weeks of war with Hezbollah, according to official figures. During a press conference presenting a report on the “environmental impact of the Israeli aggression”, Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research, Shadi Abdullah said: “In about 45 days, we had 21,700 destroyed housing units and 40,500 damaged housing units.” The figures were compiled by the National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon, which is assessing the scale of destruction across affected areas. Despite a ten-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that began at midnight Thursday–Friday, Israeli forces in southern Lebanon continue to carry out demolition and bombing operations, according

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  FIFA under fire as Trump envoy pushes to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  In what could become one of the biggest scandals to rock the football world, a senior envoy to US President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup, despite Iran having already qualified and publicly stating that it is ready to participate. The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, has raised serious questions about political interference in world football and FIFA’s willingness to entertain geopolitical lobbying. FIFA is already under scrutiny and faces allegations of corruption over its relationship with Trump after its president, Gianni Infantino, awarded the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” in December to the US president. The move was widely viewed as an attempt to curry favour with the

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  US envoy: Hezbollah cannot be eliminated by force alone

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, said that dealing with Hezbollah cannot rely solely on military force. In an interview with FOX NEWS, Barrack stressed that completely eliminating Hezbollah through military operations is unrealistic, given its deep integration into Lebanon’s political and social structure. He explained that experience in the region shows targeting armed groups only through military means does not fully end them, and may instead lead to their re-emergence in different forms. He added that Hezbollah continues to receive support and funding from Iran, making its survival tied to broader regional factors beyond Lebanon alone. Barrack said the US objective is not an “open war of attrition”, but rather a gradual weakening

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  Israeli air force scandal: 2 soldiers accused of spying for Iran

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Israel’s public broadcaster KAN News reported on Wednesday that two Israeli Air Force soldiers are set to be charged with spying for Iran, after being suspected of passing sensitive information related to F-15 fighter jets. According to the report, the two soldiers worked as aircraft technicians at Tel Nof airbase, near Ashdod, and face charges of aiding the enemy during wartime. Authorities are also considering upgrading the charges against one of them to treason. The suspicions indicate that the two men were asked to gather information about former Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. They are also accused of handing over documents containing plans of Israeli aircraft engines, as well as photos of

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  US launches air bridge to restock Israeli air force munitions – Hebrew sources

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Hebrew media reported on Wednesday that the United States has set up an air bridge to replenish Israeli Air Force stockpiles with munitions, in preparation for a possible renewal of war with Iran. Channel 12 previously cited sources as saying Washington had informed Israel that US President Donald Trump had set next Sunday as a deadline for negotiations with Iran. According to the report, Trump did not formally announce such a date, but Israeli officials understood this to be the timeline following updates received from the Americans. The channel added that this period would allow a third US aircraft carrier to reach the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold further discussions on Thursday to complete preparations

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 22 April

  by MI on April 23, 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 1 April

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  Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed on Wednesday evening in an Israeli strike while carrying out her work in the town of Tayri, southern Lebanon. Minutes before her martyrdom, Khalil posted on Facebook that Lebanese Civil Defence teams in Rmeish had treated a wounded fighter who arrived in Ain Ebel from Bint Jbeil, before contacting the Lebanese Red Cross to transfer him to a liberated area. She said Israeli forces stationed in Debel became aware of the wounded man and demanded, in a phone call with paramedics, that he be handed over, threatening to target the ambulance. The paramedics refused. Khalil added that the fighter later decided to walk to Debel to surrender himself in order to protect the lives

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  Smotrich calls for new Israel borders, labels Palestinians “axis of evil”

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said the country needs “wider and defensible borders” in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, describing Palestinians as part of what he called an “Iranian axis of evil”. Smotrich said the 1967 lines were “indefensible borders” as they do not take into account geographical and security considerations, according to The Jerusalem Post. He also claimed that Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are “part of the Iranian axis of evil”, dismissing criticism of settler violence as “misleading campaigns”. The minister said settlers were “among the least violent people”, adding that all measures taken in the West Bank had been coordinated with the United States. He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports expanding

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  US intelligence reports contradict Trump’s claims on Iran’s military capabilities

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran has retained significant military capability despite claims by the US administration that its defensive and offensive capabilities have been destroyed, NBC News reported on Tuesday. The broadcaster cited US lawmakers as saying that American military intelligence believes Iran still possesses “significant military capabilities.” The assessments reportedly contradict statements by US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said the US had achieved full control of Iranian airspace and destroyed Iran’s defence industry. According to earlier testimony to Congress by Lieutenant General James Adams, director of the Pentagon’s Defence Intelligence Agency, Iran still holds thousands of missiles and drones in its arsenal. These, he warned, could pose a threat to US forces and their

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  After the ceasefire illusion: Why Gaza’s “Day After” still has no buyer?

  by Marwa A on April 23, 2026

  The international community remains fixated on a phantom: Gaza’s “Day After.” While Washington, Cairo, and Doha debate elaborate governance frameworks and the “Board of Peace,” these plans share a fatal flaw—they lack a viable “buyer” on the ground. This diplomatic theatre has been eclipsed by the US-Israeli aggression against Iran that began on 28th February. Since then, Gaza has been sidelined globally, yet the genocide—begun in October 2023—has never stopped. Even before the Iran escalation, the 10th October ceasefire was a hollow promise; Israel violated the agreement over 2,400 times through near-daily air raids and shelling. Since that supposed de-escalation, nearly 1,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, pushing the total death toll past 72,300. This grim reality proves the “Day

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  White House says Trump does not view Iran’s seizure of ships as ceasefire violation

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump does not consider Iran’s seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz as a ceasefire violation, the White House said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the president does not view the seizures as violations of the truce he unilaterally extended Tuesday “because these were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships.” “These were two international vessels. And for the American media, who is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president’s facts that he has completely obliterated Iran’s conventional navy, these two ships were taken by speedy gunboats,” she said in an interview with Fox News. “Iran has gone from having the most lethal navy in the Middle East

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  Canada contributes $5M to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Canada on Wednesday announced $5 million in funding for international efforts aimed at identifying and eliminating chemical weapons remaining in Syria, Anadolu reports. “Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Canada’s contribution of $5 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program,” the Global Affairs Canada said in a statement. Noting that the OPCW will use the contribution to verify the scope of Syria’s former chemical weapons program, the readout added that the funding will also be used to investigate past uses of such weapons, and prepare for the safe destruction of remaining stockpiles, in line with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The statement said the work is considered

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  Morocco captures Israeli fraudster wanted by Interpol: Report

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  Moroccan security forces arrested an Israeli national, Avi Golan, 70, one of the most dangerous cross-border fraudsters who was wanted by Interpol, according to Israeli media, Anadolu reports. Israel’s Channel 12 said Tuesday that “an elite unit of Moroccan police carried out a nighttime raid days ago on a luxury villa where Golan was staying,” adding that he was living under a false identity as “Yair Bibert.” The report said the operation followed security coordination aimed at ending years of evasion, noting that Golan had moved between several countries, including Japan, Mexico and Germany. It said Golan previously served around 35 years in Israeli prisons in connection with 100 criminal cases, and is accused of defrauding hundreds of victims by

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  Trump thanks Iranian leadership for halting alleged executions of 8 women

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Iranian leaders for canceling the alleged executions of eight female protesters, Anadolu reports. “I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. He characterized the development as “very good news,” adding that four of the women will be released immediately while the others will serve one month in prison. The US president had appealed to Tehran on Tuesday to spare the women, framing their release would be a “great start” to negotiations. However, Iran’s judiciary-affiliated news agency, Mizan, earlier dismissed the claims of imminent hangings as “fake

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  UN says destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon ‘shocking’

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  The UN on Wednesday expressed outrage over the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. Responding to Anadolu’s question on the incident, the secretary-general’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told a news conference that the UN is aware of the incident and called it “shocking.” He welcomed the reports of “disciplinary measures” taken against the Israeli soldiers. “The desecration of religious symbols, the desecration of houses of worship, is unacceptable, regardless of the religion,” Dujarric said. Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing the statue with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army acknowledged the incident in a statement on Monday. READ: Trump post depicting himself

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  US senator criticizes Netanyahu over treatment of Christian communities

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  US Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Wednesday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what he described as a pattern of violence and pressure targeting Christian communities in the region, urging stronger action beyond statements of concern, Anadolu reports. In a video message posted on US social media platform X, Van Hollen referenced remarks by Netanyahu, who had said he was “saddened” by images showing an Israeli soldier defacing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army confirmed that one of its soldiers damaged a Christian religious symbol during operations in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu condemned the incident early Monday, claiming Israel “respects all religions.” Van Hollen questioned whether that concern extended more broadly. “The Prime Minister

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  Iran says breach of commitments, blockade are primary obstacles to ‘genuine’ talks with US

  by MI on April 22, 2026

  Iran said on Wednesday that “breach of commitments, blockade, and threats” are primary hindrances to “genuine” talks with the US, Anadolu reports. Stating that Tehran welcomed dialogue and a negotiated agreement and continues to do so, President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “Breach of commitments, blockade, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiations.” “The world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and the contradiction between claims and actions,” he wrote on the US social media company X. For his part, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on X that “a full ceasefire is only meaningful if it is not violated by a naval blockade.” “A full ceasefire is only meaningful if it is not violated through a naval blockade or

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  Palestinian deaths in Gaza, West Bank get less empathy than destroyed statue of Jesus: Haaretz

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The deaths of Palestinians and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank have received less empathy than the destruction of a Jesus statue by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, Haaretz newspaper said, Anadolu reports. Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were quick to condemn the destruction of the statue, in a move Haaretz said reflects heightened international scrutiny of the Israeli government’s relationship with Christians. Netanyahu said that he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the soldier’s conduct “grave and disgraceful.” The Israeli army also said

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  Skin infections in Gaza tripling amid worsening shelter crisis: UN

  by Marwa A on April 22, 2026

  The UN warned on Wednesday of a drastic surge in skin infections and pest-related illnesses among displaced people across the Gaza Strip as humanitarian teams struggle to provide adequate shelter with severely limited resources, Anadolu reports. “Teams on the ground say that pests and skin infections among people in Gaza is still on the rise,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news conference. “In March, such infections have more than tripled in our own UN-run displacement sites.” Dujarric said the crisis is “impacting almost 10,000 people compared with about 3,000 in January,” according to figures by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. He urged greater access for “the entry of anti-lice shampoo, lotions, hygiene supplies, pesticides and