Category: MIDDLE EAST

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran’s Semnan area Friday, near military space and missile complexes, triggering speculation about potential nuclear testing amid Iran-Israel conflict. However, seismic experts from USGS and CTBTO dismissed nuclear test theories, confirming it was a natural earthquake. Iran experiences over 2,100 earthquakes annually due to its location on active tectonic plates. No casualties reported.READ FULL

Qatar held emergency talks with energy companies after Israeli strikes on an Iran-Qatar shared gas field. Energy Minister Saad Al Kaabi urged firms to alert Western governments about escalation risks to Qatar’s LNG exports, which represent 20% of global supply. Major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies attended meetings. No current disruptions reported to Qatar’s gas operations.READ FULL

While Israel wages war against Iran over nuclear concerns, reports reveal Israel secretly possesses at least 90 nuclear warheads—the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal. Despite official ambiguity, Israel’s uranium stockpile could produce hundreds more weapons. The program, housed near Dimona since 1958, makes Israel the world’s eighth-largest nuclear power, though it remains unrecognized under international treaties.READ FULL

At least 26 Palestinians were killed and over 80 injured when Israeli forces opened fire near a US-backed aid distribution center in Rafah. The incident occurred as thousands gathered for food distribution. Hamas condemned it as a “massacre against hungry civilians,” while the US rejected Hamas’s latest ceasefire proposal as “unacceptable.” The controversial aid site has faced UN criticism for violating humanitarian principles.READ FULL

An Israeli airstrike on a family home in northern Gaza’s Jabalia killed 19 members of the Abd Rabbo family on Monday morning, according to Gaza civil defense officials. Rescuers recovered the bodies from the targeted residence in what spokesman Mahmud Bassal described as a “massacre” of the family.READ FULL

Massive wildfires near Jerusalem, described as “largest-ever” in Israel, have forced the evacuation of thousands and injured 13 people. Over 160 rescue teams with aircraft support are battling the flames, hampered by dry conditions and high winds. Israel has requested international aid, with several European countries sending assistance. The fires have burned nearly 3,000 acres, closed major highways, and led to the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations.READ FULL

In his strongest public criticism of Hamas to date, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas demanded the release of Israeli hostages and the group’s disarmament. Speaking from Ramallah, he accused Hamas of providing Israel with “free justifications” for its military operations in Gaza while also condemning Israel’s actions as “genocide.” Hamas rejected Abbas’s claims and questioned his competence.READ FULL

An Israeli military investigation admitted mistakes led to the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers in Gaza, resulting in a field commander’s dismissal. The report denied “indiscriminate fire” and claimed six victims were Hamas members, despite finding no weapons. The Palestine Red Crescent rejected the findings as “full of lies,” noting their staff was denied access to the site for five days after the March 23 incident near Rafah.READ FULL

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told AFP Wednesday that Hamas is still formulating its response to Israel’s ceasefire and hostage release proposal for Gaza. Mardawi emphasized that Hamas would not accept any partial agreement and stated firmly that the group’s weapons are non-negotiable in the talks.READ FULL

Hamas reports losing contact with militants holding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after an Israeli strike in Gaza. This comes as Israel proposes a new 45-day ceasefire deal where Alexander would be released first as a “goodwill gesture.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu visited northern Gaza, vowing Hamas would “suffer blow after blow” as the UN warns Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is worsening with no aid entering for six weeks.READ FULL

Israeli missiles struck Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Sunday, disabling the emergency department without causing casualties after staff evacuated patients following an Israeli warning. The military claimed Hamas fighters were using the facility, which Hamas denied. In separate strikes, 30 Palestinians were killed, including a police chief and six brothers. Hamas leaders are in Cairo for ceasefire talks as the conflict continues after more than 50,900 Palestinians have died since October 2023.READ FULL

Israel seizes new “Morag axis” corridor in southern Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis, expanding its security zone. Residents face evacuation orders as military operations intensify. Hamas officials meet with Egyptian mediators in Cairo, hoping for “real progress” toward a ceasefire. Since mid-March, renewed Israeli strikes have killed over 1,500 Palestinians, with total war deaths exceeding 50,900. US officials suggest a hostage release deal may be close.READ FULL

Israeli Defense Minister Katz announced troops are seizing “large areas” in Gaza, making the territory “smaller and more isolated.” An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City residential building killed at least 23 people, mostly women and children. Meanwhile, French President Macron said France plans to recognize a Palestinian state in “coming months.” Israel continues operations amid a humanitarian crisis, with Gaza’s total war death toll now exceeding 50,800 Palestinians.READ FULL

An Israeli strike on a residential building in Gaza City’s Shujaiya area killed at least 20 people and injured over 40 on Wednesday, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. This attack comes after Israel resumed intense military operations on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. Hamas officials stated they’re open to ceasefire negotiations as the Gaza death toll reaches 50,846, while 58 hostages remain in captivity.READ FULL

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighborhood killed at least 15 people on Thursday, with others trapped under rubble, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The Israeli military ordered immediate evacuation of the area, stating they are “operating with great force” to destroy “terrorist infrastructure” and directing residents to shelters in western Gaza City.READ FULL

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday a major expansion of military operations in Gaza, stating the army will seize “large areas” to create Israeli security zones. Katz did not specify how much territory Israel would take, but had warned last week of “full force” operations in additional parts of Gaza. The announcement follows renewed bombing that began March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire in the conflict that has killed over 50,000 Palestinians since October 2023.READ FULL

Israel’s parliament passed a controversial law expanding politicians’ power over judicial appointments, with 67 votes in favor. The legislation, part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reforms, sparked massive protests, with critics calling it a threat to democracy. Opposition parties immediately filed a supreme court challenge, arguing the law undermines judicial independence and could lead to authoritarian control.READ FULL

Israel conducted “extensive strikes” on Hamas targets across Gaza, killing at least 66 people and injuring about 150 during Ramadan. The Israeli military said the strikes came after Hamas repeatedly refused to release hostages and rejected proposals from mediators. Netanyahu’s office stated Israel would now act with “increased military strength.” Hamas condemned Israel for violating the January 19 ceasefire and said the strikes put remaining hostages at risk.READ FULL

Hamas released a video featuring American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, pleading for intervention from US President-elect Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The video highlights the ongoing hostage crisis following the October 7 attack. Edan’s mother urged Netanyahu to secure the hostages’ release, while the Prime Minister condemned the video as psychological warfare. Of the original 251 hostages, 97 remain in Gaza, with negotiations stalled since the brief November truce.READ FULL

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 52 people Thursday, including civilians, with attacks hitting east Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, south Lebanon, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah retaliated by launching its deepest attack on Israel in over a year, targeting the Hatzor air base near Ashdod. The conflict, which escalated into war in September, has killed over 3,500 Lebanese and 52 Israeli soldiers since October 2023.READ FULL

At least 12 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a civil defence facility in Lebanon’s Douris area near Baalbek on Thursday. Among the dead were eight civil defence personnel. This was the second Israeli attack on a health emergency facility in less than two hours, following an earlier strike that killed Hezbollah-affiliated rescuers, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.READ FULL

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 14 Palestinians, including women and children, in Gaza overnight. Strikes hit tent shelters in Khan Yunis and a school-shelter in Gaza City. The Israeli military claims to have eliminated dozens of fighters in northern Gaza and Rafah. The ongoing conflict has killed at least 43,508 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures backed by UN.READ FULL

The UN has condemned the high civilian death toll from Israel’s war in Gaza, with women and children comprising nearly 70% of the thousands killed. The report details violations of international law that could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide. It highlights the failure to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid during the conflict.READ FULL

US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath have arrived in the Middle East as part of Washington’s increased military presence in the region. This deployment, announced on November 1, includes bombers, fighter aircraft, and missile defense destroyers. The move comes as a warning to Iran following recent tensions between Iran and Israel, with both nations engaging in military strikes against each other.READ FULL

Israeli strikes killed 40 people in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated since late September. Hezbollah said it fired missiles at an Israeli military base near Ben Gurion Airport. Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have stalled. The US and Saudi ambassadors met Lebanon’s parliament speaker to discuss political developments.READ FULL

Israel has officially notified the UN it’s ending its relationship with UNRWA, the Palestinian refugee relief agency, established since 1967. Following legislation passed by the Israeli parliament, UNRWA is now banned from operating in Israel. Israel accuses UNRWA of anti-Israel bias and Hamas infiltration, particularly regarding the October 2023 attack. While the ban doesn’t directly affect UNRWA’s operations in Palestinian territories, it will significantly impact their ability to work there.READ FULL

Over a year into the Gaza war, Israel is facing a significant soldier shortage, with 300,000 reservists called up since Hamas’s October 7 attack. The military has lost 367 soldiers in Gaza and 37 in Lebanon operations. Extended reserve duties are causing job losses and family strain, while debate intensifies over ultra-Orthodox exemptions from service. Currently, about 66,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews of conscription age are exempted, sparking calls for reform amid the growing military personnel crisis.READ FULL

Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, with recent strikes killing five in Lebanon’s Tyre and three in Gaza City. Egypt’s President Sisi has proposed a two-day truce plan including a hostage exchange, though neither Israel nor Hamas has responded. Meanwhile, Iran has warned of “bitter consequences” following Israeli strikes on its military sites. The Gaza conflict has claimed 42,924 Palestinian lives, while Lebanon has seen 1,620 casualties since September.READ FULL

Israel has reportedly conducted strikes around Tehran and military bases in Iran, with Iranian state TV claiming air defense systems were activated. Iran has vowed a “proportional reaction” to what it calls Israeli aggression, while maintaining damage was limited. This follows Iran’s October 1 missile attack on Israel, which was in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Both nations remain in heightened military alertness.READ FULL

Israel’s military has announced the killing of Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Hamas commander who allegedly participated in the October 7 attacks while also working for UNRWA since July 2022. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and UNRWA, which previously fired nine staff members for possible involvement in the October 7 attacks. UNRWA, which provides aid to Palestinians across multiple regions, has faced increased scrutiny and calls for disbandment from Israel.READ FULL

Israel announced the elimination of a Hezbollah commander in Syria who led Unit 4400, responsible for managing funds from Iranian oil sales. The strike occurred in Damascus, killing two people. This follows the October killing of the unit’s previous leader, Mohammed Jafar Ksir, in Beirut. The unit reportedly handles tens of millions of dollars in Iranian oil sales to Syria and Lebanon.READ FULL

An Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza killed at least 33 Palestinians, including 21 women, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office. The death toll may rise to 50, with over 85 injured. Israel has not commented on the incident. This attack is part of Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hamas, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now reached 42,500, as reported by Gaza health authorities.READ FULL

Israel struck Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, including south Beirut and Nabatiyeh, killing at least five people. PM Netanyahu rejected ceasefire calls, demanding a buffer zone along the Israel-Lebanon border. The conflict has displaced 690,000 in Lebanon and killed over 1,300. Meanwhile, Gaza faces severe humanitarian aid restrictions amid ongoing Israeli operations, with the death toll reaching 42,409, mostly civilians.READ FULL

Israeli airstrikes hit south Beirut on Wednesday, shortly after the Israeli military warned residents to evacuate the area. Two strikes were witnessed, causing black smoke to rise from buildings in Haret Hreik. The Israeli spokesman had warned of impending action against Hezbollah-affiliated facilities. This is part of ongoing Israeli bombardments across Lebanon, which have killed at least 1,356 people since last month, according to Lebanese health ministry figures. The actual death toll is likely higher.READ FULL

An Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. Meanwhile, in Gaza, an Israeli strike on a hospital courtyard killed four and injured many. The war has claimed over 42,000 Palestinian lives, with 90% of Gaza’s population displaced. Israel ordered evacuation of northern Gaza, raising concerns of forced transfer. Aid groups warn of potential crimes of starvation and forcible transfer. Israel allowed 30 aid trucks into northern Gaza amid international pressure.READ FULL

An Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp killed a family of eight, including six children. Israel continues its campaign against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with ongoing evacuations in northern Gaza. The conflict has resulted in over 42,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction. Israel is expected to retaliate against Iran for a recent missile attack. The broader regional conflict involves multiple fronts, with significant casualties in Lebanon and ongoing tensions with Iran.READ FULL