Israeli air strike kills 3 and wounds others in Gaza
Israeli air strike kills 3 and wounds others in Gaza An Israeli air strike on a vehicle in Khan Younis in southern Gaza kills 3 and wounds others, Medical Nasser complex announced.
Source: Middle East Eye ▾
Khalil Al Hayya: Who is the political veteran chosen to steer Hamas forward
Khalil Al Hayya: Who is the political veteran chosen to steer Hamas forward Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 14:11 The Gaza-born leader takes charge after decades in Hamas’s political, parliamentary and negotiating ranks Khalil Al Hayya, senior leader and top Hamas legislative candidate, smiles during an interview with AFP at his office in Gaza City on 21 April 2021 (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP) Off Hamas has elected Khalil Al Hayya as the new head of its political bureau, placing one of the movement’s most experienced negotiators at the centre of its leadership during a period where Gaza is still facing Israeli genocide and the region faces a renewed war. The movement announced the result on Monday after an internal ballot of the leadership in which Hayya secured 35 votes, narrowly defeating Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas abroad and a former political bureau chief, who received 34, according to Al Jazeera Arabic Palestine bureau chief, Walid Al Omari. The vote completed a leadership process that began in May after Hamas failed to settle the contest in its first round.
Explosion heard in Shiraz, Fars news agency reports
Explosion heard in Shiraz, Fars news agency reports An explosion was heard in Shiraz, southern Iran, Fars news agency reports.
Former UN oversight chief says ICC prosecutor Karim Khan is ‘victim of massive stitch-up’
Former UN oversight chief says ICC prosecutor Karim Khan is ‘victim of massive stitch-up’ Submitted by Sondos Asem on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 13:23 Ben Swanson accuses court's executive body of pursuing an 'activist agenda' and 'dystopian' notion of justice by disregarding judicial opinion in prosecutor's misconduct case This general view shows the exterior and the logo of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on 28 March 2026 (John Thys/AFP) Off A former United Nations investigations chief has accused the International Criminal Court’s executive body of subjecting Prosecutor Karim Khan to a “stitch-up” in their decision to suspend him from office over misconduct allegations. Ben Swanson is a former UN assistant secretary-general and deputy head of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), and has previously served as director of the OIOS Investigations Division. Over the past year, he has submitted four expert's opinions commissioned by Khan's legal team to the 21-member bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), criticising the manner in which the investigation into misconduct allegations facing the prosecutor was conducted, and the subsequent handling of the process by the bureau.
Kuwaiti army intercepts Iranian missiles and drones
Kuwaiti army intercepts Iranian missiles and drones "Kuwaiti Air Defences are currently responding to hostile missiles and drone threats," an official statement by the Kuwaiti army said. The interceptions are carried out in response to "the sinful Iranian aggression", the army stated in its post on X.
Iran ready to 'welcome' US ground invasion as tit-for-tat attacks continue
Iran ready to 'welcome' US ground invasion as tit-for-tat attacks continue Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 11:34 Blasts reported across Iran as Revolutionary Guards unleash volley of strikes against US allies Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location, during what the US says are strikes on Iran, in this image dated 19 July (US Central Command/Reuters) Off Tehran has said it is ready to "welcome" an American ground invasion, as US central command (Centcom) reports its ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iran after the deaths of American soldiers in Jordan and Iraq over the weekend. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the country's leadership is “counting down the minutes to welcome” US forces in any ground invasion. He added that the text of the Pakistan-brokered interim deal signed with the US in June is "completely clear", and that there is "no excuse" for Washington to violate the treaty.
Pilot zone operations launched in Lebanon
Pilot zone operations launched in Lebanon Pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon, the US State Department said in a statement. According to the Trilateral Framework, the pilot zones are to see the full withdrawal of the Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese army, as well as disarmament of non-state armed groups, with a clear reference to Hezbollah. Hezbollah, which has not engaged in the talks, strongly denounced the calls for disarmament.
Sirens sound across Bahrain
Sirens sound across Bahrain "The siren has been sounded," the Bahraini ministry of interior's statement said. "Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
UK consulate in Palestine account suspended on X
UK consulate in Palestine account suspended on X Submitted by Rayhan Uddin on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 13:05 Hours before suspension, British mission in Jerusalem posted thread criticising Israel’s use of administrative detention against Palestinians Protesters wave Palestinian flags as they stand in front Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock's bell 'Big Ben', in central London, on 8 June 2024 (AFP/Justin Tallis) Off The British consulate in Jerusalem, which represents the UK government in occupied Palestine , had its account on X suspended on Sunday. As of Monday, the @UKinJerusalem account remains down, prompting the text “Account suspend” and “X suspends accounts which violate the X Rules”. It was not immediately clear why the account was suspended or which rules were violated.
World Cup 2026: Israel loves Argentina but do Argentinians actually love them back?
World Cup 2026: Israel loves Argentina but do Argentinians actually love them back? Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 12:32 President Javier Milei has tied his country closely to Israel, but polling shows most people in the country reject the relationship Argentina's President Javier Milei (centre) visits the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem, 19 April 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP) Off Hours before Argentina faced Spain in the World Cup final, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to President Javier Milei. "Javier [Milei], you are a real friend, a great friend.
Andy Burnham promises 'new economic and political model' as UK prime minister
Andy Burnham promises 'new economic and political model' as UK prime minister Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 12:34 Burnham appears to herald break from neoliberalism as he takes over from Keir Starmer Britain's King Charles III poses with incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, on 20 July 2026 (Aaron Chown/AFP) Off Andy Burnham has taken over from Keir Starmer as prime minister of the UK , promising to deliver a “new political model and a new economic model” for the country. Speaking to the nation in front of 10 Downing Street on Monday, the former mayor of Manchester said he was “acutely conscious” of the fact that he is the UK’s seventh prime minister since 2016. “It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game and rise to the new challenge,” Burnham, a minister during the New Labour era of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, said.
Iran says it is aware of American tricks
Iran says it is aware of American tricks Iran's parliament spokesperson Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that the US claims it seeks an end to the war while bringing new military equipment to the region, "betting on our intelligence being as limited as their IQ. " "We've reached master-level proficiency in recognising these American games ... Actions must confirm claims, not contradict them," Ghalibaf said in a post on X.
Houthis declare naval embargo against Saudi Arabia
Houthis declare naval embargo against Saudi Arabia In an official statement, Yemen's Houthis have declared a naval embargo against Saudi Arabia. The embargo comes in response to the air blockade that the kingdom has imposed on Yemen, the Houthi military spokesperson said.
Mediators proposed a 10-day cessation of strikes to revive the Iran-US deal, Reuters reports
Mediators proposed a 10-day cessation of strikes to revive the Iran-US deal, Reuters reports Senior Iranian sources have told Reuters that mediators have proposed a 10-day cessation of strikes to find ways to revive the Iran-US interim deal.
Iran attacked Bahrain's civil air navigation systems, state news agency says
Iran attacked Bahrain's civil air navigation systems, state news agency says The Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority said that Iran attacked civil aviation navigation systems but operations were not affected. Flights and air traffic transit through Bahrain are proceeding normally, the CAA told the state news agency.
Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya as new leader
Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya as new leader In an official statement, Hamas announced that Khalil al-Hayya was elected as the head of the political bureau of the Islamic movement, succeeding Yahya al-Sinwar, who was killed in Gaza by the Israeli army in October 2024.
Israeli ministers lead march calling for settlements in Gaza
Israeli ministers lead march calling for settlements in Gaza Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 11:16 Thousands join a settler rally near the Gaza border as ministers renew calls to rebuild Israeli settlements in the enclave Israelis march towards Gaza under the slogan 'After 21 years, we're returning home' near Kibbutz Zikim, 19 July (Reuters/Amir Cohen) Off Israeli ministers and lawmakers led a march towards the Gaza Strip on Sunday, calling for the re-establishment of settlements in the Palestinian enclave. Thousands joined the demonstration, organised by the Nachala settler movement under the slogan, "Returning home after 21 years", referring to Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. Nachala said at least 28 ministers and lawmakers took part, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.
China says that the sovereignty and security of Saudi Arabia should be respected
China says that the sovereignty and security of Saudi Arabia should be respected China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that the sovereignty and security of Saudi Arabia and other countries should be respected, in response to a question regarding recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The spokesperson added that China opposes attacks on civilian facilities and calls for the resolution of disputes through diplomatic means and restoration of stability in the region.
Israeli air strike wounds at least 14 in Gaza, including women and children
Israeli air strike wounds at least 14 in Gaza, including women and children An Israeli air strike on a vehicle on al-Jala' street in Gaza wounded at last 14, including women and children, al-Jazeera reported.
No one had an issue until I pointed my lens at Palestine | Misan Harriman
No one had an issue until I pointed my lens at Palestine | Misan Harriman Submitted by Mohamed Hashem on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 11:08 "I am now getting death threats from registered Telegraph readers. " Misan Harriman is a widely celebrated photographer and activist. He’s the first Black male photographer to shoot the cover of British Vogue and the director of an Oscar-nominated short film.
