Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya as new overall leader
The Palestinian armed group's Qatar-based chief negotiator replaces Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024.
The Palestinian armed group's Qatar-based chief negotiator replaces Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024.
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 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.
The US said it launched a "new wave" of strikes for the ninth consecutive night as explosions were heard across Iran.
Tehran [Iran], July 20 (ANI): Iran has warned the United States of the 'consequences of any adventure' to seize the critical oil hub of Kharg Island, amid escalating threats of military action from US President Donald Trump.
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 "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.
Defense department says 1Lt Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii and Pvt Isabella Gonzales of Texas were killed The US military on Monday identified two soldiers killed in action recently as part of the war with Iran. The defense department said in a statement that 1Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, were killed in Jordan, where they were supporting a US mission against the Islamic State group. It’s unclear how they were killed.
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.
MANAMA, 20th July, 2026 (WAM) -- The Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) said hostile drones targeted civil air navigation equipment serving the Bahrain Flight Information Region (FIR) during the Iranian attack on the Kingdom, with no impact on air traffic operations.
As the United States and Iran trade deadly attacks for a second week, the UN continues to call for de-escalation while highlighting the devastation caused to civilians and critical infrastructure across the Middle East.
Thousands of people in some of Yemen's most conflict-affected communities are receiving lifesaving health care closer to home, thanks to funding from the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) through the Yemen Humanitarian Fund.
Local intelligence enabled ballistic missile attacks on American aircraft and military facilities in the country, according to the IRGC Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has thanked Jordanian civilians and military personnel for allegedly providing the "accurate intelligence" it used to strike US forces and aircraft stationed in the kingdom.
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 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 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'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 An Israeli air strike on a vehicle on al-Jala' street in Gaza wounded at last 14, including women and children, al-Jazeera reported.
London [UK], July 20 (ANI): A vessel caught fire in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday following a missile strike, prompting an immediate evacuation of the mariners on board. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident, stating that 'the crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat'.
Tehran [Iran], July 20 (ANI): Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that individuals in Jordan provided intelligence that helped it carry out attacks on US military targets in the country, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.