US has redirected 75 commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz as of today The United States has redirected 75 commercial vessels and disabled four others to date, as part of its ongoing blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, according to an X post by the US Central Command. The Central Command also revealed that over 20 US warships are maintaining the blockade on the Strait.
Full list of Israel's ceasefire violations in Gaza, seven months on Submitted by Mera Aladam on Thu, 05/14/2026 - 06:14 From deadly strikes and expanding no-go zones to aid restrictions and border closures, Israel has repeatedly breached the US-backed truce while deepening the enclave's humanitarian crisis Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli air strike at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, 9 May 2026 (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) Off More than seven months have passed since a US -mediated ceasefire was announced with the stated aim of ending Israel 's two-year genocide in Gaza . Yet Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes and violations of the agreement, albeit at a lower intensity than before the truce. The humanitarian crisis caused by the war has also persisted, with Israel maintaining a tight siege on the Palestinian enclave.
Palestinian Prisoners Club: over 23,000 arrested in occupied West Bank since start of Israel's genocide Israel has arrested over 23,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the start of its genocidal war in Gaza, according to Wafa news agency's report of a statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Club. The statement clarified that this number does not include thousands of others arrested in Gaza during the same timeframe. The Prisoners Club report also discussed the abuses endured by Palestinian prisoners, including forced starvation, torture, and deprivation of medical care.
Israeli and Lebanese diplomats arrived at US Department of State for ceasefire negotiations Israeli and Lebanese delegations arrived at the US Department of State for a second day of diplomatic talks hosted by the US, Al Jazeera reported. The talks are taking place ahead of the expected expiration of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, which Israel has repeatedly violated through ongoing air strikes. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks have killed over 657 people in Lebanon since the start of the ceasefire.
UAE accelerates pipeline project to bypass Strait of Hormuz The United Arab Emirates will accelarate its construction of the West-East oil pipeline, meant to double the export capacity of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), according to a statement by the media office of the government of Abu Dhabi. The pipeline is meant to be operation by 2027, per the statement. According to Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), the pipeline would expand the UAE's ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
India and UAE sign defence and energy deals during Modi's state visit Submitted by Shraddha Joshi on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:46 The deals come amid rising economic challenges in India, exacerbated by US-Israeli war on Iran UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace during the latter's state visit to Abu Dhabi, on 15 May 2026 (Seshadri Sukumar/Zuma Press Wire/Reuters) Off The governments of India and the United Arab Emirates have signed new pacts on defence and petroleum supply during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the UAE on Friday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on X. The new deals build on the existing "India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", according to a statement posted by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA. The ministry announced seven outcomes from the state visit, including a collaboration agreement between the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a Strategic Defence Partnership and a $5bn Emirati development investment.
'The settlers are in control': How the West Bank is being ethnically cleansed Submitted by Peter Oborne on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 11:04 Armed, funded and openly endorsed by Israel's far-right government, settlers are terrorising Palestinians with impunity The 50km journey from Ramallah north to Nablus in the occupied West Bank used to take an hour. Israeli checkpoints now mean it can take half a day or more. It’s Friday morning and I’m on a bus full of students and young families going to stay with relatives for the weekend.
Israeli-born Dutch politician calls for violence worse than Gaza against Palestinians Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:36 Gidi Markuszower said Palestinians seeking asylum in Netherlands should face 'more force than where they came from' Dutch far-right lawmaker Gidi Markuszower addresses the press in The Hague on 20 January 2026 (AFP/Jeroen Jumelet) Off An Israeli -born right-wing Dutch lawmaker has called for the government to stop Palestinian refugees from entering the country "with more force than where they came from", prompting a complaint over incitement to violence. Gidi Markuszower made the comments in a recent video interview with the media platform Left Laser. Talking about Palestinian refugees, he repeatedly stated that they needed to be stopped from entering the country "with force".
Israeli military conducts strikes in Tyre, Southern Lebanon Israeli forces launched new air strikes near Hiram Hospital in Tyre, Southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). NNA also reported strikes in towns and residential areas on the outskirts of Tyre. According to Al Jazeera, an Israeli military spokesperson announced new displacement orders for four more villages in Southern Lebanon, despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
Spain's Sanchez slams Israeli minister for attack on Yamal over Palestinian flag Submitted by Reem Aouir on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:04 The Spanish premier defended the Barcelona star and said he was 'proud' of him after Israel's defence minister accused the 18-year-old of 'inciting hatred' for waving a Palestinian flag Lamine Yamal waves a Palestinian flag during FC Barcelona's open-top victory parade to celebrate winning LaLiga, in Barcelona, Spain, 11 May 2026 in this screen grab obtained from social media video. (@hsmramy via Instagram / Reuters) Off Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has publicly defended Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal after Israel's defence minister accused the Barcelona star of "inciting hatred" for waving a Palestinian flag during the club's victory parade on Monday. Thousands of fans had showered praise on the 18-year-old forward, considered one of the best football players in the world, for waving the flag from an open-top bus as an estimated 750,000 fans gathered on the streets of Barcelona to celebrate the club's second consecutive league victory.
Israeli activists protest at New York Times building after article exposes rape of Palestinians Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 11:53 Israel vows to sue the paper and journalist Nicholas Kristof following a story on Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian prisoners A video shared on X showed crowds gathered outside the newspaper's headquarters in New York City (X/Screenshot) Off Dozens of pro- Israel activists took part in a protest on Thursday outside of the New York Times building in New York City, as anger over the paper's coverage of the rape of Palestinians in Israeli prisons continues to simmer. A video shared on X showed pro-Israel activists holding banners calling to "end Jew hatred" and claiming anti-Zionism was killing Jews. The activists called for the dismissal of veteran New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof.
Palestine Action prisoner with muscular dystrophy says he is forced to 'crawl like a wounded dog' Submitted by Katherine Hearst on Thu, 05/14/2026 - 15:06 Medical reports found that Muhammad Khalid’s deterioration has been exacerbated by ‘restricted mobility’ and ‘inadequate’ healthcare in UK prison Muhammad Umer Khalid has been held on remand on charges in connection with a break-in at RAF Brize Norton (Supplied) Off A Palestine Action prisoner suffering from a muscle-wasting condition has told Middle East Eye that the prison he is held in in the UK has failed to provide him with adequate walking aids and treatment, leaving him to crawl around the jail. Muhammad Umer Khalid, who is being held on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs on charges in connection with a break-in to an RAF air base in June last year, suffers from muscular dystrophy - a rare genetic condition that is incurable but requires regular exercise and high protein meals, which he says the prison has failed to provide him. He said that, because he is locked up in his cell for 23 hours a day, his mobility has deteriorated since last October.
Iran allowing more ships through Strait of Hormuz, report says The naval forces of Iran's Revolutionary Guards are allowing more ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state television said Friday, after Tehran blocked the waterway following US-Israeli strikes. Since the outbreak of war on 28 February, Iran has largely blocked shipping through the strait, while days later the United States imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran. "More vessels can now pass through the Strait of Hormuz with the coordination of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," or IRGC, a state TV reporter said from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
The Met is favouring Tommy Robinson over the peaceful Nakba marchers Submitted by Ismail Patel on Thu, 05/14/2026 - 15:38 Palestinian voices are being pushed to the margins, while xenophobic forces are granted proximity to the heart of state power Pro-Palestinian supporters gather after a march through central London, commemorating the anniversary of the Nakba, on 17 May 2025 (Henry Nicholls/AFP) On For decades, Nakba Day has marked a painful and deeply political moment for Palestinians around the world. The annual commemoration marks the mass displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948. Today, this catastrophe continues to shape Palestinian life and identity, along with the struggle for justice.
Iran's foreign minister says it 'received messages' saying US was willing to continue talks Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday his government had received messages from the US indicating that President Donald Trump's administration was open to continuing talks aimed at ending the Iran war. "What was said that the United States rejected Iran's proposal or Iran's response to the American proposal was a few days ago, when Mr Trump tweeted and said that it was unacceptable," Araghchi told reporters in Delhi, the Indian capital. "But after that we received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction.
Trump says US may lift sanctions on Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is weighing lifting sanctions on Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil and will have a decision soon. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to the US after a two-day state visit to China. He also said he was okay with Iran suspending its nuclear program for 20 years, but that there has to be a "real" commitment from Tehran.
Brics talks end without joint statement, exposing divisions over war in Iran Top diplomats from Brics nations, including rivals Iran and the United Arab Emirates, failed to issue a joint statement on Friday after a two-day meeting in Delhi, leaving host India to release only a chair’s statement that exposed their differences. Tehran had wanted the grouping of emerging economies to condemn the US-Israeli war on Iran and accused US ally the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against it. "There were differing views among some members as regards the situation in the West Asia/Middle East region," India said in the statement and outcome document.
Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot to run for Fatah's central committee Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 09:52 The ambassador to the UK, who is originally from Gaza, announced his intention to run on Friday and has the backing of the widow of Yasser Arafat Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom, delivers a speech in Parliament Square, central London, on 8 June 2024 (Justin Tallis/AFP) Off The Palestinian ambassador to the UK , Husam Zomlot, has announced his intention to run for the central committee of Fatah. Zomlot, who has been a prominent voice during Israel's genocide in Gaza, posted the announcement on Instagram. "Today, Friday, 15/05/2026, which coincides with the 78th Nakba, Husam Zomlot, a Palestinian refugee born and raised in beloved Gaza, announces his intention to run for the member of the Central Committee for Fatah Movement," he wrote.
Iran’s Araghchi says open to China’s help to resolve Iran war Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday he was open to any support, including from China, to help resolve Iran war. "We appreciate any country who has the ability to help, particularly China," he told reporters in the Indian capital, where he attended a meeting of the Brics bloc of nations. "We have very good relations with China, we are strategic partners to each other, and we know that (the) Chinese have a good intention, so anything that can be done by them to help diplomacy would be welcomed by the Islamic republic.
Mossad, Shin Bet chiefs joined Netanyahu on 'secret' UAE visit during Iran war, report says Israel's Mossad chief and the Shin Bet director joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the UAE weeks into the war on Iran, Israel's i24 News reported on Friday. The report came after Israel and the UAE released conflicting statements on Wednesday night about a “secret” meeting that took place weeks into the war on Iran between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Netanyahu's office said the "visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE", while the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a flat denial.
